Background
Durham University sought suppliers to assist with a marketing initiative for their new Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science Faculty, part of the university’s strategy to rehouse these departments in a cutting-edge facility. The £40 million state-of-the-art building is designed to provide innovative learning, teaching, and study spaces for students and faculty alike. Construction of the building began in November 2018, with completion expected in the 2020/21 academic year.
To help promote this major project, Durham University partnered with Sky Revolutions to create aerial film content for use in their marketing program.
Project Requirements
The university needed a visually engaging marketing film that:
- Showcased the new faculty building’s development and its place within the broader campus environment.
- Provided stakeholders with a dynamic, real-time view of the construction progress.
- Offered valuable public relations material to support student recruitment efforts in an increasingly competitive higher education market.
The project aimed to give prospective students, parents, and stakeholders a clear understanding of the university’s investment in high-quality facilities and demonstrate the value of the new faculty.
Methodology
Sky Revolutions developed a marketing film using drone technology to capture a range of aerial perspectives:
- Aerial film content creation: Using drones, we captured original footage that displayed the construction of the new building in context, from birds-eye views to sweeping shots across the campus. The footage highlighted both the building’s architecture and its relationship to the surrounding environment.
- Dynamic filming techniques: A variety of filming speeds and angles were employed to create a visually compelling narrative. This helped convey the value and prestige of the new faculty, aligning with Durham University’s goal to emphasise the importance of the project to current and prospective stakeholders.
- Marketing-ready film: The final product was delivered in a format tailored to the university’s marketing plan. The content was designed to be used across multiple platforms, ensuring flexibility for use in PR campaigns, student recruitment materials, and internal communications.
Results
Sky Revolutions’ aerial film provided Durham University with a powerful marketing tool that:
- Kept stakeholders informed about the ongoing development of the new faculty building.
- Enhanced public relations efforts by showcasing the university’s investment in advanced facilities.
- Supported student recruitment by offering prospective students and parents a clear, engaging view of the campus and its modern academic spaces.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the aerial film became even more valuable, allowing the university to showcase its campus remotely. With in-person visits limited, the film provided stakeholders with a way to virtually experience the university’s investment in higher education, reinforcing Durham’s commitment to providing world-class facilities.
Conclusion
Durham University’s use of aerial film in its marketing strategy effectively showcased the development of its new Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science Faculty. Sky Revolutions’ drone footage provided a fresh perspective on the project, delivering compelling content that supports both stakeholder engagement and student recruitment.
Would you like to enhance your university marketing efforts with dynamic aerial footage? Contact our team of experts today to find out how drone films can help you effectively communicate the value of your campus and academic investments.
