5/19/2022
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Tourism announced new marketing partnerships today as it looks to expand and grow the state’s brand and marketing footprint.
After a competitive request for proposal process (RFP), the South Dakota Department of Tourism has chosen to establish partnerships with four advertising and public relations firms beginning July 1, 2022. The following four agencies have been selected through the RFP process:
- Karsh Hagan for lead creative branding, traditional & digital media, and activations
- Love Communications for facilitating the cooperative marketing strategy and consumer insights
- Lou Hammond Group for public relations
- Two by Four for social media, email marketing, and website development
The South Dakota Department of Tourism partners with advertising agencies to promote the state as a meaningful and desirable destination and to develop innovative tourism marketing campaigns. Each agency will work closely with the Department of Tourism to develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies.
The length of each contract is three years, with the option of two (2) one-year renewals.
“We are excited about partnering with these agencies to further South Dakota’s brand presence,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. “Our brand has grown dramatically in recent years, and we believe these agencies will assist with further integration and development to push South Dakota’s tourism industry to a new level of success.”
The review process began in January 2022 with issuance of the official request for proposal through the South Dakota Office of Procurement website. Fifteen firms from across the country submitted written proposals, from which seven were chosen to give oral presentations
The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen.
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MEDIA NOTES:
About Karsh Hagan
Founded in 1977, Karsh Hagan is a boldly independent, multi-disciplined creative and marketing agency in Denver, Colorado. As a purpose-driven collection of makers, doers, and explorers of brave ideas, they create moments that positively shift a brand's trajectory and impact people's lives. Karsh Hagan has over four decades of tourism experience; current clients include the Colorado Tourism Office, Denver International Airport, Inspirato, the City of Ouray, CO, The Mountain Collective, the Town of Mountain Village and the Telluride Tourism Board, Visit Big Sky, MT, and VISIT DENVER.
About Love Communications
Celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year, Love Communications is a full-service advertising and marketing firm based in Salt Lake City. The agency currently employs nearly 50 full-time staffers. Love’s tourism portfolio includes the Utah Office of Tourism, Visit Salt Lake, Ski Utah, Greater Zion, and Moab Area Travel Council. The firm operates under the direction of partners Tom Love, Preston Wood and Alan Reighard.
About Lou Hammond Group
Lou Hammond Group (LHG) is an award-winning, full-service marketing communications firm representing premium brands globally. The company, founded in 1984, is headquartered in New York City with offices in Atlanta, Charleston, Denver, Houston and Tampa. LHG currently represents nearly 30 destinations with a strong industry track record of client longevity.
About Two by Four
Founded in 1998, Two by Four is located in Chicago and is an independent, full-service advertising and marketing agency that helps brands manufacture action. Blending disruptive creativity, meticulous craftsmanship, media savvy and dedicated partnership, we help businesses of all sizes grow by igniting positive momentum and business impact. We are a relentless, eclectic group of creative thinkers, tinkers and troublemakers consumed by solving complex brand challenges. From disruptive start-ups to established brands, our results are built on a foundation of strategic insights, breakthrough creative, innovative media, and world-class production capabilities, providing a blueprint for explosive growth. Our fully integrated, digital-first approach leverages creativity along every touchpoint of a consumer’s journey. For over 23 years, we’ve honed our expertise in Travel & Tourism, CPG, B2B, Tech, Higher Ed, Health, Sciences and Nonprofits. Current clients include: Wrangler, Zebra Technologies, Club Champion, Waystar, NCAA, Mellon Foundation, American Osteopathic Association, Duke University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, J. Paul Getty Museum and TimberTech, among others.
CONTACT
Katlyn Svendsen, Global Media & Public Relations Director
South Dakota Department of Tourism
Phone: 605-773-3301
Email: [email protected]