New national brand for Oman

Last Sunday, a new nation branding mark was launched for Oman, the Arabic Sultanate located at the exit of the Persian Gulf, after a series of workshops set to explore Oman’s brand. The Omani nation branding iniative’s launch and future development is being leaded by the  newly-created and government-run Oman Brand Management Unit (OBMU). Here…

Obama re-brands America

For years, many of those who follow the nation brands phenomenon have bemoaned the loss of American credibility and subsequent brand strength in the world. There were many symptoms of Brand America’s power loss: Gitmo, Abu Ghraib, Axis of Evil, Florida, Shock and Awe, Hurricane Katrina. Then along comes one guy who steps into this…

Korea nation branding project launched

Last Thursday, January 22, the Presidential Council on South Korea’s nation branding programme was officially launched by council chairman Euh Yoon-dae and dignitaries including the Korean Culture Minister and the Seoul Tourism Organization president. As you may remember, Nation-Branding.info reported in October 2008 that the Korean government had doubts over whether creating a government agency…

Saatchi & Saatchi will “nation brand” Kosovo

Kosovo Government announced today that Saatchi & Saatchi has been chosen to develop a nation branding campaign for the newborn Balkan republic. The multinational agency was the winner of “Execution of Nation Branding and International Media Campaign for the Republic of Kosovo” international tender, a tender worth €5.7 million. The intention to involve in a…

Branding the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

In these uncertain times with companies going out of business everywhere, standing out to be noticed by the consumers and the target audience is more important than ever. The same goes for countries where attracting investment is concerned and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is no exception. Charles Wrench, global CEO, Landor Associates, was interviewed…

Brand Thailand among the best

Some weeks ago, we reported that Poland’s brand position at the Country Brands Index 2008 had been mentioned in several papers. Now it’s turn for Thailand, which was elected  as the “Best Country Brand for Value for Money” at the last CBI report. Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Phornsiri Manoharn commented on this ranking that,…

Made in China

Chinese companies must improve their quality and brand image to gain a competitive edge in the global arena, according to a recent survey by London-based Interbrand Consultancy. The “Made-in-China” survey interviewed over 700 business professionals on their perceptions about products made in China and the potential for Chinese brands going overseas. The survey revealed that…

Paper about nation branding and public diplomacy

I’m very thankful to Gyorgy Szondi for letting me know about a very interesting paper he recently published, titled “Public Diplomacy and Nation Branding: Conceptual Similarities and Differences”. Szondi is a senior lecturer in Public Relations and course leader for MA in European Public Relations. Before joining the Leeds Metropolitan University, Gyorgy was teaching in…

Bangladesh launches tourism nation brand

Bangladesh’s interim government launched its tourism brand name “Rupomoy Bangladesh” (Beautiful Bangladesh) in a bid to attract tourists from home and abroad. Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed inaugurated the country’s branding logo – a rising sun over blue sea – and a slogan at a ceremony organised by the civil aviation and tourism ministry. Fakhruddin highlighted…