UK, U of L rivalry goes beyond the field and into world of advertising

The rivalry between UK and U of L isn't limited to just the week of the Governor's Cup. It's not limited to the football field either.

Kentucky's two largest universities have a new battle and it's happening right before your eyes.

 

Athletics and academics aside, the University of Kentucky has dominated in one key area lately; advertising.

 

You've probably seen UK billboards all over Louisville for some time. But unless you've been to Lexington recently, you've missed out on how the Cardinals are fighting back.

 

The Cardinals are smacking back with an ad campaign of their own, right on Broadway in Lexington, the heart of Wildcat country.

 

"We did want to put it as close as we could to the University of Kentucky. Let's be honest, that's going to get the most attention, that's why you're here interviewing me right now," said U of L’s Mark Hebert.

 

But if you’ve seen them, you probably noticed something a little off about the look of the ads, they are blue.

 

"Sort of a fun way to get them to do a double take on the billboard kind of thing. Because we want the best students from all over Kentucky to come to the University of Louisville," explained Hebert.

 

The blue ads have hit the airwaves too, all in the name of victory off the field.

 

Even though it's the week of the big football game, U of L says their emphasis with the campaign is academics.

 

The Lexington billboard may have come as a surprise to UK, but Wednesday they had this to say: “the accomplishments of the wonderful people at the University of Kentucky, the Commonwealth’s flagship university, benefit not only the state, but the nation and the world as well, even those with allegiance to other sports teams. U of L is a great school, and we’re glad they “see blue.”