Newsrooms are shrinking. The ratio of PR professionals to journalists in the United States is almost 5 to 1. Journalists complain about the exorbitant number of pitches they receive. For media relations professionals, it can be difficult to get on the radar of a targeted journalist. On episode 51 of FIR on Higher Education, media relations expert Kiki Keating discusses the art of developing …
Podcast Episode #50: PR Strategies and Tactics for Events
Are you maximizing the public relations opportunities around different events that you are organizing? Higher education related events usually feature interesting content, particularly if it is an academic conference or some sort of multi-day symposium. Making the most of such events from a PR perspective can be challenging. We delve into this topic on episode 50 of FIR on Higher Education …
Podcast Episode #49: Leveraging Social Media as a University Senior Leader
Different studies highlight how CEOs can reap positive benefits by using social media (see Weber Shandwick study). At the university level, there are some presidents, provosts and school deans who are also using social media in a strategic way. Take for example University of North Carolina Provost Jim Dean, who has been tweeting actively since 2009. On episode 49 of FIR on Higher Education, …
Podcast Episode #48: How to Create a Successful Podcast for your Department or Institution
Chris Rose, Outreach Director at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies, launched the 15 Minute History Podcast in 2013. Little did he know at the time that within eight months, the podcast would shoot to the number one ranked podcast on iTunesU. 15 Minute History is a podcast about world and US history produced by the History Department at the University of Texas …
Podcast Episode #47: Video Storytelling Tips from a TV Anchor Turned School Communications Director
Jim Hanchett has covered major news stories as a journalist for various media outlets, including NBC. These stories included the Bush – Gore 2000 election, the Pope’s visit to Cuba and Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial for several media outlets. In 2012, Jim turned in his media accreditation card and now is telling the story of the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs …
Podcast Episode #46 – How to Leverage Podcasting at Events
Podcasting can be a valuable way to drive awareness for events and provide valuable content for attendees, whether it is an academic conference, a program or a symposium with several prominent guest speakers. Donna Papacosta, author of the Business of Podcasting, discusses how to effectively do this on episode 46 of FIR on Higher Education. Among the topics we discuss: Benefits of doing …
Podcast Episode #45: Lessons for Communicators from the University of Missouri Protests
It has been a very difficult last couple of weeks for the University of Missouri as the school has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. African American students led protests because administrators were slow to respond to various safety issues raised. Things seemed to come to a culmination following negative student encounters with University President Tim Wolfe. One graduate student …
Podcast Episode #44: Advice from Deirdre Breakenridge on Creating a Course via Lynda.com
Perhaps you have taken course through Lynda.com, the online education company focused on educating users in software, creative and business skills. If you are a professor or thought leader, have you ever thought about how to teach a course using the platform? If yes, you will want to listen to episode 44 of the FIR on Higher Education podcast. My guest Deirdre Breakenridge, CEO at Pure …
Podcast Episode #43: Research Communications Tips from Kirk Englehardt of Georgia Institute of Technology
Are you communicating your research in strategic and compelling way? Whether you are a communicator or an academic, you probably know this is easier said than done. On episode 43 of FIR on Higher Education, Kirk Englehardt from Georgia Institute of Technology discusses this dynamic. Kirk has helped grow the Georgia Institute of Technology research footprint in significant ways. He executed the …
Podcast Episode #42: Interview about Rankings with Della Bradshaw of the Financial Times
Rankings have a huge impact on students’ higher education choices. It is interesting to observe how different schools communicate their rankings depending on the results. Della Bradshaw, Business Education Editor at the Financial Times, has been managing the FT’s rankings for 18 years. I interviewed her about the rankings process on FIR on Higher Education episode 42. Among the topics we …
Podcast Episode #41 – How to Create a Messaging Map
Getting stakeholders aligned on key messaging and branding is much more easier said than done. It is certainly a challenge to put together a key message map (as an example, see this map from the University of Missouri Extension) and then to cascade it throughout an institution. On episode 41 of FIR on Higher Education, we explore these topics with Deborah Maue, VP of Strategic Marketing and …
Podcast Episode #40: The State of Higher Education Branding
If you are thinking about branding within a higher education context in any capacity, then you will want to listen episode 40 of FIR on Higher Education. Xavier University Professor Tom Hayes is the guest. Hayes, an expert on the marketing of higher education, shares insights from his 2015 study on The State of Higher Education Branding, a survey of marketing professionals in leading brand …
Podcast Episode #39: Adopting a Social Selling Mindset
How can we use social media to generate sales, whether it is an academic selling his/her new book or an admissions or marketing team looking to increase the number of students who apply for a particular program at their institution? Greg Hyer, a social sales trainer, addressed this and other related questions on episode 39 of FIR on Higher Education. Among the topics covered this episode …
Book Review Podcast: What Communicators Can Learn from David Axelrod’s “Believer”
As a strategic communicator, David Axelrod has seen it all. In 2008 and 2012, Axelrod was the communications brains behind Barack Obama’s presidential election victories. He also navigated significant communications crises and developed strategic messaging that moved millions. In his tremendous book Believer: My Forty Years in Politics, David Axelrod shares these stories and lessons. In a FIR …
Episode #38 – How Professors Can Leverage Periscope in the Classroom
There are tremendous opportunities to use Periscope in the classroom. In addition, there are also some risks. On episode of FIR on Higher Education episode 38, we examine these opportunities and threats with three professors who have used mobile live streaming apps in their respective classrooms: Karen Freberg from the University of Louisville, Jimmy Sanderson from Clemson and Chris Yandle from …