The ambitious nine-year push by a consortium of Utah cities to build the largest municipally-backed fiber optic network in the country is calling for PR proposals to turn around a negative image and draw national media exposure.
The Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency, or UTOPIA, kicked off in earnest in 2002 struggled through a cash crunch in 2008 and is looking to turn a corner as it aims to sign up 723,000 residents and 34,500 businesses for the network.
"Over the recent years, UTOPIA’s media exposure has been local and mostly negative.
This has turned around in the last year and become more neutral/positive,” a request for qualifications says. "Our goal is to cut out negative press as much as possible and obtain national media exposure, placing us as a national leader in fiber to the premises installation."
The work encompasses development of a PR plan, as well as media relations, public affairs, community relations and relationship building with “appropriate centers of influence,” according to the RFQ.
Proposals are due March 22. View the RFQ (PDF).