In this episode, Brad and Scully explain why consistency is the foundation of every strong school brand, and why it’s so difficult to achieve. They explain how inconsistency erodes trust, why chasing the ‘new and different’ isn’t always better, and how brand confusion impacts both parents and staff outlook and communication. To help school Heads lead with clarity, the duo introduces a practical seven-step framework for building strategic, visual and verbal consistency across every touchpoint.

Brad is joined by strategy expert Graham Kenny and behavioural data scientist Professor Ganna Pogrebna to explore how school Heads can harness AI to shape strategy with confidence. They examine the creative and practical potential of large language models, from amplifying alumni stories and sharpening communication, to ideating fresh approaches for enrolment and open days. Together, they highlight the opportunities and risks of AI, how to avoid disenfranchising staff in the process, and why the most powerful uses of AI are often intensely practical.

Hiring a marketing professional isn’t like hiring a teacher, it requires a different approach. Brad and Scully outline 10 key questions every Head should ask before making a decision. They explain why defining success first matters, how to spot true experience and why strong marketers acknowledge their limits. The duo also reveals how facing failure, the ability to explain and planning systematic approaches to tasks are signs of true expertise.

In this interview episode, Brad is joined by Jill Goodman to explore how school Heads can turn conversations into powerful sources of insight on the school experience. Together they unpack how intentional, qualitative conversations reveal the ‘why’ behind parent and staff behaviour, why starting with open-ended and positive questions builds trust, and how repeating themes highlight patterns worth acting on. Jill also explains how leaders can capture insights from everyday chats, avoid bias and use external perspectives to see blind spots more clearly.

In the final part of their series on consistency and creativity, Brad and Scully explore the Head’s role as the ultimate brand custodian. They explain why brand leadership cannot be delegated, how micro-moments influence perception and why modelling behaviours is essential to embedding culture and identity. The duo also discuss how every staff member, student and alumni contributes to the brand and share practical ways for Heads to empower their teams, close alignment gaps and ensure the school’s values are lived out every day.

Brad is joined by Dr Adrian Camm, Principal of Westbourne Grammar School in Victoria, to explore the school’s innovation in not only the classroom, but also how they communicate with prospective parents. Adrian shares Westbourne’s three-year digital strategy, from AI-driven data analysis to multilingual ‘knowledge concierge’ avatars that respond 24/7 and provide personalised enrolment touchpoints to enhance the connection with families. Ultimately, they unpack how using technology to handle transactional and administrative tasks leaves staff free to handle the relational.

In part two of their conversation on consistency and creativity, Brad and Scully explain why campaigns alone can’t build brand trust. They unpack the critical differences between brand and campaign thinking, highlighting the risks that short-term tactics, like fee discounts, pose to a school’s image and current parent relationships. Emphasising the importance of consistency between promotional peaks, they explore how Heads can adopt a brand first mindset and ensure every campaign reinforces long-term messaging and strengthens the school’s reputation.

In this interview episode, Brad is joined by Phillip Heath, Head of Barker College, to discuss the potential risks of parent WhatsApp groups. Phillip explains why trust and culture must be the centrepiece, why schools should monitor group chats and avoid “swinging at every pitch”. Phillip outlines a 3R test (Repeated, Reasoned, Relevant) to help Heads decide when intervention is the best course of action and explain how clear boundaries protect staff while allowing for constructive responses that don’t add fuel.

Brad and Scully explore how Heads can hold consistency and creativity in productive tension. From staffroom culture to prospectuses, they unpack why brand consistency isn’t about sameness but brand alignment. The duo explore how inconsistency can quietly erode trust, how internal alignment reinforces external perception, and why brand governance is essential for enabling creativity. Learn the importance of brand guidelines to improve process and message consistency and that true brand strength comes from internal alignment.

In this special interview episode, Brad is joined by Nick Jensen from ACTS Education to explore an innovation in school marketing – AI avatar simulations. These simulations offer school staff a space to practice and develop skills whilst simulating difficult scenarios. AI avatars can be used as virtual registrars for enrolment interactions to help prospective parents find information about your school. Nick also shares early demos that simulate a prospective parent’s enrolment interaction and discusses how Heads can shape this innovative technology to reduce workload and improve efficiency.

In this episode, Brad and Scully are joined by Pauline Shuttleworth, imageseven Advancement Specialist, to ask whether the traditional enrolment funnel has reached its expiry date. Together, they explore how parent behaviour has changed with stealth applicants and silent dropouts. The trio introduce the ideas of ‘evaporation’ and the ‘dark funnel’ and share a seven-step plan to help school Heads shift from a linear enrolment model to one that reflects today’s complex parent journey.

In this practical follow-up to episode 213, Brad and Scully take Heads from mindset to action as they reveal how to build a true ‘lighthouse’ strategy for your school. They dismantle common strategic myths, discuss how to uncover the unique value your school delivers and introduce a three-layer strategic hierarchy. Then, they share five daily habits all designed to help your school shine consistently.