In this engaging conversation, Dr. Dérecco Lynch shares his insights on transforming higher education through innovative marketing strategies, storytelling, and building brand affinity. He emphasizes the importance of engaging students and stakeholders by simplifying messaging and creating a culture of collaboration. Drawing parallels with Apple's approach to product launches, Dr. Lynch discusses the need for higher education institutions to adapt to market changes and actively engage with their communities. He also highlights the significance of celebrating wins to foster a positive organizational culture and motivate staff.

Student stories landing page referenced in episode: https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2023/11/beyond-the-classroom-with-5-real-uc-students-around-the-country.html

DéRecco's Linkedin post about the Apple Keynote: https://shorturl.at/AyYrY

Key takeaways:

1. Story-driven messaging helps higher-ed institutions communicate real impact.
2. Simple, clear pillars make institutional visions easier to align around.
3. Activations and experiences are more effective than emails or PDFs for spreading vision.
4. Building brand affinity early leads to stronger long-term loyalty and advocacy.
5. Higher ed must innovate and adapt to stay competitive in a shifting market.