Business environment in Nashville
Nashville’s rapid growth and diverse economy make it a prime secondary market for business. With a daily population increase of 86 in 2023 and headquarters like HCA, Nissan, VUMC, Amazon, and TikTok, it showcases a strong mix of sectors. The hospitality industry, worth $9.2 billion, highlights its economic vitality, supporting 70,000 jobs. Nashville’s business-friendly climate, absence of state income tax, and support for entrepreneurs, especially women, contribute to its attractiveness as a hub for growth and innovation.
Nashville, Tennesse | By Tanner Boriack – Unsplash
Communications, media and PR market in Nashville
Nashville’s PR market is vibrant and growing, reflecting the city’s broader economic expansion and its status as a cultural and business hub. The presence of major industries such as healthcare, music, technology and hospitality allows rich opportunities for partnerships, and Nashville’s unique cultural identity, especially its deep roots in the music industry, offers distinctive opportunities for PR professionals to work on diverse projects, from corporate communications and crisis management to brand building and event promotion. The city’s growth attracts talent and new businesses, making it a competitive but dynamic environment for PR agencies.
Key expertise of REED Public Relations
1. Media & Influencer Relations
2. Marketing Strategy
3. Thought Leadership
4. Brand Filters & Identity
5. Event Management
Top 3 advice for companies navigating the communications environment in Nashville
1. Understand the cultural and political dynamics of the city, which is often called ‘a blue dot in a red state.’
Nashville’s progressive politics stand out in a largely conservative state, and it’s imperative to pay close attention to current events, lawmakers’ priorities and the ways that local and state elections affect business dealings. In Tennessee, church and state decidedly have little separation. While not all business is political, local politics play a large part in local communications.
2. Learn Nashville’s rich history and watch where the city is headed.
Before there was Music City, there was the Athens of the South. Nashville is a city rich with culture and historical relevance. With the unprecedented increase in business, population and development over the past two decades, it is crucial to learn where Nashville has been to see where it is going.
3. Research the local media landscape and limited coverage bandwidth.
We are fortunate to have many career journalists in Nashville with decades of contextual knowledge and solid reporting under their belts. Relationships are crucial when seeking out valuable earned media coverage, and taking the time to learn media outlets and reporters will be invaluable.
Most influential media for consumer communication in Nashville
- Tennessean – Greater Nashville’s major daily
- Nashville Scene – Nashville’s alt-weekly
- Nashville Guru – An online guide to the city’s best events, happy hours, restaurants, bars, shops and more
- WKRN, WSMV, NewsChannel 5 and Fox 17 – Four major greater Nashville broadcast stations
- Nashville Lifestyles – Monthly glossy magazine dedicated to restaurants, events, style and entertainment in the greater Nashville area
Most influential media for corporate communications in Nashville
- Nashville Business Journal – Nashville’s weekly print and online business outlet
- Nashville Post – An online and quarterly print news service covering business, politics and sports in the Nashville metropolitan area
- Tennessean – Tennessee’s major daily
- Greater Nashville broadcast stations: WKRN, WSMV, NewsChannel 5 and Fox 17
- Nashville Banner – Nashville’s locally owned, community-supported civic news organization
Most important international events in Tennessee in 2024
CMA Fest and Bonnaroo – Back-to-back annual summer music festivals that garner more than 170,000 locals and visitors alike annually; CMA Fest began in 1972 and Bonnaroo began in 2002.
Professional sports – Nashville’s growing professional sports presence is punctuated by the hosting of the annual SEC tournament, the premiere of the city’s Nashville Soccer Club and GEODIS Field, and the upcoming construction of a new, state-of-the-art NFL stadium for the Tennessee Titans.
Steeplechase – A long celebrated annual horse race and fundraiser, Steeplechase is the nation’s oldest, continuously run steeplechasing event, drawing in over 25,000 on race day.