Only Super Admins can make branding and customization changes. General Admins and Managers do not have access to these settings.
Video walkthrough
Navigate to branding settings
Open the Admin Hub
Click Reports & Settings at the bottom of the left navigation panel to open the Admin Dashboard.
Platform theming
Platform theming lets you apply your brand colors to the navigation, buttons, and award blocks throughout the interface.
Customize navigation colors
Click the pen icon next to the side navigation and top navigation color fields and enter your brand’s hex codes.
Customize the award block color
Click the pen icon next to the Award Block Color field and enter the hex code for recognition award cards.
Upload a feed header image
Under Feed Header, click Edit to upload a custom banner image that appears at the top of the main feed. Alternatively, click Edit Image directly on the dashboard banner and upload the image there.
- Use hex codes from your official brand palette, not approximations.
- Maintain WCAG AA contrast ratios for accessibility (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text).
- Test color combinations in both light and dark browser modes.
- Avoid using red/green contrasts as the sole distinguishing element — these are invisible to users with common forms of color blindness.
Program settings
Program settings let you rename the platform and configure global preferences.
Set the program name
Enter your organization’s preferred name for the platform. Examples: “Recognition Hub”, “Culture Pulse”, or “Appreciation Platform”. The default is “Empuls”.
Configure global preferences
Super Admins can also update the point name (what your engagement credits are called), the platform timezone, and the default language for all users.
Feed post style
Choose how recognition posts appear in the activity feed:- Prominent image — The award image is the visual centerpiece. The nominator’s citation appears as standard text above the image.
- Prominent citation — The nominator’s written citation is the hero element, styled with a customizable background. Best for organizations that value the written message over the visual.
Branding assets
The Branding card lets you upload specific visual assets for different platform areas.
Upload your logo and core assets
Click Edit under each item to upload or replace:
- Program logo — Appears in the platform header and email notifications.
- Login page background — Full-screen image on the sign-in page.
- Favicon — Browser tab icon.
- Bot avatar — The avatar used by Empuls AI and notification bots.
Set feed card backgrounds
Upload custom background images for automated milestone posts:
- Birthday post background
- Work anniversary post background
- New joiner welcome post background
- Leaderboard post background
Upload milestone wishboard banners
Set the banner images that appear on individual wishboard pages:
- Birthday wishboard
- Anniversary wishboard
- New joiner wishboard
- Profile banner
Set the Wall of Fame background
Upload a background image for the Wall of Fame — the public recognition showcase visible to all employees.
Customize the Yearbook
Click Edit next to the Yearbook to personalize its design:
- Cover theme — The main cover design.
- Inner page theme — Consistent layout for inside pages.
- Component colors — Colors for dividers, borders, and design accents.
- Text color — Font color for yearbook content.
- Background image — Optional background for visual depth.
- Logo — Your organization’s logo on yearbook pages.
Homepage editor
The Homepage editor lets you choose the layout of the employee home screen from three options. Navigate to Platform Settings > Homepage Editor to preview and select a layout.| Layout | Best for |
|---|---|
| Current Feed (default) | A balanced experience combining recognition, updates, points, surveys, and celebrations |
| Communication-First | Organizations prioritizing top-down communication and announcements over peer recognition |
| Goal & Recognition Focused | Organizations that want to spotlight achievements and encourage continuous peer engagement |
Some homepage layout changes require backend enablement. Contact cs@xoxoday.com if a layout option is not available in your instance.
Who can make branding changes?
Who can make branding changes?
Only Super Admins have permission to customize the Empuls platform. General Admins and Managers cannot access branding settings.
Can I change the program name later?
Can I change the program name later?
No. Once set, the program name becomes the default in all email notifications and cannot be changed. Choose your program name carefully before saving.
How do I update feed card backgrounds for birthdays and anniversaries?
How do I update feed card backgrounds for birthdays and anniversaries?
Under the Branding card, click Edit next to the Feed Card Backgrounds section, upload the new image for each milestone type, and click Save.
How do I change the home screen banner?
How do I change the home screen banner?
Where do I upload the company logo?
Where do I upload the company logo?
Go to Admin Dashboard > Platform Settings > Branding, click Edit next to the Branding card, and upload under Program Logo.