City of Portsmouth College wanted to shift perception and reintroduce themselves to the local community with a message that felt energising, modern and rooted in real student experience. They needed a campaign that showcased opportunity, ambition and personal growth, while appealing to a wide audience ranging from school leavers to adult learners.
The college asked for a hero film that could act as the centrepiece of their recruitment activity, supported by social-first assets that spotlighted individual student stories. Alongside digital channels, the campaign also needed to translate into a TVC suitable for both VOD and Sky AdSmart, meaning the creative had to be instantly engaging, emotionally impactful and technically versatile.
City of Portsmouth College Student Recruitment Campaign
The Challenge.
The Solution.
Using the Creative Chemistry™ process, we shaped a narrative built around momentum and self-belief: the idea that every learner, no matter their starting point, is just getting started. This became the creative spine for a hero film that combined cinematic energy with authentic student voices, positioning the college as a launchpad for potential.
To extend the reach and relevance of the campaign, we created a series of short social edits. Each one focused on a different protagonist from the main film, giving their story space to shine and offering audiences clear, relatable entry points into the college experience. These clips were designed to work seamlessly across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, with pacing, framing and messaging tailored for each platform.
We also crafted a TVC edit for use on VOD and Sky AdSmart. This required the story to be distilled into a tight, high-impact format while retaining the emotion and ambition of the core campaign. The final cut delivered strong recall, broad household reach and a premium feel aligned with broadcast standards.
Together, the hero film, social suite and TVC formed a cohesive, emotionally resonant campaign that helped City of Portsmouth College stand out in a busy FE landscape.
Gallery
Behind the scenes.
“Working with Clearhead elevated our entire campaign. They understood exactly what we wanted to communicate and turned it into a story that feels fresh, authentic and full of energy. The films have had a brilliant response across digital platforms and the TV commercial has expanded our reach in ways we haven’t achieved before.”
Mike Stevenson, Director of Marketing and Communications | City of Portsmouth College
