Title: External Communications Partner/Creative Agency
Scope:
1. Utilize new brand and color standards; new logo; refreshed website:
a. As stated above, earlier this year we worked with our current external creative agency and website developer, whose contracts expire on June 30, to refresh our brand, voice, colors and website. We seek an agency to launch and leverage these new tools to expand awareness of The Partnership and our network.
2. Social Media
a. Create an annual social media calendar which contains regular dates that require posts but also have the agility to draft day-of posts when needed.
b. Able to take ‘raw’ copy and images sent from The Partnership and create timely posts.
c. Find/explore the social media landscape to ID others the platforms should follow and respond when we are tagged in posts.
d. Adding creativity and engaging posts/images to the platforms.
e. Provide strategic input based on performance of previous and current posts.
3. Images
a. Create graphic, infographics, videos etc. for use on social media, in e-newsletters, in presentations, etc.
4. E-Newsletter
a. Create/produce monthly e-newsletter (In the Works) with copy and images provided by staff. There are currently approximately 25,000 subscribers with a most recent open rate of 30% or approximately 8,000 readers.
5. Annual Report
a. Design and produce annual report; the format historically used (there have been four created) is a dynamic landing page with a downloadable PDF. Please see the most recent versions on our website and at the top of this document.
b. Copy and images to be created collaboratively and to a large degree provided by The Partnership and can be culled from In the Works and social media, etc.
c. This document is traditionally created in summer/fall and published in Q1 of the calendar year.
d. The annual report covers a program year; the next one will cover PY 24 (from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025).
6. Earned media/speaking commitments.
a. Support and offer ideas for earned media coverage and leadership speaking opportunities.
b. Drafting press releases and advisories and pitching stories a plus, but not mandatory.
7. Special events
a. The Partnership and its network host hiring fairs and other special events throughout the year. The communications unit is not responsible for planning and producing these events but is responsible for finding and using the best tools to promote the events.
b. A few years ago, the communications unit began to create branded signs that say, “I made an offer,” and “I got an offer,” for career seekers and employers to hold at events in front of a branded step and repeat when a “match” is made. That is the type of communication The Partnership wants to continue to employ. Examples can be found on the website, social media platforms and in annual reports.
8. Community outreach
a. Again, this is partially in the hands of staff and agencies, but the internal team is open to ideas about what the communications unit can do, beyond what has already been described.
9. Presentations
a. Assist with power point deck presentations made by the director of communications; gathering data requested and offering other input. The director of communications presents at the quarterly WIB meetings.
10. Website(s): As listed above, there are four websites which are affiliated with The Partnership. The first two below will require the greatest attention of the new external agency.
a. ChiCookWorks.org: Offer plans to leverage this new website, voice and logo to the region.
i. Fundraising: As mentioned above, The Partnership seeks funds from other public sources, as well as foundations, the private sector and individuals. Currently, The Partnership website does not have a donation portal, but one is in the process of being added to the website. Communications around fundraising may also be an element of social media, e-newsletter and other communications during the term of this contract.
b. LevelUpAJC.org: This is an important website/portal for your consideration. It was created, and is hosted, by our current external communications agency and ScaleLit and is a critical part of customer outreach. We want to migrate this website’s capabilities to our refreshed website this summer. It has received more than 50,000 views since it was launched in October 2023. There is also an 800 number that reaches our network: 800- 720-2515.
Due Date: 5 pm CST, Monday, May 19, 2025
Contact: Susan Massel smassel@chicookworks.org
