Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications Services (ITB 26-005

City of Doraville Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing
ITB 26-005
September 2026
1. RFP Purpose
The City of Doraville ("City" or "Doraville") is seeking proposals from qualified branding, marketing, tourism,
and strategic communications firms to develop a comprehensive tourism brand, marketing strategy,
implementation framework, and campaign identity that authentically represents Doraville and positions the
community for future tourism growth.
The selected firm will conduct research and discovery, engage community and tourism stakeholders, evaluate
Doraville's competitive position, identify and articulate the community's most compelling tourism assets,
develop a unified brand and messaging platform, and create a practical strategic marketing plan that can
guide implementation over the initial contract term and anticipated renewal periods.
The City seeks a brand that is authentic, memorable, sustainable, and capable of being embraced and
consistently used by residents, businesses, elected officials, community organizations, tourism partners, and
visitors.
2. Project Objectives
The selected consultant will be expected to:
Develop a thorough understanding of Doraville, its community character, tourism assets, visitor
opportunities, and existing marketing efforts.
Identify Doraville's competitive advantages and opportunities for differentiation as a tourism destination.
Build informed consensus among community leaders and key stakeholders around the destination's
positioning and marketing direction.
Develop clear, compelling messaging that differentiates Doraville and can be consistently used across
marketing and communications platforms.
Develop a cohesive visual identity and campaign framework that complements the City's existing identity
and supports tourism promotion.
Create a unified campaign concept that can be implemented across tourism communications,
advertising, digital platforms, events, promotional materials, and other appropriate channels.
Prepare a comprehensive strategic marketing plan based on research, stakeholder input, the approved
brand strategy, and the available marketing budget.
Provide practical implementation tools, recommendations, and standards that support long-term brand
consistency and effective marketing execution.
3. Background and Project Context
Doraville is undertaking this project to establish a clear and compelling tourism identity and a coordinated
marketing strategy that reflects the community as it exists today while supporting its future tourism potential.
The City intends for the resulting strategy and brand platform to serve as a foundation for coordinated tourism
marketing and communications. The selected consultant should consider the City's existing identity, assets,
City of Doraville - Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications RFP

City of Doraville Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing
ITB 26-005
September 2026
programs, businesses, events, digital presence, and other relevant efforts and should recommend ways to
build upon existing strengths.
Proposers should clearly explain how their proposed tourism brand, tagline, campaign, and visual system
would relate to and complement the existing City/community logo. Any recommendation concerning
modification or use of the existing logo should be clearly identified in the proposal.
4. Scope of Services
The following represents the minimum anticipated scope of services. Proposers may recommend additional
or modified approaches when they believe those approaches will better achieve the project objectives. Any
such recommendations should be clearly identified and explained.
4.1 Phase One - Research and Discovery
Community Immersion
The consultant shall conduct a community immersion experience designed to understand Doraville firsthand
from the perspective of a resident and visitor/tourist. The experience should consider tourism assets,
attractions, hotels, restaurants, shopping, events, public spaces, transportation/accessibility, visitor
experience, and other relevant factors.
The proposal shall describe the consultant's immersion methodology, anticipated participants/staff,
estimated time commitment, and expected outcomes.
Stakeholder Research and Engagement
The consultant shall propose and conduct a stakeholder engagement process appropriate to the project. The
process should identify perspectives that will inform brand positioning, target audiences, messaging, and
implementation.
Proposers should describe their recommended approach to interviews, focus groups, workshops, surveys,
and/or other engagement methods, including anticipated participants, sample sizes where applicable,
methodology, staffing, and how findings will be incorporated into the final strategy.
Competitive Analysis
The consultant shall compare Doraville with other communities for purposes of evaluating tourism positioning
and competitive opportunity. The analysis shall consider, as applicable, tourism assets, hotels, attractions,
restaurants, shopping, events, destination branding, digital presence, marketing activity, target audiences,
and other relevant factors.
The analysis should identify competitive advantages and gaps and provide specific recommendations
regarding how Doraville should be positioned as a tourism destination.
Research Findings
The consultant shall synthesize research and engagement findings into a clear assessment of Doraville's
current tourism position, opportunities, challenges, target audiences, and potential points of differentiation.
City of Doraville - Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications RFP

