| 1. |
- Cassinger, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Geographies of fear – communicating safety in urban destinations
- 2019
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Countering fear and promoting experiences of security and safety among visitors are key issues in creating socially sustainable urban destinations. Security branding is a growing place branding paradigm through which to enhance experiences and perceptions of safety in cities, nations and regions (Coaffee and Van Ham, 2008; Coaffee and Rogers, 2008; Avraham and Ketter, 2008). This paper discusses how brand communication can be incorporated in urban policy and planning to accomplish socially sustainable city centres. Our focus is on relation between the mediatisation of cities and perceptions and experiences of safety among domestic and international visitors. Recent terror attacks, political unrest, and violent conflicts in many European countries are highly mediatised events (Couldry and Hepp, 2018) that influence images of urban destinations, which are particularly vulnerable to rumours and images circulating in media (Avraham, 2009; Avraham and Ketter, 2008). The study focuses on 10 Swedish urban destinations. Sweden is an interesting case in point due to high levels of media coverage, which is characterised by polarised narratives concerning the country as a utopia respectively dystopia (see e.g. Rapacioli, 2018). The research questions we seek to answer concern 1) how perceptions of safety are influenced by the image of Sweden conveyed on online news and social media (Instagram and Twitter) platforms, and 2) the relation between visitors’ overall image of the destinations and their experiences of safety. The research questions are addressed by a mixed methods approach using survey methods and media analysis to capture the role of place image for visitors’ perceptions and experiences of safety. The findings demonstrate that the mediatisation of the country of Sweden follows narratives of safety respectively unsafety, which influence the way Swedish cities are perceived. Furthermore, findings indicate a correlation between positive city image and high levels of perceived safety among visitors. The paper discusses these findings in relation to social sustainability and proposes communicative strategies to handle and counter fears in urban destinations. References Avraham, E. and Ketter, E. (2008), “Will we be safe there? Analysing strategies for altering unsafe place images”, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 196-204. Avraham, E. (2009), “Marketing and managing nation branding during prolonged crisis: The case of Israel”, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 202-212. Coaffee, J., & Rogers, P. (2008), “Reputational risk and resiliency: The branding of security in place-making”, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 205-217. Coaffee, J., & Van Ham, P. (2008), “‘Security branding’: The role of security in marketing the city, region or state”, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 191-195. Couldry, N. and Hepp, A. (2018), “The continuing lure of the mediated centre in times of deep mediatization: Media Events and its enduring legacy”, Media, Culture & Society, Vol. 40 No. 1, pp. 114–117. Rapacioli, P. (2018), Good Sweden, Bad Sweden: The use and abuse of Swedish values in a post-truth world. Stockholm: Volante.
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| 2. |
- Cassinger, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Geographies of fear – visitors’ perceptions of safety in urban destinations
- 2019
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Countering fear and promoting experiences of security and safety among visitors are key issues in creating socially sustainable urban destinations. Security branding is a growing place branding paradigm through which to enhance experiences and perceptions of safety in cities, nations and regions (Coaffee and Van Ham, 2008; Coaffee and Rogers, 2008; Avraham and Ketter, 2008). This paper discusses how brand communication can be incorporated in urban policy and planning to accomplish socially sustainable city centres. Our focus is on relation between the mediatisation of cities and perceptions and experiences of safety among domestic and international visitors. Recent terror attacks, political unrest, and violent conflicts in many European countries are highly mediatised events (Couldry and Hepp, 2018) that influence images of urban destinations, which are particularly vulnerable to rumours and images circulating in media (Avraham, 2009; Avraham and Ketter, 2008). The study focuses on 10 Swedish urban destinations. Sweden is an interesting case in point due to high levels of media coverage, which is characterised by polarised narratives concerning the country as a utopia respectively dystopia (see e.g. Rapacioli, 2018). The research questions we seek to answer concern 1) how perceptions of safety are influenced by the image of Sweden conveyed on online news and social media (Instagram and Twitter) platforms, and 2) the relation between visitors’ overall image of the destinations and their experiences of safety. The research questions are addressed by a mixed methods approach using survey methods and media analysis to capture the role of place image for visitors’ perceptions and experiences of safety. The findings demonstrate that the mediatisation of the country of Sweden follows narratives of safety respectively unsafety, which influence the way Swedish cities are perceived. Furthermore, findings indicate a correlation between positive city image and high levels of perceived safety among visitors. The paper discusses these findings in relation to social sustainability and proposes communicative strategies to handle and counter fears in urban destinations. Keywords: place image, urban destinations, branding security, social sustainability, mediatisation References Avraham, E. and Ketter, E. (2008), “Will we be safe there? Analysing strategies for altering unsafe place images”, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 196-204. Avraham, E. (2009), “Marketing and managing nation branding during prolonged crisis: The case of Israel”, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 202-212. Coaffee, J., & Rogers, P. (2008). “Reputational risk and resiliency: The branding of security in placemaking”, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 205-217. Coaffee, J., & Van Ham, P. (2008). “‘Security branding’: The role of security in marketing the city, region or state”, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 191-195. Couldry, N. and Hepp, A. (2018), “The continuing lure of the mediated centre in times of deep mediatization: Media Events and its enduring legacy”, Media, Culture & Society, Vol. 40 No. 1, pp. 114–117. Rapacioli, P. (2018), Good Sweden, Bad Sweden: The use and abuse of Swedish values in a posttruth world. Stockholm: Volante.
