A Brand New Day: The YMCA Unveils New Brand Strategy to Further Community Impact

Community to benefit from the Somerset Hills YMCA’s focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility

[BASKING RIDGE, NJ] (July 13, 2010) – For the first time in 43 years, YMCA of the USA has unveiled a new brand strategy to increase understanding of the impact that YMCAs make in communities across the country. The YMCA has the unique capacity to address many of the challenges facing the nation today. Through its new brand strategy and framework, the nonprofit will extend its reach into communities to nurture the potential of youth and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being and provide opportunities to support neighbors.

The new brand strategy – the result of more than two years of analysis and research – was introduced this week at a National Press Club event that included leaders from the philanthropic and nonprofit communities. As part of the event, the YMCA unveiled a new, more forward-looking logo that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the organization, and a framework that focuses resources on three core areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. In another major change, the nonprofit will be called “the Y” to align with how people most commonly refer to the organization.

“The Somerset Hills YMCA is truly excited about the new brand strategy and the opportunity to engage more people in the areas of healthy living, social responsibility and youth development,” said Bob Lomauro, President/CEO of the Somerset Hills YMCA. “There are many exciting changes taking place at the Somerset Hills YMCA – we are building momentum, and this strategy is getting everyone from our volunteers to our members and donors very excited.”

“In our own community, we are focusing on critical needs such as combating childhood obesity, and offering free support programs to cancer survivors and those in job transition, to name just a few,” said Lomauro. “Youth Strength Training, Livestrong at the YMCA and Career Forum are examples of programs that are helping people in our community overcome these issues.”

Today, across the United States, Ys are making a difference in three key areas of focus:

· Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen
· Healthy Living: Improving the nation’s health and well-being
· Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors

“This is a very important, exciting time for the Y,” said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “For 160 years, we’ve focused on changing lives for the better. Our commitment to building greater awareness for the important work we do will enable us to expand our efforts and further strengthen communities across the country.”

The Y’s former logo had been in place since 1967 and was the organization’s sixth since its inception. The refreshed logo, with its multiple color options and new, contemporary look, better reflects the vibrancy of the Y and the diversity of the communities it serves. The new logo’s bold, active and welcoming shape symbolizes the Y’s commitment to personal and social progress. Ys across the country will fully transition to the new brand within five years.


For more information, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.