City of Doraville Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing
ITB 26-005
September 2026
4.2 Phase Two - Brand Strategy and Messaging
Brand Strategy Development
Based upon research, stakeholder interviews, surveys, workshops, and competitive analysis, develop a
comprehensive tourism brand strategy addressing, at a minimum:
Destination/community positioning
Destination personality and brand character
Brand promise
Key differentiators and unique selling propositions
Target audiences and priority visitor segments
Value proposition
Elevator speech/concise destination description
Recommended tone and voice
Strategic implications for marketing and communications
Tourism Messaging Platform
Develop strategic messaging for Doraville as a tourism destination that can be adapted and consistently used
across advertising, digital platforms, social media, websites, events, promotional materials, presentations,
partner communications, and other appropriate channels.
The messaging platform should include core messages and supporting messages appropriate to the identified
target audiences and positioning.
4.3 Phase Three - Visual Identity and Campaign Development
Tourism Visual Identity
Develop a cohesive visual identity system that supports the approved tourism brand strategy and
complements the existing City/community logo. Proposers shall clearly describe the recommended
relationship between the tourism identity and the existing City identity.
Integrated Campaign Development
Develop a tourism marketing campaign concept that unifies community tourism communications under a
recognizable identity and can be implemented across multiple channels. The campaign should be adaptable
to the City's available budget and future marketing priorities.
Campaign applications and concepts should address, as appropriate:
Wayfinding concepts
Website/digital implementation
Advertising
Promotional items and sample applications
Presentation templates
E-signatures
Social and digital marketing applications
Other recommended tourism marketing materials
City of Doraville - Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications RFP

City of Doraville Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing
ITB 26-005
September 2026
4.4 Phase Four - Strategic Marketing Plan and Implementation
Prepare a comprehensive strategic marketing plan based on research findings, the approved brand strategy,
identified audiences, competitive analysis, and the City's available marketing budget.
The plan should provide practical implementation guidance, including recommended strategies, tactics,
channels, priorities, timing, responsibilities, budget considerations, and measurable performance indicators.
The consultant shall also provide implementation recommendations describing how the City/CVB can
maintain brand consistency and transition from strategy development to ongoing marketing execution.
5. Minimum Final Deliverables
At a minimum, the selected consultant shall provide:
Executive summary
Community/tourism research findings
Stakeholder engagement findings
Survey results, where surveys are conducted
Competitive analysis
Brand strategy document
Brand positioning statement
Target audience recommendations
Brand standards manual
Tourism campaign concept
Marketing examples and sample applications
Digital assets and appropriate source/native files
Strategic marketing plan based on the approved strategy, research findings, and available budget
Implementation recommendations and tools
Presentation to elected officials, City/CVB leadership, and/or designated stakeholders
6. Project Schedule
The City anticipates the following procurement and project schedule. Dates are subject to change by the City.
Milestone Anticipated Date
RFP Issued September 3, 2026
Questions Due September 18, 2026
Proposals Due October 5, 2026
Finalists Selected / Interviews October 16, 2026
Consultant Selection November 11, 2026
7. Proposal Requirements
To facilitate a consistent and equitable evaluation, proposals should be organized in the following order and
address each item below.
City of Doraville - Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications RFP

