Advertising and PR agencies are in no crisis. Over the past two years the government gave them so many millions of levs under numerous events to promote various measures and activities of the European funds that undoubtedly become a major sponsor of the advertising business in the country. But while such actions were a trademark of ministries and mostly of the Ministry of Agricultural, now in the giving away of money municipalities are actively involved, too. Since the beginning of October a dozen contracts for information and publicity have been announced, and in December and January these procedures are expected to be booming.
Mayors generally have much smaller amounts than ministers. What is promoted are specific projects, such as repairs to schools or streets, for example. But on the other hand, municipalities are hundreds and each of them has a few projects, and in the end of the day they will pour more money in the media agencies than the government. And if anyone thinks that this whole lot of financial resources will be used only for the promotion of the set objects is in a big mistake.
Among the most active municipalities in the field of advertising is now Sliven. With the first two procedures came on stage with a budget of over 620 thousand levs. This is because the mayor Nikola Milev (from the socialist party) has joined in a single tender the information campaigns of all projects under the Operational Programme Regional Development of the municipality. In the case 496 thousand levs of the total amount is precisely to be spent on this. The money will go to cover the design, construction and installation of billboards, explanatory placards, banners, posters, brochures, leaflets, posters and production of radio and broadcasting materials in the local television.
The ad campaign includes the shooting of a 12-minute promotional film with subtitles in five languages, as well as the making of a luxury catalogue and broadcasting of television and radio ads. Set are also publications in online publications and travel magazines. There is also a paid advertising campaign on national television and radio stations, publishing articles in international publications, banner ads on social networks, creating tourist guides and maps, as well as development and implementation of tourist mobile application for smartphones and tablets.
Other advertising money of Sliven is set to promote the city’s water cycle. Bids of candidates for this campaign will be opened on November 20 and the winner will have to distribute brochures by the end of 2014.
