Academica AdSpotter

Recent Campaigns

Get "resumated" at RDC

RDC's "Get a Better Resume" campaign highlights the difference an education can make to your resume in a short period of time. Take a look

"Get Closer" at SMU

Saint Mary's University recently launched a multimedia recruitment campaign whose creative centres around student ID cards. Take a look

SAIT's"Elderly" campaign

Advertisements in SAIT's "Elderly" marketing campaign depict students morphing from their 20s to their 90s. Take a look

 Lakehead students think for themselves

 Lakehead University's new brand-building campaign portrays a series of ads featuring key graduates reflecting on their role of their education at the university and how it shaped their actions leading to their success. Take a look 

Be Great, Start at Centennial

Targeting its high school market, Centennial's new print campaign depicts real teens in their everyday states. Take a look

 UWO "Makes a Difference"

 The University of Western Ontario has launched a new print-based awarness campaign highlighting its strengths and impact on a global scale. Take a look

Both Sides of the Brain at Brock

Brock University is running a print and online marketing campaign in support of its $75-million "Bold New Brock" capital campaign. Take a look

Further Your Passion at SAIT

SAIT's "Further Your Passion" campaign features nonagerians who have continued to work in their old age because of a passion for what they do. Take a look

Calculating Genius at OCAD

"Formula" is the name of the Ontario College of Art & Design's media campaign for its part-time Executive Masters in Advertising. Take a look

McGill in
Just 6 Words

McGill University has launched a capital campaign featuring large national newspaper ads with just 6 words each. Take a look

Straight to the Juicy at Dal

Dalhousie University announces its new Corporate Residency MBA with an emphasis on the fast-track: it takes students "straight to the juicy." Take a look

Huron asks
Why Follow? 

Huron University College is selling the advantages of a smaller institution to students who don't want to follow the pack. Take a look

Challenging Stereotypes at Providence

Providence College has launched a campaign to challenge stereotypes about Christians. Take a look

The Disadvantages of "Colossal U"

Algoma University takes aim at big, impersonal institutions with its "Colossal U" campaign. Take a look

 Keeping Options Open at RDC

Red Deer College sells the variety of programs, no matter what workplace. Take a look 

Niagara College
goes Hollywood

Niagara College took an unusual approach with this newspaper ad, parodying a Hollywood movie poster. Does it work? Comment

Lakehead says
"Do Something"

Lakehead followed up its controversial "Yale Shmale" campaign with an award-winning appeal to student altruism. Take a look. Comment

"The Next Step" at Camosun

Camosun College eschewed the usual "three and a tree" to focus on minimalist design and irrevent copy. Did they go too far? Comment

Mount Royal
"Boarding Call"

Mount Royal College developed a catchy ad campaign in-house to launch their 5 new degree offerings. How well do you think the ads work? Comment

McGill Desautels
MBA Ads

McGill's Desautels MBA promotes the night life of Montreal in a national newspaper ad. What do you think of the strategy? Comment

Royal Roads
"On Track"

Royal Roads University is running a transit-themed transit advertising campaign in Vancouver. Take a look and comment.

Controversial Ads

 Algoma U's "681 Kilometres"

Algoma University's new ad campaign targeting youth in the GTA has drawn concerns from current students. Take a look

Lethbridge College
"Towel Guy"

Lethbridge College launched its new brand, renewed campus, and new programs with a "cheeky" campaign that sparked controversy in southern Alberta. Do you think it was worth it? Comment

The Future Needs You

uMontréal's fall 2007 recruitment campaign positioned the institution as "a force for change" by appealing to humanitarian causes about which students are passionate. Does it work for you? Comment

York University
"Every Angle"

The Globe & Mail appears to have imitated York University's "question every angle" campaign. Would you have objected too? Comment

Colleges Ontario
"Obay" Campaign

Colleges Ontario got people talking with this controversial viral campaign for a mythical pharmaceutical. Do you think it was effective? Comment

Safe Homecoming
at Queen's

Queen's tackled Homecoming riots head-on with this campaign, which won the Grand Gold medal at CASE in 2007. Comment

Lakehead Beats around the Bush

No list of notable PSE campaigns could ignore the infamous "Yale Shmale." Is any publicity good publicity? Comment

Media Innovation

York's "Subway Domination"

York University transformed the St. George subway stop (right under UofT) into a mini campus, with domination of transit ads, additional banners and step graphics, and volunteers in costume. Comment

 uWaterloo Goes Paperless

The University of Waterloo Faculty of Environment handed out free USB memory sticks containing "flipbook" versions of the university viewbook and the faculty brochure, instead of paper copies. Comment

Social Media

"Only One" UNB on Facebook

UNB's "Only One U" campaign and the related Facebook contest for free tuition prompted the creation of FB groups and student videos, and a hilarious contest winner video. Comment

Memorial's "Rant Like Rick" Contest

Memorial University has admirably leveraged one of its most famous alumni, Rick Mercer, and his trademark "Rants" to launch an Idol-style contest for students and prospective students. Comment

 Boréal's "Mon Choix Smart" Contest

At the heart of Collège Boréal's interactive "Mon Choix" recruitment campaign is a contest in which students have the chance to win a Smart Car. Comment

International

 I am a Phoenix

Fifteen University of Phoenix students and graduates are the faces of the for-profit institution's multi-media "I am a Phoenix" campaign. Comment

Wilkes Recruits
One Student
at a Time

This Pennsylvania campaign communicates personal attention loud and clear to all of its prospective students -- by focusing on just 6 of them. Comment

NZ says
Get Away from
Your Parents

Education New Zealand promotes its PSE system as the perfect escape for international couples looking to escape the watchful eye of their parents. Comment

Pushing Kids
in the Wrong Direction

The UK's Edge Foundation launched a memorable TV spot featuring a father pushing his son to drive dangerously, inconsiderately, and in the wrong direction. Comment