A&P panel gives nod to new logo
The Texarkana, Ark., Advertising and Promotion Commission on Thursday approved a contract with a Little Rock marketing agency, along with a logo and tagline the agency created.
The commission will pay Sells Agency as much as $134,000 to promote Arkansas-side restaurants and tourism in 2018, according to the contract. The agency’s estimated expenses include:
■ $8,000 for branding;
■ $10,000 for photography;
■ $15,000 for a website and search engine optimization;
■ $15,000 for a visitor’s/facilities guide;
■ $18,000 for social media marketing;
■ $6,000 for sports/event marketing;
■ $22,500 for local restaurant marketing;
■ $4,000 for a community report;
■ $24,000 for marketing and project management;
■ $9,000 for public relations; and
■ $2,500 for miscellaneous expenses.
The contract stipulates that the total amount billed in 2018 will not exceed $134,000 without the commission’s prior consent.
The commission must approve drafts of all marketing and PR materials before costs are incurred. The commission will own any intellectual property created by the agency on its behalf, CEO Mike Sells said.
A logo and tagline for the marketing effort also met the commission’s approval.
The logo is meant to evoke train cars and thus Texarkana’s history as a railroad hub, Sells said. The tagline, “A Side of Goodness,” emphasizes both the hospitality of the city’s restaurants and the idea of visiting the Arkansas side of the state line.
Next steps for the agency include taking photographs of promotable locations in the city and developing a website.
On Twitter: @RealKarlRichter