Northwest Virginia Wants More Tourists Via Branding RFP
The Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC) – which consists of five counties in the northwest corner of Virginia— is seeking a marketing and branding company to provide branding services. A firm is sought to build a consistent Shenandoah Valley brand to be used in all marketing efforts, including website, print, ads, digital ads, video, etc.
The Shenandoah Valley has been working to market the region and increase its presence as a premiere travel destination. Research and experience has shown that visitors maintain a hub and spoke mentality when they arrive in the region and as a result, they do not plan their visits with locality boundaries in mind. Therefore, the true potential for marketing the Valley lies in marketing the region as a whole rather than as individual localities. The RFP notes that “few understand the Shenandoah Valley of today; one that still embraces its rich history, agricultural roots, scenic wonder, and outdoor recreation but has also become a great destination for foodies, artists, and families.”
The Branding and Marketing Strategy of the DMOs consists of multiple stages. The current scope of services includes to Develop a brand concept, to include message, tagline and logo that are adaptable for use in visitor attraction and retention.
Two premier firms in Virginia who may consider bidding on this would likely include Padilla CRT & The Merritt Group.
Proposals are due by January 21, 2016 and should be submitted to: Stephanie Langton, Regional Planner, Northern Shenandoah Valley. Regional Commission, slangton@nsvregion.org.
