Public & Media Relations $34,500.00
The request for public / media relations is to continue our investment that started with the ITC 09-10 grant. The goal is to increase visitation to North Central Idaho through editorials focusing on but no limited to; travel destinations, soft adventures, outdoor recreation, arts, culture and unique events/festivals. Services will be provided by a professional public relations firm to oversee and implement the scope of work created by NCITA using the ITC funds and any other funds obtained through collaboration.
Funds used will include but not be limited to:
Purchasing services to:
Pitch story lines, events and attractions.
Proactively seek and respond to media queries, monitor editorial calendars and social media sites.
Develop and distribute crisis management press or mat releases as needed.
Continue relationships with media in order to increase exposure to north central Idaho.
Funds used will include but not be limited to:
Offset costs for approved media (group and individual fams) that include but not limited to:
Airfares, car rental, travel expenses, meals.
Responses to comments: changed language to include (group and individual fams)
The phrase "travel expenses" are to cover all the bases. For instance one of the writers uses a provided factory vehicle and NCITA pays gas, which isn’t airfare or car rental.
Funds used will include but not be limited to:
Pay for project coordination that include but not limited to:
Providing information to the PR firm.
Create and provide itineraries and logistics for media visits and FAM tours.
Addressing comments from RN/CB: 4th paragraph - Providing information to the PR firm. Why are funds being requested for that service - isn’t that their job?
Response to Comments providing examples:
Example #1 – Salmon River Media Tour – 5 journalists wanted expanded itineraries for the region. RTC worked with the journalists to understand what their other interests were in relationship to the publications they work with. Developed possible itinerary, contacted the lodging/activity hosts along the route to make arrangements for interviews/lodging and confirm itinerary. The next step was to create the confirmed itinerary for each journalist and include all stops or interests along the routes that might be value added experience.
Example #2 – PR Firm wants to send “summer pitches” to list of journalists to encourage visitation or better yet, complete a story without visitation. PR contacts RTC to decide 3-best story/event/destination to pitch and contact info for each of the requested stories/events/destinations.
Example #3 – Julie Fanselow from Boise contacts RTC about attending the NAIA World Series Tournament and interviewing Pistol Palace and the new B&B at Cottonwood. RTC made the contacts/arrangements for this visit to take place.
Conclusion: It is less expensive to have contracted person to do logistical and groundwork vs paying PR contact price.
Timeline: Ongoing
Tangible results from hiring services of a public / media relations firm during the current fiscal year were very good and expected to be equal or better in the next grant year.
Addressing comments by RN: The text should be modified to keep to the scope of work pertinent to this application, removing narrative on completed items or upcoming items not in the grant app timeframe that could be reported to the ITC in separate, more appropriate narrative reports.
Response to comments: Per conversation w/ Frances Conklin this information is appreciated. Changed the language below to include "Summary" (unable to define with different font within application)
North Central Idaho Travel Association
Public Relations Effort Summary for 2009-2010
Upcoming Stories
o June, Better Homes and Gardens – Unplugged Adventures including Mackay Bar - Riggins
o August, Rachel Ray Magazine – First Time Adventures – whitewater culinary tour w/ ROW Adventures – including Lewiston as the hopping off point.
o Summer issue, Mountain Sports and Living Magazine – Rivers and Resorts including ROW Adventures, River Dance Lodge, and Riggins Hot Springs Lodge
Completed Stories:
o Rod McLaughlin, KPAM Radio Travel Show, Portland – interviews with Kelly Dahlquist about wilderness areas and camping. Aired twice the weekend of March 6-7 in the Portland area
o April, Examiner.com, Angele Sionna – ‘Have a Devil of a Good Time’
o Treasure Magazine - May, Julie Fanselow Jet Boat Trips in Riggins
Scheduled FAMs:
o Rediscover Country: Travel columnist Pamela Irving, Central Alberta, circulation of 100,000 plus online. She is interested in sustainable and organic food, wine and spirits, and a day rafting/river trip. July 7 – 12.
Completed FAMs:
o Salmon River Media Tour: Hosted 10 journalists from a diverse background of publications including VIA – AAA California, Western Journey’s – AAA Washington, RV Life (cover feature), RV Passport, American Cowboy, Truck Trend, Northwest Travel Magazine, Out There Monthly, Treasure Magazine.
All writers had Letter’s of Assignment. The tour was hosted for 2 days. Eight of the 10 journalists requested extended stays to cover other niche stories. The weather created a cancellation on the Salmon River, however a quick change of plans allowed the writers to take a tour of Hells Canyon. All were able to rework their Letters of Assignment to be substituted with Hells Canyon.
Possible Upcoming FAMs:
o Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) – posted a pre FAM trip to conference. Trip includes rafting on the Salmon River, Hells Canyon Tour, Hiking in the Seven Devils. 3 days / 4 nights in Riggins.
o Coeur d'Alene Magazine: Interest from the editor of Coeur d'Alene Magazine to do a story on the rivers of N Central Idaho for their summer 2011 issue.
o Lucy Burningham about ROW Adventure's 'Pathways of the Nez Perce' trip for this summer. Freelancer for VIA, Sunset, Men's Journal, Hemispheres
o Military Travel group that produces travel columns for military papers nationwide, with a high readership out of Washington. Their freelance writer wants to visit this summer for a family trip with her husband and 3 kids.
o Top 10 Scenic Drives of the Northern Rockies: Offered a press trip for June 2010, traveling the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway.
Print Advertising - $500
Funds used will include but not be limited to:
Creating an ad for the Idaho State Travel Guide.
Purchase an ad for the Idaho State Travel Guide.
Purchase other ads relevant to tourism promotion for north central Idaho.
Online Advertising - $2100
Funds used will include but not be limited to:
Purchase banner ad display on Go-Idaho.com
Direct Marketing - $5000.00
Funds used will include but not be limited to:
Purchase Hot Leads derived from state tourism marketing efforts
Purchase direct email marketing services.
Purchase services to process and respond to leads generated.
Purchase services to develop and implement direct marketing materials.
Addressing comments from RN/CB: Under Direct Marketing—“Purchase services to process and respond to leads generated” is Fulfillment and is not considered eligible for funding. More clearly define from whom the services to direct e-mail market and development and implement direct marketing materials be purchased.
Response to comment: Leads are generated from HOT Leads program. They are pursued to become a fulfillment request. Services include updating/sending/compiling data/analyzing for daily e-brochures and quarterly Fun Reports
Social Media / Networks - $7727
Funds used will include but not be limited to:
Purchase Element 242 network, social media and interactive byway map.
Trade Shows - $2000
Funds used will include but not be limited to:
Purchase Booth Sponsorships for Go West Summit in Boise, 2011
Purchase booth for the Boise Rec
|