RFP for Statewide Public Relations Campaign

The Missouri Municipal League (MML) is seeking a Missouri-based integrated communications firm to partner with us to plan and execute a multi-year image campaign as part of a long-range awareness building initiative to focus on communicating the value cities and towns bring to the state.A link to the RFP can be found on the right.

All communication related to this RFP must be in writing, preferably by e-mail, and directed to: Katie Bradley, Missouri Municipal League, 1727 Southridge Dr., Jefferson City, MO  65109; E-mail: kbradley@mocities.com.  All inquiries and responses regarding this project will be handled as promptly as possible and made available on the this web page.

Inquiries

1) Question: One question for now has to do with an item on Page 3 that reads, “Analyze research on current perceptions and identify what additional research needs to be done.”

Does the League already have research that would be relevant to this campaign? If so, is it available for review as a part of the RFP process? If not, would you be comfortable describing the nature of the research.

Answer: Research on local government is somewhat fragmented.  Many of the major foundations such as Pew, Kaiser Family, Brookings Institute, etc., produce research at the federal level that may include some analysis of state and local governments.  Also, many Missouri Municipal League (MML) member cities conduct citizen surveys that often cover questions of satisfaction/perception of local officials and/or public employees. See information below.

The MML did conduct a survey of the members of the Missouri General Assembly in 2003.  This is one of the target audiences mentioned for this project. If interested in receiving a copy of the survey please e-mail  kbradley@mocities.com .

Thank you.

• Research source:

5/14/2008 - According to a new survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, Americans continue to hold their local and state governments in fairly high esteem, but positive views of the federal government are at their lowest point in at least a decade. Only 37% of people say they hold a favorable view of the federal government, while 58% express an unfavorable opinion. By comparison, 59% hold favorable views of their state governments and 63% hold favorable views of their local governments, figures that have been essentially stable since 2002.

• Selected Citizen surveys

City of Blue Springs, Mo.             

http://www.bluespringsgov.com/index.asp?NID=137

City of  Springfield, Mo.
http://www.cityofspringfield.org/egov/citizen_survey/index.html

City of Ellisville, Mo.

http://ellisville.mo.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BD7CCCD81-9F60-479D-8B9C-DC6FF9E71E3C%7D                    

City of Nixa, Mo.                          

http://www.nixa.com/pdfs/survey/SurveyResult.pdf

2) Question: There were 5 audiences listed to target when developing a plan.  If you were to prioritize the targeted audiences, what would be the priority and the reason for that order?

Answer: The target audiences as listed on page 3 are ranked by priority from the MML committee.  While the committee felt it necessary for our elected officials and city employees to buy into the message first; the groups listed next represent the order of priority.

3) Question: Once the outreach is completed, how would you view a successful outreach campaign?  For example, higher membership or success in a legislative agenda?

Answer: Membership is not a concern for the MML- we have a very steady and loyal membership of more than 650+ cities in Missouri. We do anticipate needing a follow-up survey or evaluation of both citizenry and legislators to gauge improved relationships or perception of value of cities.

4) Question: Was there any particular issue that triggered the creation of the RFP?

Answer: Please see paragraph two under Background section on page 2 of the RFP.  There was no single event that triggered the campaign.

5) Question: Recognizing there are a number of issues important to municipalities including collective bargaining, eminent domain, planning and zoning, etc.  What would you consider the top 3 issues that will be a priority for municipalities in 2009?

Answer: Strong Home Rule authority; collective bargaining; billboard regulation.  As always, our overall position is to maintain local government’s authority to govern locally (home-rule), and not to be micro-managed by the General Assembly.  For the past several years, there has been increased legislation passed to usurp local government authority. 

6) Question:   On the first page, you mention you are seeking a "Missouri-based" partner for this initiative. Does that require that the firm be incorporated within the state?

Answer: No, the firm does not have to be incorporated in Missouri; but a significant presence in Missouri will be a factor in the final selection.

7) Question: Can you identify the names and titles of those serving on the selection committee?

Answer:

MML Committee Members:

John Butz, city administrator, Rolla

Mark Randall, city administrator, Pleasant Hill

Gerry Welch, mayor, Webster Groves

Patti York, mayor, St. Charles 

MML Staff:

Richard Sheets, rsheets@mocities.com

Katie Bradley, kbradley@mocities.com

8) Question: Can you provide a list of firms/agencies to which you sent this RFP? Or, was it solely posted on the MML website?

Answer: RFP initial contact list (click for list)

9)   We know the budget for this project is $50,000 to $75,000, but can you tell me what the annual budget for the league is? In considering what media you might eventually use, it would be helpful to know what might be reasonable for such an effort, given the size of your operating budget.

Answer: The operating budget for the League is $1 million.

LINKS

Click for RFP