John Azoni John Azoni

#85 - Inside Vanderbilt’s Emmy-Winning Video Team

In this episode, John Azoni chats with Randolph Infinger, Senior Video Producer at Vanderbilt University, about his journey from digital marketing to video production, how Vanderbilt’s creative team is structured, and what it takes to produce videos that truly connect with audiences.

Randolph shares his love for conceptual storytelling, explains how jazz influences his editing choices, and offers insight into balancing artistic freedom with brand consistency in a large institution. From project workflows to platform-specific content strategies, this is a must-listen for higher ed marketers navigating in-house video production.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • From Digital Marketing to Video Production: Randolph’s unexpected path into video started with a record label request for lyric videos—a spark that ignited a new creative passion.

  • The Jazz Effect: Jazz music plays a key role in Randolph’s editing style, creating a unique and upbeat energy that feels both academic and approachable.

  • Creative Team Structure at Vanderbilt: With a five-person visual media team inside a larger 50-person creative team, collaboration and clear role delineation keep projects flowing smoothly.

  • How They Triage Projects: Video requests go through a structured process using Wrike, but not every request gets accepted. The team filters projects based on alignment with Vanderbilt’s brand and marketing goals.

  • Balancing Consistency and Freedom: While brand alignment is critical, Vanderbilt empowers creators with room to explore, test new ideas, and collaborate across departments and platforms.

🔗 Links & Resources:

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John Azoni John Azoni

#84 - How to Manage 300+ Marketing Staff at a Large University

In this episode of Higher Ed Storytelling University, host John Azoni sits down with Heather MacBain, Head of Marketing at the University of Edinburgh. Heather manages a vast network of over 300 MarCom staff across the university, spanning marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement roles. She shares insights on how their unique structure helps keep everyone aligned in messaging, branding, and strategy.

Heather and John discuss the challenges of managing a decentralized marketing team, the importance of maintaining brand consistency, and how Edinburgh fosters a strong community of practice among its marketing professionals. They also dive into the impact of social media, the power of professional development, and how to create clear vision and autonomy within a large institution.

Key Takeaways:

  • Managing a Large MarCom Team – How Edinburgh’s decentralized structure operates effectively with 300+ marketing professionals.

  • The Power of Community – Building a strong internal network to share best practices and stay aligned with university goals.

  • Social Media Strategy – Why marketing teams need to focus on engagement and community-building rather than just posting.

  • Brand Consistency vs. Creative Autonomy – Finding the right balance between clear guidelines and allowing departments flexibility.

  • Professional Development for Marketers – The importance of continuous learning and how Edinburgh supports its MarCom staff.

If you’re looking for insights on marketing leadership, brand management, and building a strong internal marketing community, this episode is for you.

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