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