Business development people aren't too keen on corporate procurement officers, who are super-diligent in their efforts to squeeze every penny from proposed communications campaigns. Creativity is an afterthought.

ohioBut even the most hard-bitten new business executives would appreciate the crowd at Ohio's procurement services office at the Dept. of Administrative Services unit. They get it.

The office's December 4 RFP for "brand architecture & positioning, creative and media services" is a thing of beauty, a masterpiece in the mind-bending world of bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo.

Let's focus on the "background" section of the RFP. The writers get right to the point with: "An RFP from the state -- ah, every company's favorite thing to respond to…but stick with us because this is an RFP that is worth your time." The reader is hooked.

The RFP fesses: "Ohio may not have a ocean coast line or mountain peaks—but one thing we know from research is that when visitors come to Ohio for the first time, they leave impressed and wanting to comb back for more of the places, spaces and people that create lasting memories."

And where, oh where, are those memories created? "The cascading waterfalls of the Hocking Hills, hip Short North bars and galleries in Columbus that rival the biggest cities in the country, the No.1 boutique hotel in the nation in Cincinnati that wraps you in artistic luxury, local micro-breweries and wineries that bring friend together, the world-class foodie scene in Cleveland that will wake your mouth water—the list goes on and on."

Who knew? "We often hear 'wow, I didn't know they had this in Ohio!' It's time to take the surprise out of Ohio."

Break from the past: "TourismOhio has engaged in what we like to call 'random acts of marketing.' However, it's not a just about throwing a bunch of destinations at people and saying 'come spend time here'—we need you to make to be a part of this creative process for Ohio, then keep reading and respond.

"We want to here from you." What can you bring to the table to take Ohio tourism to the next level—ultimately breaking beyond a regional campaign? Get through all the details off this RFP and then let us know how you can help us create something cool and unique that tells the story of Ohio to inspire those within our borders and beyond Thanks for your time and dedication for the good of Ohio?

Cleveland sounds pretty good this time of the year, don't you think?

Proposal due date is Dec. 31.