Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO — with Jaime Hunt

This episode features a conversation with Erik K. Rueter, Senior Project Manager for the American Marketing Association and Founder and President of Human-Centered Success. Take a deep dive into the concept of human-centered project management, a transformative approach that's reshaping how we tackle projects. We begin by exploring the critical question: Is there really a difference between projec...

Get ready to dive into the dynamic world of email marketing. Jaime sits down with Ashley Budd, Senior Director of Advancement Marketing at Cornell University, to unlock the secrets to crafting email campaigns that not only get opened, but also get results.  Ashley is a seasoned expert who’s been turning the humble email into a powerhouse of engagement and communication. Get set for an engaging ses...

LGBTQIA+ students, like all students, need to see themselves represented in university marketing materials. An inclusive marketing strategy ensures that these students feel welcomed and valued by the institution, which can be a deciding factor in their college selection process. In this episode, Jaime sits down with Kevin Tyler, Director of Marketing and Community Engagement at Simpson Scarborough...

Licensing is an often underappreciated yet crucial aspect of a university's marketing and brand strategy; however, it can be a powerful tool for brand reinforcement and revenue generation. In this episode, Jaime sits down with Brian Eubank, Executive Director of Licensing at Old Dominion University, to discuss how universities can extend their brand's reach far beyond campus borders. Takeaways fro...

Promoting the value of higher education in rural states is not just important—it's essential for the growth and empowerment of these communities. Education is a powerful catalyst for development, offering individuals the tools to improve their quality of life and contribute to the economic and social vitality of their regions. In rural states, where access to higher education can be limited, empha...

In this episode, Jaime and her guest, Michael Lamphier, Executive Director for Marketing and Communication for Wake Forest School of Business, take a dive deep into the world of User Experience (UX) and its pivotal role in higher education marketing. Takeaways from this episode include: Inspiring success stories about tweaks in user experience that changed the trajectory of a marketing campaign In...

In this episode, Jaime brings in Dave Hunt, creative director for ODUGlobal, for a dive deep into the nuances of marketing online academic programs. As more universities look to the online space as a solution to the enrollment cliff, more and more marketers are being asked to market online programs. A distinctive challenge compared with marketing traditional higher education offerings, marketing o...

If there is one aspect of higher education marketing that is often overlooked, it’s employer branding. Universities neglect this element at their peril. In one of Jaime’s favorite interviews ever, she and Eddie Francis, the founder of Edify Ventures and host of the I Wanna Work There podcast, tackle that topic head-on and enumerate the pivotal elements that make up a successful employer branding s...

In this episode, Jaime dives into the world of marketing and storytelling with a guest who has seamlessly transitioned from the dynamic realm of entertainment PR to the intricate landscape of higher education marketing. Entertainment and education, while distinct, share common ground in the art of storytelling. Our guest takes us on a journey, beginning with her unique background in entertainment...

In this episode of "Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO," Jaime and her guest dive into a critical aspect of leadership: managing conflict in the workplace. Her guest, Carol Bowser, is a true authority in conflict management, bringing her expertise from years of experience and her role as the founder of Conflict Management Strategies. With a background that includes notable contributions to the field a...

In this episode, Jaime talks with Ben Congleton, CEO and Founder of Olark, about the results of his recent survey into how higher education leaders are allocating their marketing budgets. The survey sought to uncover where higher education marketers and admissions pros are planning to spend their budgets and time over the next year. As they delve into the survey results, Ben raises the curtain on...

In this episode, Jaime and her guest delve into the crucial role of a college president in shaping and embodying a university's brand and culture. Ashlea Jones, interim senior director of storytelling and director of executive communications at Miami University (Ohio), shares invaluable insights into the relationship between a president's vision for the future of the institution and its alignment...

In this candid episode, Jaime sits down with a seasoned professional who recently experienced a significant career transition. Bryce Hoffman, formerly the AVC of Marketing at UMass Lowell and current AVP of Integrated Marketing at the University of New Hampshire, shares his personal journey of having his position eliminated and the subsequent process of rebuilding his professional life. Bryce is o...

In this episode, Jaime delves into the realm of strategic enrollment planning in higher education with her guest, Alejandra “Ale” Sosa Pieroni, Executive Vice President – Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Student Success, Georgia Southern University. As higher education grapples with declining student populations and increasing cost pressures, it has never been more important for enrollment ma...

In this episode, Jaime and Myla Edmond, Associate Vice President Marketing and Communications at California State University, Dominguez Hills, delve into higher education marketing’s impact on creating diverse and inclusive campus communities. This episode explores the role of marketing in fostering a diverse and inclusive campus environment and offers insights into how marketing can actively cont...

Join Jaime on this captivating episode of "Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO," with guest Denise Lamphier, director of marketing and communications at Des Moines University. In this episode, explore a unique four-year project undertaken by Denise and her son to document the college selection process. Denise shares statistics and data gathered by tracking every piece of college marketing her son recei...

In this episode of "Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO," Jaime is joined by Brian Piper, author of Epic Content Marketing, Second Edition. Brian shares valuable insights and strategies to help higher education marketers navigate the ever-changing landscape of content marketing. This episode uncovers the secrets to creating engaging content that captures the hearts and minds of your audiences.  Takeawa...

In this episode of "Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO," Jaime sits down with Thom Chesney, former president of Clarke University, to gain insights into his views on the relationship between the university president and chief communications and marketing officer. Thom shares his perspectives on the impact of the past three years on communication with stakeholders, and how he encourages innovation and...

In this episode of Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO, Jaime is joined by Sarah Goldfarb, Managing Director of Social Media and Digital Content at RW Jones Agency, to discuss influencer marketing in higher education. Influencer marketing involves partnering with individuals who have a strong following on social media or other digital platforms to promote a product, service, or brand. These individuals...

In this episode, Jaime and Mallory Willsea make a case for artificial intelligence (AI) as the next disruptor in marketing – a phenomenon both believe rivals social media and the Internet in terms of its potential impact on marketing. The focus of the episode is on ChatGPT, an AI-powered language model that can be harnessed by marketers to save time in content creation and to create more effective...

 In this episode, Jaime Hunt and Victoria O'Malley discuss the importance of aligning brand promises with the reality of the student experience. The conversation explores the risks of failing to deliver on promises, including loss of reputation and – in a worst-case scenario – litigation. This episode provides insights for marketers and educators alike about the importance of setting realistic and...

In this episode, Jaime talks with Kimberly Osborne, associate vice president for integrated marketing communications at UNC Greensboro, about the recent launch of UNCG’s “Next Generation Website.” Specifically designed to be prospective student-centric, the website breaks down the silos of a business unit model. Kimberly explains the rationale behind the shift in focus and the challenges of shifti...

A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that employees who engaged in creative hobbies and activities outside of work tended to be more creative and innovative on the job. In this episode, Jaime talks with Kristi Eaves-McLennan about the importance of finding creative outlets that refill our gas tanks and inspire our work. Take aways include: Ways to fi...

In this episode, Jaime talks with Christy Jackson, one of the foremost experts in crisis communications in higher education. In her higher education career, Christy has served in communications roles at Virginia Tech during the April 16 tragedy that killed 32; at Radford University when a student drove to Virginia Tech and killed a police officer; and at UNC Charlotte when an active shooter entere...

In this episode Jaime talks with Liz Gross, founder and CEO of Campus Sonar, about anti-racism in higher education. As colleges and universities work to deepen their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), many have taken the step to pledge themselves to the cause of anti-racism. This work, however, requires the commitment of many more across campus. Takeaways from this episode inclu...