About the Episode
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About the Episode:
What happens when a team of former tourism and events pros are in charge of rolling out a rebrand? You’ll want to hold on your beignets for this one. In this episode, we’ll hear from Anne Falgout, Director of Strategic Communications for South Louisiana Community College on why they took a festive approach to their brand launch.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t Just Rebrand—Transform: SoLAcc didn’t rebrand to reinvent itself. It transformed its messaging to better reflect who they already were — a vibrant, community-rooted institution.
- A Party Over a Press Conference: Forget the formalities. SoLAcc's brand launch was a block party, designed to hype the campus and invite the community in on the celebration.
- Public Launch Timeline = Radical Transparency: SoLAcc published its external brand rollout timeline, a move that added accountability and built anticipation.
- Inclusive Exclusivity Works: By turning internal stakeholders and community members into VIPs at the launch event, SoLAcc created hundreds of unofficial brand ambassadors.
- Diverse Teams Win: The communications team’s experience in tourism, journalism, and economic development informed a marketing strategy that prioritized vibe, value, and visibility.
- Keep the Momentum Going: SoLAcc strategically staggered brand rollouts — like their new mascot “Solé” — to keep engagement high and excitement sustained.
- Student Success by Design: Post-rebrand, SoLAcc saw boosts in enrollment and external engagement, proving that brand transformation can be a catalyst for measurable institutional growth.
Episode Summary: The FAQs Behind SoLAcc's Viral Rebrand Party
Why did SoLAcc choose a block party as its main rebrand tactic?
Anne Falgout explains that in South Louisiana, celebration is a cultural language. A party felt authentic — not just to the brand but to the spirit of the region. The team leaned into their geographic identity and decided that a party would feel more inclusive and engaging than a formal press conference. The aim? Get people to care. And then — get them talking.
What kind of team does it take to pull off a brand launch like this?
SoLAcc's communications team is made up of professionals from tourism bureaus, journalism, and economic development — not traditional higher ed backgrounds. This diversity allowed the team to approach marketing with fresh eyes and a community-first perspective. Their collective superpower? Making people care — not just hear.
How did they get clearance to make the launch timeline public?
It was a bold move — especially in higher ed — but one that aligned with SoLAcc's values of transparency and community engagement. By phasing the timeline and building in room for flexibility, the team managed both expectations and excitement. It created public buy-in before the reveal even happened.
How did they measure the success of the rebrand?
SoLAcc tracked several KPIs:
- Attendance at the brand reveal (over 300 attendees from across stakeholder groups)
- Social media impressions, engagement, and shares
- Increased web traffic to a dedicated brand transformation page
- Earned media from local and regional outlets
- Boosts in enrollment and brand recognition post-launch
They also used social listening tools like Meltwater to measure sentiment — and the results were overwhelmingly positive.
How did they turn attendees into brand ambassadors?
Attendees weren’t just guests — they were cast members. Every stakeholder had a role in the reveal, and everyone walked away with swag tailored to their role (lapel pins, t-shirts, visors, etc.). SoLAcc even provided digital toolkits for social media, email signatures, and LinkedIn banners to help their new “PR team” share the brand on day one.
What’s the story behind the mascot “Solé”?
After the rebrand, SoLAcc didn’t slow down. They launched a new mascot in the same community-driven way. Students led the charge, choosing “Solé” — a French word for “sun” — to represent the college’s warmth, wisdom, and regional roots. The owl represents curiosity and nocturnal learning, while “Solé” hints at vibrancy and optimism. It’s more than a costume — it’s a character born from student voice.
How is SoLAcc sustaining momentum a year later?
The brand transformation wasn’t a one-and-done event. SoLAcc has continued to “drop” branded moments throughout the year: mascot launches, enrollment events, even DJ sets by members of the executive team. Each touchpoint reinforces the brand’s personality and keeps the community engaged. Their tactic? Consistent surprise and delight.
How did this transformation impact community partnerships?
Since the rebrand, SoLAcc's president has been appointed to lead key regional boards in tourism and economic development. The college is now seen as a serious player in conversations far beyond education — proving that brand transformation can elevate institutional presence and influence.
Connect With Our Host:
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.
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