15 - Professional Services Agreement with North Star Place Branding & Marketing

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No. 15 Memorandum TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem & City Council FROM: Grayson Path, City Manager Maureen Hammond, Executive Director, Paris Economic Development Corp. Paul Allen, President, Lamar County Chamber of Commerce SUBJECT: Professional Services Agreement North Star Place Branding and Marketing DATE: February 14, 2022 BACKGROUND: In early 2021, Maureen Hammond approached Paul Allen and myself with a concept of developing a unified marketing program for the Paris Economic Development Corporation (PEDC), Lamar County Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) and the City of Paris. In our experience, we agreed that when developers and interested parties see a unified approach by our three entities, it tells them from the beginning that we are on the same page. A unified marketing project would include unified logos, messaging and marketing strategies. These can still be customized for each entity, but they share unified elements that link all three entities together. This will greatly assist us when it comes to marketing for primary and secondary jobs. It also helps show internally and externally that our three entities are indeed working in the same direction. While we have unique charges to fulfill, all three entities align for the purpose of making Paris and Lamar County a great place to live, work, play and do business. At the October 25, 2021 City Council Meeting, the City Council authorized the City Manager to work with Ms. Hammond and Mr. Allen to issue an RFP seeking qualified consultants who possess the expertise needed for this project. This project will require a significant amount of research and creativity, as well as a strategy for community engagement, all of which points to the need for a qualified consultant.