When Destination DC teamed up with MDB Communications to launch the original DC Cool campaign, they weren’t just selling tourism—they were giving the nation’s capital a serious style upgrade. Gone were the days of thinking DC was all suits, marble, and meetings. DC Cool flipped the script, proving that behind every monument is a mural, every lobbyist knows a DJ, and even the pandas have attitude.

The campaign’s sleek visuals, witty taglines, and effortlessly chill vibe showed the world what locals already knew: DC’s got rhythm, flavor, and just the right amount of nerdy charm. From jazz in Shaw to street art in NoMa, DC Cool invited visitors to see the capital as more than the Capitol—because where else can you debate policy over bottomless brunch and still make it to a pop-up gallery by 3 p.m.?

With MDB’s sharp creative direction, the ads turned “cool” into a civic virtue. Suddenly, selfies at the Lincoln Memorial were performance art, and Dupont Circle became a runway for policy chic.

DC Cool: making history look good since day one.