Rebranding Strategy for University Quarter (Student Accommodation)
University Quarter wanted to strengthen its position in the competitive student accommodation market. I developed a comprehensive rebranding and integrated marketing communications strategy to help them connect with students more effectively and differentiate themselves from competitors.
Objectives
-
Evaluate the current brand personality and tone of voice.
-
Research and analyse key competitors in the student accommodation sector.
-
Define a new target audience (domestic + international students).
-
Create a new brand personality (fun, quirky, exciting).
-
Propose innovative communication tactics across digital and out-of-home channels.

🔍 Research & Insights
-
Current UQ brand used yellow/black/white — competent but lacked energy.
-
Competitors like Simply Students, Ashcourt, and Accommodation Warehouse had inconsistent or competence-heavy brand personalities.
-
Student research showed demand for affordability, wellbeing, and flexibility (including pet-friendly accommodation + transport support)
💡 The Strategy
-
New Brand Personality: Quirky, fun, creative, and student-focused.
-
Brand Message: “More freedom than ever before”.
-
Design Updates: Mascot/logo redesign, new colors (red + yellow), quirky website with animal print to reinforce pet-friendly policy.
-
Digital Marketing:
-
Social media revamp (quirky posts, TikTok trends, animated mascot content).
-
Creation of a functional student app with bus integration and personalization features.
-
-
Out-of-Home Marketing:
-
Partnerships with local bus services (discounted fares).
-
Branded bus stop posters with QR codes linking to the app.
-
Branded merchandise (t-shirts, tote bags) for new tenants.
-
