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Creative Strategy Program

1 Year Portfolio + 10 week Internship
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In Response to COVID-19

We have temporarily closed the school’s campus in Toronto and shifted all classes to an online learning environment.  The Creative Strategy program and all other vocational programs will be delivered virtually under a temporary alternative training measure which is planned to expire on March 31, 2022.

Creative Strategy as a Career
Strategy is the brain behind every great campaign. Keep your finger on the pulse with current culture and create new ways on how brands influence and affect lifestyle choices and behaviours.

 

If you love to observe people, nerd out over big data, hate to take no for an answer, passionate about altering perceptions through communication and changing the conversation between brands and consumers, then a career as a Creative Strategist may be the perfect fit for you.

“Creative Strategy allows me to work with amazing minds that constantly invigorate me, ask questions about the ever-evolving state of how we perceive and influence our world. How those questions affect our storytelling, and be constantly challenged to revisit my own beliefs. It’s definitely never boring.”

Helen Androlia

Strategy Director, Thinkingbox

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Start the Program Online
M.AD School of Ideas Toronto has shifted to an online learning environment in response to Covid 19 and will continue to offer classes in our successful online format. This will provide accessibility to students who wish to continue social distancing or are unable to travel yet. Please read about our Online Learning Environment if you wish to learn more, and you can also take a Virtual School Tour.

For our non full time students, we will be offering a new selection of individual classes exclusively online.

“For any digital native that’s comfortable with online collaboration, I think it’s a no-brainer that online learning will naturally feel like a second home”

Andronicus Wu

MAS Student, 2020

“I think the school has done a great job with online learning so far. The instructors have used the zoom platform to encourage discussion and keep lessons engaging.”

Mnrupe Virk

MAS Student, 2020

Check Out Online Learning at MAS
What is Strategy?

Step one

Ask the Right Questions

Step Two

Mine Data + Research

Step three

Find Insights and Plan

Step four

Lead Collaborative Creative Process
Professional Problem Solvers
The role of a Creative Strategist is to be a creative problem solver by interpreting the business of marketing alongside human behaviour. Strategists start by asking the right questions to identify a brand’s biggest challenge and then mine for data and insights to come up with a motivating platform that will give the brand a foundational purpose—a purpose that drives all the brand’s communications. The Creative Strategist then leads the collaborative creative process alongside writers, art directors, technologists who help to take the Strategist’s ideas from concept to real-world communications.
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Statistics
Strategist salaries in Canada start at $66,500.
Experienced Strategists in Canada can earn more than $122,000.

The Creative Group dubbed Digital Strategist one of the hottest advertising jobs for 2020.
52% of Creative Strategists say that their team is expected to grow in the year ahead.

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Program Breakdown
Q1: Insights 101

Your crash course in Strategy starts now. Master the basics by learning how to dissect and get to the core of brand problems and develop creative insights that support big ideas.

Q2: Data and research tactics

From data mining to ethnographic interviews, deep dive into different types of quantitative and qualitative research to bullet-proof your strategy.

Q3: Implementation and Planning

It’s time to start bringing your ideas to life. Synchronize every element of your campaign across all mediums to map out a strategic campaign that clients will love.

Q4: Collaboration and Portfolio

Collaborate with your peers on real projects and learn how to pitch your ideas like a pro. Then bring everything together to create an interview-ready portfolio.

Q5: Agency Internships

Time to put your skills to the test. Intern at a top advertising agency and work on real client projects alongside the best in the business—opportunities that are sourced by the school’s agency partners!

Student Testimonials

“The smaller class sizes definitely help in getting to know each other and having discussions.  All the instructors have been amazing and really easy to communicate with.”

Sabesh Balasingam

CS Graduate

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Sample Classes
Program and Classes

Over the Course of one year you will build a strong foundation in Creative Strategy that you can apply to any brand, organization or industry.  Each of the four quarters focuses on a specific goal: Insights 101, Data and Research Tactics, Implementation and planning, and Collaboration and Portfolio. You fifth quarter will be a M.AD placed Internship where you can put your skills to the test and get your foot in the door.

Understand the Issue

You can’t solve a problem unless you can spot it. Build your strategic foundation by learning how to identify brand issues and obstacles.

Developing Insights

Insights are a strategist’s not-so-secret weapon. Learn to master the art of insights rooted in consumer, culture, industry, and brand.

Data Mining & Analytics

The best advertising and communications plans are backed by data. Learn how to use research tools and primary data to bullet-proof your ideas.

Briefing & Brief Writing

Learn how to cut through the noise and get to the big idea. Master the art of brief writing and provide a clear direction for the creative team.

Brand DNA

A strategist should know brands inside and out. Make every campaign count by learning how to use different platforms and channels for effective branding.

Measure Impact with Data

Launching a campaign doesn’t mean your work is over. Validate client work by using data to measure impact and results.

Research

Answering the age-old question: where to start? You will learn the different tools, agencies and methods for qualitative and quantitative research using digital and traditional means.

Portfolio Development

You’ve learned the skills, now it’s time to get job-ready. Create a professional-quality portfolio with feedback from the best in the industry.

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Program Instructors

“Getting involved with MAS has been really exciting for me, especially since I get to help shape the future stars of our industry. I’ve seen grads that are cutting edge, using innovative thinking that brings a fresh perspective to the table. Problem solving is at the heart of this schools ideology and from what I can see, it’s in this new creative strategy program as well.”

Rosie Gentile

SVP, Strategy, Cossette

Tyler Maitland

Strategy & Planning Director
Saatchi & Saatchi

Jon Daly

Global Group Planning Director
Droga5

Umar Ghumman

VP Strategy
Wunderman Thompson

Jay Fleming

Director of Strategy
Rethink

Jorge Aguilar

Senior Strategist
Bensimon Byrne

Brittany Dow

Senior Strategist
john st.

Helen Androlia

Strategy Director
Thinkingbox

Courtney Rimar

Planning Manager
Jungle Media 
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Start the Program Online
M.AD Toronto has shifted to a proven Online Learning Environment in response to Covid 19. You can also take a Virtual School Tour. We will be offering a new selection of individual classes exclusively online for those who want to get a head start, but cannot commit to the full program yet.
“For any digital native that’s comfortable with online collaboration, I think it’s a no-brainer that online learning will naturally feel like a second home”
Andronicus Wu

MAS Student, 2020

Quarters & Tuition
We divide our year into quarters that each run for 10 weeks, with a 3-week break between them, your 5th Quarter is a placed internship. You can start your journey at any two times in the year (January and July quarters). Tuition for the program is $4,000CAD per quarter.

Please check out Financial Aid Section to see the various scholarships and payment plans we offer.

Next Quarter: Summer

Application Deadline:
June 1st, 2023

Start Date:
July 10th, 2023

Program End Date:
September 2024

Apply Now
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Start Your Strategy Career
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