Tag: Campaigns

  • Setting the Gold Standard for College Recruitment Campaigns

    Setting the Gold Standard for College Recruitment Campaigns

    Marketing messages bombard students from every direction, so capturing their attention—and inspiring them to take action—requires creative that truly stands out. That’s exactly what the RNL creative team delivers, crafting award-winning campaigns that engage, resonate, and drive results across every channel, from digital to direct mail. We work closely with our campus partners to ensure every undergraduate and graduate campaign is both strategic and impactful—proven by the many gold award-winning projects we’re celebrating this year.Here are 11 that took home gold medals—and one Best of Show—at the 40th annual Educational Advertising Awards.

    Illinois College Agribusiness Management |SEO Video (Best of Show)

    Video isn’t just eye-catching—it’s a powerful SEO booster that keeps visitors on the page longer to improve search rankings. For this project, we paired SEO-optimized web copy with a compelling long-form video designed to engage skimmers and drive inquiries. Illinois College’s campus team fully embraced the collaboration, delivering stunning unique footage that brought their story to life. The result? A versatile, high-impact asset that drove a 7,000% increase in web page visits. Watch the video.

    University of Tulsa | Standout Integrated Search Campaign

    University of Tulsa: Image of ad campaign on cell phoneUniversity of Tulsa: Image of ad campaign on cell phone

    Reaching high school sophomores and juniors means meeting them where they are—in their inboxes, on their feeds, and in their hands. This multi-channel campaign reinforces the University of Tulsa’s bold message: students don’t have to choose between fitting in and standing out. Rich Art Deco design and conversational copy celebrating personal and academic uniqueness helped elevate brand nationwide while encouraging students to find their fit at UTulsa.

    Linfield University | Personalized Applicant Direct Mail

    Linfield University student postcardLinfield University student postcard

    This eye-catching mailer puts Linfield’s bold purple and cardinal branding front and center, using standout stats and a dynamic design to capture attention. Featuring Mack the Wildcat, it reinforces school spirit while guiding students toward their next step—applying with confidence.

    American Musical and Dramatic Academy | Dream-Making Applicant Mailer

    American Musical and Dramatic Academy mailingAmerican Musical and Dramatic Academy mailing

    Designed to attract aspiring performers to perform, create, and wow at campuses in New York and Los Angeles, this high-energy mailer steals the spotlight with bold visuals and dynamic performance imagery. Filled with upbeat performance industry lingo, it sets the stage for students to step into their future—and apply.

    University of Mount Union | Bold, Strong Instagram Ads

    Mount Union Instagram adsMount Union Instagram ads

    These dynamic search campaign ads put real students front and center, showcasing hands-on learning in action. With bold visuals and empowering copy, the campaign encourages prospects to show up strong, seize opportunities, and own their moment—both in college and beyond.

    Rockford University | Feed-Stopping Facebook Ads

    Rockford University Facebook adsRockford University Facebook ads

    These bright branded ads grab attention alongside the question “RU Ready?”, sparking curiosity about the welcoming environment and numerous opportunities at “RockU.” The campaign is designed to stand out in feeds and aims to inspire students to see themselves on campus and take the next step toward getting there.

    St. Louis Community College Instagram AdsSt. Louis Community College Instagram Ads

    Featuring proud, hopeful, and joyful students, this campaign highlights reasons students choose STLCC to pursue their dreams. The result? Authentic, inspiring ads that encourage prospects to find their reason at STLCC.

    Jackson State University | THEE Standard for Search Campaigns

    Jackson State University student search campaignJackson State University student search campaign

    Inspired by Jackson State University’s iconic fight song, this email campaign set the tone with bold headers inviting prospects to learn more about THEE standard for research, academics, innovation, and success. Playful illustrations drawn over dynamic student portraits bring energy and spirit to every email, reinforcing why JSU is THEE place to be.

    University of Washington Bothell | Find Your Fit Facebook Ads

    University of Washington Bothell Facebook AdsUniversity of Washington Bothell Facebook Ads

    This dynamic ad brings exciting campus life to the forefront, featuring lively action shots shaped into a bold “W.” Paired with inviting copy, it highlights the University of Washington Bothell’s close-knit community where students find big opportunities, exciting challenges, and lifelong friends.

    Lamar University | Parent Postcard

    Lamar University parent postcardLamar University parent postcard

    This gold award-winning postcard spoke directly to parents, highlighting the $20+ million in aid and low tuition that make Lamar University the best-value college in Texas. A clear, compelling message reassures families that a smart investment today means big opportunities for their student’s future.

    University of Central Florida | Universe of Opportunity Email Series

    University of Central Florida recruitment emailsUniversity of Central Florida recruitment emails

    With a prime location between NASA, the Space Coast, and Orlando’s endless experiences, UCF Global offers a launchpad for limitless possibilities. This inquiry-to-application email flow features stunning nightscape imagery and star-inspired design elements reinforcing the university’s spirit of exploration and innovation.

