APRIL 11, 2011

GOVERNOR SCOTT GETS $30 MILLION FOR
NORTHWEST FLORIDA MARKETING FROM BP

Tallahassee, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott today announced that the Northwest
Florida Tourism Council (NWFTC) will receive a $30-million BP marketing
grant to help mitigate impacts to Northwest Florida’s tourism industry as a
result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The grant was a direct result of
efforts by Governor Scott, with the help of local leaders, to ensure
BP is more deeply invested in the Northwest Florida recovery effort.

“I’m pleased that BP is doing the right thing, and I’m optimistic that with
the assistance of this grant the world will know that Florida’s beaches
are as beautiful as ever and open for business,” said Governor Scott.
“However, this is just one small step on the road to recovery, and I’m going
to continue to hold BP accountable to the Floridians and businesses that lost
millions of dollars because of the oil spill.” The Governor and the NWFTC
signed two separate agreements which direct the $30‐million marketing
grant directly to the NWFTC coalition, which includes Escambia,
Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin, and establishes
a policy for handling the grant.

“On behalf of the tourism council, we want to thank BP for helping to
ensure Northwest Florida returns to its previous state and continuing to
support this region’s economic recovery. This grant is over and above
what is being allocated through the claims process,” said Dawn
Moliterno, chairperson for the NWFTC. ”We believe this additional marketing
push will be just what Northwest Florida needs to create that share of
voice to showcase that our beaches are as beautiful as ever.”

The three-year grant must be used for the purposes of tourism promotion
and awareness building. BP will evaluate expenditures and the NWFTC
partners have agreed to quarterly updates on tourism program activities and
results pursuant to the grant agreement. The detailed reports will measure
results against quarterly benchmarks to demonstrate how thefunds are being
used and the results that were generated. Return on investment will be
measured in variety of ways including website metrics and analytics,
participation at events, visitation, bed tax collections and economic impact.

BP America’s Gulf Coast Restoration Organization Executive Vice President,
Luke Keller said, “BP is very pleased to be working cooperatively with
Governor Scott and the state on this road from response to restoration.
The agreement we have signed is a further example of BP’s commitment to
doing what is in the best interest of the state and the people of Florida.
Today’s announcement brings BP’s commitment to Florida to $82 million
for tourism and seafood testing  and marketing.”

The NWFTC was created by seven tourism development councils (TDCs)
many years ago for the purpose of marketing Northwest Florida through
a regional partnership. The seven‐county coalition reunited after the
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in an effort to overcome misperceptions about the
status of Florida beaches. The organization, which is a 501C6, will receive
the overall marketing grant funds and then distribute to the seven TDCs.
The dollars will be allocated to each TDC based on an agreed upon formula—
two percent flat plus two percent of annual bed tax collections.
The individual grants will allow each organization the flexibility to
customize advertising and marketing programs to their customers and
markets and address specific needs.

“The Tourism Council has been in conversations with BP since fall of 2010,”
said Moliterno. ”We owe a great deal to our Governor Rick Scott and
his staff who have been working tirelessly with state and local  elected officials,
our partners and VISIT FLORIDA to rally on behalf of the region,
encouraging additional marketing funds be made available prior to
our peak summer season.”

###

CONTACT: LANE WRIGHT 850‐488‐5394

Michael Bileca (House R-Miami)
Keith Fitzgerald (House D-Sarasota)
Anitere Flores for Senate (R-Miami)
Janet Long (D-Seminole)
Carlos Lopez-Cantera (House R-Miami)
Darryl Rouson (House D-St. Pete)
Greg Stube (House R-Bradenton)

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 4AAF PAC fund this year.

A BIG congratulations to the Ocala and Orlando chapters for coming in on top and winning the 2010 PAC Challenge!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –  Margaret Mead

It is because of the hard work, commitment and dedication of small groups of 4AAF members that we are able to contribute to legislators who will represent our members’ best interests. As always, we invite all members to please share information with us regarding candidates and issues. The American Advertising Federation, 4th District, represents YOU.

