Virgin Islands Issues RFP For Tourism PR Firm

January 26, 2016

The United States Virgin Islands for the Department of Tourism has issued an RFP for a PR Agency. The chosen agency will be tasked with promoting the U.S. Virgin Islands as a tourism destination.

The selected public relations agency will:

Position the USVI in the US market as the premier warm-weather tourism destination
Enhance the destination’s brand identity;
Integrate the PR plan with the Department’s annual Marketing Plan;
Provide a range of public relations services listed in the Scope of Work below, ranging from media relations to crisis communication.
Develop a proficient social media PR planning

The Scope of Work includes:

National Media Relations- to include print, online and broadcast placement
Travel trade media relations to include travel agents, tour operators, OTA’s airline and cruise lines
Digital & Social Media PR Management
Coordination of media deskside and event presentations
Press release development and distribution
Coordination of strategic partnerships, events and promotions
Press hospitality (development, planning and hosting press trips)
Travel industry partner relationship
Film industry development, communications & marketing
News Bureau press requests
Quarterly e-newsletter development to include publishing and dissemination
Coordination of Bi-Annual Industry Presentations to the local community
On-island & national crisis management
Crisis media monitoring of all media outlets including online, broadcast, social and print
General media monitoring to include print, broadcast, internet and social media
Coordination & execution of major tradeshows and in-market events
Development and maintenance of the media press kit & website press room
Photography and videography services for B-roll for public relations use
Coordination of national & local media coverage to include interviews and appearances
Media training for key spokespersons
Identify public relations opportunities promoting the USVI
Development of the annual PR Plan
Recommending messaging as required
General Communications – to include development of presentations, reports, advertorials and social media posts
Provide market research and travel industry trend information
Clipping service
The Agency will establish and maintain relations with the Advertising Agency to coordinate a unified message as it relates to the promotion of the USVI.
In territory PR coordinator
Coordinate national sponsorship of organizations and events that provide visibility and exposure to key markets for the territory
Provide sales & marketing support for the Leisure, Corporate and Meeting & Incentive markets
Coordinate the marketing strategy for the USVI Ambassador program to include special events and educational programs
Development of a multicultural, emerging, and Caribbean specific public relations strategy