Test, learn, scale: rebuilding a creative strategy around the data

CG Spectrum, a leading online school for animation, game design and visual effects, had a great reputation everywhere except its ad account: low lead volumes and thin brand awareness in Australia. The Garden redesigned the Meta campaign and creative strategy, and conversions jumped 194% in a two-week period.

Client: CG Spectrum
Industry: Education
Solutions: Media & Performance
Region: Australia

Increase in conversions, from 66 to 194 in two weeks

194%

Decrease in cost per lead, an $80 reduction

42%

Lift in conversion rate, from 2.69% to 4.87%

81%

Increase in total clicks

62.1%

The challenge

With limited marketing data to work from, CG Spectrum needed strategic insights gathered and implemented fast: which messages, which creative, which course angles would actually move prospective students in the Australian market.

Our solution

A test-learn-scale approach gave the Meta campaign time in market, then a detailed performance review pinpointed what drove engagement. The findings were specific: ads delivering detailed information in the first frame consistently won; mentor credibility sold, with a 3D Animation ad citing DreamWorks, Pixar and Disney hitting a 5% conversion rate; and direct calls to action paired with clear career outcomes peaked at 12.35% conversion.

The refinement pass rebuilt the creative around those insights: messaging focused on what each course entails rather than generic offerings, creative linking student work directly to real-world career outcomes so prospects could picture the journey, standout modules spotlighted, and mentors’ industry connections brought to the forefront for credibility and aspiration.

The results

In a two-week period conversions surged 194%, from 66 to 194, with an additional 128 leads. Conversion rate climbed 81% from 2.69% to 4.87%, total clicks rose 62.1%, and cost per lead dropped 42%, an $80 reduction: a campaign transformed by listening to its own data.

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