How did the discussion to marry Places for Us and Bloom Consulting come about?

Jose:

This has been a long process, in a good way. We discussed how we each work and how we think. Since our first meeting, we have met in several different parts of the world to make this happen. We would eventually meet up again at City Nation Place LatAm (1st Edition) in Costa Rica where we were both partners. Since then, we have gone over our companies and their methodologies with the most important part being our personal relationships. The reason we’re here is because we both realized that we share the same values, as people. It’s probably one of the most important factors for potential partners. This was the foundation for our relationship. 

Caio:

We decided to work together before really seeing how the other one worked, or how the other’s company worked. We dated for a long time. You’re right in saying that the personal aspect was more important for us than the professional one. That said, we of course knew that each other’s company was reliable and had a good reputation. The personal side of things was crucial though. 

Jose:

Exactly, we’re in this for a long time together now and need to work on a basis of shared values. This goes for how we see Place Branding, Nation Branding and Placemaking as well as where we see them in the future. 

Caio:

We were so thrilled to finally be able to meet everyone in person (Places for Us and Bloom Consulting) before the official marriage. It was a huge boost of value added to the strong base of our relationship. 

Why was it important to bring Placemaking into the current offer at Bloom Consulting?

Jose: 

I think it’s important to highlight the expertise. The two companies bring with them different expertise and have different backgrounds. Bloom Consulting has some of the most experience in Nation Branding in the world and Places for Us is one the most experienced (if not the most experienced) in Placemaking with an infusion of Place Branding. However, we find our common ground in Place Branding. It’s extremely important for Bloom Consulting (as a whole, with Places for Us) to expand our offer of Place Branding to a more comprehensive one, especially for cities, regions, and physical places in general.

Caio: 

Indeed, public and private sectors, everybody can benefit from an integrated approach to Placemaking and Place Branding as we would define it. 

Jose: 

Especially for cities, regions, and real estate development, from a Bloom Consulting standpoint, we did not have this before. We like to see the connection between Place Branding and Placemaking in the physical space which can be felt and experienced. Before, we were more focused on the policy side of things, but it’s important for us to be able to offer this to cities as we mentioned.

Caio: 

Nations too! They have the power to decide and implement a Placemaking initiative to enhance a “place” whether city, region or development. This can be done for the purpose of- or in support of a Nation Branding strategy. Key places within a country can influence the Nation Brand and within those spaces we can see Placemaking as a necessary project. 

Will Placemaking be an additional service offered or incorporated into the current Bloom Consulting methodology? 

Jose: 

This is a new service which will be offered and incorporated from the Places for Us methodology. Caio will be at the head of all Placemaking projects. The logic is that we’re now an integrated team and family and the richness that we have to offer our clients is our interconnectedness. We don’t and won’t work in silos. Everyone will be involved, bringing more knowledge to what we already have to offer. 

Caio: 

Since we have offices in different parts of the world, and as Jose said, we don’t work in silos but rather a united team, we bring different ideas and added value for each client. It’s important to note that just because we’re based in Brazil does not mean we only work in Brazil. We’re an international team from across the world, this a major strength. 

Jose: 

Exactly, this is not a regional office. This is a global office, bringing expertise to not just local clients, but all clients. The client is really the who is gaining the most from this merger. 

What will be your first project to put this new offer to the test?

Jose: 

We were the selected consultancy by our client, Fidelidade, to develop one of the most important upcoming Placemaking projects in Portugal. Fidelidade is one of the oldest insurance companies in Europe, of which the international group, Fosun, is a major shareholder. The focus of the project will be a mixed-use real estate project with Souto de Moura and Siza Vieira, both of whom have won Pritzker Architecture Prizes. 

Anything else you’d like to add?

Jose: 

It’s going to be fun! The new services and applied innovation will all be visible in the first quarter of 2021. 

Caio: 

Bloom Consulting saw in us our expertise in Placemaking, but we’re also bringing our unique knowledge of Place Branding. Some might ask why two Place Branding companies would merge. For us, Bloom Consulting has more experience in Nation Branding than any other. The importance of Placemaking in a Nation Branding strategy is becoming even more fundamental. It’s key for us to bring these two aspects together on a global scale with a focus on the human element.

Jose: 

Expertise in the Brazilian market is a big deal too. Brazil is a big country with big cities and big challenges (like all places). Sau Paulo for example is the 4th biggest city in the world according to the U.N., so it makes sense that Places for Us come from there. From new to existing developments, we both have a lot offer. 

Let’s do this!