web02.fireside.fm Sun, 19 Apr 2026 05:31:54 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Regional Branding” https://podcast.econdevshow.com/tags/regional%20branding Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson explores the strategies, ideas, and insights that are driving economic development forward into the future. You'll hear new insights from passionate ED's about their successes and struggles, and you'll learn from attraction and retention experts about how to apply actionable strategies inside your EDO. We'll help take your organization, your community, and your career to the next level. en-us episodic Actionable economic development strategies and stories Dane Carlson Dane Carlson explores the strategies, ideas, and insights that are driving economic development forward into the future. You'll hear new insights from passionate ED's about their successes and struggles, and you'll learn from attraction and retention experts about how to apply actionable strategies inside your EDO. We'll help take your organization, your community, and your career to the next level. no econ dev, economic development, ed Dane Carlson show@econdevshow.com 211: How Video is Changing Economic Development Marketing with Lyndsay Wisneski https://podcast.econdevshow.com/211 3057fd9f-316c-4e49-9377-336b7d05f548 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 211 How Video is Changing Economic Development Marketing with Lyndsay Wisneski full Dane Carlson A conversation about how economic developers can use storytelling, film, and targeted digital marketing to attract companies and build pride in their community. 31:25 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Lyndsay Wisneski, Chief Marketing Officer of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, about how storytelling and modern marketing strategies can transform economic development. Lyndsay shares how Yuma built a powerful regional brand through industry-focused mini-documentaries, digital advertising campaigns, and a coordinated content strategy that turns a single video project into years of marketing assets. She explains how even small communities can market themselves effectively by highlighting local companies, repurposing content across platforms, and tracking real marketing ROI. The conversation explores why economic development should focus less on static statistics and more on authentic stories that help companies, site selectors, and residents connect emotionally with a place. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/). 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Let companies tell your story. Interviews with CEOs and business leaders are more persuasive than marketing copy. Create industry-focused content that explains why companies in each sector succeed in your region. Turn one project into many assets: long videos, short clips, photos, reports, and social media content. Use short video ads to drive viewers to longer storytelling pieces on your website or YouTube. Track website visitors and identify companies researching your region. Send periodic industry-specific newsletters highlighting local expansions, infrastructure, and investment. Use LinkedIn and targeted digital ads to stay visible to site selectors and executives. Repurpose marketing content across guides, one-pagers, websites, and presentations. Hire local creative talent who can update or expand your content over time. Apply for marketing awards to boost credibility and morale inside your organization and community. Special Guest: Lyndsay Wisneski. econdev, economic development, eco devo, economic development marketing, place branding, Yuma Arizona, storytelling marketing, regional branding, site selectors, digital advertising, community marketing, industry attraction, economic development strategy In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Lyndsay Wisneski, Chief Marketing Officer of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, about how storytelling and modern marketing strategies can transform economic development. Lyndsay shares how Yuma built a powerful regional brand through industry-focused mini-documentaries, digital advertising campaigns, and a coordinated content strategy that turns a single video project into years of marketing assets. She explains how even small communities can market themselves effectively by highlighting local companies, repurposing content across platforms, and tracking real marketing ROI. The conversation explores why economic development should focus less on static statistics and more on authentic stories that help companies, site selectors, and residents connect emotionally with a place.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here.

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Let companies tell your story. Interviews with CEOs and business leaders are more persuasive than marketing copy.
  2. Create industry-focused content that explains why companies in each sector succeed in your region.
  3. Turn one project into many assets: long videos, short clips, photos, reports, and social media content.
  4. Use short video ads to drive viewers to longer storytelling pieces on your website or YouTube.
  5. Track website visitors and identify companies researching your region.
  6. Send periodic industry-specific newsletters highlighting local expansions, infrastructure, and investment.
  7. Use LinkedIn and targeted digital ads to stay visible to site selectors and executives.
  8. Repurpose marketing content across guides, one-pagers, websites, and presentations.
  9. Hire local creative talent who can update or expand your content over time.
  10. Apply for marketing awards to boost credibility and morale inside your organization and community.

Special Guest: Lyndsay Wisneski.

