UA advertising, What do you think?

[ksu sucks]

I saw MDZip mention a crappy brochure that UA sent out, and it got me thinking...I'm not sure who designs all the ads and commercials but, to be frank, they do an absolute horrid job at representing the University. Proenza just talks in front of a bunch of crappy graphics. Don't they get it? Prospective students don't care one bit about our polymer research. They want to see kids on campus walking together in Coleman commons. They want to see the big shiny polymer building and student union. The bottom line? SHOW CAMPUS! Add shots of the Rowdies at the soccer games and show the new stadium. I think the university too quickly loses sight of its audience. They aren't just talking to the community, but the prospective students. And why not advertise in other states? Here's list of all the UA commercials in the recent past. I don't like most of them. The newest ones with Dr. P just talking make me shake my head. Anyway, heres a Stanford commercial that look a LOT like what UA should be doing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH1aTS1P1sYWhat do you guys think? What could the university do to better their advertising campaign? Or is there no need for change? I'm interested to hear what Zipsnation thinks about this.

[ZachTheZip]

There is certainly need for change. If the commercials showed campus more, and student activities, it would show the community that we are more of a residential school than Can't. It shows the students what thy want to see: the chance to have a great experience for the next five years while also getting a high-quality education.

[MaxZIP]

At least Akron advertises. Can't and other regional schools don't even try.

[zen]

I agree with you k.s.u_sucks, but I think that if you are going to use the current style (Proenza sitting and communicating all of UA's merits) then it doesn't quite go far enough.To the first part of my point, I really do think that they could advertise in a style like you speak of, but they have to do it the right way. Immerse the viewer in the sensory experience of the campus and what it would be like to "be there" at the University and all the things that it offers..... but don't insult their intelligence and try to hard to do it in some "hip" way, because odds are some ad agency just wont hit that target and will end up putting off kids (potential students) and perhaps even moreso the parents. So, as you said, just SHOW all the nice things about the campus and what UA has to offer, and package it in a good but open style without pretense and canned hype.But, to the second part of my point, the Proenza commercials talk to me. I dont' mind them. At least, I don't mind the aura of an intelligent and sincere guy communicating openly about UA. I don't mind the montage of images in the background... .but the pixie-sprite looking animation poping out of his hand is sorta ghey. But my point is, a commercial like that actually appeals to a lot of people because most ads are trying too hard to SELL, and the Proenza commercials just appear to communicate a message. I suspect you don't give people enough credit they are due. A lot of people would rather just get talked to instead of being sold. People are cynical and find it refreshing when a message is just put out there rather than packaged and over-hyped. But I don't think his message go far enough. I think they could say more. I know time is a constraint but they usually just seem to give what seems like a fast rundown. I really think that they should push the information envelope and say more. Drop the disney sprite and open the throttle on your message.So yes, I think they should do something like the Stanford commercial that you posted. I also think they can do the Proenza ads, but I think that they can do those even better. Talk to the audience, but don't be timid about what we got. Pour it on... not like a used car salesman... but with heart

[ZachTheZip]

Just don't do anything like the infamous Appy State commercial. Going with an ad agency trying to be "hip" might get you something like that.

[Z.I.P.]

Just don't do anything like the infamous Appy State commercial. Going with an ad agency trying to be "hip" might get you something like that.

It seems to me that the UofA's marketing, like its overall development and alumni outreach is not concerned with speaking to average members of the community, or prospective students. It's speaking to multimillionnaires and CEOs, and saying, "We want what you've got, come show us some love, Mama".

[WinZip]

I don't mind the commercials that are running currently, but I think there also needs to be something portraying the beauty and expansion of campus. It almost looks like we're covering things up by having Proenza in space. I still like it though...give him a lightsaber

[ksu sucks]

I still like it though...give him a lightsaber

Haha. Photoshop, anyone?

[Zipmeister]

I still like it though...give him a lightsaber

Haha. Photoshop, anyone?

OK, I give. What's a lightsaber?