VCU news

By Tom Gresham

The Virginia Commonwealth University Adcenter, one of the leading graduate advertising programs in the country, has been named one of the world's 60 best design schools by BusinessWeek magazine.

In addition to making the list for the first time, the VCU Adcenter was featured in an article in this week's issue, "Advertising by Design," which cites the program for its collaborative style.

According to BusinessWeek: "Instead of getting students to make portfolios of print or television campaigns – the more traditional approach – students work on holistic brand-innovation projects, designing packaging or retail stores. Though many traditional portfolio-based advertising schools are now adopting this approach, the Adcenter has it built into its core."

"This is a tremendous honor and one that we are most appreciative of," said Rick Boyko, director of the VCU Adcenter. "While our history is short in comparison to other programs, we have been driven to adapt to our industry and challenge our students like no other graduate advertising program in the country. We're humbled that BusinessWeek has taken notice."

VCU President Eugene P. Trani said BusinessWeek's recognition "further validates the ambitious work the Adcenter is doing to reshape advertising and branding education. The VCU Adcenter is setting a new standard in its field."

This year marks the second year BusinessWeek has released its survey of the best design schools. According to the publication, the rankings highlight the growing role the schools play in supplying creative managers to corporate and nonprofit organizations. The magazine enlisted a panel of innovation consultants, design academics and corporate executives to select programs that have curricula they respect and whose graduates they hire.

"What's most exciting is that in essence, corporate America nominated the Adcenter," Boyko said. "This is validation that our students are leaving here with much more than a piece of paper and are making an impact on our industry."

In 2005, the VCU Adcenter was named the No. 1 graduate advertising program in the country by Creativity magazine. In January, the Adcenter will move into its new home – a Clive Wilkinson-designed building that will further fuel collaboration and creativity.