In May 26, 2016 I published justestonishing.com, through Estonian startup community website memokraat.ee, as a pro bono and open source nation branding & marketing proposal for Estonia. It was well received and truly loved by the Estonian general public. I had worked for two years on the proposal and researched the concept in depth. The public release created quite a stir in Estonian media. And with effect: I was awarded by EPRA the title 'Public Relations Manager of 2016'. To be followed by the formal acceptation of the EST-concept by EIS / Enterprise Estonia: as of 2018 the EST-concept has been officially included in the nation branding toolkit of Estonia.
Because of its open source nature, the EST-concept has been implemented widely, until this day. By the general public as well as Estonian companies, agencies and designers. This shows the true power of an open source and co-created brand. All of the examples shown below are co-created by Estonian community of designers, fans and fanatics. The use cases that are designed by me, marked by the asterisk*, listed from newest to oldest below.

Besuche fESTand is the 2026 campaign theme of Visit Estonia to target the German touristic market. The campaign targets audiences in Berlin, Düsseldorf and Hamburg, inspiring them to discover Estonia.

The Estonian Health insurance fund of 1.2 million customers Tervisekassa has named it's aient magazine tervisest.

Martin Liiv during world cup ice skating sprint in march 2026 in Thialf, Heerenveen in The Netherlands.

Tallink Grupp is the leading European provider of leisure and business travel and sea transportation services in the Baltic Sea region. Their slogan is 'The nicest way' in all campaigns for travel and hotel services.

Estonian supporters for Kristjan Lives at the 2026 Olympic games in Milano Cortina.

Association of Estonian Marine Industries uses EST at maritime event in RAI, Amsterdam event Metstrade. On the left my Estonian ambassador in The Netherlands Paul Teesalu and on the right my Dutch honorary consul colleague Nick van de Griend.

Just ESTonishing t-shirt, created by Martin Lazarev, proudly worn by Investor Toomas - in person editor-in-Chief of Äripäev Meelis Mandel - interviewed LHV founder and investor Rain Lõhmus in true EST style.

On March 6, HispafEST, the first edition of a festival, dedicated to Spanish language and culture, is at the National Library of Estonia in Tallinn.

VOK is a 4-wheeled cargo eBike with automotive-grade reliability. Using EST-concept to the max! What the VOK!

EIS uses the EST-concept in their public presentations. Here is former EIS speaker Carl-Ruuben Soolep on stage at Veriff Global Summer Week 2025 in Tallinn.

Lift99 in Tallinn made this statement to support EST-concept and the impact to Estonia. I visited 'my door' in 2025. Lift99 uses VR, made by Matterport to visit the spaces of the Tallinn hub in virtual reality. Check it out:  

Estonian Society for the Protection of Animals has also created est-related merchandising to show support for the good cause: the protection of animals. 

Tallinn Digital Summit 2025 is a global leadership forum hosted by the Prime Minister of Estonia welcoming the BrightEST stars of digital society.

Reeperbahn Festival promises a compelling deep dive into the ESTonishing talent pool during Tallinn Music Week.

The Aino typeface is finally improved by EIS. So it stands out much better against dark or busy backgrounds. This is the launch campaign imagery.

EIS, Enterprise Estonia, used the EST-concept on LinkedIn in their Estonian Independence celebration post. 

Brand Estonia merchandising using EST examples 

Merchandising of EST is popular, the t-shirts with Madis Ost's rabbit are the bEST!

Estonian residents will have the opportunity to purchase two-year government bonds. This is the presentation.

Latitude59 is the flagship startup and tech event of the world’s first digital society.

Visit Estonia commissioned this EST-campaign aimed at German market during OktoberFest by creating the Estonian OktoberEst. And won Golden Egg award: https://defolio.com/kuldmuna/2024-oktoberest

ComparEST is an Estonian online government tool to compare virtues of Estonian ecosystem to other countries. 

The theme of the Invest Estonia's presentation at Latitude59 was a muse like a digital forEST. 

Estonianworld publication organised an election debate edition of its ESTonishing Evenings event in Tallinn.

The newsletter of e-Estonia is called 'the digEST' and is shown here wit edition #26.

Events in ESTonia kalender by visitestonia.com 

EST-concept used in tourism campaign by Enterprise Estonia. 

Festheart is a LGBT+ filmfestival in Tartu and Rakvere, Estonia. 

Invest in Estonia launched a talk show called invEST insights including a VR kit labelled Astonishing Experience: 

Digital discussion on cybersecurity and and live presentation of e-services. Presentations with EST all over and done by Annett Numa. 

Estonishing soda water made from Estonian recycled Christmas trees from Saaremaa made by Lahhentagge.

They made headlines with their design and name on Euronews:

EST made it to the cover of Life in Estonia magazine #2/2020 published by EAS with story about Education nation.

'Enjoying the safEST interactions' at Latitude59 startup event in Tallinn visitor face mask worn by Margot Roose on the left
Anett Numa, digital transformation adviser at E-Estonia wears het 'SafEST services are digital' face mask in true Eesti style!

