NOW MORE THAN EVER

Memphis Brand stands at the front line. Every day, we work to make sure that Memphis’ story is told in contemporary, positive ways that attract talent, drive investment and boost civic pride.

It takes soul to find a rhythm all your own

…to give more than you take, and to change the world around you. It takes soul to be a Memphian. We are a city of doers, dreamers and believers. That’s what drives this unstoppable city. For those who change the world – welcome home.

We are Memphis.
Welcome to our city of soul. Don’t forget to bring yours.

#BRINGYOURSOUL

WE ARE MEMPHIS

Memphis Brand believes in the power of catalytic positive change that exists at the intersection of mission and marketing. Through our efforts, we are generating massive visibility, energy, and investment into our community, positively impacting issues and ecosystems at scale.

1. FUTURE FOCUSED

Memphis Brand is focused on the future with the uncompromising belief that our greatest strength is diversity of people and ideas, creating the next great epicenter of innovation, culture and creativity.

2. OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

Memphis Brand is creating direct pipelines for opportunities centered on jobs, entrepreneurship, community and culture.

3. POWERING A MOVEMENT

Memphis Brand is accelerating change by breaking down barriers, shining the spotlight on success, and putting the power with the people to build a community that works better together.

My City My Soul Billboard in Memphis

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

Our work is more important than ever, and the Memphis Brand team has been delivering:

  • In 2024 we generated massive, positive visibility to Memphis with over one billion media impressions worth $9.5 million in ad value equivalent from our PR efforts including stories in Forbes, Fast Company and The Kelly Clarkson Show among others.
  • Since 2017, we’ve garnered a total of 6.8 billion PR impressions and $100 million in ad value!
  • Through strategic digital marketing, our positive Memphis content reached nearly 75 million in 2024.
  • WeAreMemphis.com recorded one million sessions and is being visited by people in all fifty states and beyond.
  • Memphis Brand continues to cultivate the largest pro-Memphis social community and email list with a combined reach of well over half a million individuals.
  • In 2024 we participated in over 20 community events signing up 1,500 Memphis ambassadors and growing our social following by thousands.

2024 COVERAGE HIGHLIGHTS

LONG TERM IMPACT

Branding is a long-term endeavor. Memphis Brand ensures our reputation is always advancing, evolving and growing stronger. See the results from our 2024 study vs 2017: 

MEMPHIS

  • Residents’ belief that Memphis is, or is becoming, a great place to live and work is up 10 percentage points.
  • Memphians describing the tone of information they hear about Memphis as negative is down 13 percentage points.
  • 80% of Memphians agree we are a city that has “soul” – up 16 percentage points.

TARGET MARKETS

In our target markets of New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and San Franscisco, we have seen remarkable gains for Memphis since 2019.

  • Familiarity is up 16 percentage points.  
  • Favorability is up 22 points, with new all-time highs in New York and Chicago.  
  • Positive information heard about Memphis is up 13 points.  
  • People agree Memphis is a city that has soul up 21 points.  

NATIONAL

Nationally Memphis is winning, especially with Millennial and African American audiences.

  • 60% of the National Audience feel “Highly Favorable” or “Favorable” toward Memphis, up 14% points since Oct 2020. 33% our “Neutral” in our latest study meaning only 7% of the national audience has a negative option of Memphis.
  • 66% of national Millennial respondents feel “Highly Favorable” or “Favorable” toward Memphis, up 28% points since Oct 2020.
  • 70% of Millennial respondents find Memphis “Extremely Appealing” or “Very Appealing” for the creative class – up 27% points since Oct 2020.
  • Three-quarters (77%) of National Respondents “Agree” or “Strongly Agree” that Memphis is a city that has soul, up 12% points since Oct 2020.

THANK YOU

Like Memphis, we are just getting started! Our movement to create positive change doesn’t happen without you. Together we have grown a powerful engine for talent recruitment and retention, economic development, community investment and civic pride. Together, #WeAreMemphis.

Sincerely,
David French
President and Chief Marketing Officer 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Chair: Jenny Robertson, SVP Global Brand & Communications, FedEx
  • Vice-Chair: Mauricio Calvo, President, Latino Memphis
  • Treasurer: Spence Wilson Jr., Principal, Kemmons Wilson Companies
  • Secretary: Blair Taylor, President, Memphis Tomorrow
  • President: David French, CMO, Memphis Brand
  • Chandell Ryan, President, Downtown Memphis Commission
  • Erin Pryor, Chief Marketing Officer, First Horizon
  • Jason Wexler, Team President, Memphis Grizzlies
  • John Carroll, President, City Leadership
  • Kevin Kane, President, Memphis Tourism
  • Kyle Veazey, Chief of Staff, ALSAC, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
  • Lee Harris, Mayor, Shelby County Mayor (nonvoting)
  • Michele Ehrhart, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, University of Memphis
  • Paul Young, Mayor, City of Memphis (nonvoting)
  • Ted Townsend, President, Greater Memphis Chamber
  • Teresa Sloyan, President, Hyde Family Foundation