Officially, we began work as the new full-service marketing agency for Festival Place on the 1st January.
In reality, we have been so busy getting stuck in, shaping strategy, building plans and working alongside the centre team that we have not actually paused to tell the world properly. Until now.
Following a highly competitive pitch process that attracted some of the most established agencies in the sector, Destination was appointed to lead the full spectrum of Festival Place’s marketing activity.
The appointment represents an important milestone for Destination and marks a significant step forward in our continued growth as a specialist agency working across retail, leisure and destination marketing.
From this month, Destination will take responsibility for strategic planning, brand and creative development, digital innovation, public relations and experience led campaigns designed to connect with audiences in meaningful and memorable ways.
Festival Place is already one of the most successful destinations in the South, welcoming more than 19 million visitors each year. With its mix of retail, dining, leisure and events, it plays a central role in the social and cultural life of Basingstoke, evolving far beyond the traditional idea of a shopping centre.
Our role will be to help shape and communicate a long-term vision for the destination, working closely with the Festival Place team to reflect the changing expectations of modern audiences. At the heart of this approach is a shared belief that places thrive when they prioritise community connection, creativity and experience alongside commercial performance.
Commenting on the appointment, Matt Baker, Chief Executive of Destination, said “the partnership marks a defining moment for the agency. Festival Place is a major destination with a strong sense of purpose and a loyal, diverse audience. To be entrusted with telling its story is a real honour. We have built Destination on creativity, insight and a belief in the power of meaningful experiences, and we are excited to bring that thinking to Festival Place as it enters a new phase of its journey. Festival Place sits right at the heart of Basingstoke life. Our goal is to help elevate that role, celebrate its individuality and create work that sparks conversation well beyond the town itself.”
The contract will see Destination lead the centre’s 2026 campaign programme, working in partnership with the Festival Place management team and retailer partners to deliver bold, distinctive storytelling throughout the year.
We are looking forward to what comes next.