HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-10 - MinutesADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
December 10, 2012
*Commissioners Present: Ching Mong, Bob Davis, Bobby Ferrell, Bill Lyle, Hannah Mills, Maudie Schmitt
and Justin Tennant.
Commissioner Absent: None
Staff Present: Marilyn Heifner, Sandra Bennett, Matt Clement
CALL TO ORDER
Maudie Schmitt called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion
Commission to order on December 10, 2012, at 2:00 p.m.
MINUTES
Moved by Davis, second by Mong to approve the November minutes of the Commission. Motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
HMR Revenue - Marilyn reported that HMR revenue for November showed a 3.34% increase over
2011, and 10.30% for the year to date.
Financial Reports were reviewed and reflect increased revenue and controlled spending in all
accounts.
Delinquent Tax Collection Efforts - City Prosecutor did not collect any overdue HMR taxes in
•November.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Clinton House Museum - a new website was launched on November 11. Additional hits were seen
immediately on its release. It represents all of the history of the house as well as the collections.
CVB - Sales in the store are sliding because of the opening of the Fayettechill store. Visitor count is also
down.
Town Center -
Sales for the Town Center were up
3%, with total collections
at $39,208.20. Social events
and corporate
events represent 35% each of total
event makeup.
ADVERTISING AGENCY REPORT
Mike Sells and Media Director Greg Harrison presented the 2013 media plan. It is a more targeted
approach and shows continued expansion of digital channels. A digital buy is a continual challenge
because there is a lot more detail than in a print buy.
Drew Finkbeiner said the 2012 buy is a smaller than 2013 buy. They will have behavioral targets
through Trip Advisor, add the Columbia Mo area Facebook, as well as Waco, Sherman area. Residents
will be locally targeted in the River Valley.
The agency will look at where the visitor is coming from and concentrate that area with editorial
110overage. Facebook ads will be fewer than last year. Advertising there will concentrate on a concise
ime around specific events rather than a 12 month buy.
Greg presented the print buy including American Road and Missouri Life.
Mong moved to approve the media plan, second by Tennant. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS REQUEST
avis said the Walton Arts Center originally created to run the facility which was a joint project between
the City and the University. The UA has to pay to use the facility now and currently the WAC can't fulfill
the need of the UA. A larger venue is needed and as they talked with the WAC, the University couldn't
afford the $40 million cost. The Men's Gym is currently being used by the Architecture department. The
University anticipated starting the remodeling in August 2013 (1'12 years to complete). The UA facility
will be open to the public when the UA is not using the building. They estimate bringing in 10,000 people
to the city. Revenue to the city is anticipated to be $300,000 - $1 million additionally. This is what the A
& P Commission is about - putting heads in beds and increasing the revenue to the Commission - it's all
about economic development.
Citizen Sharon Davison said she was disappointed with the stewardship of money. She approved of the
town and gown comingling because of efforts, not money. She thinks it inappropriate for A & P to put a
million dollars to the UA.
Davis said
he appreciates what the UA does for
the city - there is
probably someone visiting the
University
and in a bed every night contributing
to the HMR tax.
Hannah Mills said she was not,sure she could justify a million dollars to put heads in beds.
Davis said the question was about opening 700 seats for the arts. Whether we look at a million or less,
the HMR collection of the UA shouldn't drive the decision. The need is there. The UA is a revenue
producer for the HMR and we need to look at it and see what level we can help.
*Mills said she was looking at the larger picture. It is a beneficial project, but she's not sure the A & P is
the appropriate benefactor. The UA will host the highest quality performances.
Justin Tennant thanked the Chancellor for his leadership in making the UA what it is. It is a unique ask
and there are reasons on both sides to approve the contribution or not. Sometimes there is a need of
something to rekindle both sides. The HMR taxes might be used for some project. Looking at what the
UA brings to us, we should support the UA in some amount. It will change the way the A & P does
business and keeps arts thriving in Northwest Arkansas.
Heifner said the arts was an acceptable way the A & P Commission could spend the HMR tax; however,
the Commission had never awarded an amount larger than $500,000 to any entity who had come asking
for help. She does not feel that the Commission can pay that over a three year period and recommended
that the payment be paid in 2013 after construction begins.
Bobby Ferrell said we must be responsive to our stakeholders who have an impact on the city and the UA
does that. The UA is the largest economic driver for the City of Fayetteville.
Ferrell moved that we award $500,000 to the UA for Field House remodeling in 2 payments in 2013, one
when they break ground (begin construction) and another in December 2013, second by Davis. Motion
carried.
Chancellor Gearhart thanked the Commission for taking their civic duty seriously. He thanked them for
their vote of confidence in the University. He looks forward to working together toward a common goal -
a better Fayetteville.
NEW BUSINESS
RESIGNATION OF HANNAH MILLS
WMaudie Schmitt thanked Hannah Mills for her service to the A & P Commission and accepted her
esignation.
Commissioners decided to use the names which were submitted for the last selection and choose a new
Commissioner in January. Marilyn will call those who applied and see if they wish to be considered.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Heifner
Executive Director
Fayetteville A & P Commission
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