The Morongo Band of Mission Indians (“MBMI”), a federally-recognized sovereign Indian Tribe, is seeking proposals from qualified companies to provide public relations and lobbying services, which attract positive attention to MBMI and its enterprises. MBMI would like to engage a firm or firms who provide public relations, lobbying, marketing, media planning; and provides an overall communication strategy that raises the visibility of the tribe and its footprint, in the community.
Applying firms may provide services in individual discipline – national lobbying, state lobbying, public relations, etc. – or in aggregate. MBMI is one of the largest single employers in Riverside County with a diverse portfolio that includes, gaming operations, recreational establishments, entertainment operations and other related franchises.
Background:
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribe in California, United States. The main tribal groups are Cahuilla and Serrano. Tribal members also include Cupeño, Luiseño, and Chemehuevi Indians.[4] Although many tribes in California are known as Mission Indians, some, such as those at Morongo, were never a part of the Spanish Missions in California.
Scope of Work:
Public Relations and Lobbying Services • Strategic plans for local, state, and national markets • Build messaging to target key audiences through various channels, to drive awareness, create an emotional connection, and to educate on key issues • Develop a social media strategy for tools like (but not limited to) Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram • Strengthen relationships with the local community and regional stakeholders • Create an integrated survey system for feedback • Draft speeches and presentations • Support communication efforts as needed • Respond to media inquiries • Provide government outreach strategy and counsel • Conduct government briefings • Provide counsel and support to advance public affairs and priorities • Develop and execute crisis management response strategies during breaking news incidents • Manage media and external inquiries • 24/7 availability Marketing and Branding • Effectively promote the Tribe, its enterprises, and the casino with target audiences • Develop community branding ideas to raise awareness and connect with target audiences • Create coordinated marketing campaigns (print, broadcast, digital, etc.) with a written plan outlining objective, audience/market descriptions, strategies, tactics, and budgets • Media planning and buying, media negotiations, client meetings, and correspondence for specific media plans/buys Tribal and its Enterprise Media Relations • Develop and execute media strategies for Tribal, casino, and enterprise initiatives • Develop media materials • Conduct media pitching • Respond to media inquiries • Coordinate and manage media at events • Support community outreach and activities • Coordinate media coverage and interviews with casino talent, performers, and Tribal and casino leadership, including interview preparation with leadership MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS – REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Page 3 Account Management & Reporting • Meet with city, county, state, and federal representatives as needed to conduct initiatives • Have internal procedures to ensure budget control, prompt billing, quality control, and the auditing of invoices • Prepare cost schedule and project sheets for expenditures for approval, for advertising • Assist in the production, application, registration, and defense of all applicable intellectual property • Provide regular status reports and timely updates on all projects • Provide monthly, quarterly, and annual performance cost analysis • Develop analytical data reports to measure effectiveness and performance, to be reported monthly
Due Date: no later than December 22, 2021
Address:
Submittal Due Date: (1) one electronic copy of the response to this RFP be provided no later than December 22, 2021 and should be emailed to: ceoassistant@morongo-nsn.gov
Relevant agencies include Ruder Finn and Ketchum PR.