College and University partners to receive integrated counsel from research through creative
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia—November 7, 2014—SimpsonScarborough, a market research and strategy firm that serves higher education, announced today that it will extend its services for colleges and universities by adding a division focused on creative strategies, marketing communications planning, branding, advertising and content creation. The additional services will be based in Oakland, Ca. and offered through a partnership with The Department of the 4th Dimension (The D4D), an award-winning creative and branded content firm.
“Our clients have valued our firm’s research findings, insights and recommendations that have differentiated them in a crowded higher education marketplace and helped them connect with the audiences they value most,” said SimpsonScarborough CEO Elizabeth Scarborough. “This is a natural step in turning data-based insights into actions that support and achieve their branding, recruitment and fundraising objectives.”
SimpsonScarborough has conducted market research and brand strategy projects for more than 150 colleges and universities, including some of the nation’s most highly regarded research universities, liberal arts colleges, women’s colleges, and faith-based institutions. The addition of the new services will allow the firm to continue working with clients after research, strategy and brand positioning phases are completed.
The D4D, founded in 2006, is an internationally recognized creative firm offering services that include brand identity, advertising, experience design, content strategy and creation (digital, social media, video production). The firm is known for its innovative work with higher education clients including the University of California and Harvard Business School, as well as the development of branding campaigns for Sephora, MTV, the Walker Art Center and ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The D4D’s work has been recognized by the New York Times, Boing Boing, and Popular Science, among others, and awarded with a One Show Gold Pencil, CASE Circle of Excellence, Webby and Telly honors.
“This is an exciting opportunity to provide higher education clients with access to a team that can bring a brand to life across the entire spectrum, from research to strategy, to creative execution in any media,” said Matt Checkowski, The D4D founder and chief creative officer. “We’ve always recognized the potential for innovation in how colleges and universities develop their brand, tell their story, and engage with the next generation. After years of collaboration, we’re excited to formalize this partnership and focus on developing exciting new ideas for our clients.”
“Branding and marketing are critical functions for colleges and universities,” said SimpsonScarborough Vice President Jason Simon, who joined the firm in February and will lead the new division. “We strongly believe that SimpsonScarborough’s ability to support clients through an integrated approach that leverages and builds upon research findings to align campus stakeholders, establish marketing benchmarks and metrics and inform our creative strategies will lead to compelling work that truly makes a difference.”
For more information visit simpsonscarborough.com and thed4d.com or contact Jason Simon (js@simpsonscarborough.com).
