**Jasper Eshuis is Associate Professor of Public Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam.** Jasper Eshuis graduated from Wageningen University, where he also completed his PhD research on trust and control in relationships between the farmers and the state. In 2006 Jasper moved to the Department of Public Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam. He currently conducts research on branding and marketing in the public sector, especially place branding. He also researches the governance processes in urban developments, with a special interest in stakeholder participation and self-governance through citizen initiatives. Jasper has published over 20 articles in journals such as Public Administration Review, Public Administration, Urban Studies, and Cities. He has conducted commissioned research for a variety of public organizations, including ministries, municipalities, and regional authorities.