Old town advertising, marketing and public relations

The City of Scottsdale's Tourism & Events Division is seeking a comprehensive marketing, advertising, and public relations agency to promote Old Town Scottsdale as a premier destination through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP 26RFP002). The selected agency will be responsible for developing and implementing 6-8 multi-channel marketing campaigns annually, managing the OldTownScottsdaleAZ.com website, conducting at least four strategic public relations campaigns, and providing photography/videography services 4-6 times per year. Key deliverables include strategic planning, creative development, media planning and buying, digital content management, social media engagement, and stakeholder communication focusing on driving local tourism within a 20-mile radius. Evaluation criteria will encompass firm and staff qualifications, project approach, pricing, and references, with a requirement for at least three Arizona client references outside of Scottsdale. The solicitation timeline includes a question submission deadline of August 27, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. local time, with proposal submissions due on September 11, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. through the Bonfire Interactive procurement portal.

The procurement allows for both full-service agencies and specialized firms, with the city open to partnerships or partial service proposals. There are no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned in the documentation. The Tourism & Events department has allocated a $1.3 million budget for fiscal year 2025/2026 to cover the full scope of advertising, marketing, and public relations services. Currently, the city operates under a cooperative agreement through the State of Arizona, but seeks to establish a direct contract with a dedicated agency. The contract will have an initial one-year term with options for four additional one-year extensions upon mutual agreement. Bidders must demonstrate familiarity with the 2025 Old Town Scottsdale Business Engagement Study and be prepared to address its key recommendations. The city maintains existing websites and will work closely with the selected agency on creative design, SEO, and backend support, with all creative content becoming the property of the City of Scottsdale for unrestricted future use.