State of Georgia Issues Public Relations RFP
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, aligning workforce education and training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. Home to diverse and innovative companies, Georgia is also known for a world-class logistics infrastructure, exciting tourism destinations, business-friendly environment and globally recognized higher education.
Competitive Advantage:
Georgia’s business climate is thriving and its global community is vibrant. 17 Fortune 500 headquarters call the state home, the third-largest concentration in the U.S. Approximately 70 international governments have a presence in Georgia, and 3,000 facilities from 60 countries operate throughout the state.
Global Access:
Located in the heart of the southeastern United States, one of the fastest-growing and most populous regions of the country, companies can reach 80 percent of the U.S. market within a two-hour flight or a two- day truck drive. The world’s busiest and most efficient passenger airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the fastest-growing port in the U.S., the Port of Savannah, offer global access from Georgia.
Top Talent:
Georgia ranks No. 1 among U.S. states in workforce development. More than 90,000 students graduate annually from 80+ colleges and universities throughout the state. Georgia is home to two institutions ranked among the top 20 national public colleges and universities by U.S. News and World Report.
The following departments/divisions could fall under the umbrella of needing support as defined under this RFP:
Georgia Tourism, through its network of regional and international representatives, Atlanta office, and 12 visitor information centers, assists the state’s communities and attractions in drawing potential travelers to their areas, and helps individual visitors and groups discover Georgia’s unique vacation options. The Division also helps communities develop well-planned and sustainable tourism products.
The Global Commerce team seeks to increase jobs and investment through locating and expanding businesses, as well as growing small businesses. The Global Commerce team includes statewide and existing industry project teams, small business, and Georgia’s international representatives in 11 strategic regions around the world.
The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office develops the state’s film, television, & commercial production industries by marketing the state to production companies; location scouting; and coordinating the filming needs of companies with other state agencies, local governments, and citizens. The office actively works to develop the industry’s infrastructure and workforce, certifies projects under the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act, and oversees the Camera Ready community program to engage municipalities throughout Georgia.
The Marketing & Communications division manages the agency’s reputation and promotes Georgia’s business, tourism, arts and entertainment assets throughout the state, U.S. and world. Through the integration of print, digital, social media, outdoor and broadcast channels, the division supports the department’s eight operating divisions. This includes new advertising campaigns, the creation of sales and marketing materials, digital advertising, all internal and external communications, media outreach, more than a dozen social media platforms across multiple divisions and the growth of the department’s eleven targeted websites.
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) empowers the arts industry in Georgia and artists around the state to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities that are rich in civic participation, cultural experiences and economic prosperity. As a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Council for the Arts provides grant funding, programs and services statewide that support this vital industry, preserve our cultural heritage and create increased access to high quality arts experiences.
Exclusive to Georgia, the Centers of Innovation provide the technical expertise, collaborative research, and partnership opportunities to help Georgia’s strategic industries connect, compete and grow.
The International Relations division is dedicated to strategically cultivating and expanding Georgia’s international relationships. The office oversees communications and activities with foreign governments and is the state’s liaison to members of the Consular Corps. The division also manages the Governor’s trade and investment missions, welcomes international delegations and dignitaries and coordinates international efforts among state departments and agencies. GDEcD’s nationally recognized International Trade Division works to bolster Georgia exports and brand the state as a competitive source of quality products and services. The division includes International Representatives located in 11 strategic global markets, and assists Georgia companies to expand their sales worldwide. The Trade division provides Georgia businesses with the Global Insight and Global Connections they need to successfully diversify their international customer base. The division also interfaces with local, state and federal partners to increase services for Georgia exporters and has been recognized as a national model for collaboration.
Historically we have spent the following for Communications and Public Relation Services for the identified years. It is important to know that the spend amount varies from year to year based on State appropriated Budgets and approved Projects.
Fiscal Year 2013: $553,000 Fiscal Year 2014: $472,000 Fiscal Year 2015: $253,000 Fiscal Year 2016: $219,000
Fiscal Year 2017: $277,000
Fiscal Year 2018: $180,000 (expected)
Resources:
The Georgia Department has several external websites that can serve as excellent resources as you compile your response. You will not only find detailed content on the site, but many of our marketing collateral materials live on these sites, data related to a variety of industry sectors and other information related to our economic development efforts.
- Georgia.org
- ExploreGeorgia.org (for travelers)
- MarketGeorgia.org (for tourism industry professionals)
Scope of Work:
Assist the Department’s public relations staff in the development and execution of a comprehensive communication and public relations program.
Due Date:
May 10th
Address:
Finance PR agencies include Ketchum PR and Makovsky PR.
