Southern Illinois University

FULL COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION, MEDIA BUYING, WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

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With declining university enrollment across the country, Southern Illinois University knew that it was now or never to make their story heard. SIU has so much to offer its students, they just needed to tell that story to more college hopefuls. That’s where Fortress came in.

THE CHALLENGE

Southern Illinois University needed to increase brand awareness and reach its target—college hopefuls. The university has a wide demographic and offers a variety of majors, and it was important that these elements be presented to potential students in a way that was both informative and inspiring.

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THE SOLUTION

To accomplish their goal of increased brand awareness and, in turn, increased enrollment, SIU came to Fortress to help them produce a commercial for their school. Not only that, but we also provided media buying services to make sure the commercial was seen by the right people. After launching our first video campaign, SIU had amazing success for the 2020 school year.

CHECK THE RESULTS

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Largest freshman class in 5 years

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75.5% Freshman returned

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New transfers increased by 3.5%

Launching off that success, we created a second commercial and have a third set for production this Fall. SIU was one of only two universities in the state to see increased enrollment.

TELLY AWARD

The first commercial we produced with SIU, It’s Our Turn, went on to win top honors with a Telly Award for Television Advertising. A huge accomplishment that is indicative of the quality of both content and messaging.

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SPANISH TRANSLATION

Southern Illinois University’s student population is diverse, with 36% of students belonging to a minority. For this reason, it was important to the university that their commercial be modified into Spanish in order to reach their entire student population, not just the English speakers.

Video Gallery

Check out the two commercials Fortress has produced for SIU thus far, both in English and Spanish.

SENIOR Designer

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    MAKE YOUR MOVE.

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      SENIOR designer

      Full Job Description

      Fortress is a fast-growing digital marketing and branding agency headquartered in Chicago that has worked with clients ranging from global corporations like Nike, Jordan, All-State, Acura, athletes, and celebrities like Kevin Hart, Steph Curry, prestigious universities, startups, and everyone in between. We believe in putting family first, being team players, staying humble, and being obsessed with our clients’ success. We provide a unique and energetic culture that fosters creativity and camaraderie.

      We’re currently seeking a full-time Senior Designer to join the team and work out of our Chicago, IL office. The right person for this position sees the bigger picture while remaining passionate about the details.

      You’re knowledgeable and skilled in Web, Branding, large-scale marketing campaigns, and more. You’re a jack of all trades in creative software, but you also have a passion for design beyond the screen. You understand that great design is in the nuance—that subtle cultural references should be woven into the things you create and every project should be approached with the end-user at the center of it. You love working on a team with diverse perspectives and you’re willing to learn from as well as build up those around you. At the core, you’re a problem solver with a knack for making things look good.

      WHAT YOU’LL DO

      • Contribute to various projects in web, brand identity, and print across multiple industries
      • Collaborate and ideate with the design and marketing teams, while also giving and receiving feedback on designs
      • Create presentations and asset kits to be delivered to team members, clients, and partners
      • Present your creatives to clients with the ability to back up your ideas, while also being open to new ideas and critiques

      WHAT YOU’LL BRING

      • 3-5 years of experience working in design and digital marketing
      • A strong portfolio with a diverse array of work and a strong foundation in basic design principles (typography, layout, color, UX/UI)
      • Problem-solving and storytelling abilities
      • Multi-tasking and prioritization skills
      • Experience working in Adobe CC and Figma
      • 3D, Animation, Video Editing, and Photography is a plus
      • A collaborative mindset
      • A good sense of your own design and visual style
      • Attention to detail
      • A passion for growth and a never-ending curiosity

      Job Type: Full-time

      Benefits:

      • 401(k)
      • 401(k) matching
      • Dental insurance
      • Flexible schedule
      • Health insurance
      • Paid time off
      • Professional development assistance
      • Vision insurance

      Schedule:

      • 8-hour shift
      • Monday to Friday
      • Weekend availability

      Supplemental Pay:

      • Bonus pay
      • Commission pay

      Ability to commute/relocate:

      • Chicago, IL 60642: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

      Experience:

      • Graphic design: 6 years (Required)
      • Web design: 4 years (Required)

      SENIOR DIGITAL STRATEGIST

      Apply by filling out the form and someone will be in touch with you.

        Attach Files (Resume, Portfolio etc.)

        CONFIRMATION

        WE ARE WHAT MAKES FORTRESS DIFFERENT.

        Someone from our team will reach out to you about your project soon.