UMaine unveils new Blue Horizons brand campaign

The University of Maine, the state’s public flagship and only Research 1 (R1) institution, has launched its new brand campaign, Blue Horizons, that invites everyone to experience world-class education in a welcoming place of ingenuity, exploration and collaboration. 

The Blue Horizons campaign aims to distinctly define and communicate UMaine’s unique strengths, positioning it as a leader in education and research at the state, national, and international levels. Developed internally through a collaborative effort across UMaine and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias, the campaign reflects feedback from over 1,800 participants and direct engagement with more than 200 faculty, students and staff, ensuring that it genuinely reflects the university’s values and aspirations. 

For nearly 160 years, the university has remained deeply rooted in its mission to ensure a vibrant tomorrow for Maine and beyond. This mission served as the inspiration for UMaine’s new positioning statement: 

“The University of Maine is an inclusive community championing experiential learning and propelling students and graduates toward thriving futures. 

“Rooted in Maine’s heritage, we serve as a cornerstone of cultural enrichment, scientific advancement and community impact, proudly stewarding the Pine Tree State from mountains to coastline to ensure a vibrant tomorrow for Maine and beyond.”

Blue Horizons reflects the university’s enduring commitment to climate science research, stewardship of the state’s natural resources and the pursuit of a brighter future for Black Bears in Maine and beyond. 

Elevated by dynamic storytelling and visuals the campaign lends particular focus to five strategic drivers at the core of the institution: pursuing climate action, offering evergreen education, enabling curiosity, fostering an inclusive community and serving Maine.

It also honors the university’s previous brand strategy while anchoring UMaine to the natural world through its pursuit of a brighter and more sustainable future.

“Blue Horizons re-envisions how we share our mission and values with the Black Bear community and the people of Maine,” said UMaine and UMaine Machias President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “The campaign embraces a bold marketing approach with heartfelt storytelling, unique design sensibilities and compelling content delivered across a variety of platforms. It inspires  visualization of how our inclusive community embraces exploration, defines our own journeys, preserves our planet and uncovers bold solutions to local and global challenges.” 

The university’s dedication to curiosity, ingenuity and charting new paths forward is demonstrated through its graduates, who continue to play a key role in Maine’s startup ecosystem and its heritage industries. Beyond scientific exploration, UMaine serves as a cultural hub, cultivating a welcoming and inclusive community. UMaine staff and faculty are committed to engaging students on a personal level through integrated teaching and research, preparing them to be the innovators of tomorrow.

Watch the campaign launch video here:

Contact: Brenn Borror, brenn.borror@maine.edu