Folkestone and Hythe

Redefining Place: Folkestone & Hythe

Folkestone & Hythe District Council wanted to build upon established perceptions of the district as a coastal destination and reveal a place defined by its full breadth and contrast – a vibrant blend of coast and countryside, culture and creativity, food and drink, heritage and contemporary living. The ambition was to build a narrative that celebrated the district as a place to live, work, visit and invest, and to do so in a way that felt authentic to the people who call it home.

From this foundation emerged the unifying idea of “extraordinary” – a simple but powerful concept that captured the district’s variety and energy. A place where coastline meets countryside, where creativity sits alongside heritage, and where everyday life is shaped by unexpected moments of discovery. This idea became the anchor for a new place brand and visual identity, designed to flex according to use and to be able to be applied to the whole district – Folkestone, Hythe, Romney Marsh and wider.
A clear set of messaging pillars – Live, Work, Visit, Invest – provided structure without limiting storytelling.

To bring the brand to life, an integrated marketing campaign incorporated PR, digital, content, search, OOH media and events. A creative assets toolkit – including logos, video assets, social content and press-ready materials – was produced to ensure the brand could be confidently applied by the council and its partners.

The brand launched at a high-profile event in central London. Set against the backdrop of the high-speed rail link, the launch positioned Folkestone & Hythe within a wider narrative of modern lifestyle choice, where you can access London with ease while enjoying coast, nature, culture and community on your doorstep.
Since the place brand’s creation, it has been successfully applied across various campaigns, including large scale graphics on one of the town centre’s most recognisable buildings, and a campaign to rebuild visitor confidence post-pandemic.

Two shoulder-season tourism campaigns

Most recently we have delivered two shoulder-season tourism campaigns in 2025 and 2026, designed to extend visitation beyond peak summer months and position the district as a year-round destination. Working closely with local tourism businesses, the campaigns were shaped by real insight into visitor behaviour and seasonal motivations, and rolled out across digital, print, OOH and paid social channels.