Duluth's Tourism Marketing Shake-Up: Arizona Firm Takes the Lead!

DULUTH — A city-appointed committee has recommended Madden Media, an Arizona-based tourism marketing firm, to manage Duluth's destination-marketing services for the next two years. This decision will be presented to the City Council for approval during a committee meeting on December 5, with the final vote scheduled for December 9.

Despite 26 firms submitting proposals, the local marketing firm AimClear was informed it did not make the final cut, as Madden Media was chosen for a $1.8 million-per-year contract. The selection process involved a blind scoring method, ensuring impartiality, and the finalists included two other local businesses: Hailey Sault and Swim Creative.

Marty Weintraub, founder of AimClear, expressed disappointment, highlighting that local companies could have collaborated effectively. He emphasized the importance of local knowledge in telling an authentic Duluth story.

Duluth's Mayor Roger Reinert had previously indicated a preference for keeping marketing efforts local, stating, "It's hard to tell an authentic Duluth story if you’re not a Duluthian.” However, the incumbent provider, Bellmont Partners, was notably absent from this round of proposals.

The selection committee, chaired by Tom Werner of the Duluth Airport Authority, included members from diverse backgrounds to ensure a fair evaluation process. City Administrator Dave Montgomery defended the choice, emphasizing the need for expertise to boost the local tourism industry's health and economic development.

In a bid to support local firms, bonus points were awarded for established Duluth presence during the scoring process. Despite this, Montgomery stated that local presence could not be the sole consideration in selecting the best candidate for this significant contract.

For more details, check out the city's RFP and scoring criteria available online.