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The MADness Podcast brings you the top stories, insights, and best practice from leaders across the world of school marketing and admissions. It’s hosted by education and marketing bods (and brothers), Nik and James Higgins.
Expect brilliant anecdotes, the lowdown on the latest tech, and the inside track on what really works when it comes to effectively engaging today's families.
The MADness Podcast is brought to you by doris: the marketplace connecting families and international schools. Try doris: https://www.doris.school/.
Expect brilliant anecdotes, the lowdown on the latest tech, and the inside track on what really works when it comes to effectively engaging today's families.
The MADness Podcast is brought to you by doris: the marketplace connecting families and international schools. Try doris: https://www.doris.school/.
31 Episodes
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Michael Kewley from Magnetic Communications shares his top tips on how to monitor and analyse parent satisfaction, and how school leaders can make practical use of these insights to support MAD strategies.
The uniquely competitive international school scene on the South Korean island of Jeju is the focus of this episode with Adriana Mourgelas, the Director of Enrollment Management at Branksome Hall Asia.
Adriana breaks down the challenges she faces in her role at one of three government-backed schools on the same block as they battle it out for pupils.
Hot chocolate, ice hockey and Gangnam Style also receive honorary mentions.
Nik chats to Nicola Lutz from No Fluff about how schools can implement more rigorous and effective sales techniques, and how her No Fluff Fest is the event she wished she'd been able to attend earlier in her career.
Navneet Kaur, Head of Communications at The British School in New Delhi, explains how she created a comms team from scratch, discusses brand positioning, and explains why her school is 'media shy by design'.
James and Nik are joined by Paul Chapman from Noodle photography, as they discuss what makes a winning school photo & video, being 'brave' when taking pictures, and tips to improve the way you capture images around your campus. If you know you need to level up your school's imagery then this one is for you.
Nik and James take a break from the normal recording schedule to bring you a short community update, covering upcoming guests, future LABZ episodes, and a bulletin on doris.
Cyrielle Bazin, Director of Strategic Communication at Seoul Foreign School, chats with James & Nik about her path to SFS, how she keeps the school community engaged over the Summer break, and the surge in prominence of Korea in pop culture - from Squid Game to XO Kitty.
Nikki Holman, Head of Admissions for UK Curriculum Schools at Taaleem UAE, chats with Nik about her journey from Singapore to Dubai, how she's raised the bar for admissions operations, and where she looks beyond the k12 sector for best practice.
Abi Evans, Director of Admissions, Marketing and Communications at Bancroft's School, Essex, UK, discusses her decision to ditch print marketing collateral, the power of data-driven decisions - and her life treading the boards.
Lucy and Gianna from Dux Studio chat to James and Nik about PR 'activations' and how to harness them to create memorable brand experiences that make your school shout out. You'll hear about #nostalgia, the hamburglar, and the resurgence of the pep rally.
In this special episode Nik chats with James about doris, a new marketplace that matches families and international schools. He covers the 'why', how it works, and how MAD leaders can use it to connect with highly qualified prospective families, access data insights, and save their admissions team time.
Sowmiya Muralidharan, Director of Admissions and Marketing at Downe Hose Riyadh chats with James and Nik about relocating from Qatar to Saudi Arabia, how to work with social media influencers, and her campaign to boost awareness of their early years provision.
Piers Matthews, Director of Marketing and Admissions at Dulwich College Singapore, speaks with James and Nik about his time in China, striking the right balance when working with academic staff, and the best fishing spot on the island.
Angelo Noviello, Director of Admissions and Marketing, at The British International School Shanghai, Puxi, chats to James and Nick about his journey from Geology to Admissions, the Chinese Heritage movement, and his love of all things dogs and coffee.
Catalina Gardescu, Director of Communications, Marketing and Admissions at Copenhagen International School, speaks to James and Nik about the Scandinavian school market, working with UN agencies, and moving from Romania to Denmark.
Remco Weeda, Director of Marketing and Admissions at Scarborough College talks with Nik and James about the looming VAT on school fees, how to put your school at the centre of its community, and why brisket is his favourite meat to smoke.
Kelsey Hayre, Assistant Director of Advancement at Stratford Hall School in Vancouver explains exactly what advancement means - and talks about the power of alumni, authentic storytelling and word-of-mouth marketing when she hits the studio with hosts James and Nik.
Kyle Aldous, Executive Director of Communications at Singapore American School, chats with James and Nik about his experience being part of an expat family, the importance of organic social, and his journey from the candy business to the world of marketing and admissions.
David Milner, Director of Marketing and International Relations at Sedbergh School and Board Chair of AMCIS, speaks to James and Nik about 500 years of Sedbergh history, the challenges facing the UK Independent School sector, and his vibes on Whatsapp and Linkedin,
Nik brings you a short update on what's new with the podcast, including a new episode format for Season 2 and our upcoming collaboration with The PIE.
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