The platform and identity we developed pro bono allowed Stamford Symphony to shake the dust off its brand and connect with a wider audience.

Situation

Looking to increase membership among Stamford’s growing population of younger residents, the Symphony needed to develop a new brand that represents a “different” kind of not-for-profit performing arts organization. The challenge was to maintain the existing patron base, individuals and corporate partners with a long standing interest in classical music performance, while attracting a new demographic looking for alternatives to local entertainment.

Solution

Following a deep immersion into the Symphony experience — including, of course, several concerts — CoreBrand developed a brand platform that captures the cultural contribution that the Symphony brings to the community of Stamford.

Seeking a balance between the accessibility demanded by new audiences and the cultural aesthetic expected by more traditional patrons, CoreBrand recommended a simple but powerful name change (from Stamford Symphony Orchestra to Stamford Symphony) and created a new identity that speaks to the innovation the organization brings to classical music experiences. Reminiscent of the conductor’s baton and bows of violinists, the new logo evokes the potential of music to uplift. The brand is further animated by a new approach to messaging that underscores the dramatic narratives surrounding history’s most treasured composers — a pop-friendly departure from the stuffiness of the category