New College Of Florida Seeking PR Agency
New College of Florida is seeking a media relations firm that can position the college positively with key stakeholders and influencers through strategic advocacy in multiple communication channels by providing information about the value of the College to the State of Florida.
Background:
A national leader in the arts and sciences, New College is a public, independent liberal arts college recognized nationally for academic excellence and value. It was founded originally as a private institution and is now an autonomous institution within the State University System of Florida and designated as the State Honors College. Founded in 1960, New College specializes in student-centered learning through collaborative curriculum development and independent research motivated by strong intellectual curiosity. We have earned many accolades and distinctions, among them a place in Loren Pope’s book, Colleges That Change Lives, and consistent national rankings by the leading arbiters of higher education. The College is situated on a beautiful 110-acre campus in northern Sarasota County just two miles from the heart of one of America’s most admired small cities and within minutes of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, one hour south of Tampa, and 10 minutes by bus or bicycle from downtown Sarasota, which Money magazine named one of the country’s “best places to live.” We are located in the emerging University district, an area of higher education, culture and arts that includes New College of Florida, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, the Florida State University Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts and the Ringling School of Art and Design along with area businesses and property owners. Nearby cultural and recreational resources abound, including the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, located next door to campus, and the white sand beaches of Siesta Key, rated as America’s Best Beach for 2011 by Dr. Beach. The 110-acre campus blends classic landmark buildings with modern facilities. New College’s visionary master plan incorporates state-ofthe-art environmental design into campus architecture and landscaping.
BAYFRONT CAMPUS
The main Bayfront Campus lies along the Gulf of Mexico on the former estate of circus magnate Charles Ringling. Enter through the iconic Ringling arch and stroll down canopied Dort Promenade all the way to College and Cook Halls connected by a colonnade opening onto a vast lawn and Sarasota Bay a favorite gathering spot for yoga and sunsets.
PEI CAMPUS
Across the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) and linked by overhead pedestrian bridge is the Pei Campus, the hub of student and residential life and home to five new “green” residence halls and a recently renovated student union with its own student-run Black Box Theater.
CAPLES CAMPUS
The Caples campus, home to the Caples Fine Arts Complex (1992) and Environmental Studies program, is located on Bay Shore Road just south of the Ringling Museum. The New College sailing program is located on the bay, behind the Caples Mansion. The Caples campus is also home to the student academic gardens and New College Food Forest/Carbon Farm. Academic Center and Koski Plaza incorporating sustainable features (2011); a Public Archaeology Lab (2010) for processing and interpreting artifacts, preparing archaeological site reports and storing excavated finds; the Pritzker Marine Biology Research Center (2001) with seven research labs and over 100 aquariums; and the Heiser Natural Sciences Center Complex (2000) with teaching and research labs for chemistry, biology, computational science, physics and math.
Scope of Work:
• Assess target audience’s current perceptions of New College
• Develop a narrative about New College that resonates with this audience
• Target key influencers whose decisions most impact the college
• Deploy multi-channel communications strategy that delivers key messages
• Attract media attention and interest in positive stories about New College
• Garner positive engagement from statewide policy makers and other decision-makers
• Empower current advocates (e.g., alums, donors, community members) to demonstrate support for New College We are looking for a firm that can begin working with us no later than May 2020.
We anticipate that this campaign will need to run for 12 months, with an optional 1-year renewal. The successful respondent(s), if any, will enter into a contract with NCF that provides for the performance of all terms and conditions set forth in this ITN unless NCF has agreed to accept or negotiate certain terms and conditions, as described in APPENDIX II.
Due: May 4, 2020
Address:
New College of Florida, the Board of Trustees and the State of Florida 5800 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243
