The Helsinki brand concept is builds and strengthens the image of Helsinki both in Finland and abroad. Reputation requires more than marketing and communications, as reputation stems from many realities: actions, experiences, encounters and the true essence of the city and how it affects people.
On this page
Brand concept
The brand concept crystallises the Helsinki brand and provides answers to the following questions:
- What is our goal?
- What kind of brand do we want to be?
- What do we want our brand to be associated with?
- What do we represent?
- How does the brand behave in a consistent and recognisable manner?
What is Helsinki famous for?
The Helsinki brand cornerstones are what Helsinki is known for. The Helsinki brand exudes Helsinki's unique character and experiences, but it also underlines the city’s comprehensive framework of services and its pioneering role in solving global problems. Helsinki is:
Free
In a free and equal city all kinds of businesses and people are welcome and share are common trust in others. People in Helsinki are free to live their lives as they please and make their dreams come true.
Wildly urban
In Helsinki you have plenty of room to breathe and recharge. It’s a city of contrasts where
both the urban pulse and the serenity of nature are always just around the corner.
Extraordinary
In Helsinki you can sense the city's own original and sometimes even quirky atmosphere throughout the seasons.
Sustainable
Our strength is our determined mission to jointly achieve impactful and sustainable solutions that can benefit the whole world.
Functional
We are building a compact and smart city that is good to live in and visit, and where you can always trust that things will work smoothly.
In Helsinki, everyone has the opportunity to live a life that is as good and sustainable as possible. Here untamed nature meets urban buzz, and enthusiastic people with the freedom to express themselves can live life in a way that suits them best.
Helsinki – It's a good life
In Helsinki, we are building an even more functional city and more sustainable everyday life with collaboration, optimism and perseverance.
We are very fortunate to be:
- a place of freedom and equal opportunities, where everyone can pursue their dreams and live their life in a way that suits them..
- a place of extraordinary and delightful features that enrich our daily life and give us space to breathe and unwind..
- a place where the urban, pulsating and experience-filled city mixes with lush nature. .
What is a value proposition?
We cannot know what makes Barbara, Timo, Ashur or the 658, 797 other residents of Helsinki happy, but we can at least create a decent settings for it to happen. We are planning and developing a city where everyone can lead a good life – one that is free, safe and true to their personality. It is a place where people can make not only-but also choices instead of having to choose safe and marked by the possibility to choose this and that instead of having to make either-or choices.
The value proposition sums up the whole brand concept
- It gives direction and purpose to branding
- It inspires and crystallises the Helsinki way of life on a deeper level
- It signifies a more in-depth purpose
Use the value proposition as:
- A common thread for creative ideas
- A title or heading
- A recurring highlight in the body text
- A way to underscore your message
- As a continuum of the value proposition and brand concept, we can create a slogan or decide to use the value proposition as a slogan (at this point, we have not decided to use it as a slogan)
What is Helsinki like?
Delightful partner
We invest in, develop and inspire fruitful collaboration .
Gutsy solver
We proactively make choices that promote a more sustainable everyday life.
Bold optimist
We are a positive trailblazer with a positive attitude that is not afraid to challenges others to act boldly too.
How Helsinki speaks?
Humane
We use clear language and always takes the viewpoint of the listener onto compassionate consideration.
Open
The way we talk is honest and transparent, which makes us easy to connect with.
Surprising
Our colourful and diverse way of living and our the love for our hometown is often made apparent in the way we express ourselves.
Presentation video of the Helsinki brand concept
Familiarise yourself with the City of Helsinki’s updated brand concept and use it to support your work. Helsinki’s brand concept brings together the kinds of images we want to be associated with the city, alongside the features of the city we wish to highlight. The video presents the value promise and cornerstones of the Helsinki brand, the Helsinki brand identity and the Helsinki tone of voice.
The video is subtitled in English.
