Podcast

Coffee tribes, segmentation, engagement and results: that’s what we’re talking about on this episode of the No BS Marketing Show with Jonathan Potts, VP of Marketing and PR at Robert Morris University.

In this episode, Jonathan tells us how Robert Morris University’s eighth president, Dr. Chris Howard, made an immediate impact at the university and in the Pittsburgh community through recognizing the university’s big idea: “Big enough to matter, small enough to care.”

During Part Two, you’ll hear how RMU uses real marketing by conducting intel and partnering with Gallup to understand what experiences undergraduate students need to be engaged and successful in their careers. Listen to find out what shows, games, and conferences might be coming to RMU’s UPMC Events Center when it opens next year and what kind of an impact that will have on the Airport Corridor.

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Key Takeaways

[00:26] Starbucks VS. Dunkin

• Two tribes at war

[08:25] Jonathan’s Draw To RMU

• Commitment to helping students earn great careers
• Enhanced value of education offered
• Differentiate beyond facilities with lazy rivers

[10:54] Challenges of Marketing Education

• No control over the “product”
• RMU: Are our degrees relevant to market place while still upholding classical values?
• Being relevant > promotions
• PA is competitive, need to demonstrate offerings to prospective students

[14:23] Marketing Intel and RMU

• “Return” used to be placement and starting salary
• RMU focused on 6 experiences in undergrad that correlate with being engaged in alum’s careers
• Employees who are engaged and happy are contributing to their coworkers and companies
• Surveyed alumni
• Real marketing

[18:34] RMU’s Big Idea

• Dr. Chris Howard’s immediate impact
• “Big enough to matter, small enough to care”
• Resources and experiences you’d expect at a larger university
• “Changing the face of online education”
• You are valued, you are part of a community

[21:38] UPMC Events Center

• Opens next year, replacing the Sewall Center
• Hosts NCAA D1 Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball
• Conference Center for the airport corridor
• Host concerts and events
• UPMC as the title sponsor
• People’s Court

[24:08] Jonathan’s Tools for Success

• Project management program called Wrike
• Great for assigning work and moving projects along
• Replaces email chains

[24:57] Podcast Recommendation

• Marketing Over Coffee
• For Immediate Release

[26:22] Moon Economic Development Group

• Facilitator
• Info sharing
• What do you need? How can we help?
• Clear energy in airport corridor
• RMU is trying to be a good neighbor and partner in the community

Resources Mentioned

• Gallup
• Wrike
• Rock’n’Joe

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Remember, ask yourself: What’s The Big Idea and build your story around the answer. It’s all about Bold Solutions, no BS.