Authentic engagement means more than just editing a template and calling it a day.It’s about sitting down with stakeholders and talking through the marketing process. It’s about getting to know your current and prospective students and learning about their journeys and schedules.It’s about taking risks and trying new projects – not reverting back to the comfort of the same old, same old.That’s why we’re talking to “Marketing Dude” Patrick Stone (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepatrickstone/), the Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing at Cape Cod Community College (https://www.capecod.edu/). Taking big swings and zigging when everyone else is zagging are just some of the keys Patrick brings to the table in this week's episode.In this episode, we unpack crucial components of authentic engagement with prospective students.Join us as we discuss: [3:28] A deep dive into higher ed budgeting[13:39] Transforming prospective student connections[20:57] Tools that will help with student retentionCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Patrick Stone on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepatrickstone/)pstone@capecod.edu (mailto:pstone@capecod.edu) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/) or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Higher ed marketers, a digital watering hole has appeared on the scene that you should be taking advantage of.The ZeeMee app allows for authentic connections between your university and prospective students on their terms. This app is revolutionizing the college recruitment game by meeting students where they are.We’re joined by Olivet Nazarene University (https://www.olivet.edu/)’s Executive Director of Traditional Enrollment, Luke Franklin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-franklin-47819124/), and Asbury University (https://www.asbury.edu/)’s Vice President of Enrollment & Marketing, Jennifer McChord (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-mcchord-6278713/), to talk about how ZeeMee has transformed campus culture at their institutions.In this episode, we break down why you should give ZeeMee a try today.Join us as we discuss: [5:22] Fostering relationships through ZeeMee[7:42] What is ZeeMee?[13:52] How Zeemee can help marketers glean Gen Z insights[26:10] Why Zeemee is a critical enrollment funnel assetCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:The ZeeMee App (https://www.zeemee.com/)Chasing Mission Fit (https://chasingmissionfit.com/) by Bart CaylorHarrison “Soup” Campbell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisoncampbell76/) at ZeeMeeTyler Groepper (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylergroepper/) at ZeeMeeJennifer McChord on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-mcchord-6278713/)jennifer.mcchord@asbury.edu (mailto:jennifer.mcchord@asbury.edu) Luke Franklin on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-franklin-47819124/)Olivet Nazarene University’s Website (https://www.olivet.edu/)To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/) or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

With a marketing world that feels like it's shifting every day, our teams need to be agile. Having a team with a diverse background is paramount to handling whatever life throws your institution's way.Being intentional when building or integrating teams and having an understanding of everyone’s background is critical to team cohesiveness.It’s about finding the right seat on the team bus for the members of your unit.Kin Sejpal (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinsejpal/), the VP of Marketing and Communications at University of Redlands (https://www.redlands.edu/), gets our conversation started on the keys to navigating challenging mergers.In this episode, we dive into the keys to crafting an efficient and effective team.Join us as we discuss: [6:41] Changing up perspectives in team building[10:34] Weighing aptitude versus attitude[20:07] Being taught to learn[28:05] Company culture reimaginedCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Kin Sejpal (https://www.redlands.edu/meet-redlands/office-of-the-president/presidents-cabinet/vice-president-marketing-and-communications/)Jensen Hong, The Future of Technology video (https://www.tiktok.com/@masteringmachines/video/7339538340150136106)To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/) or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

It’s time to switch from transactional to strategic.In an era where making your institution stand out is a top priority, raising the bar for Marketing and Communications is essential.By developing and implementing a maturity model, your university can start elevating the student experience.  Knocking down the silos and utilizing an integrated approach to marketing and communications can completely change the game.2023 AMA Higher Ed Marketer of the Year and Senior Executive VP of RW Jones Agency (https://www.rwjonesagency.com/), Jamie Ceman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieceman/), sat down with us to dive into the integrated MarComm approach.In this episode, we break down the essentials of marketing and communications in higher education.Join us as we discuss: [2:47] Marketing and communications as one integrated unit[14:26] How CMOs can stay active in marketing strategies[18:33] Measuring an institution's brand perceptionCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Three Things That University Presidents Should Know About Marketing (https://www.rwjonesagency.com/news/university-presidents-marketing/)jamie@rwjonesagency.com (mailto:jamie@rwjonesagency.com) To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/) or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Generating ownable brand ideas can spark from unique qualities hidden in plain sight — not taking the little things for granted. What may seem like an odd quirk could set your university apart.Strangers with experience can get the conversation started and completely transform your school's brand.We’re chatting with Brian MacDonald, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-macdonald-3377883/?originalSubdomain=ca) the co-founder & CCO at Zillion (https://zillionagency.com/). After working with big consumer brands, Brian wants to bring higher education institutions to the same level of branding focus.In this episode, we tackle finding distinctive brand ideas.Join us as we discuss:[4:40] Unique selling propositions and brand ownership[10:32] Building brand credibility[22:32] Finding strength in your brand’s detractors[30:48] How to tailor your school’s narrativeCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:zillionagency.com (http://zillionagency.com)Brian MacDonald (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-macdonald-3377883/?originalSubdomain=ca) on LinkedInTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/) or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

