In the latest episode of the Education Marketing Leader podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Elliot Lollis, a Senior Brand Strategist at Up&Up.

We discussed how colleges and universities can elevate their institution's brand amid the stiffening competition.

Below are some takeaways from the show:

👂 Listen Before You Leap

The cornerstone of Elliot's strategy revolves around deep listening—understanding the unique DNA of an institution before crafting a brand story that resonates with both internal stakeholders and prospective students.

🗝 Authenticity is Key

Elliot emphasizes the importance of genuine storytelling. It's about capturing the essence of an institution's values, culture, and vision.

🤝 Collaboration Across Departments

Elliot discussed the silos within institutions that can impede a cohesive brand strategy.

Her solution?

Foster cross-departmental collaborations as a way to unify the brand voice and experience.

😵 Avoiding the Pitfalls

Elliot was candid about the missteps to dodge in higher education marketing—from the perils of inconsistency to underestimating the power of student voices in storytelling.

🛠 Tools and Trends

Always ahead of the curve, Elliot shared insights into the latest trends and tools that are reshaping how we approach brand strategy in higher education, underscoring the importance of staying adaptable and learner-centric.

🎧 Why This Matters

As higher education marketing professionals, understanding the interplay between brand strategy, storytelling, and audience engagement is critical.

Elliot's insights illuminate the path to stronger brand alignment and encourage us to think outside the traditional marketing playbook.

For those eager to dive deeper into the world of brand strategy and storytelling, connect with Elliot on LinkedIn.

Take advantage of the latest conversation with actionable strategies, personal anecdotes, and a roadmap to branding success.

Until next time.✌️

#highereducation #marketing #branding #pocdast