Business Details
43 Years
experience
Expert Higher Education Marketing Services
Founded in 1983, Creative Communication Associates has dedicated over four decades to delivering branding, creative, and marketing solutions exclusively for higher education. Headquartered in Troy, New York, our team of strategy, media, creative, and client service professionals operates nationwide, ensuring every project is results-driven, on-brand, and uniquely tailored. Our expertise stems from diverse backgrounds, including corporate marketing for global brands like Volkswagen and IBM, as well as agency and in-house roles. We specialize in understanding the distinct needs of higher education institutions, offering a consultative approach that aligns our goals with those of our partners. Our portfolio includes work with Ivy League universities, HBCUs, public and private institutions, and specialty schools.Recognized for innovation, we won 19 HEMR Awards, including Best of Show, and maintain a partnership with Noodle to expand our global impact. We pride ourselves on being more than a vendorwe are true partners committed to advancing education through strategic marketing. Our services encompass rebranding, media campaigns, content development, and full-funnel enrollment strategies, backed by measurable outcomes such as record attendance and enrollment increases. With a focus on long-term relationships, we provide customized solutions that reflect our passion for higher education and dedication to client success.
Services
Media Campaigns
Enrollment Marketing
Content Marketing
Advancement Campaigns
Market Research
Rebranding
Digital Media Strategy
Print Materials
Video Production
AI Chatbot Solutions
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- Specialized in higher education marketing for over 40 years
- Award-winning strategies recognized by HEMR Awards
- Proven results with clients like NYU Steinhardt and Boston College
- Custom solutions backed by market research expertise
- Strategic partnership with global education leader Noodle
What people say
Game-changer for NYSID
Produces results
Uncanny ability
True partners
33% increase in deposits
Services
Enrollment Marketing
Our enrollment marketing campaigns combine data-driven strategies with creative storytelling to attract prospective students. By understanding institutional goals and target demographics, we implement full-funnel approaches that increase applications, deposits, and retention rates. Measurable outcomes include a 25% enrollment boost at the United States Naval Academy.
Institutional Rebranding
We create authentic, market-ready brand identities that resonate with prospective students while preserving institutional heritage. Our rebranding efforts for institutions like LIM College and Saint Mary's College have resulted in increased visibility and stronger market positions through cohesive visual and verbal identity systems.
Digital Media Campaigns
CCA develops targeted digital campaigns that leverage AI-driven platforms like Engage AI to facilitate 24/7 enrollment conversations. These strategies have delivered 800% conversion increases for Boston College's MBA program and expanded reach through precision ad targeting across multiple digital channels.
Advancement Campaigns
We design comprehensive advancement campaigns that build donor engagement and achieve financial goals. Our work with Thomas Jefferson University surpassed a $400M comprehensive campaign target, demonstrating our ability to align messaging with institutional priorities and donor motivations.
Content Marketing
From viewbooks to video storytelling, our content solutions showcase institutional strengths through compelling narratives. Recent projects include digital media suites for UC Berkeley and video campaigns for Saint Mary's College, enhancing recruitment materials with immersive multimedia experiences that drive engagement.
People
Daniel Kehn
President
Daniel leads CCA's strategic direction, leveraging decades of experience in higher education marketing to guide institutional branding efforts for clients including Ivy League and HBCU institutions.
Darcy Sokolewicz
Executive Vice President
Darcy oversees CCA's growth initiatives, combining creative vision with business strategy to strengthen client relationships and expand market reach for colleges and universities nationwide.
David A. Moore
Vice President, Creative Director
David directs creative operations, ensuring that visual and verbal identities for institutions like NYU Steinhardt and Wheaton College reflect their unique missions while achieving modern market appeal.
Melissa Canet
Vice President of Client Services
Melissa manages client relationships, maintaining CCA's partnership approach to ensure institutions receive tailored solutions that meet specific enrollment and branding objectives.
Lauren Miller
Account Coordinator
Lauren supports strategic implementation across projects, contributing to successful campaigns for institutions like Iona College and Alfred University with organized, detail-oriented execution.
Questions
What types of higher education institutions do you work with?
We partner with all types of institutions including Ivy League universities, HBCUs, public and private colleges, specialty schools, and faith-based institutions.
How do you measure campaign success?
We use quantifiable metrics like application increases, enrollment growth, conversion rates, and brand awareness improvements tracked through analytics tools and client reporting.
Do you handle both digital and traditional marketing?
Yes, our full-service approach includes digital campaigns, print materials, video production, and AI-powered engagement tools alongside traditional outreach methods.
Can you assist with crisis communications?
While not our primary focus, our strategic communication expertise allows us to help institutions navigate reputation challenges with targeted messaging solutions.
How long do typical projects last?
Project durations vary from short-term campaigns to comprehensive rebranding initiatives taking 12-18 months, with many clients maintaining ongoing partnerships for strategic marketing planning.
What makes your agency different?
Our exclusive focus on higher education combined with 40+ years of experience allows us to deliver deeply specialized solutions that understand both institutional needs and student expectations.
