SUNY Ulster - Ashworth Creative

SUNY Ulster

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Developing and implementing an integrated marketing program to lure adult learners to enroll at an affordable state university

SUNY Ulster bus ad

DEVISING A CLEAR VALUE PROPOSITION FOR SUNY ULSTER AdultEdge PROGRAM

SUNY Ulster AdultEDge is the most reasonably priced way to advance an adult student’s career and potential. No one else in the region can provide the affordability, flexibility of scheduling with evening, personal support of advisors and other services to enable adults to they into their lives and lower anxiety about coming back to school. Ashworth Creative’s first step was to interview a number of successful adult students and graduates to understand their needs and wants.

Woman graduating in black cap and gown with yellow cord
SUNY Ulster Facebook post mockups

DEFINING THE EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF ADULT EDUCATION FOR THE INDIVIDUAL

Going back to college is a bit scary, a little embarrassing, and it’s hard to quantify if the gamble that will pay off. Based on research with current and past students, Ashworth Creative designed an ad campaign for use in OOH advertising, print ads and social media that resolved those issues. We invited people to re-think their lives, not be afraid and communicate that an associates degree or other certification will offer more advancement, a higher salary, a stronger résumé, and help an individual feel so much better about his or her self.

Man with tablet in library
SUNY Ulster Adult Edge print ads

CREATING A HIGHLY ENGAGING SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Ashworth Creative performed a SWOT analysis of the SUNY ULSTER AdultEDge and recognized that Facebook advertising could be highly effective but recommended a type of career quiz to engage adults in a quandary about whether to enroll in further education. It was created to help bridge the big step that it takes for adults to contact the college. Ashworth proposed an entertaining way to engage people on social media – a short dynamic questionnaire in the BuzzFeed quiz style.

Women in yellow sweater studying at table
SUNY Ulster billboard Adult Edge

ENGINEERING A BRANDED INTERACTIVE CAREER COUNSELOR QUIZ

Participants are asked but not required to submit their email address for more information on financial aid, career services, admissions counseling session and application rebates.Upon completion the program returns a personalized message pertaining to the selected options with links to specific programs, courses and next steps towards admissions. The program and ad campaign was an unprecedented success and continues to be used two years later.

Students in classroom with professor on laptops
SUNY Ulster Adult EDge iPad website mockup
iPad mockups for SUNY Ulster website