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Go Blue Guarantee Campaign

A Case Study

The Go Blue Guarantee (GBG) at the University of Michigan offers free and reduced tuition for up to four years for qualified high-achieving, in-state undergraduate students. Working in partnership with the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM), Michigan Creative promotes the GBG affordability message across a wide set of digital and traditional channels.

Raising awareness about affordability at U-M

Awareness and lead generation campaigns highlight the Go Blue Guarantee via compelling creative targeting a diverse set of audience around the state, including prospective students, parents, high school staff and policymakers. Most recent GBG campaigns employ direct mail, radio, out-of-home, connected TV, social media, SEM and other digital channels to reach candidates across the state, from the Upper Peninsula to West Michigan to Metro Detroit.

Challenge

To raise public awareness about the university’s commitment to making U-M affordable and accessible to qualified undergraduate students and their families.

Outcome

Delivered over 40 million targeted impressions in FY24 Contributed to the university’s record-setting application volume in 2024, which included a 17% increase in applications from students with self-reported low-income backgrounds

Project Goals

Increase application and enrollment rates among high-achieving, in-state students with family incomes below $75,000
Raise awareness about U-M as an affordable, high-value institution that is within reach to qualified in-state students of all income levels
Communicate that U-M is affordable for all in-state students, including those with family incomes above $75,000
Communicate that U-M is the most affordable public university in the state for students with financial need
Reach influencers in the college application process
Encourage influencers to help disseminate the facts around U-M’s affordability
Educate the target audience on financial aid and the application process
  • 40M

    targeted impressions delivered in FY24

  • 17%

    increase in applications from students with self-reported low-income backgrounds

A collection of print and digital ads for the Go Blue Guarantee campaign