Plymouth College

Case Study: Elevating Plymouth College’s Visibility and Admissions Success
Client: Plymouth College
Industry: Public & Business Services
Location: Plymouth, UK
Services Provided: Social Media Support, Advertising, Graphic Design, Asset Packages, 3rd Party Partnerships, Transport Banners and Wraps, Posters, Banners, Admissions Brochures, Yearbooks, Internal Signage, Wall Wraps, Strategy Development

Overview

Plymouth College is a prestigious HMC independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18, located in the heart of Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City. Recently heralded as an “Olympic hothouse” due to its impressive number of students participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics, Plymouth College has a strong reputation for academic and athletic excellence. Over the years, we have partnered with Plymouth College’s Marketing and Admissions Department to enhance their visibility, streamline their communications, and drive successful admissions campaigns.

Objectives

Boost Admissions:
Increase visibility and attendance at key Open Day events to drive student enrolment.
Strengthen Brand Identity: Create a consistent and professional visual identity across all marketing materials and internal communications.
 
Enhance Internal Processes: 
Develop streamlined systems for producing key assets like Yearbooks to improve efficiency and quality.
 
Advertising Campaigns: 
Create and implement wide reaching advertising campaigns to reach different audiences – ie overseas, military & day borders.
 
Adaptable Strategy: 
Develop and implement flexible marketing strategies that can evolve with changing needs and opportunities.

Approach

Comprehensive Marketing & Advertising Support:
We provided Plymouth College with a wide range of marketing services, including the design and execution of social media campaigns, digital and print advertising, and the creation of graphic assets such as transport banners, wraps, posters, and signage. Our advertising efforts were particularly focused on promoting Open Day events, leading to record-breaking attendance and engagement.
 
Strategic Planning & Execution:
Our team worked closely with the college to develop year-long marketing strategies encompassing social media, out-of-home (OOH) advertising, leaflet drops, digital campaigns, and more. These strategies were designed to be flexible, allowing us to adapt to new challenges and opportunities as they arose, ensuring continuous success.
 
Admissions & School Asset Development:
We supported the Admissions Department by creating a wide array of professional and visually cohesive materials, including admissions brochures, banners, and Yearbooks. We implemented new systems for the in-house collation of key information, streamlining the Yearbook production process and enhancing its quality.
 
Brand Consistency & Visual Identity:
Our design team developed a consistent visual identity for the college, which was applied across all internal and external communications. This included wall wraps and internal signage, ensuring that the school’s branding was clear and professional throughout the campus.
 
3rd Party Partnerships & Media Engagement:
We facilitated partnerships with third-party organisations and managed media engagement to expand Plymouth College’s reach and influence. Our efforts included working with local media and community partners to highlight the college’s achievements and offerings.

Results

Record-Breaking Open Day Attendance: Our targeted advertising campaigns for Open Day events resulted in the highest levels of attendance and engagement that Plymouth College has ever reported, directly contributing to increased student enrolment.
 
Enhanced Brand Identity: The consistent visual identity we created across all materials helped to solidify Plymouth College’s brand, making it instantly recognisable and professionally presented both internally and externally.
 
Flexible and Successful Strategies: The marketing strategies we developed and implemented proved highly successful and adaptable, allowing Plymouth College to maintain a strong presence in the market and adjust quickly to new opportunities.
Encourage Enrolment: The combined efforts of our marketing and admissions support led to an increase in student enrolment and interest in the school’s excellence in both academics and athletics.
 
Through our collaborative partnership, Plymouth College has successfully enhanced its visibility, brand identity, and student enrolment, securing its position as a leading independent school in the South West. Our adaptable and comprehensive marketing strategies have allowed the college to navigate the evolving educational landscape while celebrating and promoting its unique history, achievements and offerings.