Macomb council advances proposed three‑year marketing contract with Spark Marketing Agency

The Macomb City Council Committee placed a proposed three‑year contract with Spark Marketing Agency on next Monday’s council meeting agenda for consideration after a presentation Wednesday.

Council member Scott Coker said the city issued a request for proposals that produced seven submissions and a short list of three firms; committee members favored Spark, which is part of Leap, and staff recommended moving the contract forward for formal action. “This is a 3 year term. We can get — we haven’t seen the final contract to see the language, but in there will be a way to get out after a year if we need to,” Coker said.

Why it matters: Council members said the campaign aims to market Macomb’s amenities — parks, restaurants, education and cost of living — to draw visitors and new residents from a roughly 250‑mile radius, and to coordinate city messaging with existing partner marketing by WIU, the chamber and the CVB.

What was presented: Coker told the committee the city budgeted $25,000 for the effort and that the Park District previously pledged $20,000; Blake Severs, the park district’s executive director, has indicated a possible additional $20,000 contribution in the next fiscal year. Coker said the subcommittee that developed the scope included local partners and that the majority of outreach would likely emphasize social media.

Support and next steps: Alderman Vazazzi and other council members voiced support for the initiative as a way to attract visitors and help local businesses. The committee voted to place the item on the agenda for the full council’s next meeting, where members will have the contract language and a proposed resolution for consideration.

The committee did not take a final vote on the contract Wednesday; formal approval and appropriation of funds would occur if and when the full council acts.