This month on Bloom Consulting Conversations, join us for episode #10, where we explore the final - and perhaps most essential - step in any successful Nation and City Branding strategy: how to reflect, assess, and refresh your brand.

Hosted by Claire Dewhirst, Director of City Nation Place, this episode features a powerful conversation with José Torres, CEO of Bloom Consulting, and David Gilbert, CEO of Destination Cleveland.

Together, they unpack why the final step of Bloom’s 14 steps to Nation Brandingisn’t the end of the branding process, but the beginning of a continuousjourney of improvement and adaptation.

Discover how Cleveland transformed its identity through community-driven branding, what it takes to measure a Place Brand’s success over time, and why quiet stakeholder alignment often beats flashy brand launches. This episode also introduces the concept of branding"architects, builders, and developers" - a practical framework for stakeholder engagement at every level.

We revisit key insights from earlier episodes, clarify common misconceptions, and dig even deeper into the real-world application of Place Branding strategies that deliver both economic and social value. Listen to actionable advice and fresh inspiration to keepyour brand authentic, relevant, and resilient.

If you have any additional questions about advancing your Nation Branding efforts, we encourage you to join the conversation. Leave a review or connect with us on social media using #BloomConsultingConversations!

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we discuss the impact of Nation and City Brands on local and global economies.

Feel free to subscribe and share this episode with others to help inspire them to perfect their Nation or City Brand and create lasting impact.

Relevant articles: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/place_branding/

Discover best practice, interviews, and more at City Nation Place: www.citynationplace.com

Bloom Consulting website: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/

You might also like Place2Place podcast: https://www.citynationplace.com/place2place

This month on Bloom Consulting Conversations, join us for episode #9 as we explore Step 13 of Nation Branding: Making the Move to Nation Branding 2.0. Hosted by Claire Dewhirst, Director of City Nation Place, our discussion features Bloom Consulting’s CEO José Torres and Liina Maria Lepik, Director of the Estonian Tourist Board. Together, they discuss the evolution of Nation Branding, highlighting how countries can embrace digital innovation, data-driven strategies, and agile methodologies to stay competitive in an ever-changing global landscape. This episode dives into the importance of forward-thinking strategies, cross-sector collaboration, and adaptability in shaping a Nation Brand fit for the future. If you have additional questions about advancing your Nation Branding efforts, we encourage you to join the conversation. Leave a review or connect with us on social media using #BloomConsultingConversation! Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll uncover step 14 of Nation Branding: Reflect, assess, repeat Feel free to subscribe and share this episode with others to help insipre them to perfect their Nation Brand and create lasting impact. Relevant articles: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/jour... Discover best practices, interviews, and more at City Nation Place: www.citynationplace.com Bloom Consulting website: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/ You might also like Place2Place podcast: https://www.citynationplace.com/place...

This month on Bloom Consulting Conversations, join us for episode (#8) as we delve into Step 10 of Nation Branding: Engaging with Stakeholders and activating Citizen Engagement. Hosted by Claire Dewhirst, Director of City Nation Place, our discussion features Bloom representative Filipe Roquette and Nur Özkan Erbay, Head of the Nation Brand Office for the Turkish Presidency.

Together, they explore the critical role of stakeholder engagement in building and sustaining a successful Nation Brand. From managing diverse interest groups to ensuring a unified narrative, this episode dives deep into the importance of collaboration, authenticity, and adaptability in place branding.

If you have additional questions about building a strong foundation, we encourage you to join the conversation. Leave a review or connect with us on social media using #BloomConsultingConversation!

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll discuss Step 13 of Nation Branding: Make the move to Nation Branding

Feel free to subscribe and share this episode with others to help inspire them to perfect their Nation Brand and create lasting impact.

This week on Bloom Consulting Conversations, Clare Dewhirst, director of City Nation Place, hosts a discussion with Adriana Acosta Rivas Marketing and Country Brand Director for Essential Costa Rica and Joao Vasco Neves Partner, Nation and Place Branding Director at Bloom Consulting, for episode #7.

Join Adriana and João as they dive into Step 9 of Nation Branding: the "Nation Brand Management Model." Explore the critical transition from interim to executive teams, the establishment of robust governance models, and the profound impact of Natural Intelligence on brand management strategies.

Gain valuable insights into governance models, stakeholder engagement, and the pivotal role of the Costa Rica Nation Brand in shaping the future.

If you have additional questions about building a strong foundation, we encourage you to join the conversation. Leave a review or connect with us on social media using #BloomConsultingConversation!

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll discuss Step 10 of Nation Branding: engaging wit stakeholders and activating citizen engagement.

Feel free to subscribe and share this episode with others to help inspire them to perfect their nation brand and create lasting impact.

Relevant articles: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/place_branding/

Discover best practice, interviews, and more at City Nation Place: www.citynationplace.com

Bloom Consulting website: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/

You might also like Place2Place podcast: https://www.citynationplace.com/place2place

This month on Bloom Consulting Conversations, join us for episode (#6) as we delve into Step 8 of Nation Branding: “Audit and activate touchpoints”. Our discussion features Bloom Consulting Managing Partner Iman Almutairi and Daniel Cavero from PromPerú.

Together, they explore the intricacies of activating and auditing touchpoints in Place Branding. Learn how Peru has successfully maintained a consistent Nation Brand identity through sector-specific licenses like Superfoods Peru and Alpaca del Peru, and how Saudi Arabia is leveraging digital channels to enhance its global reputation.

