PORTFOLIO / WITS

A BRAND FOR GOOD

(2008 – current)

THE CHALLENGE

In the lead up to its Centenary, Wits University sought to forge a future looking brand connection with captains of industry, C-suite individuals, government and academics. The university also sought to attract and secure more postgraduate registrations.

THE SOLUTION

One of the first campaigns launched for Wits University by Ebony+Ivory in 2019 showcased ground breaking research pioneered by Witsies postgraduates. This first phase campaign was implemented across both corporate and postgraduate markets with a budget of R640 000.

Our creative team pioneered an illustrative approach to tell ‘Wow, Wits did that!” stories such as using learnings from how dung beetles navigate to improve Artificial Intelligence (AI) development.

The agency positioned Wits University as being a Tertiary Education institution whose why is “For Good”. While this future positioning has been subtly communicated to date through on-campus activations and branding internalisations, such as sharing the For Good Manifesto written by Ebony+Ivory on University spaces, it is now entering a more public-facing phase.

The campaign drove impressions and click throughs to the Wits Research and departmental hubs on the University website. Over the years the media mix has included Digital, Social Media and Radio:

Digital: Search, YouTube, Niche Online Sites and Google Display Advertising Social Media (Paid): Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Radio: Metro, SAFM, 702, Classic, Kaya FM
Wits Impact for Good Podcast Series in partnership with 702.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

In 2020 the agency unlocked 42% in Annual Media Added Value and 10 801 116 digital and social media impressions.
The Wits University Impact for Good podcast series achieved a reach of 850 000 and 4 610 downloads as well as 73 316 podcast/article page views.

The 2019 campaign achieved 2 265 215 impressions, 12 352 click throughs and 150 285 views.
Sponsored articles (corporate) published on niche news sites secured 1 247 457 impressions and 21 065 views.

The postgraduate sub-campaign performed exceptionally well with 16 790 303 impressions achieved and 279 489 views secured.
Sponsored articles published on news sites within the postgraduate portion of campaign activity saw 853 822 impressions achieved.