Virgin Islands Issues RFP For Tourism PR Firm

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

Proposals are due by February 12, 2016 and should be submitted to:

Honorable Randolph Bennett

Commissioner

Department of Property & Procurement

Subbase, Building #1, 3rd Floor

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802