Strategic Marketing & Branding Services

Background
Cowlitz County, in coordination with the Cowlitz County Public Facilities District, is seeking proposals from experienced consultants or consulting firms to provide strategic marketing and branding services for the Cowlitz County Event Center. The goal of this contract is to develop a comprehensive Strategic Marketing Plan and refreshed brand identity that aligns with the County's long-term vision for economic development, recreation, and event opportunities.

Work Details
The Consultant will provide professional services broken into four tasks:

1) Project Initiation, Scheduling, and Administration - developing a project plan and establishing communication;

2) Market Intelligence & Competitive Benchmarking - conducting market research to identify target audiences and competitive analysis;

3) Brand Development, Content Creation, and Launch - creating a new brand identity and media campaign plan;

4) Preparation and Publication of a Strategic Marketing Plan - compiling research into a written report that includes marketing goals for the next five years, key partnerships, target audiences, messaging strategies, and performance metrics.

Period of Performance
The contract is expected to begin on April 1, 2026, and end on April 1, 2027. The County reserves the right to extend the contract for two additional one-year periods at its discretion.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed in Washington State, specifically related to the Cowlitz County Event Center located near downtown Longview.

Bidder Requirements
Contractors must demonstrate experience working with government agencies or regional economic development organizations. They should possess qualifications in market research, municipal branding, strategic marketing planning, collaboration skills, and project management. Additionally, contractors must be available for work in Washington State.