Meet the robots taking over Milton Keynes with a message for your future

Edison Media brings Milton Keynes College campaign to life with Starship delivery robots 

We have launched a new campaign for Milton Keynes College, using Milton Keynes’ famous autonomous delivery robots to promote the College’s university-level courses across the city. 

Delivered in collaboration with Milton Keynes College and Starship Technologies, the campaign turns Starship’s much-loved robots into moving media placements, carrying Milton Keynes College’s message through the same communities they serve every day. 

The aim was simple: help more local people see university-level study as something available, accessible and close to home. 

Milton Keynes College offers a wide range of university-level courses, including new degrees validated by The Open University, higher-level apprenticeships, HNCs and HNDs. The campaign was created to reach people thinking about their next step after Level 3 study, those looking for a local route into higher education and adults considering a career change. 

Rather than relying only on fixed media spaces, we wanted to build a campaign that felt rooted in Milton Keynes. 

Starship’s robots are part of daily life in the city. They are seen on pavements, outside homes, near shops and moving through neighbourhoods throughout the day. For local residents, they are instantly recognisable. 

That made them the right media partner for this campaign. 

Working with Milton Keynes College and Starship, we developed an approach that uses the robots as mobile campaign carriers, placing the College’s message directly into the communities it wants to reach. 

The creative also plays into the city itself. The artwork includes a bird’s-eye view of Milton Keynes roads, with a nod to the city’s famous roundabouts built into the design. The result is a campaign that feels local at every level, from the media format to the message to the creative. 

For us, that was the point. This was never about placing a standard education advert onto a different format. It was about using something people in Milton Keynes already know and like, then turning it into a useful way to start conversations around local university-level study. 

Laura Black, Group Director for Adults, HE and South Central Institute of Technology, Milton Keynes College Group, said: 

“We’re very excited about this innovative new campaign, which will help to raise awareness of the fantastic university level courses available at Milton Keynes College. We offer a wide range of university level courses, including our new degrees validated by The Open University, higher level apprenticeships and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Higher National Certificates (HNC). 

“Studying a university level course with Milton Keynes College allows students to benefit from expert tutors, excellent facilities and lower fees than most universities. So, do give the robots a wave if you see them, and visit our website if you’re interested in taking your learning to the next level at Milton Keynes College.” 

Lisa Johnson, Vice President for Starship Technologies, said: 

“We love Milton Keynes. It’s our robots’ first home in the UK. We’re always on the lookout for things we can do to help MK organisations. 

“We’re chuffed to bring Milton Keynes College’s message on university level study to local people. It’s a great partnership and Edison Media’s campaign suits our robots very well. They’ve never looked so stylish.” 

Nicola Orrell, Managing Director at Edison Media, said: 

“This campaign works because it feels completely rooted in Milton Keynes. The robots are instantly recognisable, they are already loved by local residents and they move through the neighbourhoods that Milton Keynes College wants to reach. 

“Our role was to help turn that into a campaign that felt local, useful and memorable. It is a brilliant example of how media can move beyond fixed spaces and become part of everyday life.” 

The Milton Keynes College-branded Starship robots will operate across Milton Keynes as part of the existing delivery service from Thursday until later this year.