City of Doraville Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing
ITB 26-005
September 2026
1. Letter of Interest - Identify the proposing firm, principal contact, and a brief statement of interest and
understanding of the project.
2. Company Qualifications - Provide an overview of the firm, years in business, relevant qualifications, and
experience branding cities, counties, destinations, regions, tourism organizations, or comparable
communities.
3. Project Team - Identify the proposed project manager and key personnel. Provide professional
profiles/resumes and describe each individual's role, anticipated level of involvement, and availability.
4. Community Engagement Expertise - Describe the proposed community immersion, stakeholder interview,
survey, workshop, and engagement processes, including anticipated participants, staffing, methodology,
and outputs.
5. Relevant Case Studies - Provide relevant branding, tourism marketing, destination marketing, or
comparable projects. Include client name, project scope, role of the firm, results/outcomes where
available, visual examples, and client references.
6. Website and Digital Marketing Experience - Provide examples of relevant tourism/destination websites,
itinerary planning tools or experiences, SEO strategy, website standards, analytics/reporting, and digital
marketing campaigns. Include links or examples where appropriate.
7. Marketing Planning and Measurement - Describe the proposed marketing-planning process,
recommended channels and tactics, and approach to establishing measurable Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs).
8. Scope of Work and Methodology - Provide a detailed description of the proposed approach to completing
the scope, including methodology, major tasks, deliverables, assumptions, City responsibilities, and
anticipated meetings.
9. Implementation Planning - Describe the process and recommendations for implementing the brand and
marketing strategy after completion of the initial project.
10. Project Schedule - Provide an anticipated project timeline showing major phases, milestones, meetings,
review periods, and final deliverables.
11. Cost Proposal - Provide a detailed fee proposal, including total project cost, costs by phase and/or major
deliverable, proposed payment schedule, hourly rates if applicable, reimbursable expenses, travel costs,
third-party costs, and any other anticipated charges.
12. Optional Services - Identify and separately price any additional services the proposer recommends that
are not included in the base scope.
13. Exceptions and Assumptions - Identify any proposed exceptions to the RFP requirements, assumptions
relied upon in developing the proposal, or services excluded from the proposed fee.
8. Cost Proposal Requirements
Proposers should provide a transparent cost proposal that enables the City to understand the relationship
between proposed services, deliverables, and fees.
Base project fee
Fee by project phase and/or major deliverable
Payment schedule
Hourly rates, if applicable
Travel and reimbursable expenses
City of Doraville - Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications RFP

City of Doraville Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing
ITB 26-005
September 2026
Third-party expenses or services
Optional services and associated pricing
Any other anticipated costs
Proposers should clearly identify whether travel and ordinary project expenses are included in the proposed
fee.
9. Evaluation and Selection
The City intends to evaluate proposals based on the qualifications and proposed value of the firm, the quality
and feasibility of the proposed approach, relevant experience, project team, and cost. The City may conduct
interviews with selected finalists before making a recommendation or selection.
10. Interviews and Clarifications
The City reserves the right to request clarification of any proposal, request additional information, conduct
interviews or presentations, and/or negotiate with one or more proposers as permitted by applicable law and
City procurement procedures.
If interviews are conducted, the City may consider the quality of the presentation, responsiveness to
questions, qualifications of the proposed team, understanding of the project, and ability to communicate and
collaborate with City/CVB leadership and stakeholders.
11. General RFP Conditions
The City of Doraville reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities or minor
irregularities in any proposal.
The City reserves the right to select the proposal it determines to be most advantageous to the City and
the region, considering the evaluation criteria and other factors permitted by applicable law.
This RFP does not constitute a commitment by the City to award a contract.
The City reserves the right to modify, amend, postpone, or cancel this RFP at any time in accordance with
applicable law and City procurement procedures.
All costs associated with the preparation and submission of a proposal are the sole responsibility of the
proposing firm.
Proposals and materials submitted in response to this RFP shall be handled in accordance with
applicable public-records and open-records requirements.
The selected consultant will be required to execute a formal agreement acceptable to the City before
services begin.
The final contract will establish the detailed scope of services, deliverables, schedule, payment terms,
insurance requirements, asset and intellectual-property ownership, confidentiality provisions where
legally permissible, termination provisions, and other applicable contractual requirements.
Proposers shall identify any material exceptions to the City's anticipated contract requirements in their
proposal.
City of Doraville - Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications RFP

