This paper highlights the role that Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) can play in the development of place umbrella brands in a rural area of Italy. Place branding in rural areas is considered a wicked problem, since it must be managed by many stakeholders who often have diverse and conflicting motives. This case analyzes the “Marche d’Eccellenza,” a Forum held in the Marche Region of Italy, in 2010. Private and public sector stakeholders participated in a series of brainstorming sessions on how to collectively develop the region’s resources and unique value proposition. The results show how the involvement of a university, as a trainer, partner and facilitator, can help build place brands in rural areas.