Testimonials

What do place brand leaders around the world think about TPBO? What makes it useful or special to them? Here a few testimonials from researchers, consultants and brand managers.

What do YOU like about TPBO, or would like to see improved? Let us know!


“The Place Brand Observer is at the frontline of trends and strategies in place marketing and branding, bringing together professionals, researchers as well as practitioners from all over the world. The most trustworthy and reputational organization in our field.”

Olga Rauhut Kompaniets


Rod Crider_Rowan EDC_economic development“The Place Brand Observer is an essential tool for economic developers and anyone with responsibilities for promoting or branding their place. It is a wonderful resource I often go to find insight and inspiration for our own place marketing efforts.

I love that TPBO provides a digital platform for learning and sharing. I especially appreciate the balance of views from both academics as well as practitioners which brings theory and research alongside of practical applications.”

Rod Crider


“TPBO is a valuable contribution to our branding community. It offers insights from leading global experts on a topic that is in itself very interesting and increasingly important.

Nation brands represent actually the biggest and the best-known brands in the world, and we all are «branded» by at least one of them. Branding is about creating lasting value. TPBO offers a platform for us to learn from each other and exchange ideas, a valuable asset for any branding exercise.”

Edwin Schmidheiny


“The Place Brand Observer is a unique organisation based in Switzerland, one of the world’s most respected countries that is taking a scientific and considered view of nation branding and soft power. As such, its efforts have to be applauded.”

David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance


David Gertner, Pace University“The Place Brand Observer has become an excellent source of information about and discussion forum for scholars and practitioners interested in place marketing, place strategic planning process, and place branding.”

David Gertner


Ed Burghard interview“The Place Brand Observer is one of the few worldwide publications on place branding which I read routinely.”

Ed Burghard


hjortur smarason phonix place branding“I celebrate the arrival of The Place Brand Observer. It is of great importance to have such a medium to further the discussion and development of place branding, a young discipline in rapid development.”

Hjörtur Smárason


Jeff Finkle interview on economic development“Place branding is important, but not necessarily well understood or well executed. The Place Brand Observer has a wealth of information that economic developers can use to learn the nuances of how place branding works and what makes a good strategy.”

Jeff Finkle


John Cooper - Yakima Valley Tourism“The Place Brand Observer is a great resource. It offers insightful thoughts from a broad spectrum of professionals dealing with change in destinations across the globe.”

John Cooper


Keith Dinnie“The Place Brand Observer is an excellent forum for the exchange of ideas and perspectives on place branding. It has appeal both for practitioners and for academics.”

Keith Dinnie


Interview Kevin Bowler, Tourism New Zealand“The Place Brand Observer offers a rich range of resources and thought provoking ideas that all destination marketing professionals will benefit from exploring. By combining academic and commercial ideas in a single source, The Observer is the authority on place branding.”

Kevin Bowler


Magdalena Florek, Poland“What I like the most about The Place Brand Observer is that is it not simply a collection of copy-paste material but that it is built on the editors’ curiosity to understand more about place branding, from which we can all benefit.”

Magdalena Florek


Destination Marketing Association International Presidente Michael Gehrisch“Destination Branding and the concept of Placemaking are at the heart of the future of destination marketing and economic development. It’s wonderful to see The Place Brand Observer bringing to life insights and stories that will shape this future.”

Michael Gehrisch


“Place branding is new, and so the more info about it, the more we learn, the more we know, and the better off we all are. When this info is comprehensive, up to date, and well-managed by an energetic young group, as in the one-stop-shop that is The Place Brand Observer, then we’re even better off.”

Nicolas Papadopoulos


Nick Cull interview“The Place Brand Observer is moving into an important space. There is an acute need for practitioners to be able to connect to the scholarly community and vice versa. The practitioners need space in which to reflect and the academics need accurate and up-to-date case-studies. It should be a marriage made in heaven.”

Nicholas J. Cull


Philip Kotler marketing professor, author Marketing Places, Confronting Capitalism“I am impressed with the work of The Place Brand Observer to bring more attention to the field of Place Marketing and Place Branding. It is the best organization for bringing together place branding researchers and professionals, and letting them engage in improving the theory and practice of Place Marketing.”

Philip Kotler


Africa place branding expert Thebe Ikalafeng interviewed by City Nation Place“While the reality of places as differentiated habitats is inspired by the various cultures, circumstances and needs, the strategic and deliberate approach to place branding is a relatively ‘new’ concept, especially in developing markets. It is good to have The Place Brand Observer as rich repository of place branding expertise and insights.”

Thebe Ikalafeng


Tom Buncle“The Place Brand Observer is a useful resource for any place-branding practitioner. It is a source of useful insights, news, case studies and comment. It is analytical but accessible; it is strategically robust without being academic; and it is a good read.” Tom Buncle


What do WE think makes TPBO special and unique?

The Place Brand Observer is the go-to source for professionals looking to enhance the reputation, competitiveness, and attractiveness of cities, regions, and countries. It provides valuable insights, case studies, and expert opinions on the latest trends and best practices in place branding.

Whether you’re interested in crafting a solid place branding strategy, engaging with stakeholders, managing reputation, or promoting cultural heritage and innovation, this publication has got you covered.

It’s like having a communication guru at your fingertips who can guide you through the ins and outs of place branding.

Join us on this exciting journey, and let’s explore the fascinating world of place branding together!