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EnglishWhat is Communications Management and who does it work with?
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Communications Management is a communications consultancy that works specifically with higher education institutions. According to its website, it has been helping higher educators since 1987 to reach wider audiences, articulate their strengths, build their reputations, project their pulling power, and bolster their impact. Its stated focus is reputation, influence and communications for education establishments.
Who it works with
The primary audience is the higher education (HE) sector — universities and the people responsible for their communications, marketing and reputation. The site's client testimonials name individuals in HE communications and marketing roles, including:
- Director of Communications, Marketing and Commercial, The Courtauld
- Chief Marketing Officer, Solent University, Southampton
- Deputy Director of Communications, University of Bristol
It also describes "HE Partnerships" as one of its service areas, connecting commercial partners and higher educators. So the work spans both universities themselves and organisations that want to partner with them.
What it actually does
The site frames its purpose around a set of questions it says the sector faces:
- How can more of us benefit from all that the HE sector has to offer?
- Why aren't more academic experts publicly engaged?
- How can universities be more innovative in their communications?
- What can we learn from universities around the world?
Its service areas are grouped into four categories:
| Service area | Stated purpose |
|---|---|
| Audits & Analysis | Investigating and overcoming reputational challenges |
| Strategy & Support | Shaping and delivering great communications |
| Campaigns & Creativity | Creating and building full-on engagement |
| HE Partnerships | Connecting commercial partners and higher educators |
The outcomes it claims to support
The site lists the results it aims to help institutions achieve:
- Boosting student recruitment, retention and satisfaction
- Unleashing student and staff engagement
- Securing research funding and commercial income
- Forging academic and service partnerships
- Building public acclaim
- Managing crises
- Influencing policy change
How it describes its approach
The emphasis is on relationships and translation. One testimonial, from Lorna Gozzard at The Courtauld, describes Communications Management as giving "the time, insight and patience to build relationships with the faculty and help translate what they do into media-friendly stories." Another, from Leigh Rengger at Solent University, refers to a "detailed, comprehensive external stakeholder review" that fed into a strategy review. A third, from Will Marsh at the University of Bristol, credits founder Justin's recommendations with strengthening the Media & PR team through a period of change.
Who this is relevant to
If you work in university communications, marketing, reputation management or external partnerships, this is a consultancy positioned directly at your sector. If you are a commercial organisation looking to build links with higher educators, the HE Partnerships service is the relevant entry point. The site does not publish pricing or service packages, so specific costs and engagement terms would need to be discussed directly.