Build Your Advertising Career from the Ground Up
We've spent fifteen years working with brands across Manchester and beyond. And here's what we learned—most advertising courses teach theory. We teach what actually works when a client needs results by Thursday.
Our programme starts in July 2026. It's designed for people who want practical skills, not just certificates. You'll work on real briefs, learn from campaigns that succeeded (and some that didn't), and understand how to create advertising that connects with actual human beings.
This isn't about guarantees or promises. It's about giving you the tools, experience, and confidence to compete in a field that rewards creativity and strategic thinking.
Six Phases That Mirror Real Agency Work
We structured this programme around how agencies actually operate. You'll move through the same process our team follows when developing campaigns for clients.
Consumer Psychology
Why do people buy what they buy? We'll explore decision-making patterns, emotional triggers, and cognitive biases. Not academic theory—these are principles we use when crafting messages for retail, hospitality, and service brands.
You'll analyse existing campaigns and identify which psychological principles they're using (or missing).
Strategic Planning
Before you write a single headline, you need strategy. We'll teach you how to analyse markets, identify positioning opportunities, and develop communication strategies that align with business objectives.
This phase includes competitive analysis, audience segmentation, and creating briefs that guide creative work.
Creative Development
Now comes the fun bit. You'll develop concepts across multiple formats—print, digital, social, outdoor. We'll cover copywriting fundamentals, visual storytelling, and how to present ideas that get approved.
Expect lots of iteration. First ideas are rarely the best ones.
Media Planning
Brilliant creative means nothing if it reaches the wrong people. You'll learn how to allocate budgets, select channels, and plan campaigns that maximise reach and frequency within financial constraints.
We'll use real media data and planning tools that agencies rely on daily.
Campaign Management
Running a campaign involves coordination, problem-solving, and adaptation. You'll manage timelines, work with suppliers, and learn how to keep projects moving when complications arise (and they always do).
This phase simulates the pressure and pace of actual campaign delivery.
Portfolio Development
Your work needs presentation. We'll help you curate your best projects, create case studies that tell compelling stories, and build a portfolio that demonstrates your thinking process—not just finished visuals.
You'll leave with something worth showing potential employers or clients.
How This Programme Differs
We're not criticising other education options. But we built this programme based on what we wish existed when we started in advertising. Here's how our approach compares.
| Feature | Porphillex Programme | Traditional Courses | Self-Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real client briefs | Live projects from our network | Simulated exercises | Practice projects only |
| Mentorship access | Weekly sessions with practitioners | Limited office hours | Online communities only |
| Industry connections | Networking events and introductions | Varies by institution | Build independently |
| Practical tools training | Software and platforms we use daily | Basic software introduction | Depends on resources found |
| Portfolio development | Guided curation and presentation | Student responsibility | Self-directed |
| Flexible scheduling | Evening and weekend options | Fixed timetables | Complete flexibility |
| Feedback on work | Detailed reviews from professionals | Academic assessment | Peer feedback at best |
Learn from People Doing the Work
Our instructors aren't just teachers. They're working professionals who spend their days solving client problems, managing campaigns, and creating advertising that needs to perform in competitive markets.
Between sessions, they're in client meetings, reviewing creative concepts, and navigating the same challenges you'll face. That context shapes how they teach.
Callum Dempsey
Callum spent twelve years at agencies before joining us in 2022. He's developed positioning strategies for hospitality brands, retail chains, and professional services. His approach combines data analysis with intuitive understanding of what resonates with specific audiences. Outside work, he collects vintage campaign materials from the 1980s.
Freja Lindström
Freja joined our team in 2019 after working in Stockholm and London. She's created campaigns across every major channel and won a few awards along the way (though she finds them slightly embarrassing). Her strength lies in translating complex brand messages into simple, memorable creative executions. She mentors because she remembers how confusing this field seemed at the start.
