黑料社has a dedicated practice that supports educational institutions in promoting and protecting their reputations. Our portfolio is diverse: we work with land-grant universities, university systems, large and small private colleges, HBCUs, and secondary schools. We advise institutions in responding to a range of challenges and proactively communicating their value proposition in an increasingly complicated environment.
Our practice is comprised of an integrated, global team of former college and university staffers, government and policy experts, former litigators, speechwriters, and media professionals with considerable experience working with all types of institutions of education to elevate brands and build and strengthen relationships with internal and external constituents.
We bring institutions a strategic approach based on a political campaign model: protect, promote, and evolve. This approach ensures institutions minimize reputational damage from crises and issues, build brand equity with the right audiences, and evolve their communications to remain relevant and connected with key stakeholders.
Our capabilities include crisis and issues management; thought leadership and executive positioning; stakeholder research; messaging and brand narratives; digital and social media strategy; DEI strategy and support; strategic counsel to boards; and more.
Our team has advised on some of the most high-profile issues facing universities today.
We have experience with:
- Governance and leadership challenges
- Independent investigations
- Labor issues
- Presidential transitions
- Free speech pressure points
- Campus violence
- Title IX and Title VII cases
- Data security and privacy
- Athletics scandals
- Changing names of schools and buildings
- Litigation
Education Leadership
Kate Linkous
Executive Vice President, Higher Education