This week we held our second place branding seminar, at the London School of Economics. Max Nathan and Suzi Hall of LSE Cities presented alongside Ian Stephens of Saffron on the emergence of new place identities and their role within the ‘quirky’ London brand.

While Max covered the “active naming” of Tech City in East London, Suzy considered the “vernacular cosmopolitanism” of two South London high streets – Ian meanwhile presented on Saffron’s work in developing a brand for Nine Elms, central London’s newest hotspot. Place branding author and consultant Malcolm Allan has already written on the event here.

The event was chaired by writer and consultant John P. Houghton and we acknowledge the kind support of LSE Cities in hosting the event.

A podcast of the event can be heard here, with presentations given below:

Max Nathan – ‘Silicon Roundabout vs. Tech City’
Suzi Hall – ‘Street: the paradox of an ‘ordinary brand’
Ian Stephens – ‘Place branding’

We also invited audience members to contribute pictorial views on their conception of London place identity – you can view a selection of these on Picasa.