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City branding is a strategic approach to enhancing a city's competitiveness by leveraging unique local characteristics to create a strong and distinctive identity. This study examines the role of semanggi—a traditional Surabaya dish—as a cultural icon in strengthening the city's branding. Although semanggi carries deep symbolic meaning and historical significance for Surabaya’s residents, its potential as a city branding asset remains underutilized in formal tourism and marketing programs. Adopting a qualitative exploratory case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis involving local stakeholders, small and medium-sized culinary enterprises, cultural figures, and municipal representatives. Thematic analysis identified five key dimensions of semanggi’s role in city branding: (1) visual representation in urban spaces and promotional media; (2) cultural narratives and heritage preservation; (3) community pride and participation; (4) local economic resilience; and (5) strategic promotion by municipal authorities. The findings suggest that integrating semanggi into Surabaya’s branding strategy can reinforce cultural identity, differentiate the city in competitive tourism markets, and promote sustainable local entrepreneurship. The study contributes to the theoretical discourse on culinary-based place branding and offers practical recommendations for incorporating local wisdom into destination marketing. Limitations include the single-case scope and qualitative focus, pointing to opportunities for comparative and mixed-method research in the future.  

This research aims to explore the dynamics involved in integrating sustainable digital marketing practices into Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Employing a qualitative approach, the study adopts a mixed-method model combining interviews and case studies. The sampling technique involves purposive sampling to select participants representing diverse MSMEs. Data analysis utilizes thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes. The findings reveal a multifaceted understanding of sustainable digital marketing integration, highlighting challenges, opportunities, and best practices within MSMEs. Insights garnered from this research contribute to a deeper comprehension of sustainable digital marketing strategies tailored for MSMEs, thereby fostering their resilience and competitiveness in contemporary markets.