Sorority taglines, etc.

[littleowl33]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I really don't mind the taglines. I think this whole thread is a testament to the fact that most NPC women only know their own sorority's tagline, plus maybe one or two others. I'm sure PNMs have no idea what everyone's taglines are. No one's going to go into recruitment and choose their house based on who has the "coolest" graphic or the catchiest tagline... unless they really do their homework and are having a hard time deciding betwen two great choices (and in that case, I would think things like Philanthropy, traditions, colors, etc. would be more of a selling point). I doubt any of the higher-ups in our sororities want to market our groups like "sneakers" or what-have-you, but I don't see any harm (or much benefit, actually) in sprucing up a logo. I guess I'm pretty indifferent because I don't think it makes any difference in how people view the group or how many women will join.

For example, I don't think any PNM in the world is saying, "Well, I loved Phi Mu when their tagline was 'Imagine. Believe. Acheive.', but I just don't think I can do 'Vibrant'. I'll just join XYZ instead." Or vice versa.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by littleowl33

For example, I don't think any PNM in the world is saying, "Well, I loved Phi Mu when their tagline was 'Connect. Impact. Shine', but I just don't think I can do 'Vibrant'. I'll just join XYZ instead." Or vice versa.

Ha! Probably not since that's GPhiB's tagline! You're thinking Imagine. Believe. Achieve.

[littleowl33]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Ha! Probably not since that's GPhiB's tagline! You're thinking Imagine. Believe. Achieve.

Ah! Sorry! Kind of proves my point about no one knowing what they are... especially me. I'll change it

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by littleowl33

I think this whole thread is a testament to the fact that most NPC women only know their own sorority's tagline, plus maybe one or two others.

But doesn't that mean that the taglines are not fulfilling their intended purpose? Taglines are a component of branding/advertising. In the GLO context, that doesn't mean branding or advertising for the purpose of attracting new members per se, but for the purpose of having a consistent "brand" that identifies an organization and sets it apart from other, similar organizations so that when you see it, you immediately say "ABC." So if the taglines aren't helping identify the GLO in question, then they're not working, it seems to me.

It's like with any advertising slogan -- some will work and some won't; some will catch on and some won't; some last and some won't.

[33girl]

^^^Exactly what I meant - why are GLOs spending money on something so ineffective when it could be going to philanthropy or scholarships for members?

I was thinking about this, and maybe part of the branding is an effort to create a clear nationwide identity in the same way NPHC groups have among their intended membership (and therefore hopefully create the same degree of alumnae support). But until NPC and NIC completely change the way they rush - that just ain't gonna happen. Even if rushees go into rush saying they want to be a PQR, it's usually because they're a legacy or because of the group's reputation on that particular campus. It's usually not because they've researched the group or felt a connection to the philanthropy.

(The above statement may contain sweeping generalizations.)

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by 33girl

^^^Exactly what I meant - why are GLOs spending money on something so ineffective when it could be going to philanthropy or scholarships for members?

I was thinking about this, and maybe part of the branding is an effort to create a clear nationwide identity in the same way NPHC groups have among their intended membership (and therefore hopefully create the same degree of alumnae support). But until NPC and NIC completely change the way they rush - that just ain't gonna happen. Even if rushees go into rush saying they want to be a PQR, it's usually because they're a legacy or because of the group's reputation on that particular campus. It's usually not because they've researched the group or felt a connection to the philanthropy.

(The above statement may contain sweeping generalizations.)

It's only a generalization because it's generally true!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I was thinking about this, and maybe part of the branding is an effort to create a clear nationwide identity in the same way NPHC groups have among their intended membership (and therefore hopefully create the same degree of alumnae support). But until NPC and NIC completely change the way they rush - that just ain't gonna happen. Even if rushees go into rush saying they want to be a PQR, it's usually because they're a legacy or because of the group's reputation on that particular campus. It's usually not because they've researched the group or felt a connection to the philanthropy.

I hadn't thought about it this way, but it's an interesting idea; you may be on to something.

