Marian University

Marian University

Client

Marian University Indianapolis

Agency

Cerulean Consulting Group

Deliverables

Social Media • Print & Digital Ads

Contribution

Lead Graphic Designer for Social Media and Print & Digital Ads

Project Overview

Marian University, located in Indianapolis, approached us with a need for comprehensive social media management and marketing support. The primary objective was to create a consistent social media presence while promoting their academic programs and overall university offerings. As a long-time client of Cerulean, Marian University expanded the scope of work to include digital and print advertisements, with a special focus on their Master of Science in Reading Science program.

We were tasked with managing social media posts on a daily and monthly basis, developing promotional materials, and creating targeted ads to increase the visibility of both Marian University and its affiliated colleges, including Saint Joseph University.

Problem

Marian University needed a strategic and organized approach to maintain an active and engaging social media presence. Despite having diverse academic offerings, they struggled to effectively communicate the value of their programs across various channels, especially with the launch of their new Master of Science in Reading Science program. Additionally, they wanted to ensure that their affiliated entities, such as Saint Joseph University, also received the attention they deserved in their marketing efforts.

Another challenge was creating a cohesive blend of social media and digital/print ads to promote their programs in a way that resonated with prospective students and showcased the university's strengths in a competitive academic landscape.

Solution

To meet Marian University’s objectives, we designed a multi-tiered marketing strategy that addressed both their social media and advertising needs. The solutions included the following:

  1. Daily Social Media Management: We developed a content calendar that ensured a consistent stream of engaging posts on social media platforms. The posts highlighted university events, student achievements, and other important updates, creating an ongoing connection between Marian University and its online audience. By leveraging visually appealing graphics and relevant content, we enhanced the university's social media presence.

  2. Promotion of Affiliated Entities: In addition to promoting Marian University, we created specific social media content to highlight the programs offered by their smaller colleges, particularly Saint Joseph University. These posts emphasized the unique opportunities available at Saint Joseph University, attracting the attention of prospective students and reinforcing its identity as an integral part of Marian’s academic community.

  3. Targeted Print and Digital Ads: Our team was tasked with designing print and digital advertisements, with a particular focus on Marian University’s new Master of Science in Reading Science program. These ads were strategically designed to emphasize the program’s ability to enhance educators’ expertise in literacy instruction. We highlighted how the program presented a unique opportunity for educators to specialize in the science of reading, capturing the attention of teachers and education professionals.

  4. Brand Cohesion Across Campaigns: Across all social media posts, digital ads, and print materials, we ensured brand consistency for Marian University. This approach reinforced the university’s identity, enabling it to stand out in the competitive higher education landscape while maintaining a clear, unified message across platforms.

Social Media

The first aspect of the project was centered around creating an organized and visually appealing social media presence for Marian University. Working closely with our team of copywriters, we developed a structured content calendar that outlined a consistent posting schedule across various platforms. My main task was to execute the design for the social media posts based on the topics provided by the client. This process involved collaborating with the team to determine which content would be shared, while ensuring all designs aligned with Marian University’s brand guidelines.

Though Marian already had clear visual guidelines, such as colors, fonts, and logo usage, I was given creative freedom to determine how the posts would be designed. Each post was crafted to resonate with the audience while remaining on-brand. After receiving the topics and captions, I translated these into visually engaging designs that captured the attention of the audience while highlighting the message the university wanted to convey.

Key Features:

  • Event Promotions: Posts to promote various university events such as panel discussions, volunteer days, and game days, creating excitement and driving participation.

  • Program Highlights: A focus on promoting Marian University’s academic offerings, such as the two-year Associate Degree program and the Master of Science in Reading Science, with carousel posts and expert advice from faculty members.

  • Application Process Support: Informative posts guiding prospective students through the application process, ensuring clarity and accessibility for potential applicants.

  • Celebrations & Holidays: Social media posts that marked holidays, important milestones, and university celebrations, reinforcing a sense of community within the student body.

Print Ads

The print ads created for Marian University aimed to emphasize the ease, affordability, and variety of educational opportunities available at the institution. The primary focus was on promoting the university's two-year associate degree program and the Master of Science in Reading Science program. The goal was to convey that education at Marian is not only affordable but also simple to navigate, allowing students to easily access their academic goals without barriers.

These ads also emphasized Marian’s commitment to providing students with a clear path to success. The messaging aimed to dispel the notion that higher education is complicated or out of reach, instead showcasing how Marian makes achieving a degree accessible to all.

Key Features:

  • Branding & Visual Design: The ads communicated Marian's key selling points: affordability, a variety of academic programs, and the ease of starting a successful academic journey. The messaging was clear, concise, and aimed at attracting prospective students by focusing on how accessible education can be.

  • Focused Messaging: The ads communicated Marian's key selling points: affordability, a variety of academic programs, and the ease of starting a successful academic journey. The messaging was clear, concise, and aimed at attracting prospective students by focusing on how accessible education can be.

Digital Ads

The digital ad campaign for Marian University was primarily focused on promoting the Master of Science in Reading Science program. The campaign highlighted the unique opportunity for educators to specialize in the science of reading, a crucial skill for those working in literacy instruction. The ads emphasized the program’s affordability, flexibility, and convenience for working professionals. With the program being entirely online, offering 34 credits, and available on a part-time basis, the ads aimed to attract educators seeking to advance their careers without interrupting their work schedules.

Key Features:

  • Versatile Ad Design for Multiple Platforms: The digital ads were designed to be adaptable across a range of platforms and devices. This included various display sizes to fit platforms such as social media, Google Ads, and partner websites, ensuring the program's visibility across a wide audience. The designs were crafted with mobile optimization in mind, understanding that many viewers would access these ads from their phones.

  • Targeted Demographics: Using the flexibility of digital advertising, the campaign was strategically targeted to specific demographics—educators, teachers, and working professionals interested in furthering their career development in literacy instruction. By using data to target the right audience, the ads were able to effectively reach individuals most likely to benefit from the program.