Learn about the importance of integrating local identities and cultures into a cohesive national narrative, the role of technology and innovation in modern branding strategies, and the critical collaboration between public and private sectors in ensuring brand consistency. 

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll explore the ninth step of Nation Branding: ‘Building Your Nation Brand Management Model’. 

If you have additional questions about activating and auditing your brand’s touchpoints, we encourage you to join the conversation. Leave a review or connect with us on social media using #BloomConsultingConversations! 

Feel inspired to perfect your Nation Brand and create lasting impact? Subscribe now and share this episode with others! 

Moderated by Clare Dewhirst, director of City Nation Place. 

Relevant articles: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/place_branding/ 

Discover best practice, interviews, and more at City Nation Place: www.citynationplace.com 

Bloom Consulting website: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/  

You might also like Place2Place podcast: https://www.citynationplace.com/place2place 

In today’s episode (#2) of Bloom Consulting Conversations, step 2, 3 and 4 of the 14 Steps to Nation Branding guide are combined: understanding current perceptions, establishing target markets, and setting realistic objectives. However, all these topics share a common thread — Place Analytics which require strategic approach.

Hosted by Clare Dewhirst, director of City Nation Place, the discussion features Gonzalo Vilar, Managing Partner and Global Director of Nation and Place Analytics at Bloom Consulting, alongside Meira Pappi, a Country Image Specialist representing Finland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Together they explore these fundamental steps, emphasizing the significance of Place Analytics, the crucial role of data, elements of perception, building a robust reputation, maintaining general consistency, and understanding importance of market size.

Simultaneously, delve into Finland's Nation Brand, the Finland Promotion Board, strategic data usage, the development of Finland's brand narrative, strengths and weaknesses assessment, overall reputation evaluation, segmentation considerations, and the implementation of data.

If you have additional questions about these distinct steps, we encourage you to join the conversation. Leave a review or connect with us on social media using #BloomConsultingConversations!

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll explore project risk and crisis management, focusing on step 5 of the 14 Steps to Nation Branding.

Feel free to subscribe and share this episode with others to help inspire them to perfect their Nation Brand and create lasting impact.

Visit the Bloom Consulting website: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/

Explore relevant articles on Bloom Consulting Journal: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/place_branding/

Discover best practice, interviews, and more at City Nation Place: www.citynationplace.com

You might also like Place2Place podcast: https://www.citynationplace.com/place2place

In this month's episode (#5), we discuss Step 7 of Nation Branding: "Maintaining Brand Consistency." Our host had a fascinating conversation with Jose Torres, the CEO of Bloom Consulting, and David Downs, the chief executive of the New Zealand Story Group, the official government institution in charge of managing the Nation Brand of New Zealand. Together, they explore various aspects of this crucial phase.

Uncover the significance of Maintaining and upholding your brand identity, differentiate between Nation Brand (Place Branding) and consumer branding, ensure the unity of stakeholders, and explore the utilization of tools for consistency.

While at the same time, exploring New Zealand's National Brand, the pursuit of uniformity and coherence within the country, the associated challenges, interactions with political figures, the individuals shaping New Zealand's brand narrative, authenticity, and the New Zealand FernMark License Program.

If you have additional questions about being and staying on-brand, we encourage you to join the conversation. Leave a review or connect with us on social media using #BloomConsultingConversations!

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll explore audit and activate touchpoints, focusing on step 8 of the 14 steps to Nation Branding.

Feel free to subscribe and share this episode with others to help inspire them to perfect their nation brand and create a lasting impact.

Moderated by Clare Dewhirst, director of City Nation Place.

• Relevant articles: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/place_branding/

• Discover best practices, interviews, and more at City Nation Place: www.citynationplace.com

• Link to our website: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/

• You might also like Place2Place podcast: https://www.citynationplace.com/place2place

Welcome to Episode #4 of Bloom Consulting Conversations.

Join Jose Filipe Torres, CEO of Bloom Consulting, and Peter Kentie, Managing Director of Eindhoven City Marketing, as they discuss the 6th Step to Nation Branding: Defining the Central Idea.

Hosted by Clare Dewhirst of City Nation Place, this insightful conversation offers valuable perspectives on brand strategy.

In this podcast, we delve into the significance of crafting a Central Idea and its impact. From defining our perception goals to embracing uniqueness in advertising, we explore strategies for activating this core concept across all initiatives. Join us as we uncover the journey to formulating the Central Idea and integrating it seamlessly into every aspect, especially in reaching new audiences in Place Branding campaigns.

Discover how Eindhoven, under Peter's leadership, has maintained a Central Idea linked to technology, design, and innovation, seamlessly incorporating it into all aspects of the city, from events like marathons to architectural landmarks.

Stay tuned for our next episode #5 where we will discuss the 7th step to Placemaking: Be on-Brand, Stay on-brand.

If you have additional questions about building your Central Idea, we encourage you to join the conversation. Leave a review or connect with us on social media using #BloomConsultingConversations!

Feel free to subscribe and share this episode with others, empowering them to cultivate a robust Central Idea to anchor all their Place Branding endeavors.

Relevant articles: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/place_branding/

Discover best practice, interviews, and more at City Nation Place: www.citynationplace.com

Bloom Consulting website: https://www.bloom-consulting.com/

You might also like Place2Place podcast: https://www.citynationplace.com/place2place