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Isle of Palms council approves Blue Ridge Marketing branding contract funded through Explore Charleston
Summary
After a competitive RFP run by the ATAX committee, council approved a $50,150 branding and marketing strategy contract with Blue Ridge Marketing to align city communications with the "family‑friendly" comp plan; Explore Charleston will reimburse the cost.
Council voted to award a branding and marketing strategy contract to Blue Ridge Marketing, funded from Explore Charleston (the meeting packet listed the fee at $50,150 and noted reimbursement through the 30% tourism/marketing allocation).
Staff traced the effort to prior work with Explore Charleston and a desire to better target family‑friendly visitation and consistency across city communications. The tax committee conducted an RFP process with more than 30 responses, shortlisted six firms, and interviewed the finalists. Staff said Blue Ridge Marketing was the top vote‑getter and that two other firms were close in scoring; the committee recommended following its scoring results but noted local firms were also strong contenders.
Council members asked whether the work would replace the city seal; staff clarified repeatedly that the contract covers a broader branding and marketing strategy and not a replacement of the official seal. The anticipated timeline discussed in the meeting was roughly six months and would include resident engagement, surveys and a plan to measure results. Council moved and approved the contract; staff said Explore Charleston would reimburse the cost from tourism marketing funds and that staff will ensure robust resident engagement during the project.
The council reiterated that funds used come from existing ATAX/tourism allocations and emphasized transparency and community involvement as the work proceeds.
