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EnglishWhat services does Communications Management offer to higher education institutions?
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Communications Management is a UK-based consultancy that has worked with higher education since 1987. It offers four service lines to universities and other education establishments: Audits & Analysis, Strategy & Support, Campaigns & Creativity, and HE Partnerships. These are aimed at institutions that need to strengthen reputation, influence, engagement, or commercial and academic relationships.
The four service lines
Audits & Analysis
Investigating and overcoming reputational challenges. According to the site, this includes external stakeholder reviews — Solent University's Chief Marketing Officer described "a detailed, comprehensive external stakeholder review that supported our strategy review process," with findings presented clearly enough at senior level to prompt action.
Strategy & Support
Shaping and delivering communications. This covers the design of a communications approach and hands-on help putting it into practice. A testimonial from the University of Bristol notes that after implementing recommendations, its Media & PR team "has gone from strength to strength."
Campaigns & Creativity
Creating and building full-on engagement — campaign work intended to generate participation and visibility rather than one-off messaging.
HE Partnerships
Connecting commercial partners and higher educators, for institutions seeking research funding, commercial income, or partnership arrangements.
What outcomes the work is meant to support
The site frames its work around a set of institutional goals:
- 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
Who it works with
The stated focus is higher education and education establishments. The site's own framing is broader than a single service: it describes helping higher educators "reach wider, articulate their strengths, build their reputations, project their pulling power, and bolster their impact." Named clients in the testimonials include The Courtauld, Solent University, and the University of Bristol.
How to judge whether it fits
The service lines map onto different problems, so the useful question is which one matches your situation:
| If your problem is… | The relevant service is… |
|---|---|
| Unclear or contested reputation, need for evidence | Audits & Analysis |
| A communications plan that needs building or delivering | Strategy & Support |
| Low engagement, need for visible campaign activity | Campaigns & Creativity |
| Finding or managing commercial and academic partners | HE Partnerships |
One practical point from the client accounts: the work is described as relationship-based and translational — Communications Management "gives the time, insight and patience to build relationships with the faculty and help translate what they do into media-friendly stories" (Lorna Gozzard, The Courtauld). If you need academic expertise turned into public-facing material, that is the relevant strength. If you need a purely in-house campaign execution team, that is a different kind of provider.
Pricing, contract terms, and engagement length are not stated on the site, so those would need to be confirmed directly.