Ohio kicked off an open review April 26 for its tourism PR account with an RFP process through mid-May.
The state wants a “creative, results-driven, forward thinking agency partner to take its public relations/media relations efforts to new heights for the 2013/2014 biennium,” according to the RFP, which notes current trends point toward value vacations close to home. Key markets are Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana and Michigan.
Fahlgren Mortine PR of Columbus is the five-year incumbent on a $300K/year contract through June 30.
The Ohio Tourism Office’s 2011 PR efforts claim $12M in earned media.
Tourism has a $38B impact on the Buckeye State supporting 439K full-time jobs.
Deadline for pitches is May 18. View the RFP at this link.