SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a Professional Services Agreement to the Instigo LLC dba Instigo Agency of St. Petersburg FL for sponsorship sales services for the City of Clearwater assets in the amount of $5,000.00 per month retainage fee plus an additional 12 percent of gross sponsorship sales that are negotiated and secured by Instigo for an initial one-year term with four one-year renewal options, pursuant to Request for Proposal (RFP) 54-25 and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
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SUMMARY:
In an effort to increase revenue opportunities for the City and support primarily Parks and Recreation programs, facilities, events and activities the city issued a Request for Proposal RFP 54-25 on August 5, 2025, for Sponsorship and Naming Rights services. Three responsive proposals were received by the due date of September 9, 2025.
An evaluation team consisting of representatives from Finance, Arts & Cultural Affairs, and Parks and Recreation reviewed and ranked all proposals and recommended Instigo Agency to provide these services. A Notice of Intent to Award was issued on October 2, 2025. Since that time, Instigo has worked with City staff on developing an agreement that includes prospect identification, asset identification, and a sales campaign development and execution strategy.
Instigo will serve as the exclusive sponsorship and naming rights representative of the City with respect to the sale of sponsorship, naming rights, presenting sponsor, official sponsor, category partnership, pouring rights, advertising, hospitality, and other related rights, as negotiated and approved by City of Clearwater staff.
Included in this agreement are benchmarks that Instigo has agreed to in order to track and measure success. Instigo and the City have already been working closely in preparation for this agreement to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Several City assets and major events have already been identified and Instigo and staff are ready to implement this agreement.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will establish special program M2602, Sponsorship and Naming Rights Services, to account for the revenues and expenses of this contract.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
In approving this agreement, the City will support following City of Clearwater Strategic Plan Objectives:
• 1.5: Embrace a culture of innovation that drives continuous improvement and successfully serves all our customers;
• 2.1: Strengthen public-private initiatives that attract, develop, and retain diversified business sectors.;
• 2.2: Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local investment, supports Eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job growth;
• 2.3: Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events; and
• 3.3: Promote marketing and outreach strategies that encourage stakeholder engagement, enhance community education, and build public trust.
