Brain Trust: Rebranding — Tales from Clients' Experiences

An unusually high number of our clients are going through or have recently completed some version of a full rebrand, reposition, or visual rebrand, or are planning to launch one shortly. Come talk with other clients who have recently completed, are in the thick of it now, and have done this for many institutions over their careers.

Laurie Ward is a seasoned marketing and communications professional, with nearly 20 years’ experience in higher education. At Hood, she is currently working on a multi-year rebranding effort. In addition to the College’s marketing and communications office, she oversees conference and events services and Print@Hood.  

Before moving to Frederick, Laurie served as the chief marketing and communications officer at Delaware Valley University (Doylestown, PA) and the director of client marketing services at Ithaca College. Prior to her higher education experience, she was the public relations director at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore. At all three institutions, she was responsible for or part of a team to implement a rebrand and the roll out of a new logo.

She serves on the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee, the Frederick Speaker Series at the Weinberg Center for the Arts selection committee and the nominating committee of the Frederick County Ethics Commission. A native of Syracuse, New York, Laurie now lives in Frederick with her rescue dog, Tino.

Vanessa Breese, Director of Digital Communications, joined Davidson College in 2016. Her work on strategic content helps tell the Davidson story to a wide audience, elevating Davidson’s reputation and profile. She has built relationships across the college, providing CMS training and working with departments to optimize their website content and strengthen their digital presence. She recently played a key role in developing Davidson’s new visual identity and brand rollout. Vanessa’s portfolio of experience crosses communications strategy, brand management, and content production for brand initiatives across multiple platforms, with particular focus on digital. Previously, she held positions at Young & Rubicam and Time Inc. Content Solutions, both in New York.