Professional marketing rep. hired to promote new pier designs and process

To avoid a calamitous repeat of what happened last time the city tried to build a new pier, they’ve gone and hired a marketing consultant for $60,000 a year. When the city chose the Lens as its final design to replace the inverted pyramid officials were met with a smathering of criticism from people saying the process left out the common Joe, was filled with misinformation and included components that, simply put, just wouldn’t be built under the city’s then $50 million budget.

Those critics won that battle and the budget for new design teams to build a new pier is down to $46 million. Kristin Brett, a former Tampa Bay Times marketing services manager, will draw her salary from that budget.

The city had originally intended to hire outside consultants to run marketing and outreach efforts, but decided a temporary, full-time, in-house person was a better fit to ensure emersion in the issue.

The Tampa Bay Times reports, Brett began the new gig in December and is potentially in place on the city’s payroll until the pier is completed in 2018(ish). The marketing professional has already begun making rounds at the Saturday morning market where she told the Times she shocked at how many people don’t know what’s going on with the process.

Brett will also run outreach events throughout the community during neighborhood and other meetings where residents turn out as well as man booths and distribute materials at the Saturday Morning Market and the Midtown Market.

Police officers will also be handing out pamphlets.

The city is involving the public as much as possible this time around. A non-binding vote is open for residents online from February 23-March 6 on the city’s website. Participants can choose their top three picks. After that, Mayor Rick Kriseman’s Pier selection committee will rank finalists. Sometime after that, city council will vote on a winner.

Prior to online voting, the selection committee will eliminate any of the eight current designs that are considered unfeasible. That will happen on January 23. On February 11 and 12, the design teams will present their ideas at 9 a.m. at the Coliseum. The public will be allowed to comment following the presentations.

Residents who do not have a computer are encouraged to vote for their favorite designs at any public library in the city.

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Professional marketing rep. hired to promote new pier designs and process