The University of Sydney Marketing Strategy 2011-2015

Our mission

To position the University of Sydney as a leader in Australia and the wider world.

Our strategies

  1. Build and maintain the University's global brand and reputation.
  2. Drive and promote the University's role in shaping Australia's nation and international agenda.
  3. Recruit the most promising students from a diversity of social and cultural backgrounds.
  4. Capture and retain loyalty and advocacy throughout the student lifecycle.
  5. Foster engagement and active support among priority stakeholders and key opinion leaders.
  6. Develop a professional, world-class marketing community that is engaged with all areas of the University.

1. Build and maintain the University's global brand and reputation

Our tactics Our outcomes Measures
  • Develop an integrated communications plan to support and align with our national and international positioning, both internally and externally.
  • Implement a corporate campaign that embodies our strategic goals and brand position.
  • Optimise key channels to communicate and engage more effectively with our target audiences.
  • Promote our international networks and partnerships in an integrated and cohesive way to demonstrate our global outlook and our institutional reach and impact.
  • The University has a clear positioning statement and value proposition that is implemented across all channels and markets.
  • All marketing and communications plans for all target audiences and stakeholder groups align.
  • Our stakeholders recognise us as a leader and as Australia’s premier university.
  • Our reputation improves in key channels, such as the web, word of mouth and peer groups. 
  • Our stakeholders perceive us as strongly connected with international organisations, including educational institutions, governments and multinational corporations.
  • We are perceived as an employer of choice.
  • Brand tracking research.
  • Global rankings.
  • Annual review of marketing and communications plans and activities.
  • Web and social media metrics.
  • National and international media monitoring.

2. Drive and promote the University's role in shaping Australia's nation and international agenda

Our tactics Our outcomes Measures
  • Develop plans to raise the profile of the University as a leader in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular research, Indigenous education and research,  and China studies.
  • Identify and prioritise other research and teaching strengths of the University and develop plans to promote the University's leadership role and the impact on society.
  • Identify national and global, current and emerging agendas and, where appropriate, optimise our communications to demonstrate our teaching and research leadership in these areas.
  • Promote and leverage our affiliations with government and industry.
  • Our staff understand our areas of excellence/key strengths.
  • We are recognised as the leading research university in Australia, in our identified areas of research strength.
  • The University and its researchers are the first point of contact for the media, particularly in the identified areas of excellence.
  • Our stakeholders, including students, alumni, industry and government, see the University as more connected, progressive and relevant.
  • Brand tracking research.
  • University rankings.
  • Increased share of voice across media channels.
  • Increased collaborations and funding.

3. Recruit the most promising students from a diversity of social and cultural backgrounds

Our tactics Our outcomes Measures
  • Define what constitutes a promising student.
  • Undertake market research to develop a greater understanding of different market segments, in particular postgraduate and international.
  • Implement a marketing and competitor intelligence gathering process to inform the development, pricing and promotion of programs.
  • Develop an agreed and comprehensive student recruitment strategy and associated divisional and faculty plans, including targets for all segments.
  • Demonstrate internally and externally evidence that the University is a place of opportunity for anyone with promise.
  • Our staff have a clear understanding of what constitutes a promising student.
  • We meet the social inclusion targets agreed with the Government in the University’s compact document 2011-13.
  • We reach set targets for local and international undergraduate, postgraduate and research recruitment.
  • Future students and staff perceive the University as a place open to all that have the potential regardless of their background.
  • University and divisional student recruitment plans are aligned.
  • Social inclusion data.
  • Enrolment data.
  • Annual review of student recruitment plans.
  • Brand tracking research.
  • Enquiry management data.
  • Conversion tracking from Sydney Student.

4. Capture and retain loyalty and advocacy throughout the student lifecycle

Our tactics Our outcomes Measures
  • Identify and communicate the distinctive Sydney student experience.
  • Work with all stakeholders to understand student needs and improve the overall student experience.
  • Use and share market intelligence and market research to inform and guide service excellence throughout the student life cycle, from prospective student to alumni.
  • Advocacy of the Sydney experience among our students increases.
  • Students have positive experiences in their interactions with the University throughout the student lifecycle.
  • We are in the top two Go8 universities for student satisfaction.
  • Alumni continue to engage and with and support current students.
  • The University’s program portfolio is in line with market demands and the University’s priorities.
  • Brand tracking.
  • Student surveys.
  • CEQ scores benchmarked against Go8 universities.
  • Alumni engagement with students.

5. Foster engagement and active support among priority stakeholders and key opinion leaders

Our tactics Our outcomes Measures
  • Support agreed and comprehensive alumni and donor engagement strategies and associated divisional plans.
  • Develop targeted strategies to engage agreed priority stakeholder groups, including alumni, donors, students and staff, more actively with our brand.
  • Plan, develop and leverage partnerships and sponsorships to maximise impact and return on investment.
  • Optimise our key channels to provide online engagement opportunities for our stakeholder
  • All priority stakeholder groups and key opinion leaders are more engaged with the University and advocacy increases.
  • Our reputation and brand position is enhanced through our partnerships and sponsorships.
  • We are seen as a provider of cutting-edge technology to engage stakeholder groups.
  • Alumni participation rates.
  • Brand tracking.
  • Donations.
  • Participation in online channels.
  • Online and social media metrics.

6. Develop a professional, world-class marketing community that is engaged with all areas of the University

Our tactics Our outcomes Measures
  • Actively participate in the Marketing, Communications, Events and Student Recruitment Services Review.
  • Elevate the role of marketing in the development of University strategy, academic programming and pricing.
  • Enhance marketing capability in the University through staff development, the creation of communities of practice and the development of professional networks outside the University.
  • Develop an induction and mentor program for marketing staff.
  • Develop more effective measurement and reporting mechanisms for all marketing activities.
  • Participate in local and international peer review.
  • An agreed framework is implemented.
  • Marketing, communications, events and student recruitment services meet client and stakeholder needs.
  • Marketing is seen as an important element in achieving the University's strategic goals.
  • Marketing staff have the knowledge and skills to be effective in their roles, staff share best practice.
  • Clear induction program for all marketing staff and staff have an improved understanding of marketing in the University.
  • Improved quality and effectiveness of marketing activities.
  • Annual review of marketing, communications, events and student recruitment services. 
  • Annual review of strategies and plans.
  • Staff KPIs.
  • Participation in induction program and survey of participants.

If you have any questions about the University Marketing Strategy, please contact the Director, Marketing & Communications Division, Marian Theobald.