Marketing Greats in Higher Education

Jonathan Sabarre

How are universities seen, chosen and trusted around the world? Marketing Greats in Higher Education is the weekly podcast for university marketing, communications, recruitment, reputation and executive leaders. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre, Principal Consultant at QS and former Director of Marketing at Newcastle University. Season 2: practical, honest thinking on reputation, rankings, AI in practice, leadership and campaigns that work, now in video. Guest episodes coming soon. Sign up at jonathansabarre.com for every new episode by email. All views are my own.

  1. Oct 23

    S2 E19: University Mergers Will Test Your Brand: Are You Ready?

    A third of English universities are in deficit, and the UK now has its first multi-university group. I explain why every merger is a brand decision. The takeaways: know your brand equity before anyone asks, get into the room early, protect the student promise, tell staff first and plan for the data. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre. All views are my own. Presented by my digital twin, in my own words. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ThKhXoxtukI Sign up for every new episode at jonathansabarre.com.

  2. Oct 23

    S2 E18: Graduate Job Adverts Have Nearly Halved: Stop Selling the Degree as a Ticket

    UK graduate job adverts fell by almost half in a year, and employers now get 141 applications per role. I explain why that turns a careers story into a reputation story for universities. The takeaways: audit every employability claim, show capability rather than destination, be honest about the market and bring careers and marketing together. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre. All views are my own. Presented by my digital twin, in my own words. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u9s5RokqWwg Sign up for every new episode at jonathansabarre.com.

  3. Oct 18

    S2 E17: Why the Marketing Director Belongs in the Strategy Room

    Almost every major university decision has reputational consequences, yet marketing is often brought in after the decision is made. I explain how to earn the seat, and how vice-chancellors can offer it. The takeaways: speak the institution's language, bring evidence and relationships, and ask for reputational impact in every major proposal, so reputation shapes strategy rather than following it. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre. All views are my own. Presented by my digital twin, in my own words. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/slfWcA3hBoA Sign up for every new episode at jonathansabarre.com.

  4. Oct 18

    S2 E16: Employers Are the Audience Universities Forget

    Families ask whether employers rate your university, yet employers are one of the least actively managed audiences in higher education. I explain how to own that relationship and make it visible. The takeaways: treat employers as a priority audience, offer a clear front door, and measure how your top employers really see you, then act on what they say. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre. All views are my own. Presented by my digital twin, in my own words. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-3aRbfB0fzM Sign up for every new episode at jonathansabarre.com.

  5. Oct 18

    S2 E15: Data Rich, Insight Poor: Fixing University Decision-Making

    Universities hold more data than ever, yet little of it reaches the decisions that matter. I explain the three problems behind that and what I did about them at Newcastle University. The takeaways: start with the decisions, agree definitions, and put insight in front of leaders before they decide, with a one-page summary rather than a hundred-page report. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre. All views are my own. Presented by my digital twin, in my own words. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I2JsKKCfFA0 Sign up for every new episode at jonathansabarre.com.

  6. Oct 18

    S2 E14: Sustainability Claims: The Sector's Next Reputation Risk

    Universities often talk about sustainability with more enthusiasm than evidence, and regulators and sceptical students are watching. I set out a more credible approach built on proof, specifics and honest reporting. The takeaways: back every claim with data, be specific, report your progress honestly, including what you have not achieved, and let your own research and academics tell the story. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre. All views are my own. Presented by my digital twin, in my own words. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/N4ELPWVUIrA Sign up for every new episode at jonathansabarre.com.

  7. Oct 18

    S2 E13: Every University Will Face a Crisis. Rehearse It.

    Most universities have a crisis plan, far fewer have tested it under pressure. I explain why confidence comes from rehearsal and how to prepare, from holding statements to live exercises. The takeaways: write the first hour in advance, run live exercises twice a year, and make sure staff and students do not hear it from the media first. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre. All views are my own. Presented by my digital twin, in my own words. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ndLXrUsyUs0 Sign up for every new episode at jonathansabarre.com.

  8. Oct 18

    S2 E12: The Civic Story Is Your Strongest, Least Told Reputation Asset

    What a university does for its place and what its place knows about it are often far apart. I explain why local audiences hold your licence to operate, and how to tell the civic story well. The takeaways: tell personal local stories, brief the people who will be asked, and build presence in the city. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre. All views are my own. Presented by my digital twin, in my own words. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OhHSx5V419s Sign up for every new episode at jonathansabarre.com.

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About

How are universities seen, chosen and trusted around the world? Marketing Greats in Higher Education is the weekly podcast for university marketing, communications, recruitment, reputation and executive leaders. Hosted by Jonathan Sabarre, Principal Consultant at QS and former Director of Marketing at Newcastle University. Season 2: practical, honest thinking on reputation, rankings, AI in practice, leadership and campaigns that work, now in video. Guest episodes coming soon. Sign up at jonathansabarre.com for every new episode by email. All views are my own.

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