    Create your own winning connections with future students 

    Want to turn your marketing into an award-worthy success? RNL’s creative team brings strategic insight, compelling storytelling, and a track record of 100+ awards in five years to every campaign. Whether you’re engaging undergraduate, graduate, or online students, we’ll help you stand out and drive results. Let’s talk—schedule a complimentary consultation today.

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  • Award-Winning Fundraising Campaigns: RNL and Our Campus Partners Receive Seven Gold Medals

    Award-Winning Fundraising Campaigns: RNL and Our Campus Partners Receive Seven Gold Medals

    RNL’s award-winning creative team wrote this post, sharing their insights on messaging and design. The team has won more than 100 advertising awards for fundraising campaigns.

    Fourteen entries. Fourteen awards. For the 40th Annual Educational Advertising Awards, RNL’s creative fundraising campaigns stood out, with every one of our entries winning in their categories. And half won gold!

    Being recognized by the largest educational advertising awards in the country speaks to RNL’s mastery of higher education fundraising best practices, as well as our creative team’s expertise and collaboration with our campus partners: the judges review for “creativity, marketing execution and message impact.” These campus partners range from West to East Coast, from small-but-mighty to multi-campus. The creative and fundraising tactics behind these seven award-winning campaigns are equally wide-ranging:

    Bethune-Cookman University: Giving Day Total Fund Raising/Development Campaign

    Bethune-Cookman University Giving Day mail and email campaign

    As an extension of Bethune-Cookman University’s advancement team, RNL developed Giving Day mail and emails inviting donors to honor Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy. These eye-catching creative components showcased B-CU’s dynamic 120-year brand and emphasized the history of proud investments in Wildcat Nation.

    Bennett College: CYE Total Fund Raising/Development Campaign

    Bennett College calendar year-end campaign for fundraising.Bennett College calendar year-end campaign for fundraising.

    Bennett College serves a broad variety of students, the diversity of which was highlighted in this calendar year-end campaign across mail, email and digital ads. The appeal warmly celebrated Bennett’s donors and alumnae to cultivate connection, while communicating donor impact by demonstrating how their investment in today’s Bennett Belles creates a more equitable future.

    Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania: End of Year Total Fund Raising/Development Campaign

    Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania year-end fundraising campaignCommonwealth University of Pennsylvania year-end fundraising campaign

    In RNL’s first year of partnering with Commonwealth University Foundation to solicit funds for three campuses—Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield—RNL honed in on what makes each campus unique. For the Fall and Calendar Year-End appeals, our investigative writer identified feature stories to resonate with each unique audience while advancing each campus’s priority focus. Our design director created seasonal pieces, including holiday cards worthy of display and GivingTuesday 2024 designs with branding balanced between the campus and the global day of philanthropy.

    Linfield University: Homecoming Special Event Campaign

    Linfield University homecoming fundraising appealLinfield University homecoming fundraising appeal

    In our third year of fundraising work with Linfield University, RNL helped develop the first Homecoming appeal of our partnership. Appealing to a 50-year reunion alumni segment, a vintage background texture and historic mascot photo inserted nostalgia. Our writer developed copy in the voice of Mack the Wildcat, and our designer created Mack’s signature from scratch, riding the energy of Homecoming to invite alumni support in a fun, engaging way.

    Wittenberg University: Calendar Year End Total Digital Marketing Program

    Wittenberg University Fundraising CampaignWittenberg University Fundraising Campaign

    The holidays are the most active time for fundraising, and RNL’s emails and digital ads for Wittenberg University pierced through the noise of the season. Leveraging Witt’s primary red and secondary teal colors, the campaign presents a strong, immediately recognizable brand while calling to mind Ohio winters with graphics and background photos from RNL’s Adobe stock account, expanding on the available assets and adding depth, texture and oodles of visual interest.

    West Virginia University: Donor Renewal Total Fund Raising/Development Campaign

    West Virginia University Donor AppealWest Virginia University Donor Appeal

    Donors have been clear: Knowing how their generosity makes an impact increases their likelihood to continue investing in an institution. That’s exactly what these pieces did for West Virginia University’s donors. Through a mix of visually appealing quotes, facts and links to video stories, the WVU community saw how important their contribution is—and as a token of gratitude and an investment in retention, they received a window cling acknowledging their donor status for that year, which RNL has created with WVU annually since 2020.

    West Virginia University: FYE Direct Mail Appeal

    West Virginia University FYE donor campaignWest Virginia University FYE donor campaign

    During a time of transition, West Virginia University’s fiscal year end letter showcased how the university’s legacy set the stage for the future. With gradients and strategic placements, the RNL designer used bold brand colors to aesthetically balance the black-and-white photos and a timeline of historical milestones. With a broad audience spanning education, health care and community programs, the language and layout inclusively touches on a variety of key points to resonate with all.

    Ready for your award-winning fundraising campaign?

    RNL creates world-class fundraising campaigns for colleges, universities, healthcare institutions, and nonprofits. Find out how you can benefit from our award-winning creative, insightful analytics, and unparalleled fundraising expertise. Ask for a complimentary consultation.

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