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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMRKT CMTE - 02/19/08 .�-- j ��•�� C'.�4L1�[ �ES�R� PALM DESERT MARKETING COIVrMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, February 19, 2008 — 2:00 p.m. Administrative Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER Sara O'Flynn called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. � U .,-1 II. ROLL CALL �� w Members Present: � Rick Darius �' � Emily Bird-Hrivnak � Sara O'Flynn, Chair c� Theresa Maggio � Lee Morcus Michael Shimer, Vice Chair W a -� Brent Wise z x t.r AO Jv Staff/Others Present: °' ' �-' •�-, Sheila Gilligan, ACM, Community Services � I r�r,+ � Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager � � ' � �, �; Donna Gomez, Visitor Center Manager � �Y� .��; David Hermann, Management Analyst �-� Piper Close, Full Gallop Marketing � '— l� � °� � � Michael Osgood, Desert Willow z �' I� . ` � o III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS U � � H� , �� H�.r� � �; � ^� � 'r '�t �, p1 E-� C!l U2 � E-+ H C'� E-� a U W W C.,..i s.n_ c/� C� -� None Hp,� t�7 �� � r-r r.-, �� r..x:t �-; U RC f� �; � "�'. � d > Ci IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OFJANUARY 15, 2008. Theresa Maggio moved, by Minute Motion, to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2008, meeting. Motion was seconded by Emily Bird-Hrivnak and carried 6-0. V. NEW BUSINESS A. SELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Ms. O'Flynn offered to continue her position as Chairwoman of the Marketing Committee and nominated Emily Bird-Hrivnak to serve as Vice Chairwoman. Ms. Bird-Hrivnak agreed. APROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 19, 2008 Ms. O'Flynn moved, by Minute Motion to appoint herself as Chairwoman for 2008 and Ms. Bird-Hrivnak as Vice Chairwoman. Motion was carried 6-0. B. PALM DESERT TOURISM WEBSITE REDESIGN & DEVELOPMENT Ms. Kneiding reported that Site Wire was no longer supporting the e-mail database that the City was using and it was not offering any new or current technology with regard to E-marketing. The City went to bid for a company to maintain its E-Government website and possibly include the tourism site into that contract. However, after reviewing those companies it was realized that the E- Government site needed a content management system and the tourism website needed to be interactive. Staff looked at several companies and, as a result, was recommending Off Madison Ave. and its Mighty Interactive Division. Off Madison Ave. could provide the City with an email marketing program that was top of the line and had everything the City was looking for with regard to proactive marketing with a software application called "Hit Wise." The "Hit Wise" software lets the client review competitor's websites, see where traffic was coming from, who was looking at the sites, and how to get traffic to the City's site. The total cost proposed was $45,000, which included all wire frame development, systems and authorizations. Off Madison Ave. ran an analysis of the City's current website to determine what the City's needs were before submitting its proposal. Upon question by Michael Osgood, Ms. Kneiding responded that Off Madison Ave. would design the template. One of the goals she was looking forward to accomplishing was developing a quarterly e-mail newsletter. Ms. Kneiding showed a demonstration of Off Madison Ave.'s "Hit Wise" software. Lee Morcus was "blown away" by the content of the site. Upon question by Ms. Maggio, Ms. Kneiding stated that she would review the site information on a quarterly basis. They would be looking at media strategy and planning from the information gleaned from the site Ms. Kneiding added that the City would rely on Off Madison Ave. for feedback and report processing. The company was cutting edge and affordable for the City's marketing/strategy and website development. The $45,000 would be split between fiscal years 2007/08 and 2008/09 in the marketing budget. Ms. O'Flynn moved, by Minute Motion, to recommend approval of the Agreement with Off Madison Ave. Motion seconded by Ms. Bird-Hrivnak and carried 6-0. C. PALM DESERT TELEVISION COMMERCIAL The Marketing Committee viewed the commercial. Positive comments were made and the Committee moved to receive and file. Ms. O'Flynn moved, by Minute Motion, to receive and file Palm Desert Television Commercial. Motion seconded by Mr. Morcus and carried 6-0. 