Miami Ad School
Miami Ad School is a founder-owned, COE-accredited private creative education institution founded in 1993, offering two-year portfolio programs, FIU master's degrees, boot camps, and corporate training across US and international campuses for aspiring creative professionals and brand-side teams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Miami Ad School does
Miami Ad School is a private, founder-owned creative advertising and design school established in 1993 by Pippa and Ron Seichrist. It operates COE-accredited US campuses in Miami and New York, a global Online campus, and seven international partner schools (Berlin, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Mexico City, Punta Cana, Sao Paulo, and Sri Lanka). The school's core offering is a two-year portfolio program in Art Direction, Copywriting, and Design, billed quarterly at $4,850 ($38,800 total), augmented by master's degree tracks in partnership with Florida International University and a growing portfolio of short-form boot camps including AI for Creatives, Creative Direction, Social Media, and Strategic Planning. A new 5-week Creative Career Kickstart priced at $1,250 serves as an entry-funnel product.
The business model is tuition-driven consumer education distributed through direct enrollment via the school's website, physical campus presence, and a self-serve online channel. Differentiated curriculum delivery is built on working industry professionals as instructors (drawn from Google, Meta, Ogilvy, R/GA, Droga5, Anomaly, Grey Group), a Board of Directors staffed with sitting CCOs and CEOs of major agencies and brands, and a student-experience stack including Global Hackathons with real clients (Netflix, LEGO, KFC), the Quarter Away international internship program, and a culminating Portfolio Review event offering up to ten industry interviews per graduate. The school claims 60,000+ alumni, a 7-time Cannes Lions Future Lions School of the Year designation, and The One Club's #1 creative school ranking.
Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the school has not raised external funding. Strategic emphasis in recent years has been on extending curriculum into AI skills for creatives, broadening the top of funnel via low-cost entry products, expanding corporate training (Train Your Team, Host a Project), and reinforcing brand leadership through continued award recognition and creator-economy partnerships.
Miami Ad School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Miami Ad School
- Legal name
- Miami Ad School
- Website
- https://miamiadschool.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Miami Ad School is a founder-owned, COE-accredited private creative education institution founded in 1993, offering two-year portfolio programs, FIU master's degrees, boot camps, and corporate training across US and international campuses for aspiring creative professionals and brand-side teams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Miami Ad School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
Miami Ad School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Portfolio Program Tuition: 2-year portfolio programs in Art Direction, Copywriting, and Design charge tuition quarterly at $4,850 per quarter ($38,800 total). These are the school's flagship COE-accredited programs.
- Master's Degree Program Tuition: Master's programs offered in collaboration with Florida International University charge tuition for the portfolio portion at Miami Ad School plus master's degree fees from FIU.
- Boot Camp Programs: Short-term intensive boot camps (AI for Creatives, Creative Direction, Social Media Management, Strategic Planning) charge tuition for the certificate program. Boot camps are not COE accredited.
- Creative Career Kickstart: A 5-week intensive program priced at $1,250 total, designed to help prospective students determine if a creative career is right for them. Next cohort starts August 2026.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Quarterly | Art Direction Portfolio Program - 2-year quarterly tuition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Creative Career Kickstart - 5-week intensive |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Miami Ad School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Miami Ad School is a private educational institution offering 2-year COE-accredited portfolio programs in Art Direction, Copywriting, and Design, master's degree programs in collaboration with Florida International University, and short-term boot camps in AI, Creative Direction, Social Media, and Strategic Planning. Students learn from working industry professionals, complete live client projects for brands like Netflix, LEGO, and KFC, and participate in the Quarter Away international internship program.
Product overview
Miami Ad School is an educational institution offering a multi-tiered portfolio of creative programs. The core offerings include 2-year COE accredited Portfolio Programs in Art Direction, Copywriting, and Design that help students build professional portfolios. Master's Degree Partnerships with Florida International University provide academic credentials alongside portfolio development. Short-term Boot Camps (AI for Creatives, Creative Direction, Social Media, Strategic Planning) offer targeted skill building. The school also offers a Creative Career Kickstart 5-week intensive for career exploration, plus corporate programs (Train Your Team, Host a Project). Student experience programs include the Quarter Away global internship initiative and Global Hackathons with real companies. The institution operates campuses in Miami, New York, and Online (US), plus international campuses in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Mexico City, Punta Cana, Sao Paulo, and Sri Lanka.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- M.AD: Common abbreviation used for Miami Ad School in communications and branding.
