Are you thinking about the reputation of your city, region or country in this globalized and multipolar world? Well, if so, you are in the right place as this is uniquely the topic that I advise governments and their stakeholders on; which I study, speak and write about (for 20+ years). Read my book!

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• I am senior partner at Anholt & Co.
• I advised clients such as the Governments of the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, three provinces in the Netherlands, and the City of Ghent (Belgium).
• I was a keynote speaker at many international conferences such as the Club of Venice, Kyiv International Economic Forum, World Cities Culture Forum, European Cities Marketing, European Travel Commission, Tel Aviv Cities Summit, or the International Association of Convention Centres.
• I am founding chairman of the International Place Branding Association and have been an adjunct or visiting scholar in Beijing, Hyderabad, Leuven, Rotterdam, London, Milan, Torino and Dubai.
• I have written numerous papers and (co-)authored/edited 5 books on the topic of place branding. The award-winning book Imaginative Communities was published in English, Portuguese and Spanish. I am co-editor of the journal of Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, and contributor to Apolitical, the World Economic Forum Agenda and The Economist Intelligence Unit Perspectives.
• I held positions in South Africa, the Netherlands, Belgium and Dubai and have a PhD and Master’s degree from Erasmus University, Rotterdam School of Management.

My favourite topics

Positioning strategy, identity, image, reputation, symbolic actions / imaginative initiatives, community imagination, tourism marketing, investment promotion, and major international events. This is approached from a strategic reputation management perspective, which is based on the premise that places build reputation through actions, not propaganda. I also co-authored the Good Country Index.

Services offered

Reputation management and strategy consulting, research, training and public speaking.

Results

My research and experience show that for cities, regions or countries to be admired they:

• have to be admirable
• through a sense of identity, belonging and virtue
• by which to influence international perceptions
• with access to mainstream and social media buzz
• by building unique experiences
• through imagination and leadership
• and community collaboration.

Press

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