Visit Pensacola to Begin Search for Agency of Record

Pensacola, Fla. – Feb. 21, 2012 – Visit Pensacola has begun a search for an agency or agencies of record to develop and implement an integrated marketing plan for the Pensacola Bay Area. Qualified agencies are encouraged to apply for one or all of the following components: research, advertising and interactive and public relations.

The scope of work will focus on guiding marketing strategies through primary and secondary research; building awareness of the destination and differentiating it from its competitive set; and generating local, regional, national and international media coverage about all that the Pensacola Bay Area has to offer.

“We are committed to continuing to position Pensacola as a premier travel destination in innovative and creative ways through an integrated communications program,” said Terry Scruggs, interim vice president of tourism for the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. “After 10 successful years with our existing agency of record, we wanted to provide others the opportunity to present us with their ideas for how we can take tourism in our area to the next level.”

In order to qualify, an agency must be of a size and character to realistically be able to handle a destination account. The agency should be experienced in the tourism industry, both in leisure and in group and meeting segments.

Interested agencies should request an RFQ by emailing tscruggs@pensacolachamber.com. A request for qualification (RFQ) will be sent to interested agencies, both local and out-of-market, the week of March 5.

The first round of the RFQ review process will begin on April 6 and will be led by a subcommittee of the Tourism Administration and Convention Committee (TACC). A second round of evaluations will begin on May 7, with the goal of selecting an agency or agencies of record by June 1. Selected agencies will sign a three-year contract to begin Oct. 1, 2012, based on current funding from the Tourist Development Council.

For any inquiries pertaining to the RFQ process, please contact Terry Scruggs at (850) 434-1234. For more information on Visit Pensacola, go to www.VisitPensacola.com.

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