City Marketing

Marketing a city is not an easy task, especially for the cities without unique identify or do not come with any historical value, special or natural characteristic or with national significance. 21st Century is the era for cities. Cities become the growth engine for the nation. It is the cities that reflecting the true image and characteristics of a country and hence presenting first impression to the visitors and outsiders about how the city is doing. Thereby, getting people acquitte with the city is becoming more and more complicated as all cities are competing each others for attention, in flow of capital and investment, visitors and tourists as well as businesses. Local Governments are pushing unlimited efforts to market their cities. However, not many manage to make it successfully.

Marketing a city is not about putting up exhibition and showing people some nice pictures on places of interest. Marketing a city is about telling people what uniqueness can I offer that you might not seen elsewhere. Even if you have seen elsewhere you might only saw the best here in my city. People travelling to Melbourne for her status as liveable city. Similarly Singapore is known for its' cleanliness, safety and greenery. Bangkok City is known as leisure, shopping and entertainment paradise. Tokyo for its cosmopolitan appearance and etc.

Hence, marketing a city must first started with identifying the unique characteristics of a city or what the city can offer. Without that, it is difficult to tell people what the city all about. For example, people might know Kuala Lumpur because of the Petronas Twin Tower, once the tallest building in the World. People aware about Banglore of India because the city is the World IT Hub. Many know Cambriage or Oxford City because of the renowned university and ambience for studying. It is easy to market a city upon associating the city with symbolic gestures or images.

Guangzhou is known as a business city and it is not uncommon to be labelled as the World Manufacturing City as well. The presence of many products makers, wholesellers, retailers and buyers from all over the World speaks for itself. To facilitate the ease of doing business, The City Government of Guangzhou maintains good friendship with a lot of cities apart from making the urban infrastructure and facilities in tip top condition.

What to market for Petaling Jaya City? It is one of the most vibrant and dynamic city in Malaysia, but globally it is not that significant. I presume this is a big question mark for many...