Visit St. Pete Clearwater staff notified the board that an RFP process for advertising creative and media-buying services produced a top-ranked agency for both workstreams; the staff recommendation to contract with that firm will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 4.

"One agency was ranked number one for both of those RFPs," the CEO said, acknowledging the outgoing incumbent agency (BVK) for 17 years of service and thanking that team for its work. Staff said the recommendation consolidates creative/brand strategy and media buying under a single finalist selected through evaluation committee scoring and that the contract award will require BCC approval.

Staff also announced that the county film commissioner, Lisa, will retire effective Oct. 3 and that the position is being advertised; interviews will follow and staff said they anticipate bringing revisions to the county’s film incentive program to the board in coming weeks.

Ending: The CEO said a crisis-communication plan was available for board members and that staff would provide additional details on the recommended advertising contract and the film commission search timeline in future meetings.