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The University Of Mississippi Brand Essay

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XIII. Discussion
1. The University of Mississippi brand was strong enough to withstand scrutiny and undergo brand image changes (Customer Loyalty). During the image revamp, enrollment and the numbers of minorities increased. Statistics indicate no decline in enrollment from 2003 until 2016. Institutional research cited an increase in enrollment of over 38% in the past decade, and by 14% in the past five years alone (University of Mississippi Office of Institutional Research, 2016). Other reports also indicate no drastic decline in merchandising sales. Again, even though this growth in enrollment cannot be directly related to Ole Miss racial image changes, the researchers can conclude that it had no negative effect on enrollment or merchandise sale. This is because of the University’s strong brand. Overtime, the institution has attracted a strong customer base. Fans were willing to stay loyal because they were consistent and delivered on their brand promise. They were willing to stick with the brand even through negative instances (Aaker, 2014). The brand is also strong because it identifies with a clearly defined target audience and their distinctive culture. This has continued to set the brand apart from others. No matter how controversial, the school’s brand is rooted in particular time and a place- The South in the 1800s. The institution is a marketplace for the existence of that very culture (Hakala & Lemmetyinen, 2013). It has used that culture as a conduit to

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