Regional Gem to National Spotlight: Crafting the New Columbus Brand

Columbus, Ohio has been stacking up impressive accolades for some time. The city is home to some of the country’s top attractions, world-class sports, a great restaurant and bar scene and a growing and diversifying population that’s significantly younger than the statewide average. Recently, Experience Columbus – the destination marketing organization for Columbus – launched a new campaign to bring attention to the great things Columbus has and is. Its “yes, Columbus” campaign has set its sights on sharing the city’s greatness with potential visitors and residents and draws on findings from a communitywide perception study from 2023 that showed that while those who know Columbus are positive, familiarity with Ohio’s capital city is low outside of Ohio. What is the new campaign and what will its reach be? What is the Columbus brand? Columbus has long sought to shape a unique identity that’s appealing, aspirational, and authentic to who we are and what we want to become. Can we?

Featuring Yohannan Terrell, CEO, Warhol & WALL ST., and Director, Columbus Fashion Initiative; Sarah Townes, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, Experience Columbus; Stephanie Spicer, President, Luquire; Steve Susi, Senior Director, Brand Strategy, Northwestern Mutual; with Moderator Jennifer Walton, Chief Brand Officer, Sky Nile Consulting.