Sponsored By:

Links:

  • Lyndsay Wisneski | LinkedIn
  • GYEDC - YouTube
  • Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation
  • Yuma Industry Guide
  • Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation: Linkedin
  • Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger — "In this book, Berger breaks down the science behind why some ideas, products, and stories spread widely while others fade into obscurity. Rather than leaving “virality” to chance or big advertising budgets, he identifies six key principles; Social Currency, Triggers, Emotion, Public, Practical Value, and Stories, that help explain why people share what they share and how marketers can intentionally craft content that spreads. What made Contagious particularly influential to me is how it reframes marketing from broadcasting messages to creating content and experiences that people want to talk about and can’t help sharing with others. It’s taught me that effective marketing isn’t just creative, it is rooted in understanding human psychology, what motivates people to share, and how to design campaigns that become part of everyday conversations, not just interruptions."
]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Lyndsay Wisneski, Chief Marketing Officer of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, about how storytelling and modern marketing strategies can transform economic development. Lyndsay shares how Yuma built a powerful regional brand through industry-focused mini-documentaries, digital advertising campaigns, and a coordinated content strategy that turns a single video project into years of marketing assets. She explains how even small communities can market themselves effectively by highlighting local companies, repurposing content across platforms, and tracking real marketing ROI. The conversation explores why economic development should focus less on static statistics and more on authentic stories that help companies, site selectors, and residents connect emotionally with a place.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here.

10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Let companies tell your story. Interviews with CEOs and business leaders are more persuasive than marketing copy.
  2. Create industry-focused content that explains why companies in each sector succeed in your region.
  3. Turn one project into many assets: long videos, short clips, photos, reports, and social media content.
  4. Use short video ads to drive viewers to longer storytelling pieces on your website or YouTube.
  5. Track website visitors and identify companies researching your region.
  6. Send periodic industry-specific newsletters highlighting local expansions, infrastructure, and investment.
  7. Use LinkedIn and targeted digital ads to stay visible to site selectors and executives.
  8. Repurpose marketing content across guides, one-pagers, websites, and presentations.
  9. Hire local creative talent who can update or expand your content over time.
  10. Apply for marketing awards to boost credibility and morale inside your organization and community.

Special Guest: Lyndsay Wisneski.

Sponsored By:

Links:

  • Lyndsay Wisneski | LinkedIn
  • GYEDC - YouTube
  • Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation
  • Yuma Industry Guide
  • Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation: Linkedin
  • Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger — "In this book, Berger breaks down the science behind why some ideas, products, and stories spread widely while others fade into obscurity. Rather than leaving “virality” to chance or big advertising budgets, he identifies six key principles; Social Currency, Triggers, Emotion, Public, Practical Value, and Stories, that help explain why people share what they share and how marketers can intentionally craft content that spreads. What made Contagious particularly influential to me is how it reframes marketing from broadcasting messages to creating content and experiences that people want to talk about and can’t help sharing with others. It’s taught me that effective marketing isn’t just creative, it is rooted in understanding human psychology, what motivates people to share, and how to design campaigns that become part of everyday conversations, not just interruptions."
]]> 174: Building a Regional Brand: Kansas City's Marketing Success with Jonathan Knecht https://podcast.econdevshow.com/174 e88ae6dd-54b1-4fab-96d0-738366ca6f90 Mon, 19 May 2025 00:15:00 -0500 Dane Carlson 174 Building a Regional Brand: Kansas City's Marketing Success with Jonathan Knecht full Dane Carlson Jonathan Knecht shares insights on marketing Kansas City to businesses and talent through collaborative regional branding strategies and industry-specific initiatives that highlight the region's unique advantages. 31:24 no In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson interviews Jonathan Knecht, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services at the Kansas City Area Development Council, who reveals how his team markets the greater Kansas City region to attract business investment and talent. Jonathan, a self-described "refugee from advertising" who's been with the organization for 21 years, discusses their collaborative approach to regional branding centered around the iconic KC Heart logo, their focus on key industry sectors like digital health and sports architecture, and how Kansas City's central location, affordability, and quality of life create competitive advantages. He also shares insights on building consensus across state lines and how their in-house creative agency supports economic development efforts throughout the region. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Consider adopting organically popular community symbols rather than creating new brands from scratch to ensure authenticity and community buy-in. Build collaborative relationships across political boundaries to present a unified front when pursuing major projects and investments. Leverage your region's unique industry clusters (like KC's sports architecture) to create compelling specialization stories for targeted marketing. Create an in-house creative agency to support marketing needs across your region, especially for partners with limited budgets. Develop talent attraction initiatives like KC's "Team KC" that connect employers and equip them with shared marketing resources. Create specialized content for different audiences, such as belonging guides for various cultural communities, to support talent recruitment efforts. Focus on tracking meaningful metrics tied to actual business attraction and expansion results rather than just marketing activities. Identify and promote quality of life advantages such as central location, cost of living, and cultural amenities as competitive differentiators. Establish sector-specific initiatives (like KC's Digital Health and Animal Health Corridor) to target industries where your region has competitive advantages. End counter-productive incentive competitions between neighboring communities to better focus resources on attracting new businesses to the region. Special Guest: Jonathan Knecht. econdev, economic development, eco devo, regional branding, economic development marketing, KC Heart logo, collaborative development, talent attraction, place marketing, industry targeting, cross-border collaboration, in-house agency, authentic storytelling In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson interviews Jonathan Knecht, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services at the Kansas City Area Development Council, who reveals how his team markets the greater Kansas City region to attract business investment and talent. Jonathan, a self-described "refugee from advertising" who's been with the organization for 21 years, discusses their collaborative approach to regional branding centered around the iconic KC Heart logo, their focus on key industry sectors like digital health and sports architecture, and how Kansas City's central location, affordability, and quality of life create competitive advantages. He also shares insights on building consensus across state lines and how their in-house creative agency supports economic development efforts throughout the region.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Consider adopting organically popular community symbols rather than creating new brands from scratch to ensure authenticity and community buy-in.
  2. Build collaborative relationships across political boundaries to present a unified front when pursuing major projects and investments.
  3. Leverage your region's unique industry clusters (like KC's sports architecture) to create compelling specialization stories for targeted marketing.
  4. Create an in-house creative agency to support marketing needs across your region, especially for partners with limited budgets.
  5. Develop talent attraction initiatives like KC's "Team KC" that connect employers and equip them with shared marketing resources.
  6. Create specialized content for different audiences, such as belonging guides for various cultural communities, to support talent recruitment efforts.
  7. Focus on tracking meaningful metrics tied to actual business attraction and expansion results rather than just marketing activities.
  8. Identify and promote quality of life advantages such as central location, cost of living, and cultural amenities as competitive differentiators.
  9. Establish sector-specific initiatives (like KC's Digital Health and Animal Health Corridor) to target industries where your region has competitive advantages.
  10. End counter-productive incentive competitions between neighboring communities to better focus resources on attracting new businesses to the region.

Special Guest: Jonathan Knecht.

Sponsored By:

Links:

]]> In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson interviews Jonathan Knecht, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services at the Kansas City Area Development Council, who reveals how his team markets the greater Kansas City region to attract business investment and talent. Jonathan, a self-described "refugee from advertising" who's been with the organization for 21 years, discusses their collaborative approach to regional branding centered around the iconic KC Heart logo, their focus on key industry sectors like digital health and sports architecture, and how Kansas City's central location, affordability, and quality of life create competitive advantages. He also shares insights on building consensus across state lines and how their in-house creative agency supports economic development efforts throughout the region.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Consider adopting organically popular community symbols rather than creating new brands from scratch to ensure authenticity and community buy-in.
  2. Build collaborative relationships across political boundaries to present a unified front when pursuing major projects and investments.
  3. Leverage your region's unique industry clusters (like KC's sports architecture) to create compelling specialization stories for targeted marketing.
  4. Create an in-house creative agency to support marketing needs across your region, especially for partners with limited budgets.
  5. Develop talent attraction initiatives like KC's "Team KC" that connect employers and equip them with shared marketing resources.
  6. Create specialized content for different audiences, such as belonging guides for various cultural communities, to support talent recruitment efforts.
  7. Focus on tracking meaningful metrics tied to actual business attraction and expansion results rather than just marketing activities.
  8. Identify and promote quality of life advantages such as central location, cost of living, and cultural amenities as competitive differentiators.
  9. Establish sector-specific initiatives (like KC's Digital Health and Animal Health Corridor) to target industries where your region has competitive advantages.
  10. End counter-productive incentive competitions between neighboring communities to better focus resources on attracting new businesses to the region.

Special Guest: Jonathan Knecht.

Sponsored By:

Links:

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