City of Doraville Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing
ITB 26-005
September 2026
The selected consultant shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations,
ordinances, and City policies.
12. Ownership of Work Product
The City expects the final agreement to address ownership and permitted use of project work product.
Proposers should identify any limitations, licensing requirements, or third-party restrictions associated with
materials proposed to be delivered to the City.
The anticipated contract will address ownership and delivery of applicable final and source/native files,
including branding, messaging, campaign materials, research, reports, graphics, and other project assets,
subject to applicable law and negotiated contract terms.
13. Desired Outcome
The City seeks a strategic tourism brand and marketing framework that reflects who Doraville is as a tourism
destination today while inspiring where the community is going tomorrow.
The desired result is a distinctive, authentic, and sustainable destination brand supported by research,
stakeholder input, clear positioning and messaging, a cohesive campaign identity, and a practical marketing
and implementation plan. The resulting work should provide the City and CVB with the tools and strategic
direction necessary to coordinate tourism marketing, strengthen regional positioning, support local
businesses and tourism partners, and encourage future visitation.
14. Submission Information
Proposals shall be submitted to:
City of Doraville
Attn: Gary Marshall
Email: gary.marshall@doravillega.us
Questions regarding this RFP shall be submitted by September 18, 2026, using the designated contact method
above. Questions and any official responses or addenda issued by the City shall be handled in accordance
with the City's procurement procedures.
City of Doraville - Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications RFP

City of Doraville Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing
ITB 26-005
September 2026
APPENDIX A
COST PROPOSAL FORM
Proposers should provide a transparent cost proposal that enables the City to understand the relationship
between proposed services, deliverables, and fees (Per Section 8 of this RFP).
Award will consider price and additional services to be included, but price and additional services included will
not be the sole, determining factor.
Proposal Price Certification
In compliance with the attached specification, the undersigned understands the City's minimum scope
requirements.
The undersigned offers and agrees that if this proposal is accepted by the City Council within one hundred
twenty (120) days of the date of proposal opening, that the undersigned will furnish any or all of the deliverables
and additional services offered, at the budgeted price, to the designated point(s) within the time specified.
COMPANY____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________________________________________
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES_____________________________________________________________________________
PRINT / TYPE NAME ____________________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT'S PHONE NUMBER __________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT'S EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________________
City of Doraville - Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications RFP

City of Doraville Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing
ITB 26-005
September 2026
APPENDIX B
AFFIDAVIT VERIFYING STATUS FOR CITY PUBLIC BENEFIT APPLICATION
By executing this affidavit under oath, as an applicant for a City of Doraville, Georgia Business License or
Occupation Tax Certificate, Alcohol License, Taxi Permit, or other public benefit as referenced in O.C.G.A.
Section 50-36-1, I am stating the following with respect to my application:
[Name of natural person applying on behalf of individual, business, corporation, partnership or other private
entity]
1) ________ I am a United States citizen
OR
2) ________ I am a legal permanent resident 18 years of age or older or I am an otherwise qualified alien or
non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act 18 years of age or older and lawfully present
in the United States. *
In making the above representation under oath, I understand that any person who knowingly and willfully makes
a false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation in an affidavit shall be guilty of a violation of Code
Section 16-10-20 of the Official Code of Georgia.
________________________________ ____________________
Signature of Applicant Date
_________________________________
Printed Name
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN
BEFORE ME ON THIS THE *_______________________________________
___ DAY OF _________, 20___. Alien Registration number for non-citizens
___________________________________
Notary Public
My commission expires:
*Note: O.C.G.A. 50-36-1(e)(2) requires that aliens under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, Title 8
U.S.C., as amended, provide their alien registration number. Because legal permanent residents are included
in the federal definition of "alien," legal permanent residents must also provide their alien registration number.
Qualified aliens that do not have an alien registration number may supply another identifying number below.
_________________________________________
Alternative Identification Number
City of Doraville - Comprehensive Tourism Branding, Marketing & Strategic Communications RFP