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| 3. |
- Cassinger, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Mediatization of terror attacks and city brand image: A study of the Stockholm attack and the ’Last Night in Sweden’ event
- 2018
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a growing interest within place branding research for how experiences of safety influence the image of the city (e.g. Coaffee and Van Ham, 2008).Previous research demonstrates that fear is socially constructed and amplified by mass media (Avraham and Ketter, 2008) and social media (Doosti et al., 2016; Jansson, 2018). The realm of media has become more complex in an era characterised as posttruth in which ”objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2016).The research aim in this paper is to examine the mechanisms of how terror attacks in urban environments are mediatized and the consequences for city image. The paper analyses two instances of terror in two Swedish cities as media events (Couldry and Hepp, 2018). The first instance concern the deadly terror attack in Stockholm, 2017, whereas the second instance refer to Donald Trump’s statement of a false terror attack in Malmo. Lefebvre’s (2004) rhythmanalysis approach is adopted to investigate rhythms of Twitter and online news flows. The study demonstrates that the mediatization of the rumored attack in Malmo had greater impact on city image than the actual one. At the time of the event, Malmo city suffered from a negative image, which made the city vulnerable to extremist and populist media narratives. The celebrity status ofTrump and circulation of exaggerated news about Sweden also created much negative publicity and attention. The ambiguity around what had happened open up aspace in which fantasies and conspiracy theories could grow. Real and imaginary elements were woven together in an almost phantasmal way. By contrast, in the Stockholm case there was no ambiguity with regards to the attack and the image of the city was relatively quickly restored.
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| 4. |
- Cassinger, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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The magic of place branding: regional brand identity in transition
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Place Management and Development. - 1753-8335. ; 10:3, s. 202-212
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the transition of a place brand identity from a cultural anthropological perspective. More specifically, the paper analyses the ritual features and magical qualities of the development process of a regional brand in Scandinavia.Design/methodology/approachThe study consists of an exploratory, longitudinal single case study of regional branding. An abductive research design was used in which the data, consisting of qualitative interviews, policy and promotional documents, were analysed with an interpretive approach.FindingsThree place branding rituals of re-naming, managing ambiguity and instilling faith are identified as central in the transition process. These practices generate different forms of magic that facilitate transition and accommodate change.Research limitations/implicationsThe study suggests that the theoretical lens of the anthropological concept of the rite of passage is useful to capture the mechanisms and practices of the transition from an old to a new place brand identity.Practical implicationsThe approach outlined in this paper is relevant for brand development and planning in that it demonstrates the ritual features and magical qualities of branding. In contrast to the linear step-by-step approach to brand planning, the study visualises brand development as overlapping phases in a process.Originality/valueThe study demonstrates the value of anthropological insights into transition rituals for understanding how change is alleviated in the development of place brands.
