Approved By Campaign

Student digs so good, even Mum, Dad, and Grandad want in? That’s what we showcased in the “Approved By” campaign for Campus Living Villages. We followed students settling into their new pads, only to have their envious family and friends crash the party. Because when it’s this good, who wouldn’t want to stay?

A Fresh Spin on Student Living

When Campus Living Villages came to us with their “Approved By” campaign, the brief was simple but brilliant: show off their student accommodation in a way that’s warm, funny, and instantly relatable. Forget bland brochures and stock photos—this needed to feel like real life with a playful twist.

We leaned into a universal truth: moving away to uni is a big step, but it’s also exciting, and when you land somewhere amazing, everyone suddenly wants a piece of it. So, we asked ourselves, what would happen if the people you left at home—Mum, Dad, even Grandad—decided your digs were too good to pass up?

Family FOMO, Brought to Life

The series of ads follow a group of students arriving at their new Campus Living Villages homes and settling in. Just as they start enjoying their independence, familiar faces start showing up at the door—friends wheeling in suitcases, grandparents making themselves at home, and dad turning up with games to play with the new housemates.

It’s a funny, lighthearted way to show that CLV’s accommodation isn’t just “good enough” for students—it’s so good that anyone would want to move in. The humour keeps the tone approachable, while the message—CLV makes student life better—lands perfectly.

Capturing the Right Vibe

To make the concept work, we shot on-location in real CLV properties with carefully styled interiors that showed off every feature: spacious kitchens, inviting lounges, and buzzing social spaces. We wanted potential students (and their parents) to see exactly what life could look like here.

The casting was key. We brought in actors who could deliver just the right balance of warmth and comedy—students who felt authentic and family members who stole the scene with their enthusiastic “crashing.” Their performances made the idea come alive and gave the piece its charm.

Attention-Grabbing and Shareable

Because the ad was destined for social platforms, every scene was designed with fast, eye-catching visuals that would stand out in a busy feed. The humour and relatable storyline made it incredibly shareable among students and parents alike—exactly the kind of organic reach CLV wanted. Bright, inviting colour grading and upbeat music gave the final cut the same welcoming energy as the accommodation itself.

Making Student Housing Aspirational

“Approved By” wasn’t just a playful gag—it positioned Campus Living Villages as a brand that understands its audience. It reassures students that CLV’s spaces are places they’ll be proud to call home, while quietly signalling to parents that these are safe, well-equipped, and thoughtfully designed environments. Even Grandad wanting a room becomes a subtle endorsement: if it’s good enough for him, it’s definitely good enough for your uni adventure.

A Campaign That Lands

The final videos went out as social ads and quickly became a talking point among CLV’s target audience. It was funny, heartfelt, and perfectly aligned with the brand’s friendly, community-focused image. More than just a housing promo, it told a story about belonging, independence, and the joy of starting a new chapter—while sneaking in a laugh.

For Campus Living Villages, “Approved By” wasn’t just another campaign—it was a fresh, character-driven way to make student housing aspirational and approachable. And for us, it was a reminder that the most memorable stories often come from the simplest, most relatable ideas.