What is branding?
A brand is the personality that identifies a product, service or organization (name, term, sign, symbol, design, or combination of them) and how it relates to key constituencies.

Why is Unity creating a unified identity?
The new branded identity creates cohesion among ministries, Unity Worldwide Ministries' home office and Unity World Headquarters at Unity Village. This cohesion leads to greater recognition of all ministries using the new identity. Together, we are much more powerful than we are acting as separate agents.
 
What does branding include?
It includes the language in how we describe ourselves to the world, images that show people coming together in a unified way, colors that are professionally complimentary to each other and of course the logo itself.

In the logo, the word “Unity” is primary, with a local designator for each ministry. The local designator can focus on the ministry's location. By emphasizing “Unity” we are helping ourselves to stand out from all other spiritual communities. With a common logo, we become more recognizable to the outside world.

How was this created?
Chuck Pettis of Brand Solutions conducted two powerful rounds of extensive comprehensive research; the results indicated a high level of consensus from both within and outside our Unity movement. Chuck shares the research results at our Unity People's 2010 Convention below:

What is a brand?
Becoming a household name.
How can we describe ourselves?
It's not a race—it's evolution.
Be who we are.
Consensus about our identity.
See agreement to sign up.

How can branding benefit my ministry?

1. Your spiritual community can take advantage of professionally researched and designed materials (refer to photo's on right). Our research gave us language and visuals that resonate with both Unity and non-Unity people. We have created new materials that will resonate with both groups, and offer them to you at a nominal fee, customized for your ministry. See an example.
2. The Identity Project will save you time and money. You don't have to reinvent the “wheel” for your communication and marketing materials. We have created our print service bureau to keep costs to you as low as possible. Since the message and visuals will remain the same for several years, you don't have to constantly recreate your pieces.
3. Your ministry can elect to create a professionally designed branded website at an excellent price. Each site is based on the branding research and developed in cooperation with your ministry. This allows each ministry's personality to shine through while also providing a professional and cohesive look. Your website would be easily updated with DailyWord, Unity Online Radio and articles streamed and refreshed daily. Find out more about our web service.
4. The greater the alignment, the more powerful the identity. As more and more of your fellow spiritual communities adopt the identity, it will become more recognizable by the public. By moving to consistency with all marketing/communications (print and web), we will also add to our movement's recognition.
5. Never before have we had this degree of unity in Unity. As people explore our movement, and they find greater unity and alignment among all our organizations, we will gain recognition. This is a move toward uniting our energies for a more powerful work together. While maintaining our diversity, it is important for us to work as a collective energy in order to continue to grow into this millennium.
6. Many in our movement have expressed the sense that “now is the time, and we are the ones.” The research bears out the fact that there are many people out there hungering for what Unity offers. What better time to unveil a new identity that can be shared with the world? We remain who we are: a Christian-based organization founded on the teachings of Jesus as taught by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. Our time has come to shine, to take our place as the spiritual movement we were born to be. By putting ourselves out there in a high quality, consistent way, we can do just that. Join us as we build a collective energy for what the world is seeking.

How many are in test groups now and who are they?
Over 22% of our movement has embraced our Unity Identity Project in the first year of the program. There are currently 121 ministries, 6 of which are in Canada, along with the Eastern and South Central Regions and Unity Canada (aka the Association of Canadian Ministries). This is a list of our groups. Our next group will launch July 26, 2012, paperwork is due on July 13, 2012.


When can my ministry join?
New test groups launch on:

• July 26, 2012, with all paperwork and payment completed no later than July 13, 2012
• October 31, 2012, with paperwork due by October 11, 2012

Groups help us to educate and introduce branding in the ministry and in the local community. Subscribe to The Path at www.unity.org/enews for reminders of the launch dates.  Also check out "sign up" on this page for complete instructions on how to join and to make payment.

Are there qualifications for a ministry to be able to join a test group?
Yes. The ministry must be in good standing and have a Unity credential leader in the ministry.

The idea for this program is to create a clear and cohesive representation of our Unity movement as a whole, designed to welcome those who are seeking our Unity teachings. Over time we will build recognition of Unity. Professional print resources are available to support your ministry. For more information contact Debbie@unity.org or call 816.434.6831.

Where can I find branding resources?
Check out these resources below.
 

• To signup click here.
• Language Branding Map.
• Info on Chuck Pettis and Brand Solutions.
• Pictures of branded communities' signs (Take a look at the right sidebar, click on an image to enlarge).
• Considering Changing Your Spiritual Community's Name?
• Take a look at the products that would be available at our on-demand print service bureau,
  username: unity; password: unity.
• We have partnered with OneEach Technologies to offer website services to our branded ministries. Read our Web Vendor FAQs.
• Original survey results conducted by Brand Solutions.

*Click on an image below to enlarge.


Example of Unity Logo
Your community name will take the place of 'Local Designator.'


Consistent Marketing/Communication


New Signage Examples:


Unity of Key West


Unity Spiritual Center Albuquerque


Unity Spiritual Center Albuquerque Teen Center


Unity Living Water Spiritual Community


Unity Spiritual Life Center Oklahoma City


Unity of Omaha


Unity Spiritual Center in Sun City

Unity of Tampa, Florida

Unity of Merced, California

 
Unity of Appleton, Wisconsin

Unity of Fort Myers

Unity Kitchener

Fox Valley Unity, Batavia, IL