Insights & Perspectives

The Key Trends Shaping Place Branding in 2026: From Promotion to Proof

What will define place branding in 2026? Global experts share their views on key trends shaping cities, regions, and nations. From promotion to proof and lived experience.

Stability as the New Currency: IMD World Talent Ranking Highlights Shift in National Reputation

Editorial briefing on what the IMD World Talent Ranking 2025 means for country brand performance and talent attractiveness positioning.

Cultural Interoperability: How Place Branding Evolves in a Social-First World

Place branding is no longer broadcast-led. Cultural interoperability explains how places stay relevant in a social-first, AI-mediated world. Contribution by Sara Seif Ibrahim.

The US in Decline as Hard Power Returns — Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index 2026

Despite its top rank in the Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index 2026, the US posts the steepest decline, signalling a shift in global trust and reputation.

What Latest Global Power City Index Reveals About Urban Competitiveness

Editorial briefing on what the latest (2025) Global Power Cities Index means for urban competitiveness and city brand leadership.

Universities as Reputation Infrastructure: 2026 Latin America Higher Education Rankings

The 2026 Latin America university rankings show how higher education shapes national reputation, talent attraction, and global positioning across the region.

The State of Place Branding Research in 2026: Priorities, Trends, and Get Togethers

Editorial briefing by TPBO on where place branding research is heading in 2026, including key topics, trends and events not to miss.

Talent Attraction: What Europe’s Workforce Really Wants in Jobs and Locations

Research by C Studios on talent attraction in Europe, exploring what mobile professionals value in jobs, skills, and locations.

Who Gets to Tell Africa’s Story? Thebe Ikalafeng on Narrative Sovereignty

Thebe Ikalafeng reflects on narrative sovereignty, place branding, and how African nations are reclaiming their stories through leadership, culture, and lived experience.

Behind the Scenes: Creating the Elgar Encyclopedia of City and Place Branding

Join us as we take a look behind the scenes, the process of creating the Elgar Encyclopedia of City and Place Branding.

City Nation Place Global 2025: Notes from a First-Time Attendee

First-time attendee Nafisa Sharfi reflects on the City Nation Place Global conference in London, November 2025. Read her key takeaways.

Highlights from the 9th IPBA Conference 2025 in Manchester: Shaping the Future of Place Branding

Explore key insights and highlights from the 2025 International Place Branding Conference by IPBA, in Manchester, UK.

The Human Element in the Age of AI – Place Branding & Public Diplomacy Research Update

Summary of latest research on place branding and public diplomacy focusing on the human element in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Current State of Country Brands in Latin America: The Voice of the Protagonists

FutureBrand’s latest report captures the state of country brands across Latin America right now - in the eyes of its protagonists.

Off Track, On Record: What the 2025 SDG Report Means for Places and Brands

Explore the 2025 Sustainable Development Report: global SDG progress, investment gaps, and place-branding insights for future-focused professionals.

America’s Best Cities 2025: Top 10, Trends, and Takeaways

Explore key insights from Resonance’s 2025 America’s Best Cities Ranking. Discover which American cities are perceived as top-performing.