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Southern Illinois University

FULL COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION, MEDIA BUYING, WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

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WHAT WE DID

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.

Wilder Management

When Wilder Management wanted to strengthen its connection with property owners and renters alike, they sought a digital overhaul to match their personalized, solution-focused approach. Wilder Management needed a platform that would seamlessly convey their commitment to tailored property management services. Our goal was to create a streamlined, engaging website that not only expanded their reach but also empowered their audience with clear, accessible information on their full suite of services.

Knight Capital Partners

Fortress partnered with Knight Capital Partners to overhaul their digital presence, turning an outdated website into a sleek, modern, and high-performing online platform. Our comprehensive redesign and redevelopment efforts focused on improving user experience, site speed, layout, and strategic content, ensuring Knight Capital could effectively communicate their investment expertise.

Botham Jean Foundation

When the Botham Jean Foundation sought to extend its reach and deepen its impact, they turned to us for a digital transformation. Their mission—to continue Botham Jean’s legacy of supporting vulnerable communities—needed a platform that resonated with both heart and purpose. We set out to create a revamped digital presence that would not only honor Botham’s compassionate spirit but also empower the foundation to connect with a broader audience, amplify their message, and drive greater support for their cause.

Protected Tomorrows

Fortress collaborated with Protected Tomorrows to revamp their digital presence and effectively communicate their mission of supporting families with special needs. Our team undertook a comprehensive web design and web development project to create a user-friendly, accessible, and visually appealing website. Additionally, we produced a series of high-quality videos to enhance their educational resources and provide clear, compassionate guidance.

The Wolcott Group

The Wolcott Group is a real estate private equity investment company that has been in business for over twenty years with a track record of optimizing the potential of real estate assets. They needed a more professional and robust online identity, and that’s where Fortress was brought in to help them reach this goal via a brand new website, and a library of professionally shot and edited headshots for the whole team.

Oetee

Oetee is a group of inspired people who design and build inspired places for their clients. First and foremost, they needed a website that showcased their capabilities in a more comprehensive way. But in order to do that, they needed an overhaul of their communication strategy. Fortress stepped in and took on both. This partnership was a success because Oetee is wired the same way we are; motivated, creative, and detail-oriented.

The Holy Post Podcast

Fortress’ ongoing partnership with the Holy Post Podcast aims to enhance their online presence and drive overall engagement of their various podcasts and other series. Our multi-faceted approach included graphic design, digital marketing, social media management, and brand strategy. Through targeted efforts across these areas, we elevated the Holy Post Podcast’s online profile and found new ways for them to appeal to a broader audience.

SSI

SSI is a stalwart in the stainless-steel industry with a rich legacy spanning over six decades. Despite their substantial success as a multi-million dollar company, they had remained virtually invisible in the digital sphere. Leveraging our brand and marketing expertise, we meticulously designed and developed a captivating new brand and website, as well as accompanying video production, that not only showcased their unparalleled expertise but also honored their extensive history.

Woodson Equity

Woodson Equity is a new private equity firm – inspired by the spirit of Detroit – that is aiming to do things differently. The Woodson team has 80+ years of investing experience in the middle to lower-middle market, meaning they know the rules, and when to break them. Fortress acted as Woodson’s strategic partner, orchestrating everything from the name of the firm to the firm’s new landing page and everything in between. We are excited for the future of Woodson and the future of Fortress as a private equity agency expert.

River Light FC

River Light FC is a brand new professional soccer team connecting lovers of the game – new and old – with a new way to engage with their community. Fortress helped them create a brand that resonates through our Brandstorm process followed by a multi-round logo design exploration. The result? A powerful introduction to the world for an exciting and passionate group of players, coaches, and investors.

LET US HELP TRANSFORM YOUR BRAND.

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      Follow our journey as we continue to help shape and transform brands.

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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)
      Apply Now

      SENIOR DIGITAL STRATEGIST

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

        Attach Files (Resume, Portfolio etc.)

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