And maybe that's why as best I can tell the visual identity thing does seem to be "working" for us -- since we're what might be called a "special interest" social fraternity, we're looking to attract guys who share that interest and who make a connection with us because of it. At the same time, we know that lots of guys looking for a social fraternity are not going to consider us along with the others (nor would we consider them) because they don't feel a connection to that special interest.

[SWTXBelle]

that NPC has "Grow. Give. Lead. Succeed." as its tagline???

[minDyG]

Might as well fill in the rest of the specs for Delta Gamma...



Motto: Do Good
Tag Line: For Hope. For Strength. For Life.
Symbol: Anchor
Colors: Bronze, pink, and blue
Flower: Delta Gamma Rose (cream colored rose)
Mascot: Hannah (Raggedy Ann doll)

We don't have a jewel, which is unfortunate. I would love to have an excuse to buy lots of (fill in the blank) jewelry! I know pearls are prevalent on lots of our fraternity jewelry.

[Ch2tf]

Originally Posted by 33girl

^^^Exactly what I meant - why are GLOs spending money on something so ineffective when it could be going to philanthropy or scholarships for members?

I was thinking about this, and maybe part of the branding is an effort to create a clear nationwide identity in the same way NPHC groups have among their intended membership (and therefore hopefully create the same degree of alumnae support). But until NPC and NIC completely change the way they rush - that just ain't gonna happen. Even if rushees go into rush saying they want to be a PQR, it's usually because they're a legacy or because of the group's reputation on that particular campus. It's usually not because they've researched the group or felt a connection to the philanthropy.

(The above statement may contain sweeping generalizations.)

When I first read the entries in the thread, a thought I had was that maybe because of the superficial (read surface and not unimportant) similarities between groups from an outsiders/non-members perspective, in conjunction with the way recruitment operates, NPC groups have felt the need to brand themselves to "set" a (national) identity to distinguish themselves from the other groups. It may not be working, because as Mystic Cat pointed out, many organizations may have used the same firm and as a result have ended up with similar identities. So the question maybe should not be are taglines/branding working, but if the tagline/branding that ABC org has chosen is working.

Personally, there are a few NPC brand identities that I am familiar with because of my contact with them (their existence on my UG and Grad campuses; knowing members of said org, etc.) Because I'm familiar with these organizations for a myriad of reasons, I am familiar with their identities. For example, Delta Gamma, whenever I see an anchor anywhere, I think of them, and I know they used the anchor well before branding, but specifically, I think of the current logo/set of related images when I think of DG (and the Gamma they often make in pictures). It may be that they chose a "brand" that had a strong foundation in their identity an this is why it "works", idk.

As members of an NPC org you'd have better insight into this than I would, but for well informed and/or mature decision makers, the brand might have an impact not so much in the first rounds of recruitment, but maybe when it comes to prefs and selecting a final group. If what they "feel" about the org comes from the brand, and I don't mean colors but how for example, "imagine.believe.acheive" vs let's say "connect.impact.shine" resonates with them, it "may" help. Particularly when paired with their experiences during recruitment. For me it would, but I come from a different "paradigm" if you will. But who knows if/how many women think like this when making their decisions.

[pbear19]

I think one of the benefits of branding and taglines is to present the group to its current members. It creates a theme that can be translated through all the materials that go out to both collegians and alumni.

That being said, I also think it's just a part of modern greek life. I personally adore the original version of the Gamma Phi monogram, but I don't think it's been used regularly for a good 30 years or more. It's all part of the evolution of marketing, love it or not.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by pbear19

I like it...but it's not very modern. I can see why images may need to be updated occasionally. For AOII, we have ALWAYS used the red rose as our main symbol. It used to be a color depiction of our rose pendant/colony pin that was designed for us by Tiffany with AOII written on the leaves. Now, the red rose is a new design, more modern looking but a red rose nonetheless.

[ask_bm001]

Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

Tagline: None officially but "Putting the "R" in Geek" has been used.
Flower: White Rose
Jewel: none
Colors: Royal Blue and Silver
Official Symbol: Lioness
Official Motto: None, see below
Purpose and Quality Goal

Our purpose is to promote friendship, academic achievement, unity within the organization, and philanthropy throughout the community.


We are a sorority of women committed to achieving our academic goals and promoting women in technical fields, through leadership, friendship, and support.