Leading creative agency Poke Marketing has rebranded the National Football Museum to attract a wider and more diverse audience, emphasising the importance of football in English culture.
Poke, which has a proven track record of delivering successful creative and strategic marketing campaigns for clients in a number of sectors, including sports and leisure, was appointed in June 2023 to rebrand the museum, which attracts millions of visitors from around the world.
Since then, the Liverpool based agency has developed and implemented a comprehensive rebrand for the Manchester museum under the banner of ‘Football Matters’, which aims to highlight the profound impact of football on communities across the country, celebrating the sport’s cultural significance beyond the pitch.
The team has created a refreshed visual identity designed to engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
Nicola Docking, Managing Director of Poke Marketing, said: “We have loved working with the National Football Museum on this transformative journey and feel very honoured to have been part of the rebrand.
“’Football Matters’ is more than a slogan; it’s a celebration of how football is interwoven with the nation’s history, influencing various aspects of daily life, even for those who may not be avid fans of the game. Football’s impact is undeniable and far reaching and we really wanted that to be reflected through every stage of the customer journey.”
The new branding encompasses a redesigned logo, updated typography, colour palettes, a distinct tone of voice and new photography. These elements are now prominently featured across all of the museum’s literature, website and building signage.
Mark Harrington, Creative Director at Poke, added: “Football unites people, shaping local traditions, inspiring generations and weaving itself into the fabric of our society. With this rebrand, we aimed to capture and reflect the significance football holds for people across the country. The team thoroughly enjoyed working on this project and are confident it will resonate with the museum’s visitors.”
The National Football Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of football objects and archives. More than 40,000 items are housed in its official Resource Centre in Preston and around 2,500 are on display at the museum at any one time.
Working in partnership with Manchester City Council and with investment from the European Regional Development Fund and National Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Football Museum opened in Manchester’s iconic Urbis Building in 2012.
Janine Ross, Marketing and Communications Director at the National Football Museum, said: “Our collaboration with Poke Marketing has allowed us to reenvisage how we present the story of football to the public. The museum not only honours the sport’s rich heritage, but also invites everyone to appreciate the diverse ways football influences our culture and history.
“This rebrand helps us to engage with a broader audience and reaffirm football’s place at the heart of English life. We are very grateful to Poke for bringing our vision to life.”
For more information about Poke Marketing, visit their website at pokemarketing.co.uk. To learn more about the National Football Museum, visit nationalfootballmuseum.com.