2 APROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 19, 2008 D. VACATION GUIDES Ms. Kneiding distributed the new Vacation Guides. She stated that they will be available at the Visitor Center. Ms. Gomez commented that the new Vacation Guides would reduce the cost of mailing because it was one piece that covered all the information requested by travelers wishing to visit Palm Desert. Ms. O'Flynn moved, by Minute Motion, to receive and file the Vacation Guide. Motion seconded by Mr. Morcus and carried 6-0. E. FISCAL YEAR 2008/09 BUDGET Ms. Kneiding gave an overview of the Marketing Budget 2008-2009. Upon question by Ms. O'Flynn, Ms. Kneiding stated that there were some changes to the budget. Funds were added to the website line item to continue the second half of its development; it also included maintenance of the website. FAM Trips replaced Advertorial, which was used to supplement any co-ops or writing that occurred during the year. The FAM Trips monies will be used for opportunities, i.e. Travel Media Showcase and CVA FAM events. Photography and Videographer increased to add additional features or redo the current video being shown on Journey TV. Ms. Close gave an overview of the 2008-2009 City of Palm Desert Advertising and Marketing Budget. She stated that the current campaign will continue to run next year. She reported that the Visitor Center's print media buys were included in the budget. Ms. Kneiding stated that $50,000 was earmarked in October for the co-op Spot Marketing Campaign with the CVA. For the past two years the monies had to be appropriated. Because of the success of the program, staff included this item in the budget. Ms. Close stated that remaining print ads were consistent with what the City has been doing in the past. One switch was made with Seattle Metro instead of Seattle Magazine. Seattle Metro is a newer magazine and has taken a lot of readership from Seattle Magazine. Ms. Kneiding said the total budget was $1.4 million. Ms. Close pointed out a total of $30,000 was added to media buys because the amount of rate increases were uncertain until a media kit was received, which will not happen until after the budget is approved. This amount will take care of any rate increases that might occur in January 2009. Ms. O'Flynn moved, by Minute Motion, to receive and file Fiscal Year 2008/09 Budget. Seconded by Ms. Bird-Hrivnak carried 6-0. 3 APROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 19,2008 VI. OLD BUSINESS A. None VII. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS A. City Council None � VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. Chair Ms. O'Flynn reported that The Gardens Concert Series was in full swing. The first three concerts had sold out crowds. A St. Patrick's Day celebration will be held at The Gardens on March 17`n Bonnie Gilgallon from KNEWS, a noted news reporter and entertainer, will be at The Gardens after getting her star on the "Walk of Stars" in Palm Springs. An Irish Dance performance by the Irish Dance School will take place and a $10 donation will go towards scholarships for Palm Springs High School students who were pursuing the arts. Fashion Week EI Paseo is getting close and there will be three events happening at The Gardens on the center lawn. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance at The Gardens on March 22"d There will be an Easter egg hunt and dance contest to benefit "Big Brother Big Sisters" and for a $10 donation you can get a picture with the Easter bunny. B. Committee Members Theresa Maggio reported that BIGHORN closed $66 million in sales for the month of January 2008. Michael Shimer reported on an article he read in USA Today titled, "The Green Report." The story was about all major art of food and wine events in 2008 wherein there will be a "green segment" at the events. He suggested that Kemper be challenged to come up with a "green segmenY' for the Palm Desert Art of Food &Wine event. Rick Darius reminded the Committee that the 2008/09 schedule will be out soon and season tickets go on sale Monday, April 7, 2008. Mr. Morcus announced that the Kaiser Group just launched a promotional program that specifically targets local residents. Brent Wise said there has been a lot of movement at the property. He was hopeful that by the March meeting he may be able to give a detailed report. He added that Nordstrom's was definitely still coming to Westfield. 4 APROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT MARKETING COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 19, 2008 C. Ms. Gilligan requested, with the Committee's concurrence, that staff postpone going out to bid for the Marketing/Advertising contract. She said Ms. Close played a large part in the City's marketing and the Energy Program marketing, which was a separate contract, and Ms. Gilligan felt it was not the right time for the City to go out to bid for these services. She met with Bob Spiegel, Dick Kelly, and Sara O'Flynn to discuss this proposition. Ms. Gilligan will add this item onto the March agenda for an official vote. Ms. Gilligan distributed a "The Wall Street Journal" article that included the City in an energy report titled, "Energy (A Special Report) Nine Cities, Nine Ideas." The City of Palm Desert was one of the nine cities. A discussion about the Energy Program ensued. Staff shared three energy related public service announcements provided free by Time Warner. They are airing 200 times a week on Time Warner Cable channels. Ms. Close shared an article on Jerry Weintraub in the current issue of Vanity Fair magazine. Jerry Weintraub lives in BIGHORN. The article mentions Palm Desert 7 times. Ms. Kneiding shared an article in Biz Bash magazine, a publication distributed by Los Angeles Magazine, with an article and photo about the Palm Desert Food & Wine event. IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Visitor Information Center Activity Report— January 2008 X. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. , � Lori imbish, Recording Secretary 5