Author Archives: mk302

Their big-fat-royal wedding (A joke or should I watch it live?)

Posted on 28/04/2011 by mk302

By Mihalis Kavaratzis Earlier today I went to buy a new lighter. The lady in the shop said: “We have on offer these royal-wedding lighters; same price as a normal one – only today and tomorrow.” It was  a lighter … Continue reading →

Posted in opinions | 3 Comments

Place Branding Online Conference (Barcelona, 6-7 October 2011)

Posted on 05/04/2011 by mk302

Universitat Pompeu Fabra is organising a conference on On-line Place Branding. For information , Call for Papers, Deadlines etc. visit: http://www.tourl2011.eu/

Posted in conferences | Leave a comment

There are right and wrong ways to place making (From the Guardian)

Posted on 05/04/2011 by mk302

Media criticism brought on Bristol city council for hiring a director of place-making was not in itself misplaced, says Andrew Stevens, but councils shouldn’t be blamed for trying to foster a sense of uniqueness. Read the rest of Andrew Stevens’ … Continue reading →

Posted in pick of the day | Leave a comment

The challenge of promoting the unique city

Posted on 05/04/2011 by mk302

By Mihalis Kavaratzis It is a common feature of city promotion to attempt a presentation of the city as unique. We see so many advertisements that describe the distinctive characteristics of the city in terms of the city’s unique history, … Continue reading →

Posted in opinions | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Into the great wide open (between theory and practice

Posted on 28/03/2011 by mk302

By Mihalis Kavaratzis There is great value in city associations where practitioners can come together and exchange ideas on common practices, challenges and lessons for the future. ‘Eurocities’ is such an association and the people who have set it up … Continue reading →

Posted in opinions | 3 Comments

Symbolic planning or simply unnecessary?

Posted on 22/03/2011 by mk302

By Mihalis Kavaratzis In a series of vivid and well-argued recent posts to this blog, Ares Kalandides has talked about the relationship between urban planning and city branding using the city of Athens, Greece as an example.  There was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

On place promotion and beautiful women

Posted on 05/03/2011 by mk302

By Mihalis Kavaratzis I came across an older advertisement for Germany as an investment location. It was a photograph of the famous top model Claudia Schiffer who was lying naked, covered with the German flag. The ad read: ‘Invest in … Continue reading →

Posted in opinions | 2 Comments

Three reasons why I got inspired by the Bogota conference

Posted on 16/02/2011 by mk302

By Mihalis Kavaratzis The 2nd International Place Branding Conference attracted both academics and practitioners from all over the world. Intense discussions took place during the three days in Bogota. Although at first glance the discussions might not seem to lead … Continue reading →

Posted in conferences | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment