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<br />City of Tukwila <br />Thomas McLeod, Mayor <br />INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM <br />TO:Planning and Community DevelopmentCommittee <br />FROM:Brandon J. Miles,Director, Strategic Initiatives <br />CC:Thomas McLeod <br />DATE:February 3, 2025 <br />SUBJECT:Agreement with True Blue Strategies for Experience Tukwila <br />ISSUE <br />Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with True Blue Strategies for the management and <br />operation of the Experience Tukwila Digital Initiative and to provide general marketing services for <br />the City. <br />BACKGROUND <br />In2020, the City launched the Experience Tukwila Digital Initiative to aggressively promote the <br />Tukwila community withinthe Seattle region. Experience Tukwila includes dedicated social media <br />accounts and a website with original content highlighting restaurants, retailers, events, and the <br />overall Tukwila community. The Experience Tukwila digital initiative hasallowed us to do <br />sponsorships and partnershipsthat we were unable to do in the past, including being a partner for <br />Seattle Restaurant Week and partnering with the Seattle Seawolves. <br />For 2025and 2026Experience Tukwila will focus on growing its reach and followers on social media <br />with authentic posts, including video, and getting our social media and digital media assets ready for <br />the World Cup. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Tukwila since it launched in 2020.True Blue is small, womanowned marketing firm based out of <br />Seattle and is responsible for the day-to-day management of Experience Tukwila. The City selected <br />True Blue in 2020 after interviewing several firms. True Blue was selected duetoits small size and <br />overall background in working with both public policy and marketing.It takes time to build up and get <br />a rhythm in marketing and promotion. True Blue has gained good experience in marketing the City <br />and continuing to use them will provide significant value to the City. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT <br />The City Council approved lodging tax funding in 2025for 2026 for $200,000 in both years for <br />Experience Tukwila.The agreement with True Blue is not to exceed $200,000and will run from <br />February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026. <br />As a reminder, lodging tax funds are collected at area lodging businesses from overnight stays. <br />Under Washington State law, lodging tax funds can only be used for tourism promotion activities, <br />such as Experience Tukwila. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Committee forward the Agreementto the consent agenda on the <br />February 24, 2025 special meeting. <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />1.Draft Agreement between the City of Tukwila and True Blue Strategies. <br />1 <br /> <br />