Products and services
- Art Direction Portfolio Program A 2-year COE-accredited portfolio program that trains students to become art directors, building real-world skills and a professional portfolio through hands-on projects.
- Copywriting Portfolio Program A 2-year COE-accredited portfolio program focused on developing writing and creative skills for advertising careers.
- Design Portfolio Program A 2-year COE-accredited portfolio program teaching design skills for the creative industry.
- Photography & Video Program Portfolio program focused on photography and video skills for creative professionals.
- Art Direction Master's Program Master's degree program offered in collaboration with Florida International University where students build a portfolio at Miami Ad School and earn a master's degree.
- Copywriting Master's Program Master's degree program in collaboration with Florida International University focused on copywriting skills.
- Social Media Strategy Master's Program Master's degree program in collaboration with Florida International University focusing on social media strategy.
- Strategic Planning Master's Program Master's degree program in collaboration with Florida International University focused on strategic planning.
- AI for Creatives Boot Camp Boot camp teaching AI skills to creatives to help them future-proof their skill set and add AI capabilities to their portfolio.
- Creative Direction Boot Camp Boot camp focused on creative direction skills for advancing creative careers.
- Social Media Boot Camp Boot camp for learning social media management and strategy skills.
- Strategic Planning Boot Camp Boot camp for learning strategic planning skills in advertising.
- Creative Director Program Certificate program designed for established creatives to advance from doer to leader.
- Creative Career Kickstart A 5-week intensive program designed to help individuals determine if a creative career is right for them, priced at $1,250 total.
- Train Your Team Customized corporate training programs for companies looking to upskill their creative teams in AI tools, creative direction, social media management, and strategic planning.
- Quarter Away Program International internship program allowing students to study and intern in cities around the world during their final quarter, including opportunities to work inside agencies like Ogilvy and R/GA.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7x Cannes Lions Future Lions School of the Year (more than any other school)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Miami Ad School
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Miami Ad School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Miami Ad School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Creator MethodminorPartnered with Creator Method to host 'The Creative Unlock' panel at a global stage, bringing together influential minds in the creator economy. The combined communities and monthly reach of speakers on stage eclipsed 100 million people.
- Florida International University (FIU)coreMiami Ad School partners with Florida International University to offer master's degree programs. Students build a portfolio at Miami Ad School and earn a master's degree from FIU. Programs include Art Direction, Copywriting, Social Media Strategy, and Strategic Planning master's tracks.
- OgilvyminorOgilvy Tokyo and other Ogilvy offices worldwide serve as Quarter Away partner locations where Miami Ad School students can intern and study.
- VaynerXminorAndrea Sullivan, CMO at VaynerX, serves on the Miami Ad School Board of Directors. VaynerX participates in student events and workshops such as the Upskale Day at the VaynerX Yacht. Avery Akkineni, CMO of VaynerX, was a speaker at the 'Creative Unlock' panel.
- GoogleminorGoogle employees serve as instructors at Miami Ad School. Ignacio 'Nacho' Zuccarino, formerly Head of Creative for Latin America at Google and Global Creative Director for Google Cloud, is an advisory board member. Google Cloud creative projects are used as student briefs.
- Instagram/MetaminorInstagram employees serve as instructors. Andrew Keller, VP for Creative and Experiential at Facebook, serves on the Board of Directors. Belen Marquez, Global ACD/AD at Facebook/WhatsApp, is listed as an instructor.
- R/GAminorBarry Wacksman, Global Chief Strategy Officer at R/GA, serves on the Board of Directors. R/GA is listed as one of the agencies where teachers come from and serves as a Quarter Away partner location.
- Droga5minorDroga5 is listed as one of the agencies where teachers come from, indicating an instructor talent pipeline from the agency.
- Leo Burnett WorldwideminorMichael Conrad, Chief Creative Officer at Leo Burnett Worldwide, serves on the Miami Ad School Board of Directors.
- AlmaminorLuis Miguel Messianu, Creative Chairman & CEO at Alma, serves on the Board of Directors.
- CutwaterminorAlexandra Ebright, Sr. Art Director at Cutwater, is a graduate portfolio showcase example on the school's website.
- Anomaly NYminorDonnell Johnson, Group Creative Director at Anomaly, is a Miami instructor. Paola Delgado, Art Director at Anomaly NY, is featured in graduate portfolios.
