Okaloosa County BOCC — February 2, 2016 — Marketing Function Reorganization — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: February 2, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Ed Schroeder SUBJECT: Marketing Function Reorganization DEPARTMENT: Tourist Development Department BCC DISTRICT: 2,4,5 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval of the marketing function reorganization, and conceptually approve the creation of new positions and reclassification of existing positions as presented. Specific job descriptions and classifications/grades will be presented for approval at the February 16 meeting. Also, Request approval to negotiate a seven month extension of a reduced-scope contract with the Peter Mayer agency. BACKGROUND: The current contract for marketing, advertising, public relations, website management, research, social media, and social networking services is held by Peter A. Mayer Advertising, and expires February 27, 2016. Staff has been evaluating all functions and meeting with industry stakeholders to determine how to best reorganize to position Okaloosa County as the primary tourist destination along the northwest Florida’s gulf coast. At this time, approval is requested to transition public relations and social media/networking from an outside agency to in-house staff. The requisite positions and the proposed method of creation are outlined below: Position How Created Deputy Director Sales & Marketing Reclass Marketing Manager Digital Marketing Manager New Position Sports & Events Marketing Manager New Position Public Relations Manager Reclass Marketing Coordinator Client Services Coordinator Reclass Research Associate ECCC Sales Manager Reclass Sales & Marketing Manager ECCC Business Development Coordinator Reclass Sales & Marketing Coordinator Staff requests to negotiate a seven month, reduced-scope contract extension to retain website services and public relations through April/May, social media through June/July, and strategic marketing plan media placements through September. The contract extension will be presented to the Board at the February 16 meeting. Over the next month, advertising, creative, and media placement will be analyzed to determine whether an RFP should be issued (there would be no remaining renewal options available on the Peter Mayer contract) or additional in-house staff positions created to perform these duties. The Tourist Development County recommended approval of the reorganized marketing structure and creation of new positions, as well as a seven month extension of a renegotiated, reduced- scope contract with the Peter Mayer agency, at its January 13 meeting. OPTIONS: Approve or Deny RECOMMENDATION: requesting separate votes for (1) and (2) (1) Approve the marketing function reorganization, and conceptually approve the creation of new positions and reclassification of existing positions as presented. Specific job descriptions and classifications/grades will be presented for approval at the February 16 meeting. (2) Approval to negotiate a seven month extension of a reduced-scope contract with the Peter Mayer agency. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator