HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-87-0496.11
NV
March 7, 1987
Mr. Cisar Odio
City Manager - City of Miami
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida 33133
Dear Mr. Odio:
dr..
The last tour of MIAMI--A NEW WORLD CENTER takes place April 4-11, 1987, with
the participation of very prominent journalists from major publications in
Europe and Japan. In order to process the contract for 1987-38 on a timely
basis, we are hereby presenting our proposal for the next fiscal year, to
include tours in September and October 1987 and a tour in May 1988. We hope
you will schedule our firm for a presentation before the City Commission
during the first week in May 1987.
I have enclosed a proposal for the next program and have sent copies to the
Mavor and Commissioners. This year, the November '86 tour of Latin American
journalists has generated numerous articles from major publications such
as 0 ESTA00 SAO PAULO, FOLHA SAO PAULO and LA VANGUARDIA of Spain. These
are worth thousands of dollars in positive publicity for the city. (See
samples attached). We also expect the April 1987 to generate many positive
articles and programs in prestigious publications such as LE FIGARO, YOMIURI
SHIMBUM, ASAHI SHIMBUM, LE POINT, LE SOIR and many others.
We propose a change in date for the 1987-88 because many members of the hotel.
airline and bus company industries have expressed their concerns about con-
tributing complimentary lodging, transportation and bus tours to the journalists
during the "peak" tourism season. As you know, they have been very cooperative
in the past, and I feel it is only fair to accept their suggestions at this
time in order to avoid inconveniencing them too much.
We also request greater flexibility for our firm in the selection of a Black
subcontractor to assist us with the tours. Specifically, we would like to
have complete freedom and authority in the selection of the subcontractor, as
long as we do comply with the wishes of the City Commission in that the sub-
contractor should be a Black woman, as has been the case during the past few years.
This will allow us to be more effective in the supervision of the subcontrac-:or's
performance, so that we can deliver an even better product to the City.
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With reference to the 1987-88 budget, please note that there is a slight
increase in our request for .funding from the City of Miami. As you know,
we have kept the request to $40,000 during the last two years. However,
because of increased costs such as secretarial services, additional
time devoted to subcontractor supervision and assistance to subcontractor,
long-distance calls and other expenditures, we must request a slight
increase this year. We also intend to work with other governments such
as Coral Gables and Miami Beach to offset the increases in the budget.
We feel they have sometimes benefited from the tours and should contribute
to the budget.
The local and international media have recognized MIAMI--A NEW WORLD CENTER
as an innovative and effective public relations program which has generated
more than SZ million in positive publicity for Miami. We are proud to
be the minority -owned firm that created and implements this program for
the City of Miami. lie therefore request that you recommend continuation
of this contract to the City Commission so we may continue promoting
our city as an international business and cultural center.
We look forward to hearing from you with reference to the City Commission
appearance. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
4i ncerel ,
Ai a T, vitan, Ph.O.
President
8 7-496
M
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PROPOSED BUDGET
MIAMI--A NEW WORLD CENTER
1987-88
Professional Services
Professional Service Fees for Aida Levitan & Associates, Inc.
,Overall coordination of three tours
Supervision and training of subcontractor
Preparation of Action Reports and Liaison with
City of Miami administrative staff
$25,000.00
Professional Service Fees for Black Subcontractor
10,000.00
Assistance to Aida Levitan & Associates, Inc.
Secretarial Services for Three Tours
10,000.00
Long-distance Calls and Telephone Services
3,000.00
Duplicating
500.00
Printing of programs, information materials & itineraries
2,000.00
(Design, typesetting and printing included in this amount)
Pfiotographic services -- three tours
500.00 .
Per Diem Expenses: $500 per tour
Parking for contractors at hotels, taxi fares for journalists
that miss bus, occasional entertainment and meal expenses,
occasional expenses at hotels, etc., on behalf of journalists.
1,500.00
Tour guides (at least one per tour)
1,500.00
Postage
1,000.00
S55,000.00
�f.
A C T! O N R E P O R T
PROPOSAL TO THE
CITY OF MIAMI
1987-1988 MIAMI--A NEW 40PID CENTER. JOURNALIST TOURS
WHAT: MIAWI--A NEW WORLD CENTER is a program of journalist tours that
has generated more than $2 million in positive articles, TV and
radio programs for the City of Miami since its creation in 1980.
Over 850 articles and programs have resulted from the visits of
more than 800 journalists. to Miami, under the aegis of the program.
WHO: Aida Levitan & Associates, Inc. has implemented the project for
the City of Miami since 1983, under a contract with the City
government. The tours were started by Aida Levitan in 1980,
when she served as Director of Information and Visitors for the
City of Miami from 1980 to 1983.
WHEM: Three tours take place each year. One of the tars concentrates
on Latin American journalists. Others bring.U.S., Caribbean,
European, Asian, Canadian and Middle East writers and network
journalists. We recommend the following schedule for 1987-88:
First Tour - September 1987
4
Second Tour - Late October 1987
Third Tour - May 1988'
These dates are during the "low" tourist season, thus avoiding
conflicts with the airlines, hotels and bus companies which
are so busy with tourists during the winter and spring months.
SPONSORS: Aida Levitan & Associates, Inc. raises approximately $200,000
in in -kind contributions from airlines, hotels, bus companies,
restaurants and local companies to provide the necessary resources
to MIAMI--A NEW HOP12 CENTER.
RESULTS: It is expected, based on the performance of previous years, that
approximately S400,000 in free publicity (articles, radio and TV
programs) will be generated by the tours.
BUDGET: Coordination of the program by Aida Levitan & associates, Inc.
and a Black Subcontractor = 545,0M for one year of work.
(See attached budget description)
ALGA LEV'ITAN ASSOCIATES,rric_
323 o MAAY srREET COCONUT GROVE - FLORrOA 33132
305 A-36-31 3? ! 351 -3639
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