Brand Guidelines

Sub-branding

The Manchester Metropolitan University brand is our ‘parent brand'.

All our activities should be showcased within this overarching brand.

As a complex organisation, competing in a crowded marketplace, we recognise that, in exceptional cases, we need to be able to compete in a way that requires differentiation beyond our parent brand.

To achieve this, we have created a Manchester Metropolitan University brand family which includes a limited number of approved sub-brands, alternative standalone brands and a small number of other, approved visual identities*.

* including University Centres of Research and Knowledge Exchange and Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport

The University has a limited number of approved sub-brands. These are reserved for exceptional cases to meet specific strategic goals, or because specific differentiation is needed in their field.

Our sub-brands are:

Manchester School of Art
Manchester Fashion Institute
School of Digital Arts (SODA)

Where approved sub-brands or separate visual identities exist, they are subordinate to, and always endorsed by the University master brand.

Approved sub-brands require brand support and management by the Marketing team.

Sub-branding examples

In the case of sub-branding, the University’s logo must endorse the sub-brand and take the primary location, above or to the left of the sub-brand. The two brands should be balanced with equal size and prominence.

There are three approved sub-brands whose logos appear together as follows :

The space between the two logos should be equal to the width of the spades.

It’s important each logo is easy to distinguish and read.

As an example, you should align the ‘squarer’ logo of SODA with the spades. The pink graphic illustrates the distance required between the two logos.

Co-branding

Co-branding arrangements may include a joint brand logo lock-up. If you are co-branding an item, event or suite of materials, you'll need to establish a contractual relationship between the parties involved. For both instances, you must get approval from brand@mmu.ac.uk.

Co-branding examples

The University logo should be in the primary location if we're the lead partner and producer of assets.

Where appropriate, the secondary (stacked) logo can be used for balance and the best use of space.

The University logo may be positioned on the right of the partner logo if we are the supporting partner rather than the lead.

When combining two logos, there needs to be an approved logo lock-up to balance and provide appropriate prominence to each partner.

These examples use the secondary (stacked) logo for balance and the best use of space.

If the University is the lead partner in a series of partner organisations, our logo should be in the primary position: first, above, or to the left of the sub-brand logos.

It's not always necessary to create a logo lock-up. However, the logos should be positioned to ensure they are balanced. They should also usually be in their mono version.

If the University is a supporting partner in a series of organisations, it may not be necessary to create a logo lock-up.

However, the University logo should be positioned with appropriate prominence to reflect the relationship.

Logos can be in full colour or mono.

If a University sub-brand is a sponsor or partner of an external organisation or event, there needs to be a logo lock-up that includes the University brand.

Our University sub-brands don’t stand alone.

Sharing the logo

If a third party like an agency or partner organisation needs to use the University logo, please direct them to this platform so they can source the correct version of our logo and the terms of use.

The Brand team must approve the use of the University’s logo by partner organisations. We keep a register of third parties who have been granted permission to use the University’s logo. This is so we can track how and where it's being used, and to minimise the chances of it being used incorrectly.

The Brand team has to give prior approval via email for all partner materials featuring our logo.

External agencies that need brand approval for work featuring our logo should follow this process.

If you have any questions, please email brand@mmu.ac.uk.

Project names

When working on strategic and high profile projects, you may need to create a name or marketing campaign using the University’s brand as the framework.

You should work with the Marketing team at the start of your project to come up with a name that is:

not used by someone else
suitable for an international audience
memorable, strong and can be used in the sector
not offensive or damaging to the University reputation

You’ll also need to think about naming conventions so you can determine which (if any) abbreviations can be used and how.

Using the University brand and a project name maximises the impact of our brand and helps external audiences get a feel for the activities of the University.

If you have any questions, please email brand@mmu.ac.uk.

Alternative standalone brands

Alternative standalone brands are only relevant and appropriate for major partnership activities. They need formal contractual agreements, trademark protection and their own approved brand guidelines. They are only for long-standing and permanent contractual partnerships and need approval by the Brand Panel.

An example is the Manchester School of Architecture — a collaboration between Manchester Metropolitan University and The University of Manchester.

MMU Sport is a standalone brand as it’s a partnership between the University and Students’ Union.

Visual identities

The University has a limited number of visual identities including University Centres of Research and Knowledge Exchange and Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport. However, these need a clear rationale, and approval from the Brand Panel.

Approved visual identities align with the University brand in terms of:

tone of voice
colours
typography
photography and videography style
iconography

They follow our brand guidelines, and should be updated as our brand evolves.

Academic partnerships

The University works in partnerships with academic institutions and organisations across the UK and throughout the world to give students the opportunity to obtain a Manchester Metropolitan University award.

Use of the logo on academic partnership marketing materials

Our existing guidance on co-branding should be followed to determine the position of our logo and the partner logos.

Approval process

A partner should only use the Manchester Metropolitan University brand if an Approval in Principle business case is in place confirming that marketing can proceed (note: formal partnership agreements are not usually put in place until after programme approval).

Any marketing materials produced using brand and/or logo must follow the University brand guidelines and receive approval by the relevant Partnerships team as well as the Brand team (please allow ten working days):

Our Partnerships teams will share with brand@mmu.ac.uk for approval.

Promotion of Manchester Metropolitan University partner courses

The following guidance must be followed when developing marketing materials

Partner institution’s brand should be followed, unless the partnership agreement specifies that the University brand should be used
Both the University logo and the partner institution’s logo should feature
This guidance on the University's logo usage should be adhered to
For some initiatives, a new partnership logo will be produced and a separate visual identity. The partnership logo and identity will require brand guidance, formal partnership agreement and approval from the Brand Panel.
Any marketing materials produced using the University brand or logo must receive approval by the relevant partnerships team as well as the Brand team (please allow ten working days’ unless otherwise specified within the contract):
- UK partnerships
- International partnerships

Our partnerships teams will share with brand@mmu.ac.uk for approval.

Working in partnership