Story Engine

We love working with neighbourhoods, cities, and states - to help them uncover what makes them different and to use that story to build a disciplined economic strategy. Why? placesarepeople.com

Foreign-funded or not, the campaigns against the oil sands were only successful because Albertans and Canadians didn't do their jobs. If you don't tell your story, someone will do it for you — every time.

That crumbling parking lot on the most valuable land in your downtown isn't just sitting vacant because the developer's lazy. The real reason has to do with the way your town does property taxes—and if you want that land put to good use, you can help. bit.ly/2Hl3evv

Check out @makeitYEG from @EEDC. It's an award-winning open project platform that showcases the work of engaged citizens who are shaping #Edmonton - buff.ly/2KL7eV2 - #sponsor #YEG #innovation

Uncover what makes you different, not the same, and make it the core of everything. citylab.com/perspective/20…

Proud that #YEG has been named “Best Canadian City for Youth to Work"! Our ranking as #1 is well-deserved recognition after many yrs of city building. Let’s keep up the good work & continue to be intentional about planning for generations to come. bit.ly/2TynrRN

Perhaps no city in America is more synonymous with the dangers of top down development than Flint. That's why we particularly love this story from @CivilEats about how the people are putting their faith back in bottom up, local solutions as they rebuild. bit.ly/2RAJlGO

It’s about uncovering what is already there but we fail to notice, all our hidden strengths. Then we turn it up. brookings.edu/blog/the-avenu…

Good to see an interview with @babiak who is one of the most innovative thinkers around place branding

The Place Brand Observer interviewed @babiak about how we use narrative for strategy. Pour a mulled 🍷 and pull on your reading socks. placebrandobserver.com/todd-babiak-in…

My secret is now Cage-Free.

The ads say nothing about the culture or uniqueness of the city (rankings are mostly silly), but Calgary is smart to spend money on this. In a time of economic and spiritual trouble, you have to invite talented people to be part of what comes next.

For organizations and governments that feel most comfortable hiring one of the “big agencies” for brand work... this should ruin your sleep. theglobeandmail.com/politics/artic…

On place-branding: compare a new logo to Gritty, as a way to encapsulate the culture of Philadelphia.

So happy to see our smart friend @peterkentie win global place brand of the year for @eindhoven365 at #CNP18.

Really impressed with @greatermsp and its honest, clever strategy to attract talent and investment. Know your people and make them feel welcome. #cnp18

@claybas @citynationplace We sent you a DM, Clayton. Hope you’re having fun here at the event.

@thestoryengine @citynationplace Fascinating! I'm in London for @citynationplace and would like to connect. Who could I contact/get in touch with?

🚀 We’re in London at the splendid @citynationplace conference to tell our friends and colleagues in #placebranding about placesarepeople.com.

The Royal Docks, a massive regeneration project in London, is an inspiration for all the “impossible to develop” waterfront places in North America. It won’t look like this for long...

Are you a university, a hospital, an NGO, a a charity, a start-up? That is, a fundraiser? We get it. theabsolutepitch.com