When Brian Kenny tells people he’s the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Harvard Business School, they often say, “Why does Harvard need a chief marketing officer?”

Yes, Harvard is a historic brand, and that might lead some to believe that it markets itself, but it turns out history can sometimes be a double-edged sword.

In this milestone episode — our 50th! — we talk with Brian about the challenges of managing a well-known brand, including how to balance being seen as both historic and forward-thinking.

We discuss:

• How Harvard Business School uses a podcast for marketing efforts

• Positive and negative perceptions of the Harvard brand

• Advocating for marketing budget

• Responding as a university to societal issues

Mentioned during the podcast:

• Reach out to Brian on Twitter: @hbscmo

• Check out our nomination on Terminalfour

To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to Higher Ed Marketer on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

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