At UCCS, University Marketing is elevating the UCCS brand through the authentic voices and experiences of our students and the faculty and staff who support them.
From October 6–8, the UCCS Marketing & Communications team, in collaboration with Greenhouse Partners, led a three-day video shoot to produce the next set of commercials for the campaign. This production focused on three new “Stories of Possibility,” featuring members of the UCCS campus community: Aja, Leah and Ryan. UCCS Marketing elevates the authentic stories of UCCS people that align with the strategic marketing pillars to tell the UCCS story. The team interviews dozens of nominees submitted by faculty and staff to find people whose stories articulate the UCCS identity and strongest qualities.
Reflecting the campaign pillars
The campaign strategy and messaging is built on strategic pillars that were a direct result of research and audience listening efforts prior to the campaigns first launch in 2023. Intertwined nicely with the UCCS Differentiator Project and reflecting the same key themes, these pillars guide the campaign’s creative decisions, language, tone and visuals, and each of these pillars was intentionally represented during the October filming days.
October filming
Over the course of three days, the production team captured classroom and lab activity, interviews with featured students, campus environment and landscape shots, and moments of interaction between students and faculty. These visual elements support multiple commercial lengths and platform-specific formats as the campaign continues rolling out across digital, streaming video and social media channels.
“This next phase of UCCS branding represents our commitment to showing the real UCCS experience, the campus, the people, the connections,” said Eric Nissen, Director of Marketing at UCCS. “Not just what we’re saying we are, but what we are in action.”
Our newest voices
Aja – a professional musician and performer who wants to help people in the music industry through clinical psychology with a focus in trauma psychology.
Leah – a student and mother balancing school and life in Pueblo, Colorado while pursuing a Master of Sciences in Nutrition and Dietetics. Learn more about Leah here.
Ryan – a veteran with a passion to serve other veterans and first responders through a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. See Ryan’s story here.
These stories will be added to the university’s existing library of campaign narratives, which can be viewed online.
Collaboration with Greenhouse Partners
UCCS continues to partner with our agency of record, Greenhouse Partners, for strategy, creative development and production.
“Our goal is to create commercials that feel less like polished ads and more like genuine conversations—so prospective students see themselves in the story and believe that UCCS is where they can realize their dreams and make an impact on their communities,” said Tena Olson, Partner and Chief Client & Strategy Officer at Greenhouse Partners.
This campaign is currently in the market and showing strong traction with our target audiences. Traffic to the UCCS website from engagement with our campaign has grown year over year, and indicators of resonance, such as engagement rates, video completion rates and click-through rates are all showing positive trajectories. See more of the stories driving the current brand campaign message here.