RI Commerce Corp Seeking Proposals for New Business, Tourism Advertising Agencies
Saturday, November 19, 2016
RI Commerce Corporation has issued an RFP to advertising and PR firms for tourism -- and business attraction.
See RFPs BELOW
The move comes as a departure from the former model, which had both tourism and business attraction as part of the same campaign. Commerce explained that firms could apply for both, however.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is soliciting a Request for Proposal (RFP) from a qualified firm or firms to retain an advertising and/or public relations agency to assist with the strategy and execution of a comprehensive, statewide business attraction initiative. An RFP has also been released for a Tourism Advertising and/or Public Relations Agency(ies) and agencies are welcome to apply for both Business Attraction and Tourism Public Relations or Advertising sectors if applicable."
New Tourism, Business Efforts Sought
Following the botched tourism rollout in the spring of 2016, and calls by industry leaders to embark on a new branding effort, Commerce has requested the proposals by December 12.
"I got an email yesterday from Lara which said the new RFPs would be going live [Friday], and that she should be in touch with us to talk," said Evan Smith with Discover Newport. "At this point, I still need to review them. I'm anxious to see them."
Smith said that he had heard that tourism could be split from business attraction, under the new approach.
"I'm not sure I can weigh in on business side," said Smith. "My focus and passion is that the state [tourism] contract really have strong creative partner for advertising and PR."
Smith said he still had to review the judging criteria, but spoke to what he views as important factors.
"They're likely to be judged on a number of categories. Experience is one of them and a portfolio in travel is important," said Smith. "I think the analysis should include the research they're using, and their strengths in social vs. traditional media."
"I'd give the most weight to experience," said Smith. "There could be an impressive outside firm with no travel experience. The question would be do they really understand our industry, and if we're their first [tourism] client."
SEE RFP HERE
Related Articles
- Local Comedians Spoof “We are RI” Tourism Video
- EDITORIAL: Raimondo’s “I Know an Out-of-State Guy” Caused the Tourism Disaster
- Raimondo’s Out-of-State Contracts Extend Beyond Tourism
- More than 100 Errors on RI Tourism Website
- NEW: Raimondo Fires Betsy Wall For Tourism Campaign Debacle
- RI Tourism Campaign in Chaos
- Guest MINDSETTER™ Rep. Carson: Mismanagement of Tourism Campaign Has Jarred RI
- Before Running RI’s Tourism PR, Havas Worked for Cianci’s Campaign
- Raimondo’s National Press Problem Following Tourism Fallout
- Agency Finalist for RI Tourism Account Wins Top Award for Montana Tourism Ads
- GoLocal Secures Copy of Deleted RI Tourism Video
- Providence Tourism Outperforming Region—and Nation
- The Tourism Logos of all 50 States
- Westerly Chamber Boss Asks Commerce’s Wall and Pryor to Put Westerly in RI’s Tourism Video
- Raimondo’s Tourism Problems Are Far From Over
- RI Commerce Cancels Havas’ Tourism Contract, Firm Hit With More Fee Cuts: UPDATED
- RI Tourism’s Havas Hires Top Lobbyist as Consultant
- Top Tourism Leader Makes Urgent Plea for New RI Branding Campaign
- RI Airport Corporation Taps Top Airport and Tourism Leader
- RI Tourism Vendor Who Did Iceland Video Sued for Stealing
- Blackstone River Valley Celebrates National Bike & Tourism Month Starting May 1
- RI’s Still Dissatisfied About Direction, Supports Charter Schools, Tourism and Legalized Marijuana
- Rhode Island Unveils New Tourism Logo
- UPDATED: “We Are RI” Tourism Video Taken Down by Commerce
