Driving to campus, walking to class, at the gym—Gen Z has AirPods in, constantly consuming content. But how do you reach them in a way that feels natural and engaging? Beyond social media, podcasts offer a way to connect even when they’re not staring at a screen.
The Best Four Podcast tapped into this mobile-first behavior, delivering engaging, student-driven content right where students naturally consume information. By blending authentic storytelling, mobile accessibility, and social-first amplification, The Best Four became more than just a marketing campaign—it became a trusted resource for students navigating housing decisions, driving both engagement and real leasing results.
Authenticity at the Core
Unlike traditional marketing campaigns that rely on pre-written, controlled messaging, The Best Four places real student voices at the center. Capturing unfiltered stories from students and alumni, the podcast creates a relatable and trustworthy platform where prospective students and parents can hear firsthand experiences about college housing.
Although the show is sponsored by Rambler, our guests share honest experiences from all types of housing—on-campus dorms, Greek houses, co-ops, and off-campus apartments. Their advice often varies, making the content more authentic and valuable for listeners.
Leveraging Social Proof and Influencers
We harness social proof by featuring influential students on the podcast—decision-makers, trendsetters, and campus leaders.
Their voices amplify credibility and trust, making The Best Four a go-to resource.
We distribute The Best Four Podcast across all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and YouTube. Our social media campaign maximizes reach, leveraging Instagram and TikTok to generate viral moments.
The Best Four has its own dedicated social media presence on TikTok and Instagram, where it engages directly with students and fosters conversations about college housing. Since the podcast shares a natural audience with our Rambler brands, the properties often collaborate on content or share podcast clips on their own channels to maximize reach.
Creating a Two-Way Conversation
The campaign didn’t just broadcast information – it created a dialogue. Students engage in the comments, share their housing experiences, and use the content as a resource when making housing decisions.
A conversation with 2024 UT graduate Anna Grace about her experience at Scottish Rite Dormitory at UT Austin racked up 400K+ views on social media, sparking discussions about dorm life and housing options.
The organic engagement driven by the podcast reinforced its credibility and impact. Whether they’re learning about Greek housing, off-campus apartments, or leasing processes, listeners walk away with valuable, real-world knowledge that shapes their choices.
Beyond Social
Rambler brands went beyond sponsorship, weaving The Best Four into their broader marketing strategy. The properties leveraged the podcast as a powerful tool to engage students and parents, turning its authentic storytelling into a key driver for leasing success.
Leasing agents shared episodes in parent Facebook groups, where families making housing decisions could hear firsthand insights from real students. Rambler’s own social media channels amplified the podcast’s reach by posting key clips that resonated with their audience.
Reaching Not Just Students, But Parents
While students were our primary audience, we know parents play a key role in housing decisions. They’re the ones in Facebook groups, comparing options, asking questions, and ensuring their child has the best experience. To engage them, we strategically shared podcast episodes in these groups, giving them direct access to real student insights.
Since many parents listen to podcasts on their daily commute, The Best Four became a trusted, on-the-go resource—helping them feel confident in their student’s housing choice. By reaching both students and parents, the campaign created a holistic, highly effective mobile marketing strategy.
Turning Conversations into Conversions
By making student housing content mobile-friendly, engaging, and actionable, the campaign built trust at scale and drove real leasing results:
- Two seasons published in 2024, with plans for three more seasons in 2025
- 58K+ streams on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
- 900K+ impressions across Instagram and TikTok.
- A single TikTok clip about dorm life at UT Austin garnered 400K+ views and hundreds of student interactions.
That trust directly translated into record-breaking leasing outcomes.
The impact of The Best Four was so undeniable that LV Collective is now expanding this strategy across its portfolio nationwide, setting a new industry standard for student housing marketing.
The Best Four’s authentic storytelling, mobile-first strategy, and viral social engagement not only built trust at scale but also drove record leasing performance—proving that the best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing at all.
Featured Awards
Best Mobile Marketing Campaign – The Best Four Podcast – 2025
