Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brownsville approves one‑year airport marketing contract, staff says campaign work will start immediately
Summary
The city commission voted to approve a one‑year, task‑order marketing and advertising contract for Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, covering billboards, digital, print and community engagement; staff said a campaign will begin promptly to support summer travel and outreach to out‑of‑market passengers.
Brownsville commissioners voted May 20 to approve a one‑year marketing and advertising contract for Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport. The contract—structured as a task‑order agreement—covers billboard buying, digital and print media, website maintenance, social media management, out‑of‑home advertising, radio and video production, and campaign research and creation, city staff told the commission.
Airport staff said the contract will fund local and out‑of‑market campaigns to encourage residents and visitors to use Brownsville’s flights and concessions. "In the first year the contract includes campaign creation and research about what our community wants from the airport to be able to market appropriately," airport presenter Angel said. The Federal Aviation Administration requires airports to use airport funds for airport marketing, the presenter told the commission.
The City Communications and Marketing office said it helped the airport prepare for the transition to the new contractor so promotional momentum would not be lost while the contract was approved. The airport board had voted to recommend approval of the marketing agreement, staff added.
Commissioners and one member of the public pressed staff to ensure the contractor begins producing visible results immediately rather than waiting months to place billboards or launch campaigns. A commissioner noted the contract total is $400,000 and asked the airport to ensure the city sees early deliverables during the one‑year term so renewal would be justified.
Vote and next steps: The commission approved the contract in a voice vote. Staff said billboards already in the valley will be transitioned and the contractor will begin social media and website work promptly after contract execution. The contract is task‑order based; staff said the first tasks are market research and campaign creation, followed by advertising buys and creative production.
Ending: Airport staff said the summer travel season requires quick action and that sign‑ups and campaign scheduling will begin immediately once the contract is executed.
