{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"How Schools Build Trust & Relevance in the Digital Age with Rob DiMartino","description":"On today\u2019s episode of Roll Call, Brian and Josh welcome Rob DiMartino, co-founder and Chief Evangelist at Finalsite, to unpack a truth school leaders are feeling in real time: your digital presence isn\u2019t marketing anymore \u2014 it\u2019s your first campus visit.   Rob breaks down how independent schools can honor tradition without living in the rearview mirror, and why the strongest brands aren\u2019t built on slogans like \u201csmall classes\u201d and \u201cgreat community\u201d (because everyone says that). Instead, schools win by getting unapologetically clear on their pillars of value, telling human stories that create trust, and designing a digital journey that helps families actually feel the experience before they ever book a tour.   The conversation also gets practical \u2014 from why \u201cdigital-first rebrands\u201d have flipped the traditional order of branding, to the canaries in the coal mine leaders should watch for (data silos, too many vendors, weak engagement cadence), and how to audit your strategy through Rob\u2019s simple framework: Purpose, People, Platforms, Process.   This is a must-listen for heads of school, admissions, marketing, and advancement teams who want to grow enrollment, improve retention, and build community by owning their story \u2014 authentically.   Show notes:   00:00 - Introduction to Rob DiMartino   03:25 - Tradition vs. innovation: honoring history without living in the past   07:19 - Brand vs. engagement: why relevance matters more than slogans   10:11 - Breaking the \u201csmall classes & great community\u201d messaging trap   12:10 - Turning student outcomes into authentic digital storytelling   15:19 - Mission fit, admissions pressure, and the retention risk schools ignore   21:11 - Why schools shifted from agencies to owning their digital platforms   29:01 - Auditing your digital strategy: Purpose, People, Platforms, Process   31:31 - AI, demographics, and protecting a school\u2019s true value proposition   37:09 - Lightning Round   Learn more about Finalsite and Rob DiMartino: https:\/\/www.finalsite.com\/   This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding   This episode is sponsored by REACH Boarding, an award-winning, feature-rich boarding school management tool used by over 400 schools in five continents to manage risk, increase efficiency, and improve communication in boarding school management.   To learn more about REACH Boarding, its features and integrations, visit www.reachboarding.com   Empowering the Future of Independent Education & Boarding School Management   Thanks for tuning into this week\u2019s episode of Roll Call, don\u2019t forget to share your favorite episodes with your colleagues on social media to help us spread the word and help more education professionals stay at the forefront of independent education and boarding school management techniques to empower the future of the education environment.     ","author_name":"Roll Call Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/rollcall.libsyn.com\/website","html":"