Shape your Story.
Extend your Reach.

You already know your school has a distinct, compelling identity.
But does everyone else?

REACH is a message platform for college and university marketing teams. Through a research-rich discovery process, 5° Branding will identify the differentiators and benefits, known as “brand pillars,” that your institution has to offer and help create a clear message for both internal and external audiences. REACH mines your college or university for gold and equips you to share what shines.

The REACH process identifies, explores, and frames standout features as a unified brand that encompasses your unique offerings—from academic programs to community life to career readiness.

Every REACH project receives a Messaging Map that includes:

  • Brand pillars

  • An internal messaging guide

  • Supporting content

  • Prompts for leveraging AI 

  • A word bank of descriptors, main ideas, and actions

Working with 5° is a collaborative, creative endeavor that feels like a group project you actually want to do, with partners you can trust both to bring their best and to bring out your best.

Let’s Shape Your Story

Are you confident that you understand the identity of your institution, but you’re struggling to share it with the world?

5° will take your internal story and transform it into a clear, compelling narrative that can be told everywhere from viewbooks to social media posts.

“Every school probably has many great things they could say about themselves, so narrowing those things down to just a few key themes can be challenging. One of the hardest parts is bridging the gap between how you see your own brand and how others see it. That’s where having an outside perspective can be beneficial. And I think it’s fair to be concerned that an outside consultant helping with brand messaging won’t “get” your brand as well as you do. But when it’s a collaborative and iterative process, you can ensure the messaging captures the brand well while staying true to your school’s unique voice.”

: ROB HANN | DIRECTOR OF BRAND STRATEGY, DORDT UNIVERSITY

Do you already have survey data, focus group reports, or market analysis?

5° Branding will analyze your institution’s research, identify your brand pillars, and create a messaging map that prepares you to communicate the standout features of your institution.

“We needed 5° to validate that we were interpreting our research the right way, and turn that research into a messaging framework that would be unique to Saint Vincent in the competitive space of private, faith-based higher education… The messaging framework now shines through all of our admissions print materials, our website, our new virtual tour, our legacy media and digital ad campaign, and all other messaging seen by our core audiences for recruitment.”

: SIMON STUCHLIK | VP OF MARKETING, SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE

Each REACH project receives a Messaging Map that includes brand pillars, an internal messaging guide, supporting content, AI prompts, and a word bank of descriptors, main ideas, and actions.

The Messaging Map becomes the “go-to” for creating copy, headlines, CTAs, and social content.