Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO — with Jaime Hunt

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 experimentation in marketing strategies. Takeaways from this episode include:How a college president views the role of a chief marketing officerInsights into what traits make an excellent CMO – from a president’s perspectiveIdeas about how CMOs can help a president be more effective and make better decisionsInsights into what marketers should understand about the role of the president This episode is brought to you by our friends at Mindpower:​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends at Mindpower- a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward. Learn more about Mindpower here!  About the Enrollify podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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, known as "influencers," have the ability to sway the opinions and behaviors of their followers, who often trust their recommendations and look to them for guidance on what to buy and use. Takeaways for this episode include:Tips for identifying your campus’s “influencers” and making an askGuidance on setting goals and a budgetInsights into how influencers can support crisis communications and issues managementIdeas for using influencer-created content across your marketing channels This episode is brought to you by our friends at Mindpower:​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends at Mindpower- a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward.Learn more about Mindpower here!  About the Enrollify podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 customer service chatbots. Takeaways from this episode include:A deeper understanding of ChatGPT and how it worksIdeas for how to integrate AI tools like ChatGPT into your marketing workflowTips – and success stories – about how AI can improve customer serviceInsights into writing effective prompts that allow you to get the most out of the toolAdvice on how to “future proof” your skillset by embracing AI technologies This episode is brought to you by our friends at Mindpower:​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends atMindpower- a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward.Learn more about Mindpower here!  About the Enrollify podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 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 authentic expectations and aligning brand promises with the reality of the student experience. Takeaways include:Tips for creating an authentic brand storyAn understanding of the importance of word-of-mouth in brand buildingIdeas for how marketers can impact the student experienceWays to avoid predatory and unethical marketing practicesInsights into the ways online students view the student experienceThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Mindpower:​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends at Mindpower - a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward. Learn more about Mindpower here!  About the Enrollify podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 shifting a campus culture. Takeaways from this episode include:Making the case for a prospective student-centric website designTips for persuading the campus community on a new, silo-busting approach Ideas for structuring a massive overhaul projectRecommendations for needed content a a student-centric modelAdvice and lessons learned from the trenches This episode is brought to you by our friends at Mindpower:​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends at Mindpower- a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward. Learn more about Mindpower here!  About the Enrollify podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like otherEnrollify shows too!  Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 find new creative outlets that feed your soul and inspire your workHow to carve out time for creativity amid a busy and fast-paced lifeResources for managing your timeTips for making creativity a priority This episode is brought to you by our friends at Mindpower:​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends at Mindpower- a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward. Learn more about Mindpower here!  About the Enrollify podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like otherEnrollify shows too!  Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 entered a classroom and killed two students. She was also the chief communications officer when Sweet Briar College announced its intention to close. Added to the mix are countless reputational issues, severe weather events, and deaths on- and off-campus. Meanwhile, Jaime has navigated an on-campus homicide at Winston-Salem State during Homecoming; several off-campus student homicides – including one on the Wake Forest University campus; the terminations of high-profile employees; a residence hall carbon monoxide leak; a 100-year flood; faculty unionization efforts; and many other crises and issues she wishes she could forget. In this episode, Christy and Jaime get real about what they have learned as they have responded to both life-safety crises and longer-term reputational issues. Takeaways include:A behind-the-scenes look at some of the scenarios Christy and Jaime have faced that led to worldwide headlinesInsights into the lessons learnedObservations on the most common mistakes madeGuiding principles for crisis communicationsWays universities can mitigate reputational damage during a crisis situationTips for putting together a solid crisis communications plan and training for your teamAbout Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends atMindpower- a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward. Learn more about Mindpower here! Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like otherEnrollify shows too!  About the Enrollify Podcast NetworkOur podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Networkat podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 include:How anti-racism is different from being “not racist”Steps leaders can take to bring an anti-racist approach to their organizationHow white people can – and need to be – engaged in this across campusWays to recruit and retain staff from marginalized communitiesBoth Liz and Jaime acknowledge that, as two white women, they likely get things wrong and they apologize in advance for any harm they may cause in this conversation.About Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends at Mindpower- a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward. Learn more about Mindpower here! Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The challenges of managing social media in higher education are often underestimated by people in leadership, leaving these talented, always-on professionals facing often overwhelming responsibilities while being under-resourced and undervalued. On top of that are the known mental health impacts of spending significant time on social platforms. As a result, social media managers often struggle with mental health issues that can impact both their personal and professional lives. In this episode, Jaime talks with Allie Kuenzi, Social Media Director at UNC Charlotte, about her graduate research into the impact these roles have on the mental health of these practitioners. This episode will provide listeners with:Insights into why social media managers often struggle with mental health issuesA better understanding of the scope and scale of the problemIdeas for leaders who want to better support their social media teamsTips for social media managers on raising their concerns to their leadershipWays higher ed can do better in this space overallAbout Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends at Mindpower- a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward. Learn more about Mindpower here! Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more aboutThe Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The pandemic forced higher education teams to rethink how they approached collaboration, communication, and leadership. The future of work has changed forever, but managing in a remote-first world is among the top challenges for leaders. In this episode, Jaime talks with Joshua Charles, who has been leading remote and hybrid teams long before it became a necessity. Takeaways from this episode include:How to create environments that support employee well-being and high performanceThe best ways to measure the success of the teamIdeas for fostering a thriving and positive work cultureTips for using collaboration tools to support a dispersed teamIdeas for onboarding fully remote staff membersWays to “manage up” when making a case for hybrid or remote arrangementsAbout Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO​​Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends at Mindpower- a full-service marketing and branding firm celebrating nearly thirty years of needle-moving, thought-provoking, research-fueled creative and strategy. Mindpower is women-founded and owned, WBENC certified, nationally recognized, and serves the social sector – higher education, healthcare, non-profits, and more. The Mindpower team is made up of strategists, storytellers, and experience creators. From market research to brand campaigns to recruitment to fundraising, the agency exists to empower clients, amplify brands, and help institutions find a strategic way forward.Learn more about Mindpower here! Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. Learn more aboutThe Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.