
CEF-UDIMA: How Performance Max Boosted Lead Generation by 24% in Spain and Latin America
Overview
Higher education and professional training benchmark in online learning
CEF.- UDIMA is a private Spanish educational institution that offers official bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as civil service exam preparation programs and continuing education for professionals.
Today, the institution is positioned as a benchmark in distance higher education in Spain, with a solid academic offering adapted to market demands. At the same time, it is expanding its international presence in Latin America, aiming to consolidate its footprint and attract students interested in quality programs that enhance their academic and professional development through online learning.

+24%
Leads
-13%
CPL
Challenge
Boost lead generation in LATAM within a context of low brand awareness
The main challenge for CEF-UDIMA was to increase lead generation in Latin America, with a special focus on Colombia and Peru, markets where the institution had very low brand awareness and lacked the organic strength it already had in Spain.
Search campaigns on Google Search failed to generate the expected volume due to the lack of awareness, limiting the channel’s effectiveness. Although Meta Ads led the results, contributing nearly 80% of leads from the beginning in these markets, it became necessary to complement its performance with a broader, more balanced strategy capable of building demand and strengthening brand presence sustainably.
Solution
AI, automation and proprietary data to scale acquisition efficiently
The UOC redesigned its Google Ads strategy by combining the technology of the Adsmurai Marketing Platform (AMP) with Gemini's generative AI. This combination made it possible to create creative content tailored to each stage of the funnel, improve personalisation and increase the efficiency of advertising investment.
Specific Pmax campaigns were developed for each educational programme, powered by resources generated by Gemini within AMP. These campaigns were connected to dynamic data feeds, ensuring maximum relevance in the ads.
In addition, mid-funnel actions were activated with audiences based on first-party data (1PD), reinforcing the impact at key moments of consideration and bringing the user closer to the final conversion.
Results
Performance Max drives lead volume and reduces CPL across all markets
The impact of introducing Performance Max was immediate and significant for UDIMA (National + LATAM). In just one month, the platform grew from representing 8% of total lead volume in June to 20% in July, reducing SEM’s share from 46% to 36%, while Meta remained stable at around 45%. This channel redistribution allowed lead volume to increase by 24% and CPL to decrease by 13% in just one month.
UDIMA National
The launch of campaigns segmented by faculties allowed for quick performance evaluation by vertical and optimized investment.
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During June and July, with an investment 69% lower than SEM, PMAX delivered 44% more leads and a CPA 80% lower.
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In just two months, investment in PMAX grew by 222%, reaching 1,607 leads in July, compared to 499 in the first test month.
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Budget distribution was rebalanced: from a 12% share in June, PMAX rose to 37% in July, consolidating itself as a key acquisition driver.
UDIMA Peru
In Peru, PMAX became a key growth channel.
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Leads grew from 388 in June to 1,041 in July (+168%), with a CPL 38% lower (€25 vs. €41).
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PMAX contributed 24% of leads (255) with a CPA of only €11, reducing costs by 89% vs. SEM and 46% vs. Meta.
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The success led to a fivefold increase in channel investment, from €380 to €2,230, strengthening its role in the local strategy.
UDIMA Colombia
In Colombia, PMAX consolidated its role as an efficient alternative to SEM and a complement to Meta.
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Acquisition grew by 15% in July, reaching 1,594 leads, with a CPL 4% lower than the previous month.
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PMAX generated 258 leads (16%) with a CPA of €8, 88% lower than SEM and 50% more efficient than Meta.
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Investment quadrupled, rising from €475 in June to €1,995 in July, paving the way for greater prominence in the following months.
Lead Quality Analysis
Beyond volume, PMAX also began to show impact on enrollments:
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UDIMA National: 57 enrollments since launch, with a 4% conversion rate, higher than Meta and in line with the benchmark.
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UDIMA LATAM: In July, 2 enrollments were recorded in Colombia (1% conversion rate), in strategic areas such as Renewable Energy and Artificial Intelligence applied to education.
Performance Max established itself as a key channel within UDIMA’s digital strategy, delivering incremental volume and diversifying acquisition sources. Its cost-per-lead efficiency makes it a sustainable growth driver, provided it is combined with a focus on lead qualification and strengthening conversion to enrollment, ensuring real and profitable business impact.
Working with Adsmurai has been a very enriching experience. From the outset, their team has demonstrated a great ability to understand our needs and turn them into tangible strategies, always with a friendly approach and a strong commitment to achieving our objectives. What I value most about Adsmurai is their ability to adapt to changing contexts, their transparency in communication and the way they get involved as if they were part of the same team. More than an external partner, they have become a key strategic ally.
THEY'VE ALREADY DONE IT
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