Be the best. Learn from the best

The Creative Accelerator is a new online course from Contagious. It’s designed to rapidly upskill people working in marketing with an understanding of the best campaigns, need-to-know brand case studies and seminal research. It has one goal: to give you the knowledge and tools to produce more creative and contagious ideas.

What's in the course?


  • 50 bite-sized lessons across 8 hours, delivered by Contagious experts
  • A combination of video tutorials, interactive exercises and knowledge tests
  • Over 75 of the world’s best campaigns across 5 continents
  • In-depth coverage of this decade’s most important case studies 
  • Analysis from the strategists and creative directors behind the world’s best work
  • Insights from acclaimed CMOs, effectiveness experts and marketing scientists
  • Access to Contagious’ own proprietary tools and frameworks

Who is this course for?

The Creative Accelerator is suitable for people of all levels, regardless of whether you work at a brand or an agency.

  • New starters...

    Looking to rapidly learn about the most important precedents in the industry, gain an insight into what makes great brands so successful and then practically apply this thinking to their own roles.

  • Seasoned agency pros…

    Eager for a refresher into what great work looks like right now, the creative benchmarks to aspire to and the marketing theory underpinning this success.

  • Brand marketers…

    Wanting exposure to brilliant work so they can actively ‘hone their gut’ and make better and more informed decisions around creative ideas.

What you'll learn

  • What ‘great’ looks like

    We’ll show you the ‘best of the best’ creativity, giving you an unrivalled knowledge bank of standout ideas and an understanding of why they work

  • The secrets behind success

    Through interviews with the people behind the ideas, you’ll learn how groundbreaking campaigns came to fruition and how brilliant brands are built

  • How to evaluate creative ideas

    Using Contagious' proprietary tools and frameworks, you'll learn how to effectively evaluate ideas and hone your own creative judgement

Course Content


1. Why is Creativity so Important

The research and science that shows why creativity is critically important to effective marketing. Plus, the dangers and biases against creativity that often stand in the way.



2. What Does Great Creativity Look Like?

How beliefs around creativity have changed over the past century; how this is reflected in the most celebrated campaigns; and how brilliant ideas all have certain traits in common. 



3. How to Evaluate Creativity

Why developing your own creative judgement is the most important thing you can work on. And introducing our own Contagious framework, which will help you do just that. 



4. Build a Foundation

How a clear Organising Principle unlocks opportunity, unifies creative ideas and builds meaningful brands over the long-term. With deep dives on Pedigree, Dove and Ikea. 



5. Ask Heretical Questions

Why many of the most creative campaigns start as an unconventional, difficult and often disruptive question – with case studies from Burger King, Domino’s and Liquid Death.  



6. Be Culturally Fluent

Our Culture Framework helps brands tackle one of the toughest feats in marketing – becoming part of the cultural conversation. With deep dives on Bodyform, Tide and NRMA. 



7. Weaponise your Audience

Equipping your audience with incentives, tools and assets can help ideas spread further and last longer. We look at how XBox, KFC China, Lidl and Volvo Trucks have achieved this. 



8. Be Useful, Relevant & Entertaining

How consumers have developed ‘cognitive immunity’, why most brands fail to get past these defences and how you can create more impactful and resonant comms in the future.

Why choose Contagious?

For almost 20 years, Contagious has identified and championed the most creative and innovative marketing ideas from around the world. Our belief is simple: to be the best, you have to learn from the best. So our own analysis is always complemented by extensive interviews with the strategists and creatives behind the work – and the marketers approving these exceptional ideas.

This online course is no different: we have combined our unique, independent and unbiased editorial filter with the perspectives of those at the coal face of the industry. You’ll hear from agency heads, CMOs, professors, even Nobel Prize winning scientists. And it’s presented by our in-house team of editors and strategists – who provide an objective and entertaining learning programme.

In addition to this, the course has also been fully accredited by the independent CPD Standards Office – so you can trust that the training you’ll receive is of the highest quality.
Enrol now

FAQ's

  • How much does the course cost?

    While this is a paid-for course, we have unlocked access for our valued members for a limited period. So, for you, it’s currently free.

  • How long does the course take to complete?

    We estimate that it will take between 8 and 10 hours, depending on how long you spend on the various exercises and tests. The course itself is split up into bite-sized chunks, between 5 mins and 15 mins. And you can exit and return as many times as you like – your progress will be recorded.

  • How do I access the course?

    Simply click the ‘Enrol now’ link at the top of this page. Once you have signed up, you can return to the course anytime by clicking on ‘Creative Accelerator’ in the main menu on Contagious Online.

  • Is there an exam I need to complete?

    No - but there are tests at the end of each module. You need to score 80% or higher in these to progress to the next module.

  • Does this course count towards my CPD targets?

    Yes. This course has been fully accredited by the CPD Standards Office, meaning that anyone completing the course can record it as 7.5 hours of continuous professional development.

  • Who can I contact if I need help?

    If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact [email protected] and we’ll be glad to help.