City considers $61,000 in marketing contracts
LISA HOBBS - News Editor
McMinnville’s Tourism & Marketing Committee met on Tuesday, July 21, to consider two marketing contracts.
“These are companies, or firms, that we have contracted with previously,” said Jordan Pupols, the city’s Tourism & Marketing Manager. “They currently run our marketing campaigns. So, essentially, we are requesting that we continue on with the same companies that we already have been utilizing.”
Designsenory’s marketing agreement contract would be for $46,000. That company would manage the city’s digital tourism campaigns from Aug. 1, 2026, through Feb. 28, 2027. Advance Travel & Tourism’s marketing agreement would be $15,000. That company would manage the city’s streaming television (OTT/STV) and YouTube campaign from Aug. 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027.
Pupols stated that she conducted an RFP (request for proposals) and these two submitted the best offers.
“Designsensory was one of six proposals that came in. After evaluations, they were chosen based on a couple different criteria, but mainly their familiarity with McMinnville and haven worked with us before and their ability to bring an extra added value of $92,500 in co-op funds.”
Alderman Rachel Kirby requested the process after the six-months contract lapses, to which Pupols replied, “After that, the co-op funds will be used up, and we won’t have to go to RFP again because it will be within that 12-month period. I’ll reevaluate and make sure that they are the group that we would like to continue working with. Part of the reason I only did six months is because I require a budget amendment to add a little money to our advertising budget.”
Being over the city’s spending limit of $20,000 without full board approval, Aldermen Kirby and Mayor Ryle Chastain approved the contract with Designsensory and sent it to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for its consideration. As for the contract with Advance Travel & Tourism, it fell below that limit. That agreement received final approval from Kirby and Chastain. Alderman Kara Youngblood was absent.