PSU hosts Branding Expo

  Thursday, September 4, 2014 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Nearly 20 national and regional vendors of Pittsburg State University licensed merchandise and about 80 potential customers will come together Friday, Sept. 5, for the university’s 2014 Branding Expo. The event, sponsored by the Office of Marketing and Communication, will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wilkinson Alumni Center.

Chris Kelly, associate vice president for university marketing and communication, said the event is more than an opportunity for licensed vendors to pitch their products. It is also an opportunity for the university to explain the licensing process and the rules related to the use of the university’s marks and images for both vendors and consumers.

“Pittsburg State University has a very strong brand that is becoming more recognized and sought after each day,” Kelly said. “Our licensing process and the standards set forth in our brand standards manual are tools we use to ensure that the PSU brand remains strong.”

Manufacturers and vendors have been quick to capitalize on the growing strength of the PSU brand. PSU’s Gorilla logo and school colors can be found on everything from sweatshirts and ball caps to water bottles, jewelry and golf tees.

“Vendors want to use the PSU logos because there is demand and demand occurs because so many people are proud to be associated with Pittsburg State,” Kelly said. “We are thrilled with that. One of our tasks is to make sure everything that bears a PSU logo is correct and reflects positively on the university.”

Vendors are continually submitting requests for approval of designs for new merchandise, according to Kelly.

Jenny Hellwig, director of publications and special projects, said the most common reasons designs are rejected are that the colors are not correct or the popular split-face logo is not correct.

Persons with questions about the use of PSU’s marks or images may call the Office of University Marketing and Communication, 620-235-4122.