smj podcast

It’s been said that ‘communications and marketing are the same thing’ and that ‘marketing communications have not fundamentally changed.’ Myths or facts? We delve into the whys and wherefores of both, unpacking what you need to know about them as the school Head.

In this interview, Steve Cuno — author, copywriter and self-professed ‘marketing know-it-all’ — discusses whether he’s a marketing sceptic and why you should take intuition out of your marketing decisions. He provides tips for school Heads in how to embrace scientific marketing, unpacking insights from his book, “Prove It Before You Promote It”.

What are the differences between visual identity, brand and logo? Why would a school want to consider its visual identity and maybe even change it? In this episode, we talk you through the what, why and how.

As the pandemic rolls on, are you, like many Heads, at the end of your rope and struggling to hold it together? Consulting psychologist Dr Steve Bagi shares insights from his PhD in educational leadership and suggests some ways you can combat emotional fatigue.

In this second of our two-part look at defining and articulating your school’s key messages, we discuss the next steps you can take to maximise your communication and marketing impact. If you haven’t yet listened to part 1, head to SMJ073.

With experience leading large independent schools, Dr Paul Teys now helps schools leverage their strengths by mentoring leadership teams and managing executive recruitment. In this interview, Paul discusses what it means for Heads to perform as CEOs, focusing on the intersection of leading the school and leading school marketing.

What are your school’s key messages and why is it important to define and articulate them? We walk you through our framework and give you the tools to apply it in your own context, so that you can maximise your communication and marketing impact.

The University of Newcastle’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tracy Chalk, has deep experience across higher education and government in both marketing and brand management. In this interview, Tracy discusses why storytelling is so important for today’s education marketing, what her own storytelling ecosystem looks like and how school Heads can start the necessary conversation with their marketers.

How do you stand out from the crowd? What does it mean to be remarkable? In this episode, we delve into the highlights of Seth Godin’s Purple Cow, discussing those things that can make all the difference to your school marketing and, ultimately, your enrolments.

Even the most experienced of performers can be caught out when dealing with the media. In this interview, media and crisis communication expert John Le Cras discusses why even smooth operators would benefit from some training. Remember, “everything you say may be taken down and used in evidence against you.”