smj podcast

In part two of our podcast about COVID-19, expert crisis communicator John Le Cras again joins Brad and Scully to discuss why schools are powerful media organisations. Establishing trust and delivering the correct communication regarding a situation within the school community is paramount. They continue discussing the topic of having a clear narrative with a concise strategic communication plan in action, and how crucial it is for school Heads to anticipate issues, considering all scenarios and the ways it could play out.

How do you communicate to stakeholders about the COVID-19 virus, and more importantly how can school Heads communicate trust to parents? In this interview, former director of news and current affairs for Channel 7 Perth and expert crisis communicator, John Le Cras joined the podcast to give clear, concise tips on how to communicate effectively to concerned parents. John explains why it is crucial to stick to your key messages, and to create and have a consistent narrative for all school staff.

How do you define defamation? When things go wrong with parents and a school Head is attacked online, is it worth suing? In this interview with Ben Tallboys, Principal of Russell Kennedy Lawyers, we answer these questions and discuss a recent ruling in the case of a Queensland Head who sued several parents for defamation. We also give you some tips for what to do if you think you’re being defamed.

Marketing strategies are often well-intended and worthy but of little practical use. While success begins with a strategy, it can only be brought to life through relentless and consistent execution. We give you a step-by-step guide to designing a marketing strategy that is succinct, accessible and practical, and also answer the question, “How do I get the best from social media without any risk?”

St Andrew’s Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast saw enrolments grow from 100 to 1,300 in 15 years. In this interview, Principal Reverend Chris Ivey discusses the importance of internal marketing, why a marketing strategy is critical to creating and communicating your school’s story, and why it matters that your staff know they are all marketers.

When a crisis hits, you will ultimately be judged by how you respond. What can you control when things seem out of control? We give you a framework to enable you to come out of a crisis with more trust, a stronger community and closer to achieving your school’s mission.

“Marketing is like electricity.” Find out why in our interview with Brendan Schneider, who also discusses three things Heads can do to ‘know enough to be dangerous’ and hold their marketers accountable. Brendan is the Director of Advancement at Sewickley Academy in Pennsylvania USA and the founder of SchneiderB Media, a digital marketing agency specialising in helping schools use inbound marketing.

The return to school has been marked by the impact of bushfires and the threat of the coronavirus. How well prepared are you to respond to issues and crises? Is there a difference between the two? In this episode, we discuss how you can be proactive and share some tactical tools for responding to the unexpected.

Is your school standing out? In this episode, we help your school become easier to find, notice and remember. Our hosts offer tools to help you craft your messages and define your point of difference more effectively.

What is the ‘customer experience’ of your prospective parents and are you delivering on your promises? Do your admissions/enrolments team see themselves as gatekeepers or salespeople? In this episode, we look at how to integrate marketing and enrolments, and discuss how much a school should spend on advertising.