Simon Anholt
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Simon Anholt is usually given as the inventor or populariser of the concept of "Nation Branding". (This is open to question as history tells us that nations have long understood the power of branding themselves, using symbols and icons to identify their presence and building a clear set of values that were pursued. So, for example, neolithic chalk hill symbols in the UK are thought to be markers of a tribes territory and were used to identify their presence. The Roman Empire was undoubtedly a brand - ad infinutum. Perhaps the inventor of Nation Branding in its modern form would be Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew. Not only did he define what Singapore was and agressively promoted it worldwide but he introduced a set of values and behaviours for Singapore's citizens and ensured they were adhered to - using advertising to help educate the population.)
Anholt used the phrase in an article in the Journal of Brand Management entitled "Nation Brands of the 21st Century" (Henry Stewart Publications, Vol 5 No 6, July 1998) which is considered the first on this topic. He then guest-edited a Special Issue on Nation Branding in the same journal (Vol 9 Nos 4-5, April 2002), and launched a new quarterly journal, "Place Branding" in 2004, which he currently edits (originally published by Henry Stewart and now by Palgrave Macmillan).
Anholt launched and currently edits the "Anholt Nation Brands Index," "Anholt State Brands Index" and "Anholt City Brands Index", three surveys based on data provided by GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.), of Seattle, WA, which provide a ranking by brand value of a number of cities and countries, based on his Nation Branding Hexagon, a theoretical model which explains how places are branded and their brands managed. He is the British Government's advisor on Public Diplomacy and advises a number of other governments on their branding strategies, several of them developing countries in collaboration with the United Nations.
Anholt has also served on the Medinge Group think-tank (2002–6).
[edit] References
Anholt, Simon. Competitive Identity: the new brand management for nations, cities and regions. Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2006.
Anholt, Simon. Brand New Justice: the upside of global branding. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, 2003.
Anholt, Simon. (Guest editor) of Special Issue on Nation Branding in Journal of Brand Management, 9(4-5).
Anholt, Simon with Jeremy Hildreth, Brand America: The Mother of All Brands. London: Cyan Books, 2004.
Gumbel, Peter: "Branding Nations", Time, May 29 2005 mentioning Anholt's activity in developing countries
Rendon, Jim: "When Nations Need a Little Marketing." New York Times. November 23, 2003.
Risen, Clay: Boston Globe article March 13, 2005
Risen, Clay: "Branding Nations", New York Times, Dec 11 2005.
Weiner, Eric: Feature and interview with Anholt on National Public Radio's "Day to Day", January 11, 2006