The Brand Education Podcast

In this new series of The Brand Education Podcast, Zeenat Fayaz is joined by five-time university president Gordon Gee and returning guest David Rosowsky, Senior Advisor to the President at Arizona State University, to examine why confidence in higher education has collapsed over the past few decades. From a damning Congressional hearing to institutions that have lost touch with the very communities they were built to serve, they trace what went wrong, and make the case for how colleges and universities can start earning that trust back.

From growing up in Houston to leading communications at American University of Sharjah, Alanood Aldhaher shares how AUS has turned cultural authenticity into competitive advantage. Drawing from her experience at global PR agencies and UAE government institutions, she discusses breaking down silos between academia and industry, building research credibility, and creating an ecosystem that attracts international talent. A practical look at how universities can balance global excellence while staying true to local values. Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/ LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education⁠ X: https://x.com/education_brand

Meet Kevin Lynch, the creative mind who believes the best marketing doesn't feel like marketing. In this episode, he shares why authenticity trumps awards, how creative freedom transformed campaigns from Chicago's Art Institute to Oatly, and why breaking conventional rules leads to deeper audience connections. From placing mysterious red cubes around Chicago to founding The Wrong Agency, Kevin challenges traditional brand thinking with a simple truth: "Brands aren't terribly different from people." Discover why he works for ideas rather than clients, how to find humor in serious industries, and why caring about your audience more than yourself creates the most compelling brand stories. Key takeaways: Why chasing awards might be your brand's biggest mistake How creative autonomy leads to revolutionary campaigns Finding authenticity in educational marketing The power of humor in unexpected places Listen for a masterclass in brave brand building from someone who's proven that sometimes, the wrong way is exactly right. Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/ LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education⁠ X: https://x.com/education_brand

In this episode, we dive into a ground breaking approach to collaborative brand management with Rachel Sandison, Vice Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor for External Engagement at the University of Glasgow. Discover how Rachel is pushing boundaries to embed marketing at the heart of strategic decision-making and turn collaboration into a disruptive force for both global and local impact. Rachel shares her visionary strategies on harnessing strategic storytelling and building impactful partnerships to drive transformative change. Hit play for a thought-provoking conversation on innovation, leadership, and the power of collaboration in higher education. Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: ⁠https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education⁠  X: ⁠https://x.com/education_brand

In our latest episode, we explore 'Metaskills', the thought-provoking book by Marty Neumeier, a visionary thinker, brand expert, and best selling author of 'THE BRAND GAP'. As we grapple with complex, interconnected challenges of the 21st century, Marty reveals our problem-solving approach is outdated. He introduces five crucial metaskills - feeling, seeing, dreaming, making, and learning - as the key to thriving in a post-industrial world. More than a manifesto, metaskills serve as a compass for education leaders, a framework for creatives, and a blueprint for cross-disciplinary innovation. Join us as we discover how these metaskills can revolutionise problem-solving, foster creativity, and redefine human potential across diverse professions in the age of AI. Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education X: https://x.com/education_brand

The former award-winning journalist turned Social Media Director at MIT, Jenny Li Fowler, spoke to us about how she cultivates an online community of over 6 million…and counting.  In this episode, we explore what building an iconic higher education brand, like MIT, takes, and how Jenny and her team engages with such a large audience. Jenny highlighted the importance of not only speaking, but listening to your community, and how to make sure social media managers are granted a seat at the senior leadership table.  Social media has not always been prioritised at universities, but through our conversation with Jenny, we hope you feel just as motivated as we did to ensure that they are not left out of the leadership conversation. We’re excited to unpack her wisdom and advice for others also wanting to excel in higher-ed social media.  Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education  X: https://x.com/education_brand

Paul LeBlanc is best known for his 21 years as President of Southern New Hampshire University. However, he recently made the decision to step down and focus on a new venture - Human Systems.  We spoke about everything from AI in education, to how universities can reimagine their future and become relevant in this ever-changing environment. Paul was honest in his predictions for the sector, and how universities cannot afford to ignore change. But, we also explored what will stay the same, even through inevitable turbulent times.  If you're intrigued by AI's role in shaping universities or eager to future-proof your institution, this episode is a must-listen. Uncover more great insights and become part of our exclusive community by signing up to our monthly newsletter: https://thebrandeducation.com/contact/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-brand-education X: https://x.com/education_brand

Francisco Marmolejo is a visionary leader and President of Higher Education at Qatar Foundation (QF), overseeing coordination and support for eight prestigious universities within a unique ecosystem. With a background in education management and specialisation in International Higher Education, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sector. In this enlightening episode, Zeenat delves deep into the world of leadership with Francisco, exploring the importance of pushing boundaries and challenging assumptions to drive true innovation. Join them as they uncover valuable insights and strategies for success in the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.

Isobelle Panton is the Director of student recruitment and international at University Academy 92. She had a successful commercial career working across digital organisations scaling up sales and recruitment teams. She is a keen equality, diversity and inclusion champion, and has made a deliberate move into Higher Education in a bid to couple her commercial skillset with her passion for helping people. In this episode, Zeenat sits down with Isobelle to discuss her approach to driving student recruitment and building high-performing teams at UA92.

Bill Faust is the managing partner and Chief Strategy Officer of Ologie, a national branding and marketing agency based in Ohio, United States. Bill's primary role is to help make brands more clear, compelling, and consistent through market research, brand strategy and integrated marketing.  Join us as Zeenat chats with Bill to discuss the stepping stones to connecting with customers. Honesty is at its core, as staying true to every brand promise fulfilled helps secure customer loyalty for many years to come. Tune in for an insightful conversation about how a relationship between businesses and their audience is cultivated!