Case Study: The Impact of Logos on Brand Identity

Case 1: New Logo Boosts Brand Awareness for a Soccer Non-Profit

Challenge

A long-established soccer non-profit had been using the same logo for many years. The outdated design failed to capture the organization’s evolving mission and vision. Many affiliates and member leagues either misused the logo or avoided using it altogether, leading to inconsistencies in branding and a lack of cohesive identity.

 

Solution

Recognizing the need for a rebrand, the Executive Director and Board of Directors were convinced that this was an opportunity to refresh the organization’s image. A comprehensive brand strategy was developed, including a budget and transition timeline. A Sacramento-based firm was hired to create a new logo and design an advertising launch campaign to introduce the new brand.

 

Outcome

The new logo, aligned with the organization’s vision and mission, was successfully implemented. The advertising campaign increased brand awareness among affiliates, members, and the public. Standardized brand guidelines were introduced, ensuring consistency across all platforms and materials.


Case 2: Rebranding the North American Home Furnishings Association

 

Challenge

The North American Home Furnishings Association was formed through the merger of three regional furniture associations. The new name was lengthy, difficult to remember, and did not accurately represent the geographic reach of its membership. This lack of clarity affected brand recognition and engagement within the industry.

 

Solution

Elevated Marketing Group was commissioned to research alternative names, conduct interviews with members and industry stakeholders, and analyze brand perception. Based on findings, a new name—Home Furnishings Association (HFA)—was proposed. The new logo and brand identity were presented to the board of directors and received approval for implementation.

Additionally, Elevated Marketing Group oversaw the development of association style guidelines, an organizational profile, and boilerplate materials to maintain brand integrity in both internal and external communications.

 

Outcome

The rebranding resulted in a more relevant, concise, and memorable identity for the association. The national branding campaign successfully increased awareness and engagement among members and the general public. By adopting a streamlined name and logo, HFA strengthened its industry presence and reinforced its mission to serve the home furnishings sector.

Conclusion

In both cases, outdated or ineffective branding hindered organizational recognition and engagement. By investing in strategic rebranding efforts, these organizations were able to revitalize their identities, improve brand consistency, and enhance awareness among their target audiences. A well-designed logo and brand strategy are crucial in aligning an organization’s image with its mission and values, ultimately leading to greater success and influence in their respective industries.

 


Case Study: Elevated Marketing Team Drives Brand Awareness Strategy for Lamar Transit Advertising in San Francisco

 

Challenge: Lamar Transit Advertising sought to penetrate the competitive San Francisco advertising agency market but lacked a defined sales strategy. Historically, attempts to establish a foothold in this region had been unsuccessful, and no structured approach had been developed to build relationships with key agencies or generate consistent revenue.

 

Solution: Elevated Marketing Group designed and implemented a unique market re-entry strategy tailored to build brand awareness and foster engagement with leading San Francisco advertising agencies. This strategy included:

  • Conducting in-depth market research to identify key decision-makers, industry trends, and competitive positioning.

  • Personally traveling to meet with agency executives, potential buyers, and production partners to analyze their needs and align Lamar Transit Advertising's offerings with market demand.

  • Developing targeted sales and marketing tactics, including direct outreach, educational consultations, and relationship-building efforts.

  • Crafting compelling messaging to position Lamar Transit Advertising as a premier out-of-home (OOH) advertising solution in the market.

 

Results:
The strategy proved highly effective, delivering tangible results within a short timeframe:

  • Signed five agency contracts within the first three months of execution.

  • Established a $180,000 monthly sales pipeline in a previously underperforming market.

  • Closed $2.1 million in sales, solidifying Lamar Transit Advertising's presence in the San Francisco advertising landscape.

 

Conclusion: Elevated Marketing Team’s strategic approach to brand awareness and market penetration enabled Lamar Transit Advertising to achieve significant success in the San Francisco market. By leveraging direct engagement, industry insights, and targeted sales tactics, the company transformed a previously stagnant territory into a thriving revenue stream. This case study underscores the power of a well-executed brand awareness strategy in unlocking new market opportunities and driving substantial business growth.

 


Case Study: Transforming a Declining Membership Base into the Third Largest Youth Soccer League in the Country

 

Client: California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA)

 

Challenge: CYSA was experiencing a significant decline in market share within its competitive-level membership. A new statewide competitor had emerged, drawing teams away from CYSA’s regionally split competitive leagues. This fragmentation resulted in reduced participation, a declining revenue stream, and an overall weakening of CYSA’s influence in the youth soccer landscape.

Solution: Elevated Marketing Group was engaged to conduct an in-depth analysis of CYSA’s challenges and implement a strategic plan to reclaim market share. Our approach included:

 

  1. Stakeholder Engagement & Discovery:

    • Conducted in-depth interviews with CYSA leadership, staff, volunteers, and member organizations to understand pain points and competitive landscape.

    • Assessed operational inefficiencies, registration processes, and league structure to identify barriers to growth.

  2. Strategic League Development & Competitive Positioning:

    • Proposed restructuring the league to provide a statewide competitive option that rivaled the new entrant, preventing the loss of top-tier teams.

    • Developed and executed a unifying league strategy to consolidate regional leagues into a cohesive, high-visibility statewide platform.

  3. Operational & Process Optimization:

    • Created a streamlined registration and onboarding process for teams and clubs, removing bottlenecks that deterred participation.

    • Established a clear governance framework and approval process with the state Board of Directors (BOD) to expedite decision-making.

  4. Marketing & Community Engagement:

    • Designed and deployed an aggressive marketing blitz targeting:

      • Existing CYSA affiliates and members

      • General soccer community, including independent clubs and parents

      • Previously lost teams to attract them back into the league

    • Negotiated partnerships with key soccer organizations and influencers to amplify outreach.

    • Launched digital marketing initiatives, including social media campaigns, email marketing, and geo-targeted ads to drive registration.

  5. Ongoing Tracking & Adaptation:

    • Held weekly conference calls with staff and volunteers to track progress, resolve roadblocks, and refine execution strategy in real time.

    • Implemented a performance dashboard to monitor team registrations, financial impact, and retention metrics.

Results:

  • Successfully signed up 1,900 new teams, reversing the membership decline.

  • Increased league revenue by $665,000 within the first season.

  • Established CYSA’s competitive league as the third largest youth soccer playing league in the country.

  • Strengthened CYSA’s reputation and brand equity, reinforcing its leadership in youth soccer.

 

Conclusion: By leveraging a data-driven approach, streamlining operations, and executing a high-impact marketing campaign, Elevated Marketing Team was able to help CYSA not only recover lost ground but also achieve unprecedented growth. This case study underscores the power of strategic marketing, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence in turning around declining memberships and revenue in a competitive landscape.