I.1. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is seeking proposals from qualified firms For public relations counsel services for the period commencing August 1, 2025, and Expiring July 31, 2028, II. SCOPE OF WORK II.1 The Contract shall provide the following services under this contract: · Public Relations: Provide ongoing counsel on message development and delivery for key audiences including COTA customers and potential new customers; COTA Board of Directors; elected and appointed officials with the State of Ohio, Franklin County and the City of Columbus; not-for-profit leaders; the business community; neighborhood and civic opinion leaders; partner organizations; union leadership and represented employees; and news media. Support crisis communications as needed. · Message Development: Draft messages and speeches to key external audiences as needed; Create talking points for COTA Management/Leadership team around COTA strategic plan, COTA services and community initiatives. · Thought Leadership: Identify and support opportunities for COTA leadership to speak regionally and develop messaging for COTA’s speakers bureau. · LinkUS Support: Provide support and counsel in cooperation with other key community partners and consultants on message development, external communication and community relations efforts surrounding the implementation of the LinkUS Initiative. · Ridership Strategies: Build public and media relations strategies and tactics around increasing COTA ridership as LinkUS grows · Media Relations: Advise on strategic media relations, draft press releases, op-eds, and other media outreach materials, and develop national news opportunities. · Reputation Management – Provide guidance on maintaining and improving COTA’s reputation with stakeholders, customers, and the media. · Content Development and Editing: Draft and edit external communication materials for the communications, community relations, and government relations teams. Also provide writing and organization for COTA's Annual Report · Calendar Building – Assist in developing an annual editorial content plan for media relations. · Community Relations: Counsel COTA on community relations matters, including building COTA’s reputation in the community; Suggest opportunities for COTA to engage with key community leaders, either through independent meetings or through presence at key community events. · Award Recognition: Assist COTA in both identifying and submitting applications for various industry and community awards. · Meetings: Attend COTA Public and Media Relations touch-base meetings on Monday afternoons. Attend LinkUS Communications Working Group meetings and provide support and advise when needed · On-Site Assistance: Provide media relations assistance during COTA and LinkUS groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies and media events, as needed. · Counsel: Provide counsel COTA on community relations matters, including enhancing its reputation and engagement with community leaders. · Engagement: Suggest and facilitate opportunities for COTA to engage with key community leaders through meetings and events. · Local Government Affairs Support: Provide ongoing counsel on messaging for elected and appointed officials at the state, county, and city levels. · Relationship Building: Develop strategies around building relationships with government/ community relations partners, as needed
