In January 2015, the Reed College of Media was awarded a $130,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to launch a project aimed at revitalizing West Virginia communities through integrated branding efforts and creative strategy. The Community Branding Initiative consisted of three pilot project communities--Matewan, Grafton and Whitesville--in which strategic communications faculty and students worked to create research-based branding plans that were unique and catered to each place. Campaigns focused on increasing tourism promotion, improving economic development, and boosting community pride. That's when BrandJRNY was born.

Most recently, in January 2018, the American Electric Power Foundation awarded a $250,000 educational grant to the

College to sustain and expand BrandJRNY's work to two more communities within its service area. The faculty-student teams will have two semesters per community to build stronger relationships and to provide trainings that foster long-term brand implementation and sustainability. Our first-year community for the new grant was Pineville in Wyoming County, and it was a wonderful, successful experience. We're currently working with our year-two community, Point Pleasant in Mason County! Follow the BrandJRNY social accounts to see what we're up to.