EAS, Enterprise Estonia tourism board team started this Facebook profile picture campaign: safest at home. 

Safety protocol communication panels with safEST during Rally Estonia in 2021.

EAS, Enterprise Estonia, published this "Simply the EST" (the tagline created by Shardee Rebas) video, with EST standing out in bold typeface, for tourism promotion of Estonia.

The accompanying video made by Enterprise Estonia, ice video shot by Shardee Rebas. 


Estonia is known and recognized worldwide as a successful and innovative e-state. Educationnation.ee uses EST for the Youtube campaign: 'For the smartEST people in the world.*I made this one in German and English:

At the Dubai Expo in 2020 EAS used the EST-concept in its public presentation 

Tartu, the second-largest city of Estonia, is known as a smart city. Discussion on October 14th in the smartEST city.

To celebrate to Estonian food culture and its achievements, I made this hommage.*

In this collage an overview of the 2019 top Estonian achievements are represented.*

Estonishing Stay hotel is totally on brand and in line with EST-concept. And obviously a great place to stay.

Social media and promotion campaign of Tallinn Airport using EST-concept.

  An ‘estonishing’ TED talk from The Netherlands. My proud TEDtalk about my pro bono nation branding adventure from start to finish I presented at TEDxSittardGeleen: https://youtu.be/S0SHIV4fOBw

EAS opened an office in New York by a speech of then prime minister of Estonia Jüri Ratas.

Celebrating 30 years of Investinestonia.com with great suitcase design!

GreenEST Summit: the largest greentech event in the Nordic region, organised by Tehnopol.

JCI Team Estonia, Tallinn having fun in India with EST-concept used in their dresses, also intensively used in the Estonian JCI conference and as a theme throughout!

JCI Estonia uses the EST-concept for the promotion of Global JCI conference in Tallinn with Facebook word frame.

*Tartu was awarded the title European Capital of Cultural as a city for 2024. I created this EST-use case,   

bEST poll result ever! Postimees asked its readers on their opinion of EST branding proposal:
95% said YES and more than 10.500 people participated. Wow, this was the original Gallup poll:

Wonderful fanmail was sent to peter@kentie.com from Estonians who were touched by the pro bono proposal.

The film documentary festival estdocs in Toronto, Canada

Samsung Estonia made various 'EST based' ads and live presentation during Tallinn Film Festival.

The Estonian start-up scene adopted the -est concept and played with it, check this Clanbeat party:
In this video presentation the case of Estonia is presented in relation to general place branding and marketing theory and the city of Eindhoven inspiration case for EST-concept, Presented and filmed in Riga, Latvia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxPC1yZh_sg 

To bring the official Estonian brand to live, the EST-concept offers unlimited opportunities.               

On the website of Brand Estonia the 'est-concept' is officially listed with examples.

In new brand Estonia the 'est' concept is incorporated in the official toolbox.

Multi-lingual presentations of Estonian digital state use EST-concept in their PowerPoint sheets. 

Estonian sweetest honey as official gift from the busiest bees,

Freshest destination toothbrush as seen in brand.estonia.ee/look

Kafo.ee uses est concept to promote their coffee.

Kalev chocolate manufacturer uses EST online in its English website homepage. 

Lantsh restaurant in Tallinn (Erika 14) uses EST for its healthiest lunch promo, 

Food truck promoting ESTonishing rhubarb.

Taste ESTonia: juicEST, freshEST, rawEST and even greenEST lemonade for Nordic business forum.

The former national airline of Estonia Nordica used EST in its consumer campaigns:

Radisson Blu Olumpia hotel chain created videos with its personnel using -est superlatives.
Estoria hotel group made a print and online campaign based on -est concept.

Swallow nEST Hotel in Tallinn uses EST in name and communication. 

FESTERA is a startup in waste management and sustainability: festera.ee

FurnEST furniture company based in Tallinn, sales office in Helsinki.

Malin Workshop created the cutest cutting board. 

Study in ESTonia using Latin language with est-concept meaning: "Knowledge is power".

ESTonian universities joint promotion display material based on EST.

Architecture magazine played with -est idea in headlines as did Postimees magazine.
The British Estonian Chamber of Commerce had 'our boldEST trade mission' as theme.
For MICE market promotion in Brussels the Estonian Convention Bureau chose as theme: Just Estonishing.

Estonianworld.com created 'ESTonishing Evenings' to interact with international community of Estonia. Design by me.*

Design for ESTcoin by me, 3D-render by Bobby Born for tentative project of Estonian nation ICO. *Used in concept:

Because of the Est-project, I was given the prestigious award as PR manager of the year 2016 given by EPRA. At Password event Just Estonishing project received the Estonian Marketing Achievement Award 2016.

In 2016 I met at his office the then prime minister Taavi Roivas together with his PA and the chief of staff of Estonian government. Both came out dressed in EST-style!

