--- title: Trusted Media Webinar 2026 --- ![EDDY HORIZONTAL mint 4c reverse-RGB (2)](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDDY%20HORIZONTAL%20mint%204c%20reverse-RGB%20(2).png?width=429&height=93&name=EDDY%20HORIZONTAL%20mint%204c%20reverse-RGB%20(2).png) ![NN\_Logo\_Main\_MonoWhite](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Net%20Natives%20Logos%20and%20Backgrounds/NN_Logo_Main_MonoWhite.png?width=795&height=246&name=NN_Logo_Main_MonoWhite.png) ## How institutions can build trust with their student audience in a polarized media landscape We surveyed 1,500 US undergraduate and graduate prospects, every state, to find out exactly who owns their attention, who they trust, and what it would take for a university to earn a place in that picture in a polarized media landscape. This session is designed to map who and where prospective students discover, consume news and build trust, and how you can apply this to your marketing strategy.    - ## [![5-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9967-AM](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9967-AM.png?width=120&height=120&name=5-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9967-AM.png)](https://www.website.com) - [![4-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9611-AM](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9611-AM.png?width=120&height=120&name=4-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9611-AM.png)](https://www.website.com) - [![1-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9328-AM](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9328-AM.png?width=120&height=120&name=1-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9328-AM.png)](https://www.website.com) - ## [![3-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9298-AM](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9298-AM.png?width=120&height=120&name=3-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9298-AM.png)](https://www.website.com) - ## [![5-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9967-AM](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9967-AM.png?width=120&height=120&name=5-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9967-AM.png)](https://www.website.com) - [![4-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9611-AM](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9611-AM.png?width=120&height=120&name=4-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9611-AM.png)](https://www.website.com) - [![1-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9328-AM](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9328-AM.png?width=120&height=120&name=1-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9328-AM.png)](https://www.website.com) - ## [![3-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9298-AM](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9298-AM.png?width=120&height=120&name=3-Oct-27-2025-11-37-28-9298-AM.png)](https://www.website.com) 70% Prospects check for news at least once a day 77% Trust universities more than journalists for research 3 in 4 Can name a specific influencer they trust for news 0 Can recall a university as the source of a breakthrough they heard about ###### WHY THIS MATTERS # Your students trust you more than the media.You're just not acting like it. Students are consuming news constantly (over **7 in 10 check** for updates at least daily) but they're doing so across a fragmented, mix of mainstream outlets, social platforms and independent influencers who often offer a polarized view. Knowing *where* your audience is only tells part of the story. Knowing *who they trust and how that shapes your marketing strategy* is where advantage lies. **This webinar helps marketing leaders to:** - Understand which news sources, platforms and influencers carry influence with both undergraduate and graduate prospects - Navigate the growing tension between brand visibility and brand safety in a polarized media landscape - Identify where universities are trusted and where they're falling short of their own potential as thought leaders - Make sure your values come through when your values are not shared by the media your prospective students are consuming   ##### WHAT YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH ## Findings that should change how you market your institution ### 4 in 5 students want to hear from you You have the trust. You have the authority. You're just not using them. We'll show you how to become the source your students are already waiting for. ### 3 in 4 follow political influencers Almost none of them reflect your institution's values. That's where your audience lives. We'll show you how to build creative that reaches students in these spaces without compromising who you are. ### 94% of students use social media for news If you don't know where your ads are appearing, you need to be in this session. We'll show you how to protect your brand in a polarised media environment. ### 73% more positive seeing your ad in trusted media Stop being afraid to run the ad. 73% of students say seeing a university ad in a trusted outlet improves their perception of that institution.  ## Meet the HE marketing specialists ![Headshots (300 x 300 px) (3)](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshots%20%20(300%20x%20300%20px)%20(3).png?width=600&height=600&name=Headshots%20%20(300%20x%20300%20px)%20(3).png) ### Jody Perrin Senior Account Director ![Barbara Trussler Global Research Lead  headshot](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(16).png?width=400&height=400&name=Untitled%20design%20(16).png) ### Barbara Trussler Global Research Lead  ![Headshots (300 x 300 px) (4)](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshots%20%20(300%20x%20300%20px)%20(4).png?width=600&height=600&name=Headshots%20%20(300%20x%20300%20px)%20(4).png) ### Charlie Penrose Creative Director ![Headshots (300 x 300 px) (6)](https://landingpages.netnatives.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshots%20%20(300%20x%20300%20px)%20(6).png?width=750&height=750&name=Headshots%20%20(300%20x%20300%20px)%20(6).png) ### Jamie Ceman Senior Executive Vice President of Reputation Services, **EducationDynamics**