For nearly a decade, Miami Ad School Toronto was a creative hub for young advertisers, designers, and strategists. It felt more like an agency than a classroom – a place where ideas were tested, campaigns were built, and portfolios launched real careers.
When the school shut its doors in early 2025, students were left mid-semester and instructors without classes. It was a major shake-up for Ontario’s creative education scene.
But the energy didn’t disappear. Across the province, new and established programs have stepped in to carry the torch – offering practical training, industry mentorship, and hands-on collaboration.
Best Ad Schools in Ontario
- Seneca Polytechnic – Creative Advertising Diploma
- Mohawk College – Advertising & Marketing Communications
- George Brown College – School of Marketing & UX Design
- Algonquin College – Advertising & Marketing Communications Management
- St. Clair College – Digital-heavy Advertising & Marketing Communications
- OCAD University – Bachelor of Design in Advertising
What Happened to Miami Ad School Toronto
Miami Ad School Toronto opened in 2016 under Muneet Dhaliwal and Aman Gulati, joining the global M.AD network that already had campuses in Miami, New York, Madrid, and São Paulo.
It built a name for hands-on learning, international mentorship, and portfolios that looked like real client work.
Then in March 2025, the lights went out. A Toronto Star piece confirmed the rumours – students were left mid-semester, instructors hadn’t been paid, and communication had gone dark.
“We just wanted honesty,” said one copywriting student we spoke with. “Even a plan. Instead, we got silence.”
Why the School Closed
Like many niche private colleges, M.AD Toronto faced pressure after the pandemic. It never quite recovered from lockdown disruptions, and its smaller post-COVID location lacked the energy of its earlier years. Enrollment dropped. Payments lagged. Communication faltered.
And truthfully? It was competing with more affordable, hybrid programs from public colleges like Seneca and Mohawk. These schools were doing a better job delivering mentorship marketing Toronto students needed, plus partnerships with agencies that offered job-ready experiences.
Inside Miami Ad School Toronto
Before it closed, the school was known for high standards. You didn’t just study theory – you built real campaigns.
Classes were led by active pros. Jay Chaney, one of Canada’s top brand strategists and former Chair of the Strategy Program, ran the Strategy & Planning Bootcamp Toronto with a mix of tough love and real insight.
“Great strategy starts with empathy,” Chaney told students. “You’re not selling ideas – you’re solving human problems.”
Guest lectures from Sarah Thompson (Dentsu Canada) and Kristin Wozniak gave the school serious industry weight. Students worked in small teams, pitching live briefs and refining portfolios that often led to real jobs.
During COVID, Miles Online Classes linked creatives from Miami to Toronto for all-night brainstorming. “Half our ideas came from Figma, half from caffeine,” one student joked.
By graduation, many had entered D&AD New Blood or Future Lions and earned feedback from creative directors at agencies like Cossette and Zulu Alpha Kilo. For most, M.AD Toronto wasn’t just a school – it was their first real step into the industry.
Popular Programs and Courses
Two-Year Diploma Programs
- Art Direction
- Copywriting
- Creative Strategy
10-Week Online & Part-Time Courses
- Ideas First (Concept development)
- Tonality (Writing)
- Pop Culture Engineering
- Developing Insights
- Brief & Brief Writing
- Strategy & Planning Overview
Bootcamps
- Pitching to Win: How to Sell
- UX Design
- Strategy & Planning
These short, high-intensity workshops, especially the Strategy & Planning Bootcamp Toronto, were magnets for working marketers. Students from other creative schools even joined to sharpen their portfolios.
