Press Release – New York, NY – November 28, 2016 – The Lupus Research Alliance unveiled its new brand identity and strategic vision at its inaugural gala held last night at The Waldorf Astoria. Developed and designed by Pause for Thought, a New York-based branding agency, the merger represents the unification of three leaders in Lupus Research: the Alliance for Lupus Research, the Lupus Research Institute, and the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation.
By joining forces as the Lupus Research Alliance, it is now the largest private sector organization dedicated to advancing lupus research and serves as the primary catalyst setting the agenda to yield new scientific discoveries into prevention, treatment and cure of the disease.
Pause for Thought worked with its strategic partner, ACME Brand Intelligence to help unite the organizations under a shared promise and a vision for the future. According to Janice Pedley, Founder/Creative Director, Pause for Thought, “We used visual exercises to help build consensus while they embarked on a journey to become a single, unified entity. These workshops revealed a bold team direction and we worked together to push the verbal and visual strategy to be inspiring and visionary.” Adds Alex Millet, Founder, ACME Brand Intelligence, “Our challenge was not to knit together disparate entities, but to tell a singular story. As their branding partner, we enjoyed being their confidante, collaborator, challenger and coach.”
Old logos from three organizations
The natural combination of the organizations’ names helped smooth the transition to one entity. Drawing from elements of all three, the new logo, a combination of icon and logotype, communicates the power of science to make a difference. The icon features an energized burst of molecules representing the new organization as a catalyst for scientific discoveries. The custom font, imagery style and signature look with its bold purple, violet and red color palette was designed to be a beacon of hope for all fundraising and social media efforts. Beyond the logo, the visual system strives to be as bold and inspiring as the people behind the organization.
“We are now poised to move together as one and take an undisputed leadership position in the category,” says Margaret Dowd, (Co-President/CEO), Lupus Research Alliance. The next step will be the merging of the three websites into one, which will be the definitive resource for patients, families, professionals, researchers and industry.
This video was also produced to announce the new identity.
About Pause for Thought
Pause for Thought is a New York-based branding agency that brings creativity and design principals to brands that value positive social change. The firm specializes in health & wellness, social impact and non-profit brand design.
About the Lupus Research Alliance
Born from the merger of three organizations, the Lupus Research Alliance is the world’s leading catalyst driving scientific discovery to prevent, treat and cure lupus.
Combining the Alliance for Lupus Research, the Lupus Research Institute and the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, the Lupus Research Alliance is a strong new champion for the lupus community. Collectively, our three organiza-tions have already funded over $200 million in pioneering lupus research. Because the Board of Directors covers all Lupus Research Alliance administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all other donations goes directly to support research programs to help us all realize our vision of a world free of lupus.
