Spurring Innovation in a Challenged Field

The Challenge

The Early Learning Lab uses social innovation in a challenged field grappling with how to help our country's youngest children learn. The Lab is just two years old and did not have a brand that reflected their expertise and unique position in the early childhood learning field, or that addressed their mission to spur a field many consider stagnating. 

The Lab hired MDC to take them through their first-ever branding and identity process, with the goal of highlighting their mission among diverse target audiences including funders, program implementers, practitioners, parents and policymakers. They wanted a new website, elevator pitch and key messages by audience that their staff could easily adopt and use. 

Approach

We researched audiences’ needs and interests and facilitated collaborative branding and identity workshops. Through an iterative process, we developed the mission, vision and all narrative elements that are the foundation for the Center’s new identity. Afterwards, we worked with the client to define and articulate that visual identity—and then create their website, drafting copy and planning architecture. 

Results

The Lab’s staff and funders have embraced the new language, website and messages MDC created. The staff is proud of the way the organization’s new identity represents their work and believes it speaks appropriately to their multiple audiences. 

MDC highlighted The Lab’s mission and innovative initiatives to engage diverse target audiences including funders, program implementers, practitioners, parents and policymakers.