Strategy Toolbox

Are you currently working to attract international students to your destination? If the answer is no, then the chances are that you’re missing a trick. We reached out to three destinations who have been incorporating their study proposition into their broader place brand strategy to understand how they have leveraged their international student attraction to deliver back on their city’s values.

The potential reputational risks involved in communicating about and during COVID-19 are many. But here are a few things that should be considered when deciding how to handle communications in a world turned upside down by this crisis.

Nation Branding architects face great adversity in getting the ball rolling and even more so as they fight an uphill battle. It is our hope that this guide will be used as a supportive reference for brand builders throughout the long and arduous process of strategizing a resilient nation brand.

Your place brand has intrinsic value – akin to that of your personal savings – and the investment strategy you choose for your reputation capital will regulate the return on investment. What strategies can you use to leverage your data in your decision-making?

Globally, FDI inflows are expected to decrease up to 40% according to the UN and competition is fierce as places look to shore up shaken economies and the pressure on governments to create employment increases. Now more than ever, investment destinations need to stand out.

With our economic future uncertain, many DMOs and EDOs will be tightening their belts right about now. We’ve spoken before about the importance of continuing to advertise during a crisis, but when every dollar matters, ensuring that you maximise the return on that dollar’s investment is crucial.

Recovery will have to be a joint effort with your citizens, your government, your local businesses, your key stakeholders. To make real change, everyone must be on board with your strategy. What can you do practically as a place marketing or management organisation to help take those first steps?

If you’re reliant on government funding, getting your local politicians on board with your strategies is essential. As places re-evaluate their budgets following the pandemic, how can you ensure that you’re speaking your government’s language?