2-Approach and Methodology.pdf

Approach and Methodology

Our expert team is ready to increase revenue and visibility of the City’s auctions using a wide variety of marketing tools. The Public Group's buyer contact team has researched and developed the largest qualified buyer database for government agencies. The City will benefit directly from this team calling and sending emails regarding its valuable auctions in order to increase revenue where it is needed most. Our transition team will review the City’s current methods, offer suggestions for improvement, and offer the use of additional advertising tools such as:

1. Trade magazine advertisements

2. Targeted email blasts

3. Flyer distribution

4. Links on all City websites – such as banner ads

5. Specialty Advertising

6. Promotion to previous buyers

7. Utilization of mailing lists and contact lists

8. Notification to Special Interest Buyers of various assets

9. Listing advertisements in periodicals and newspapers

10. Strategic emails to Buyers

11. Power Point presentations for viewing on Public Television

12. Advertising in Trade Publications

13. Telephone call campaigns

14. Highlighted website listings

In addition to our advertising strategies, our team will review the City’s current efforts to determine if we can provide any additional support in these areas. The Public Group will provide links for the City to embed in their current website so all visitors to the City’s site can review the City’s surplus from the site. The City will be able to incorporate their logo onto their own specific web page within our Public Surplus application.

We request that our marketing information remain confidential, as these are the type of things that set us apart from our competition and allow us to make our agency's the most money possible.

Confidential Information – Page 2

Marketing Plan #1 – City of New York Barges – Marketing Team

New York City contacted us in March as they needed to sell some hopper barges on our website. They did not have a market for these types of items and were not sure which type of buyers or companies would be interested in purchasing these types of items.

We had our marketing team begin to do research on these items and in turn reach out to the type of companies that would purchase these items. We made many phone calls and e-mails on the behalf of the City to different companies we found that may be interested in these types of items. After a month of diligent marketing we were able to sell all four hopper barges for over $1,000,000 total. The City of New York was extremely pleased with this marketing technique and this is something we offer all of our agencies as they post vehicles and heavy equipment on our website. We will do all research and buyer contacting for you.

Confidential Information – Page 3 Marketing Plan #2 – Interest List – Madison City, MT

This agency had concerns about going to online auctions from a local auction company. They were concerned that we wouldn't be able to bring buyers to their auctions as they are in remote Montana.

We informed them that as part of our marketing buyers create an interest list when they sign up on our website. This interest allows buyers to select the region and type of items they would like to purchase on the website.

Once an agency creates an auction that meets the criteria the buyer has set they will receive an automatic e-mail notification once a day showing them the items posted in their region. This City decided to post an excavator with us, and our interest list was able to pull many buyers in their region to the auction that they were not aware of. Ultimately the excavator sold for over $45,000, which was $20,000 more than they were hoping to receive.

Confidential Information – Page 4

Marketing Plan #3 – Rock and Dirt Ad

Below is an example of a recent rock and dirt advertisement we had in the national trade magazine. We do these advertisements periodically and include a list of agencies that are selling heavy equipment for buyers to go and look at. This specific rock and dirt advertisement came out during the same time that the State of Alaska needed to sell some graders and loaders. Due to the traffic obtained on these auctions during that time the State was able to receive a considerable amount more revenue then they expected.

Confidential Information – Page 5 Billing and Financial Reporting

The Public Group provides standard reports that meet the City's criteria as well as customizable reports that allow the City to select specific criteria for each report. Our reports are specifically designed to assist with audit and transparency standards that Government agencies require. We can develop specialized reports with set criteria if needed. Our system currently has the 9 standard reports that the City will have access to. These reports can be downloaded into a PDF or Excel file and any user with the correct permission will be able to see the reports.

9 Standard reports the City will be able to access:

Closed Auction Report Customizable Sold Auction Report Auction Payment Report Reallocation Report Bid Activity Report Coop Revenue Report Sold and Paid Report Payment Collection Account Payment Collection Report

Below are screenshot examples of what our reporting feature looks like.

Confidential Information – Page 6 Permissions Screenshot Below

Secure Login Screenshot Below

Confidential Information – Page 7 Agency Logo Screenshot Below

Bidding History Screenshot Below

Confidential Information – Page 8 Picture and Item Code Screenshot Below

Auction Document Upload Screenshot Below

Confidential Information – Page 9 Copy and Repost Auction Screenshot Below

Buyer Rating Screenshot Below