Top Schools Filling the Gap
After the closure, Ontario’s creative network stepped up. Here’s where many students and new applicants turned next.
| School | Program Highlights | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| Seneca Polytechnic | Creative Advertising Diploma (2 years, hybrid). Real client campaigns through Studio 67 and mentorship marketing Toronto partnerships. | Students seeking business + creative balance. |
| Mohawk College | Ad & Marketing Communications (3 years, hybrid). Choose creative or strategy stream. | Those wanting agency-style work and portfolio projects. |
| George Brown College | School of Marketing (downtown Toronto). Programs in Digital Media Marketing, UX Design School Toronto, and Marketing Management. | Professionals wanting flexible or evening classes. |
| Algonquin College | Advertising & Marketing Communications Management (Ottawa). Co-op placements and strategy-heavy curriculum. | Students outside Toronto seeking real client experience. |
| St. Clair College | Windsor-based, digital-heavy focus. Industry certifications (Hootsuite, HubSpot). | Students aiming at social media or analytics roles. |
| OCAD University | Bachelor of Design in Advertising. Deep dive into art director vs designer and creative direction vs art direction principles. | Future creative directors and design thinkers. |
Digital Design and the Rise of New Creative Fields
Something else changed in 2025 – creative careers blurred. The line between art, data, and UX got fuzzy (in a good way).
Students who once dreamed of TV ads now study learn UX design Toronto programs. Graduates use the same storytelling instincts in UX Toronto startups or esports branding agencies.
Advertising strategist portfolios now include prototypes, wireframes, and case studies – not just headlines.
Trends show this shift:
- +36% growth in UX roles in Ontario (StatsCan, 2025).
- 1 in 4 creative grads now work in digital product or gaming industries.
- Most new “creative strategist” postings list both Adobe and Figma skills.
So yeah, the ad world got digital – and fast.
From Ad Concepts to Game Interfaces
It might sound far-fetched, but we’ve seen this happen: ad school grads joining gaming and iGaming design teams.
A former M.AD Toronto student now works as a UI designer for an Ontario online casino brand. He said, “It’s the same skill set, really. Storytelling, pacing, engagement – just in a different format.”
Both industries rely on understanding what makes people click.
A campaign and a casino interface both test psychology, design rhythm, and ethical persuasion. That’s why creative schools now add UX ethics and responsible design to their courses.
Online Casino Design as a Modern Creative Canvas
If you’ve played on a regulated online casino recently, you’ve probably seen it – smoother layouts, bold typography, subtle motion cues. It’s not random. It’s the result of designers trained in advertising and UX merging their skills.
Modern casino design now focuses on:
- Clarity: Clean, mobile-first layout for easy navigation.
- Trust: Responsible gaming links and licence verification displayed upfront.
- Emotion: Colours and pacing designed for calm, not impulse.
It’s creative direction with guardrails – and a new career path for graduates who once built ad campaigns.
How to Apply: Tips for New Students
If you’re looking for your next creative school, start early. Ontario’s system is competitive, but transparent.
- Apply early: OCAS/OUAC portals open every fall.
- Build your portfolio: Show your process, not just final visuals.
- Collect references: Teachers or employers who can speak to your teamwork and creativity.
- Research scholarships: Many colleges fund design and strategy students.
- Stay flexible: Apply to both diploma and degree programs – credit transfer is common.
Building a Career After the Transition
Many displaced M.AD students went remote with Denver Ad School or joined Toronto-based freelance collectives. Others pivoted into freelance digital marketing or UX contract work through online mentorship programs.
Ontario’s creative sector rewards adaptability. The same storytelling that sells sneakers can now sell sustainable apps, fintech brands, or digital events. The key is to keep learning – and keep your art director online portfolio alive.
Useful Links for Future Creatives
- 🎓 Ontario Colleges – Advertising Programs
Browse and apply to college advertising programs across Ontario. - 🎨 OCAD University – Advertising
Bachelor of Design focused on creativity and storytelling. - 💼 Mohawk College – Advertising & Marketing
Three-year advanced diploma with agency-style projects. - 📊 George Brown – Marketing Programs
Downtown Toronto programs in marketing, UX, and digital media. - 🧠 Conestoga College – Advertising & Marketing
Hands-on co-op program blending creative and strategic training. - 💻 BrainStation – Digital Bootcamps
Short UX, design, and marketing courses built with industry pros.