University of Alaska awards $500,000 public advocacy contract to Milwaukee firm

The University of Alaska (UA) has awarded a $500,000 contract to Milwaukee based advertising firm BVK. The contract was in response to an RFP from UA that came out in February. A total of eight firms responded to the RFP, including several Alaska firms. The firms include Denali Daniels & Associates, Strategies 360, Thompson & Co. Public Relations, Brilliant Media Strategies, and Yuit Communications. The other two that responded were Ologie and EMC Research, both based in Ohio. The RFP allows for up to two possible one-year extensions totaling an additional $1 million.

The scope of work describes a “public awareness campaign” that includes polling and messaging.

Robbie Graham, the Associate VP for Public Affairs for UA provided the following statement about the contract:

The university has great respect for the talent and creativity of our Alaska firms. The three universities and the system office have worked with, and continue to work with most of them on projects ranging from promoting teacher education, to web development and on other marketing efforts.

But what BVK offered differently than the other proposers was deep and impressive experience with numerous universities and higher education campaigns across the country. The firm’s level of knowledge about the task at hand impressed the evaluation committee as did the firm’s overall approach to the campaign. As we get underway, we will discuss with BVK how it might work with Alaska vendors on this campaign.

She added that the money for the contract comes from “UA’s unrestricted funds, and that no state funds will be used to support this campaign.” Although all university funds are fungible.

According to BVK’s website they do work for other universities that include Michigan State University, Texas Christian University, and Bryant & Stratton College.

The University has dealt with two years of steep budget cuts proposed by Governor Mike Dunleavy (R – Alaska). Many of the proposed cuts were added back by the legislature, although the University did agree to reduced cuts in 2019 in exchange for long term spending cuts.

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Marlin Savage
2 years ago

The $500K would have been better spent within the financially strapped University. The business and arts departments in conjunction with students and professors could have developed an Alaskan based “public awareness campaign”.

Harumph Badumph
2 years ago

Imagine if Robbie was still in the PR industry and she wasn’t awarded this contract? She would have breathed fire through her nostrils and sicked Craig on the whole system… unless he isn’t finished with his Senate Majority PR contract?

Last edited 2 years ago by Harumph Badumph
herb
2 years ago

How about firing Nikki Tshibaka? $150,000 per year plus benefits from UA and no work except to give Candidate Tshibaka access to state computers. A total disgrace and boondogle.

Richie Romero
2 years ago

Glad this.money didn’t go to White people

Areal Bilk
2 years ago

BVK’s portfolio should give you an idea why the university went with them. You can view it here: https://www.bvk.com/work/
Idealistically they would have hired a local firm… but realistically the local advertising firms charge way too much for mediocre branding work and the people they have working for them have little experience with big brands.