Medway Council has launched the search for a partner agency to work with it and local partners in the creation of a place branding and marketing strategy designed to put Medway on the map.

One of the largest urban areas in the south east outside London, Medway is pairing its rich heritage with a multimillion pound investment story of growth and regeneration to create a compelling success story for the future. The council, working with local partners, has set out a bold 20-year regeneration programme designed to turn Medway into a waterfront university city, with a thriving economic growth and sustainable communities. It is keen to capitalise on the potential to raise awareness of the great opportunities the area offers for people to live, work visit and learn.

The project coincides with the approaching 20th anniversary of the founding of Medway Council in 1998. It provides the ideal time now to promote the achievements and enormous progress made so far and to communicate the message for our vision and ambition for the next 20 years. This is an excellent opportunity to promote the area and its compelling, unique advantages through an innovative, asset based, partnership approach to place marketing.

The partner agency will be asked to create a place branding and marketing approach for Medway to position and promote the area and its compelling, unique advantages through an innovative, asset based, partnership approach to place marketing. This should aim to increased local business, jobs, economic growth, students and Medway residents. They will also be charged with helping to bring together stakeholder groups across Medway to form an effective partnership to promote the area jointly and design a co-ordinated campaign across all media, using a range of communication and marketing channels.

Commenting on the commission, council leader Cllr Alan Jarrett says, “The development of Medway has been a huge success story over the past 20 years and now it’s time to ensure that people know what Medway has to offer and about our ambitious plans for the future.”

“At the heart of economic growth is the need to tell a powerful, compelling, authentic story that draws in and builds the assets of the areas we are championing and connects them with the audiences we are seeking. This is an exciting commission offering the opportunity to shape and set out the brand story for Medway for the next 20 years and we’re looking forward to working with a partner agency who will help us put Medway on the map.”

The Invitation to Quote is available on the Kent Business Portal and closes on 27 September.