Hawaii's Kaua'i Visitors Bureau replaced Starr Seigle Communications with Laird Christianson Advertising Inc., Honolulu, as its ad agency after concluding a competitive review.
The bureau also retained incumbent McNeil Wilson Communications Inc., Honolulu, as its public relations agency. The contracts through 2005 are worth $500,000 for advertising and $175,000 for PR.
A membership-driven nonprofit, the visitors bureau is responsible for marketing and promoting tourism on Kaua'i, known as Hawaii's island of discovery. It is a division of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, drawing operating funds from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
The request for proposals process started in July. Four ad agencies and two PR firms were short-listed before Laird Christianson and McNeil Wilson won.
Laird Christianson handles tourism advertising for clients such as Marriott International, Centex Destination Properties, Ala Moana Hotel, Hilo Hattie and Prince Resorts Hawaii. The agency has been in business since 1989.
McNeil Wilson was founded in 1982. Travel and tourism accounts include Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, JTB Hawaii, Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
