Jaime Hunt sits down with Dr. Allison Steinke to unpack what it really takes to build a believable brand in higher education. Drawing from research with CMOs and Gen Z audiences, Steinke introduces a practical framework for brand believability rooted in authenticity, consistency, and emotional connection. The episode challenges traditional enrollment marketing approaches and reframes branding as a co-created, institution-wide effort. If you’re navigating trust, differentiation, or AI in higher ed marketing, this conversation is a must-listen.

Guest Name: Allison Steinke, Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication and author of Brand Thinking: Building Brands You Can Believe In

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajsteinkephd/

Guest Bio: An award-winning scholar with industry experience as a blogger, magazine editor, and social media consultant, Dr. Allison Steinke bridges the gap between high-level brand theory and real-world execution. As a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, she equips and empowers thousands of future leaders through courses on brand management and digital storytelling. A prolific creator, she published an internationally acclaimed dissertation on solutions journalism, has authored 100+ blog posts and journalistic articles, and recently published a definitive book, Brand Thinking: Building Brands You Can Believe In. From managing global research projects to facilitating a 2009 Justin Bieber meet-and-greet, her career is defined by influential narratives.

Brand Thinking: Building Brands You Can Believe In: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/brand-thinking-9798765160831/

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Connect With Our Host:
Jaime Hunt
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/
https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMC

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! 

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