QUEEN'S NAMED WORLD'S TOP ONLINE UNIVERSITY BRAND FOR 2017–18

23 January 2019

Queen's University has been judged by an independent panel to be the 'Top Overall Online Brand' among 100 top ranked universities in the world.

This recognition comes on the back of a study by the World 100 Reputation Network, which examined how well each University's brand proposition was articulated via the University website and social media channels.

Queen’s achievement is all the more remarkable given the overall findings of the review group. The research found that top universities really struggled to look or sound different when their websites are compared. Fifty universities use the same or similar shades of blue, and the best online brands were not necessarily the highest ranked.

“In such a competitive higher education world, universities have a long way to go in engaging the busy reader who looks at their website,” said Louise Simpson, Director of the World 100 Reputation Network.

“Too many of them look and sound the same, and can’t explain what it is that makes them special. They really need to be much bolder both in the way they communicate, and in what they communicate. Good branding requires both creativity and decisiveness!”

The success of Queen's online presence as an integral part of the University's revised brand identity is the culmination and result of several stages of in-depth research and road-testing, informed along the way by feedback received from Queen's staff and students.

Commenting on the recognition, Isabel Jennings, Director of Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Internationalisation, said: "It is a testament to the calibre and outstanding work of the University's Digital Marketing and Social Media team, and of the wider Strategic Marketing and Communications unit, that Queen's online brand has been ranked first in the world.

"This ranking provides an important opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate our journey to provide a high standard of user experience, while remaining always responsive to the ever-changing digital landscape and audience expectations.

“In particular, I would like to acknowledge the support and input of colleagues in Information Services, whose collaborative approach and shared focus on continuous optimisation have played an important role in helping us to achieve this recognition.

Queen's was also judged to be among the winners (top 6 – 11) in the following categories: first impressions, engaging content, location brand, student brand, news brand and social media brand.

"We were also highlighted for our engaging content – particularly our social media and news brand,” continued Ms Jennings.

“This success undoubtedly emerges from the combined talent of our social media and Communications teams working collaboratively with academics and researchers across the University.

“Working at the forefront of discovery and innovation, the commitment of our researchers to helping us share their ambitious projects to advance knowledge and make a difference to society worldwide has been a key driver of our success in telling the story of their inspiring work to the public."

For more details on the study, please see the World 100 Reputation Network website.

Media enquiries to Communications Officer, Communications Office, Queen’s University Belfast, telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5292.

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