Your First 90 Days as CMO

The Higher Ed Marketer

Session 6 - Episode 196

In this episode of The Higher Ed Marketer, Bryce Hoffman, VP and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), shares insights from his transition into the CMO role and the evolving landscape of higher ed marketing. He reflects on generational shifts in communication, the challenges of leadership, and the role of trust and creativity in making a real impact.

Let’s dive into the importance of building relationships with campus leadership, taking calculated creative risks, and navigating pushback while staying true to institutional culture. We will explore how courageous leadership is essential to break free from the status quo, implement bold marketing strategies, and create messaging that genuinely connects with audiences.

🎧 Listen Now to Learn:

✅ How to navigate the first 90 days as a new CMO

✅ Why higher ed marketing struggles with risk-taking

✅ How to balance bold innovation with respect for institutional culture and history.

✅ Strategies for handling pushback while driving meaningful marketing change.

✅ Why pilot testing is the secret weapon for introducing bold new marketing ideas.

✅ How transparency, humility, and strategic creativity build long-term trust.

Join us as we discuss:
2:22 – Navigating the First Days as a CMO
8:43 – Building Trust and Assessing Change
18:10 – Courageous Leadership in Higher Education Marketing
29:34 – Navigating Pushback and Gaining Trust
32:13 – Driving Change While Respecting Culture

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