This was a scary headline by Vilja Kisser, the working at Aripäev about the EST-project and me personally. Headline is translated as 'Dutch devil', relating about my relationship with EAS 'juht' aka CEO Hanno Tomberg who initially declined using EST for nation brand. Later Tomberg softened his comments in media and invited me in.

Even Hanno Tomberg, then CEO of EAS / Enterprise Estonia, wore his personal EST-shirt with distinction. ​​​​​​​

A selection of the 68 different t-shirts with -est wordplay, allcreated by Martin Lazarev.

Even the label is in style, created by Shardee Rebas: simplytheest.com

Happy Estonian dancers from Tartu wearing their specially created -est shirts.
The -est shirts are popular with young people in Estonia, the instagram page shows. 
Enterprise Estonia (EAS) created a tiESTo shirt as a gift for Dutch DJ Tiesto during Baltic Weekend festival.

Cora van Nieuwenhuizen Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management & former European parliament 
mentioned EST concept in meeting with Estonian minister Tõniste.

Martin Lazarev from Rio de Janeiro added these EST-series shirts and sweaters to focus on the Corona crisis.
The text reads 'Hands washed' on the left and 'Tested!' on the right: https://www.instagram.com/simply_the_est/ 

Team Estonia 100 year celebration in EST style at Arvamus event in Paide 2016.

Visit Tallinn tourism visitors office uses quESTions campaign to their fullest joy. Tallinn.ee

ESTonian pencils are available too as well as bags and beanies available at simplytheest.com.

During 2016 at Telliskivi a tEST pop-up gallery was created next to Pudel bar selling EST related merchandise.

Tattoos with -est related wordplay created by Standfold.

EST based shirts are created and worn, like Peter Vesterbacka promoting cooperation of Finland and Estonia.

For the wedding of child of Heli Raidve with appropriate shirts for the whole family.
Marmo Luik of Enterprise Estonia created the ESTonify editor.
Enterprise Estonia uses the 'est' idea for it's deepEST roots online and social media campaign.

Enterprise Estonia tourism campaign ESTonian Tryouts: the hidden Estonian in you.:

Enterprise Estonia tourism promotion at TourEST exhibition in Tallinn.

Estonishing Tours in Tallinn for personal transport.

Kolavoo Estonian singing and dancing festival in Amsterdam in 2017 AND 2018, Just ESTonishing.

The workinestonia website using est concept.

Promotion for Pakri industrial area to lure Tesla to Estonia using smartEST idea. Twitter page uses est concept too. 

Paidest võlutud, translated as 'enchanted by the pines' is a promotion for the city of Paide. Well known for its Arvamus festival, the yearly exchange of opinions in the heart of the country.

Tallinn Marathon used a clever wordplay 'run for est' to promote the marathon relating to Forrest Gump movie.  

8 Estonishing Experiences video from Visit Estonia on Vimeo.

Estonian Cleantech startup community conference: Cleantech forEST.

SmartEST Tax conference theme for EU Presidency conference in 2017.
https://www.eu2017.ee/political-meetings/e-taxation-conference-smartest-taxation

Siim Sikkut, CIO of Estonia, using -est concept in official e-Estonia presentation. 

Anna Piperal of e-Estonia showroom presenting 'the coolEST digital society.'

Team Inspr8ion with Arthur Dallau visiting Estonia showroom.

Arto Aas member of Estonian parliament ar about Estonia and its digital journey using formal EST presentation.  

People in the audience of FWD50 festival noticed and liked the EST-highlights of Siim Sikkut's presentation. 

Introducing the craziEST birthday celebration project. Ads with humor, honest and visually string.

EV100 campaign promotion by Viive Aasma to invite Estonians from all over the world to send in their pictures.

EV100 campaign promoting 100 years of Estonia. Implementation by Nope.ee. All 100 EST ideas are here.

100 EST photos related to Estonia are created for 100 years celebration: 

100 EST photos related to Estonia are created for 100 years celebration.  

gotoandplay.ee promotion for web development agency.

MooMoo sports equipment manufacturer uses EST concept. moomoo.ee

Moomoo also has EST socks for the sportive enthusiast.

Monton has created Olympic collection VadabusEST = freedom inspired.

The Estonian skiing team Haanja uses 'estonishing sports' hat for their athletes.

VIKS, the Estonian bike manufacturer uses one of my* original EST-designs in their Facebook promotion.

Be my guEST loyalty idea was picked up too, multiple times.

Exposition in Bruxelles, Belgium BEL:EST showing cooperation of Belgian and Estonian architects. 

Tartu real estate company named EST Kinnisvara designed by Marko Saue.

The woodEST is an ergonomical laptop stand from Estonia. www.thewoodest.com

Aitäh Estonia! Elagu Eesti!⁠


Resources
Publication in text and images on Medium.com of the concept 
PDF of presentation based on original Powerpoint concept
My linkedin: Peter Kentie

Reactions
Media reactions, pages full in Estonia and international media
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