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MVA renegotiating deal with PR firm
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Posted on Mar 28 2005
The Marianas Visitors Authority is looking at renegotiating the terms of its contract with a public relations firm operating MVA’s four offices in China.
MVA directors and managers will meet this afternoon to discuss the tourism agency’s $465,000 deal with Ruder Finn Asia, which expires on Thursday.
Ruder Finn was awarded an initial one-year contract last year and currently represents MVA in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong—the four Chinese cities from which charter flights to the CNMI originate.
Under the contract, MVA has an option to renew the agreement for another year.
In a special board meeting yesterday, MVA managing director Vicky Benavente recommended renewing the contract under the current terms. She said MVA “desperately needs” the four offices right now, as the China market has been opened only recently.
However, at least one member of the MVA board of directors said MVA might have to reconsider its having four offices in China. Board member JM Guerrero noted that MVA after all has only one office in Japan, which has 70 percent share of the Northern Marianas’ overall tourism market.
“Maybe we should shut off one office in China and re-channel the funds for promotions [to] Japan,” Guerrero said amid concerns over declining visitor arrivals from the CNMI’s primary tourism market.
Further discussion is expected to be made on the China advertising budget this afternoon.
MVA’s account with Ruder Finn is headed by Shanghai-based travel expert Shari Oliynyk, who works with her colleagues on developing a strategy and coordinated marketing program for MVA.
The services provided by Ruder Finn to MVA include public relations, on-line and off-line promotions, event organizing, and advertising.
Ruder Finn is a leading independent communications, counseling and services agency with more than 55 years’ experience. The Ruder Finn Group maintains offices in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington, London, Paris, Jerusalem, Asia Pacific, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney.
