Navigating the Higher Ed Marketing Vendor Maze - A Conversation with Kevin Renton

The higher ed marketing vendor landscape is shifting—fast. More VC-backed companies. More consolidations. More agencies blending into one another. If you're a higher ed marketer evaluating vendors, you need to know what’s happening behind the scenes.In this episode, I sat down with Kevin Renton, Principal at Electric Kite and Publisher at Volt Magazine, to break it all down. We covered:✅ The agency and MarTech landscape – Who’s merging, who’s independent, and how it impacts your institution. ✅ The real risk of vendor conflicts – If your agency serves your competitors, how do they prioritize your success? ✅ Essential tech stack decisions for 2025 – CMS, search, CRM—what really matters and what’s just noise. ✅ The rise of solopreneurs and boutique consultancies – Why top in-house higher ed marketers are going out on their own. ✅ Red flags when evaluating vendors – What to watch for in RFPs, sales pitches, and case studies.“In any vendor relationship, look at the case studies and references. The demo means nothing if they can’t show real results.” – Kevin RentonThis episode is packed with insights that can help you make smarter vendor decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Give it a listen, and let me know your thoughts!Listen now.➡️ Follow Education Marketing Leader for more episodes, and subscribe on your favorite platform to stay ahead in higher ed marketing.