Nation Branding book!

NATION BRANDING BOOK – OUT NOW! We’re pleased to announce that the new book “Nation Branding” is now available. “Nation Branding – A handbook on how to use country brands for the good of nations and peoples” is an invaluable book for scholars, marketers and policymakers trying to leverage the power of country brands. Written by Andreas Markessinis, this handbook explores concepts,…

On-board nation branding: a missed opportunity for China?

Julien Lapka of the branding agency Flamingo has written a good post on how China is not using national carriers to do some nation-branding. The article is originall titled “Airline Nation Branding: A Missed Chinese Opportunity?” Airlines have the potential of being the most persuasive cultural ambassadors for any country. The first and last memory…

Wally Olins on BRIC countries’ brand potential

In January 2011 I wrote a short essay on how Bric countries were not taking full advantage of their country of origin. In there I argued that Brazil, China and India could build larger, more powerful brands by using nationality more, and that the world was ready for that. This is an excerpt from that…

An issue of national identity

Siegel+Gale, the NYC-based branding firm, has issued an interesting, yet short, article on country branding. On “An issue of national identity”, the author tackles how we relate to our country and our neighbours. The issue of national identity cropped up again last week at Siegel+Gale…..which got me thinking about nation brands. Europe is a patchwork quilt of different cultures,…

Branding Kenya video

Last week we looked at a video about Slovenia’s nation-branding efforts. Now it’s the turn for yet another keynote from the Berlin International Congress held earlier this year. It’s now Mary Kimonye, who some of you will remember from previous news and updates from Kenya’s project to develop a country brand.

Finnish nation branding workgroup unveils Brand Finland strategy

In 2030, Finland will be the world’s problem-solver, the report of the Country Brand Delegation states in its final report. “Our practical and forthright approach to dealing with challenges offers the country an excellent opportunity to earn distinction, for instance, in resolving problems associated with international conflicts, water shortage and education” – so says a press release…

Siegel+Gale on Egypt’s new tourism logo

Siegel+Gale reflects on Egypt’s recent change of logo in a new article published on their blog. For once,  I don’t agree with them. I loved the old Egypt logo – it was mystical, solar, serene, magic. And it featured colors we associate with Egypt. The new logo looks like a cheap watercolor painting.  And it’s not…

Video keynote – I feel Slovenia

We’ve refered to Slovenia’s nation-branding efforts before – and also to the country’s promotional ‘I feel sLOVEnia” tagline as early as in 2007. In this speech, Valerija Mencej, Head of the Slovenian State Promotion Section explains the strategy behind the tagline:

India’s country brand values can help the world

It’s clear that with such a long history, India has an enormous country brand potential – in tourism, culture, diplomacy, international relations, exports, et cetera. What’s less obvious, and yet more important, is how India can play a relevant role in people’s lifes across the globe. And this is entrenched in one of the main…