On November 30th, 2022, ChatGPT changed the world.Just months before, Dave Hunt (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-hunt-a343048/), Director of Digital Marketing Communications and Creative Director at Old Dominion University (https://www.odu.edu/), had been developing a large-scale email marketing campaign at another university.Dave discovered that the months of work that went into creating it could all be done in minutes now. It hooked him into looking at how to use generative AI further to keep his new team at ODU doing the creative work instead of grunt work.In an episode that will change the way you think about using generative AI with your team and how it factors into the marketing of your college or university, we’ll discuss:[8:32] Focusing on the tasks AI can’t do[22:38] Enhancing audience engagement with prospective students[28:34] The challenge of authenticity with Gen-Z and Gen Alpha[33:42] Achieving brand voice alignment when using AICheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:vectorizer.ai (http://vectorizer.ai)Monday.com (http://Monday.com)heygen.com (http://heygen.com)openai.com/sora (http://openai.com/sora)To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/) or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The enrollment cliff is real, and it will be here before you know it.If small and medium-sized higher ed institutions want to survive this drastic dropoff in traditional-aged college students, marketing teams will need to prove their brands’ value.For the introductory episode in our weekly review series of Bart Caylor’s book, Chasing Mission Fit (https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Mission-Fit-Marketing-Institution/dp/B0CSB9VRHX), we’re joined by Chris Rapozo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherrapozo/), Marketing Specialist at Hannon Hill (https://www.hannonhill.com/index.html). Chris helps unpack the book’s first chapter, which focuses on the enrollment cliff and what steps colleges and universities should take to ensure their survival.Join us as we discuss:[8:31] Why mission-fit strategies will be critical in enrollment marketing[19:19] Redefining future traditional student demographics[27:06] The potential impact of influencers on higher ed marketingCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Chasing Mission Fit on LinkedIn LIVE with Troy Singer - April 3, 2024Education Marketing Leader With Chris Rapozo (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/education-marketing-leader-with-chris-rapozo/id1679184846)Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (https://www.wiche.edu/) (WICHE)ZeeMee (https://www.zeemee.com/)Navigating the Demographic Enrollment Cliff (https://www.hannonhill.com/resources/white-papers/navigating-the-demographic-enrollment-cliff.html)The Demographic Enrollment Cliff: Forecasting the Great Dropoff (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3saQqbAF0zpZGb3ocj3B7v?si=3943e2ead07148f0&nd=1&dlsi=4c01dd8acff74304) featuring Tim FullerTake Your Voice Back: Being Change Agents in Higher Ed Marketing (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FFSuzfyTAGPig7bpRaHoC?si=774a574dfffa4d67&nd=1&dlsi=3cbcd99a04a24e2e) featuring Carrie Phillips2024 Cascade User Conference Keynote (https://www.hannonhill.com/resources/enrollment-cliff/keynote.html)To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/), or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Higher education has been known for its slower pace of adoption and for often resisting change. With approaching headwinds, including the enrollment cliff, disruption of generative AI, the negative public perception of higher ed, and competition with outside players (Google, Amazon, etc.), it is more critical than ever to lean into the mission-fit marketing.   That’s why many institutions are turning to partners like Ologie (https://ologie.com/), a higher ed branding agency that helps schools by leveraging their most important asset — curiosity.Fernando Bergás-Coria (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernandogbc/), Ologie’s Chief Digital and Media Officer, joins us to share how Ologie is helping schools optimize their marketing efforts through a lens of renewed professional growth and innovative strategies. Join us as we discuss:[4:40] How higher ed red tape stunts new ways of thinking[14:30] A tactical approach to segmentation and personalization[23:31] 4 buckets for optimizing enrollment marketing outcomesCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:fbc@ology.com (mailto:fbc@ology.com)Think and Grow Rich (https://www.naphill.org/shop/books/paperback/think-and-grow-rich/) by Napoleon HillTo hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/), or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Personalized AI chatbots used to be a muse for science fiction writers.But with the rapid rise of these sophisticated AI tools, the possibilities for how these bots can augment the prospective student journey seem endless.You can certainly hear the enthusiasm in the voice of Ardis Kadiu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/), the founder and CEO of Element451 (https://element451.com/), as he talks about the capabilities of these futuristic assistants.Ardis shares how he and his team are incorporating AI chatbots into their product offerings and how schools can use them to give students the personalized attention and responsiveness they deserve.Join us as we discuss:[3:23] 3 areas of opportunity for generative AI tools in higher ed[12:35] Augmenting the student journey with personalized chatbots[27:12] The future of conversational AI and chatbot personasCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Enrollify Podcast Network (https://www.enrollify.org/)Generation AI (https://generationaishow.com/) with Ardis KadiuChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com/)Pi.AI (http://Pi.AI)Character.AI (http://Character.AI)To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/), or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

It’s time for schools to embrace the big, audacious goals and put together a strategy to accomplish them. That’s what the University of Kentucky did. They’re implementing programs that will advance student success at their institution. It’s never too late to go for the challenge.We’re talking to Kirsten Turner, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-turner-3aa8a84/) the Vice President of Student Success at the University of Kentucky (https://www.uky.edu/). Through partnering with Fidelity, UK is empowering their students to develop early financial literacy.In this episode, we explore the University of Kentucky’s groundbreaking student initiatives.Join us as we discuss:[2:40] The four pillars of meaning and purpose[17:22] The UK student investment program[20:51] Why financial literacy is important for college students[26:22] How UK’s initiatives have positively impacted studentsCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Kirsten.turner@uky.edu (mailto:Kirsten.turner@uky.edu)To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-higher-ed-marketer/id1552804442), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1F4gOhYuZYk2odcMkVjP?si=651cc489750e48ee), or our website (https://www.higheredmarketerpodcast.com/) or search for The Higher Ed Marketer in your favorite podcast player. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.