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| 5. |
- Cassinger, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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The mediatized tourism city under terror: Dilemmas and strategies for destination management organisations
- 2018
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The concern of this paper is with the mediatisation of tourism cities through fast circulating narratives on digital platforms in an era characterised as post-truth involving the spread of fake news and disinformation. Hence far, there is scarce knowledge on how misleading information and false rumours concerning terrorism affect the image of tourism cities. In addition, extant research studies predominately concern image in destinations, which are in a permanent state of crisis or war. Less is known of cities that are randomly subjected to terrorist attacks. The research aim in the paper is therefore to advance the knowledge of the narrative rhythm of the mediatized destination in the aftermath of an actual terror attack in contrast to a false one. A mixed-methods approach is used to examine the event trend of online search traffic, Twitter data, and news in the aftermath of the Stockholm terror attack, and President Trump’s misleading claim of a non-existing terror attack in the city of Malmö in Sweden during 2015. Emerging narratives in different stages of the course of these events were identified and analysed. In the false case a broad range of stories emerged quickly which tried to establish a dominant narrative of the city. Whereas in the real case, the emerging narratives are more condensed and related to the event. The study contributes with novel knowledge on the role played by disinformation in the mediatisation of cities. The study raises questions to the need and importance for destination management organisations to handle and respond to disinformation in false events.
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| 6. |
- Cassinger, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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The narrative rhythm of terror: : A study of the Stockholm terrorist attack and the 'Last Night in Sweden' event
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Tourism Cities. - 2056-5607. ; 4:4, s. 484-494
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the mediatisation of terror attacks affects the brand image of tourism cities.Design/methodology/approachInformed by theories of mediatisation and space, the study analyses two different types of terror attacks in Sweden during 2017 as media events. The focus of analysis is on identifying spatial and temporal patterns that underpin the narrative rhythm of the discussions of the events on Twitter and online news platforms.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that the unfolding of the events can be divided into three phases of varying intensity in rhythm and implications for city brand image. The manifestation of an imaginary terror attack in a digital environment had a greater impact on the narratives of the city than an actual one.Research limitations/implicationsRythmanalysis is introduced as a useful device to examine how urban space is mediatised through social media and online news flows.Originality/valueThe study contributes with novel knowledge on the mediatisation of city space on digital media platforms in a post-truth world. It shows that city administrations need to deal with both real and imaginary terror attacks, especially when there is an already established negative image of the city.
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| 7. |
- Cassinger, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Translating public diplomacy and nation branding in Scandinavia : An institutional approach to the Cartoon Crises
- 2016
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Ingår i: Place Branding and Public Diplomacy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1751-8040 .- 1751-8059. ; 12:3, s. 172-186
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nation branding has been criticised for leading to the homogenisation and depoliticisation of national interest and identity. This study examines the politics of nation branding in relation to its configuration with public diplomacy and the institutional policy context in which they are embedded. Informed by Scandinavian institutionalism and the analytical concept of translation, the study reveals that the way that nation branding relates to public diplomacy within an institutional context sets the frame for its politicisation. Translation enables the understanding of nation branding as a dynamic process of becoming that unfolds in relation to time and place. The research contributes to a more nuanced view on nation branding in presenting its toolbox practices as less determined by a corporate marketing logic. Despite the uniformity that allegedly characterises nation branding practices, the processes by which nation branding initiatives are implemented in Scandinavia are found to differ profoundly.
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| 8. |
- Cassinger, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Varumärke för alla
- 2015
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Ingår i: Helsingborgs Dagblad. - 1103-9388.
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)
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| 9. |
- Eksell, Jörgen, et al.
(författare)
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A Nordic perspective on supranational place branding
- 2019
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Ingår i: The Nordic wave in place branding: poetics, practices, politics. - 9781788974318 ; , s. 25-38
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The chapter concerns the supranational place branding by the Nordic countries. Earlier studies highlighlight the obstacles in supranational place branding initatives and the challanges for involved stakeholders’ to agree as geographical size and complexity increases. The branding initiative of the Nordic countries, executed by the Nordic Council of Ministers, represents a rare example of a group of nations that have agreed on a strategy. The purpose of the chapter is to develop knowledge on place branding by exploring significant antecedents and factors of the creation of the Nordic supranational place branding strategy. The analysis highlights the importance of the two-hundred years of interregional peace and established long-term political collaboration in official organs. Furthermore, the anlysis points to the significance of the heightened international interest in ‘Nordic’ culture, lifestyle, cuisine and politics. In addition, the analysis conveys a picture of a brand work that allowed the distinctive features of each country to present itself in both the supranational place branding strategy and the nation branding of the respective countries. Hence, the negotiation process and the strategy work can be characterized as productive, inclusive and pragmatic. Lastly, the study points to the importance of using a holistic perspective on the political governance context in supranational place branding initiatives including historical, cultural and societal antecedents, internal and external understanding of the countries, as well as contemporary contextual factors.
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| 10. |
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