Branding and Social Media

The policy is intended to provide an overview of the appropriate use of social media accounts representing Icon, and outlines how to clearly identify professional and personal accounts. Use of social media on behalf of Icon must comply with this and other relevant policies. Download Icon's Social Media Policy. 

We have also prepared a practical guide to social media which offers an explanation of how and why we use social media, tips of best practice and a library of resources for images. etc. Download Icon's Practical Guide to Social Media. 

Like all major organisations, Icon’s brand is the key to our recognition across the sector and beyond. It sets us apart from the competition, and ensures that people who come across it can readily associate Icon with our core values.

Icon's visual identity was developed in 2005 to reflect brand positioning designed to summarise the ‘spirit of Icon’, and was established after extensive internal and external research and consultation. With this brand, Icon has built a substantial profile and credibility in the sector since our inception in 2005. For this reason it is vital to ensure all our activities use consistent branding to make sure our messages can be received with the credibility they deserve.

Branding guidelines

Detailed information about Icon's branding and the use of logos, fonts and colour schemes can be found in the Visual Identity Guidelines but the key points are:

• Never redraw, crop or modify the Icon logo. Always use one of the approved versions in the suite.
• Icon’s brand typeface is Avenir, or Arial if Avenir is not available.
• Icon’s key brand colours are Icon Scarlet (R196 G105 B73) and Icon Red (R166 G40 B41). Codes for supporting colours can be found in the Visual Identity Guidelines.
• If you need a document produced on Icon stationery, please liaise with the membership team. Please do not try to create a version of Icon stationery yourself, as having differnt versions of Icon letterhead in circulation could potentially undermine the authenticity of all Icon documents.

We have created a suite of Group and Network badges for social media use. If you need a copy of one of the Icon logo or you Icon Group or Network social media badge please liaise with the membership team.

Groups and Networks may also make use of our 'About us' PowerPoint presentation.

You can consult Icon's Practical Guide to Social Media, which covers why and how Icon Groups use social media, general guidance and tips on best practice. 

It is good practice to track Social Media Analytics in order to maximise the impact of digital content. Groups can use Analytics data to test and track content performance, so that the most effective strategies for different platforms and audiences can be identified.  

Icon has put together a Guide on Social Media Analytics which Groups might find useful. 

The official Icon YouTube channel is now rebranded and restructured - this will be the home of videos produced by everyone in the Icon family. Each Icon Group will have its own playlist, and we will include links to each group’s webpages and social media in the video descriptions.

To get video content uploaded on Icon's YouTube channel, please email your video(s) to Geanina, Icon's Communications Officer, using a service like WeTransfer or Google Drive. If the video is suitable and there are no copyright infringements, it will be uploaded and filed under the relevant Group Playlist. Please provide a title and short description (including speaker names and biographies), mention if you would like the video to be public/unlisted, and please make sure there are no copyright infringements. See here a brief document on YouTube, webinars and copyright.