Authority renews 1 80 marketing contract, board presses for performance metrics and local preference

The Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity voted to renew its marketing, public relations and social media agreement with vendor 1 80 for the coming fiscal year at an amount not to exceed $80,000.

Renita (staff) presented the item and said the authority had previously considered splitting services between two firms but recommended remaining with 1 80 for continuity, local knowledge and a reduced contract cost. She listed services included in the scope: social media ideation and execution, newsletter ideation and execution, graphic design, local media relations, proofreading and editing of reports, and other external communications support.

Board members asked how the authority measures success. Renita said staff meets regularly with the vendor and reviews analytics such as impressions, engagement, comments, likes, shares, and newsletter open rates; she said consistent growth has been observed when staff provides content to support the vendor’s work. Members also questioned use of artificial intelligence for marketing; Renita said the authority is developing an internal AI policy and that the marketing work requires an “authentic” brand voice that staff has not been told would be generated by AI tools.

Several trustees expressed a preference for local vendors when feasible. Renita and other board members noted 1 80’s local knowledge and responsiveness as reasons to continue the relationship. Trustees asked staff to share vendor performance data with the board going forward.

Ending: Staff will finalize the renewal and provide performance metrics to the board; the authority also plans to complete an internal AI policy and incorporate vendor performance reporting into future updates.