- Canvas WorldwideminorPaul Woolmington, CEO at Canvas Worldwide, serves on the Miami Ad School Board of Directors.
- NetflixminorNetflix serves as a client for student projects. Student project 'Netflix Spoiler Billboard' received coverage from Forbes, Yahoo, Campaign, and Daily Mail. Netflix is also a client for Global Hackathons.
- LEGOminorLEGO is a client for student projects in Global Hackathons. Student Sofia Soldevilla interned at R/GA and worked on LEGO projects from briefing to production.
- KFCminorKFC is a client for student projects during Global Hackathons alongside Netflix and LEGO.
- McCann ParisminorAlumni Sarah Yadidian completed two rounds of practical experience with McCann Paris during her studies. McCann is referenced as a partner for student projects and internships.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Miami Ad School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- School of Visual Arts (SVA): SVA is a New York-based private art and design college offering BFA and MFA programs in advertising, design, and related creative fields. It competes with Miami Ad School for creative talent in the Northeast and shares a similar portfolio-driven pedagogy.
- Hyper Island: Hyper Island is a Sweden-based creative business school offering industry-driven programs in advertising, digital media, and creative leadership across global campuses. It shares Miami Ad School's practitioner-led, project-based model and target audience of aspiring creative professionals.
- VCU Brandcenter: Virginia Commonwealth University's Brandcenter offers a graduate portfolio program in advertising, branding, and creative strategy with strong industry placement. It is the most direct US peer to Miami Ad School, competing for the same pool of aspiring art directors and copywriters.
- Berghs School of Communication: Berghs is a Stockholm-based creative communication school offering portfolio programs in art direction, copywriting, and design. It is one of Europe's most awarded creative schools and a close international peer to Miami Ad School's flagship portfolio tracks.
- School of Communication Arts 2.0 (SCA): SCA London runs an intensive, industry-mentored creative advertising program with a strong placement record into top UK agencies. Its apprenticeship-style model and emphasis on industry practitioners closely mirror Miami Ad School's instructor and project approach.
- Creative Circus: Creative Circus is an Atlanta-based private school offering portfolio programs in art direction, copywriting, and design with a small, intensive cohort model. It competes directly with Miami Ad School for US-based aspiring creatives seeking a non-traditional four-year degree path.
Emerging players
- Domestika: Domestika is a global online learning marketplace offering affordable creative courses in design, advertising, and content creation. It is an emerging competitor for Miami Ad School's boot camp and continuing education audience, particularly for self-directed learners.
- General Assembly: General Assembly operates short-format, for-profit boot camps in digital marketing, design, and data with strong corporate training sales. It overlaps with Miami Ad School's boot camp and Train Your Team offerings, especially in digital and social media skills.
Broad incumbents
- Ringling College of Art and Design: Ringling College is a private four-year art and design college in Florida offering BFA programs in graphic and advertising design. It competes for Florida-based creative students and represents the traditional four-year degree alternative to Miami Ad School's portfolio model.
- Miami Dade College: Miami Dade College is a large public community college in the same Miami market, offering broader associate and continuing education programs including creative disciplines. It is a broad incumbent competitor for students weighing cost-conscious public options against Miami Ad School's premium tuition.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Miami Ad School social profiles
Digital presenceMiami Ad School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Miami Ad School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Miami Ad School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles28 records
Miami Ad School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Miami Ad School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Miami Ad School
What does Miami Ad School do?
Miami Ad School is a private educational institution offering 2-year COE-accredited portfolio programs in Art Direction, Copywriting, and Design, master's degree programs in collaboration with Florida International University, and short-term boot camps in AI, Creative Direction, Social Media, and Strategic Planning. Students learn from working industry professionals, complete live client projects for brands like Netflix, LEGO, and KFC, and participate in the Quarter Away international internship program.
Is Miami Ad School a public or private company?
Miami Ad School is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Miami Ad School founded?
Miami Ad School was founded in 1993.
Where is Miami Ad School based?
Miami Ad School is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Miami Ad School make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Portfolio Program Tuition is the primary driver. The others are master's Degree Program Tuition, boot Camp Programs and creative Career Kickstart.
Who are Miami Ad School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are School of Visual Arts (SVA), Hyper Island, VCU Brandcenter, Berghs School of Communication, School of Communication Arts 2.0 (SCA) and Creative Circus. Emerging players are Domestika and General Assembly. Broad incumbents are Ringling College of Art and Design and Miami Dade College.
Does Miami Ad School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Miami Ad School.