Welcome to another episode of The Marketer’s Edge, a series designed to share senior level marketing perspective about marketer challenges, opportunities, and agency relationships. Our goal is to help marketers and agencies learn from other marketers across different industries. Today we are speaking with Julia MacMullan, Director of Marketing at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, the largest independent school in Philadelphia, offers a unique educational model that empowers its younger students with a single-sex education in Pre-K through 8th and a coed experience in Upper School. Students learn in a community that inspires unbounded curiosity, independent thought, and a passion to effect positive change.  Their unparalleled, 62-acre campus combines the best of city and suburb, and they are distinguished by their signature programs in entrepreneurial leadership, global travel, robotics and engineering, college preparation, new media, outdoor education, and principles of sustainability.

What We Discussed:

In today’s interview with Julia MacMullan, we discussed a wide variety of issues:

  • What kind of school Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is and Julia’s role within the organization.
  • The challenges faced during the pandemic, including the transition to online learning and marketing.
  • The importance of their website for marketing and engagement during COVID-19.
  • Concerns related to students’ mental health during and after COVID-19 and policies regarding technology use in schools.
  • The shift from large open house events to virtual sessions for student recruitment.
  • Curriculum changes and the emphasis on using AI in education and evolving approaches to teaching.
  • Julia’s predictions for the direction of private education in the coming years, including curriculum adaptations and marketing strategies.
  • The benefits of the school’s educational structure and how it is communicated to prospective families.
  • The potential consolidation of smaller schools and addressing issues like diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability.
  • Advantages of collaborating with external agencies for marketing support.
  • And, Julia’s advice for marketers considering bringing outside agencies onboard.

Thanks Julia for a great interview!

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