WHEREAS, the State of Florida is experiencing an unprecedented recession; and

WHEREAS, the State of Florida’s unemployment rate continues to climb and is among the highest in our nation; and

WHEREAS, attracting new jobs and new businesses to the State of Florida is essential to the future recovery and prosperity of the state and its residents; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 4 seeks to place a constitutional amendment before Florida’s voters to amend Article II, Section 7, of the Florida Constitution, (Title: REFERENDA REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANS); and

WHEREAS, Amendment 4 creates a time-consuming and costly process for businesses locating or expanding in Florida; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 4 will impede efforts to grow and diversify Florida’s economy ultimately leading to a decline in activity for Florida’s advertising community; and

WHEREAS, a major economic study indicates that Amendment 4 is likely to lead to over 260,000 lost jobs in Florida; and

WHEREAS, this amendment will result in added costs to our local governments, weakened public services and heavier burdens on Florida taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, the small Pinellas county town of St. Pete Beach adopted a local version of Amendment 4 in 2006; and

WHEREAS, this local version of Amendment 4 resulted in higher taxes, fewer jobs and endless litigation at taxpayer expense; and

WHEREAS, due to sustained job loss, stifled job creation and a loss of economic vitality, Amendment 4 will cause the standard of living of all Florida residents to decline, and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION, FOURTH DISTRICT, THAT:

Section 1. The American Advertising Federation, Fourth District, hereby strongly opposes the proposed Constitutional Amendment 4, which poses a grave threat to Florida’s unique quality of life, the stability of its communities, and the prosperity of its economy.

Section 2. The American Advertising Federation, Fourth District, recommends defeat of Constitutional Amendment 4.

Section 3.  The The American Advertising Federation, Fourth District,  urges citizens to vote “NO” on Amendment 4 when it appears on the ballot and will communicate the same message to its 2,000 members across Florida.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of October, 2010.

SIGNED:

Ric Banciella, GOVERNOR
Nairn’ B. Gillet, GOVERNOR-ELECT
Marla Lucas, TREASURER
Susan Waldeck, SECRETARY

In June and July of this year, the 4th District AAF Government Relations Committee conducted a 10-minute online survey of members via SurveyMonkey.com.

•333 respondents participated
•Drawing for a free iPad provided incentive

Purpose
Gauge current attitudes, perceptions and familiarity of government relations issues related to the advertising industry among 4th District membership in order to provide an effective and engaging legislative initiative for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

TOP-LINE FINDINGS: general impressions about government relations:

Government relations and politics are important to our membership.

•86% indicated that they are interested in politics.
•75% believe that government relations activities plays an important role in their daily business.
•95% are registered to vote, and a full 60% say they try to always vote in all primary and general elections.
•70% have contributed to a political campaign within the past two years.

Our impression of the people we elect into office? They are popularity contest winners, who start with good intentions to serve the public good. . . but often end up just looking out for their own interests.

•“I believe most start out wanting to serve their country, then get caught up in the guck of old time politics.”
•“Well intentioned overall initially but subject to corruption – weak.”

Most important issue for our membership: JOBS AND THE ECONOMY.

TOP-LINE FINDINGS: member preferences and behaviors related to government relations

•Members use online news sources to political news coverage more than any other media channel.
•47% spend at least an hour each week engaged in some kind of political activity.
•Overwhelming majority of members ranked periodic email updates that are relevant to the ad industry as the most beneficial AAF Government Relations initiative.
•44% would like to hear a keynote address from a state legislator at a conference or program.
•40-50% of our membership have NO IMPRESSION of any key 4th district initiatives, including Florida AdPac, Rally In Tally, Lobbying or communications efforts.

For a full summary, download the pdf: 4AAF GR Survey Summary

With the Labor Day holiday behind us, campaigns across the state have shifted into high gear for the final seven-week sprint to election day on General Election Day, Tuesday November 2^nd.

Here’s a look at this week’s political and government happenings:

Sinks Bests Scott in Latest Poll – The latest CNN/Time poll released late last week shows Democrat Alex Sink leading Republican Rick Scott by 7 points — 49 to 42 percent — in the contest for Governor.  Sink posts strong leads over Scott in a number of key subgroups including independents, urban voters, moderates, those earning less than $50K, and voters in South Florida.

Who Gave It, Who Got It – This Friday at midnight marks the deadline for state candidates and committees to file their latest periodic campaign finance report.  Under Florida’s public campaign finance law, candidates must publicly disclose the source of all contributions and expenses.  Candidates for governor and those seeking cabinet posts file reports covering Sept. 4-10, while all others disclose for the Aug. 20 to Sept. 10^th timeframe.

Budget Gap Narrows – Preliminary guesstimates that Florida government’s budget shortfall for the next fiscal year could be as much as $6-billon, appear to soon be scaled down.  The Legislative Budget Commission meets on Tuesday to vote on a new financial forecast that shows red ink of only about $2.4 billion instead.

Health Care Debate – The Obama administration will try to persuade a federal judge on Tuesday to throw out the lawsuit filed by Florida together with 20 other states which seeks to deem the recent health care reform package signed into law as unconstitutional.  Oral arguments are scheduled for Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Pensacola.

Universities Want More – The Florida Board of Governors two-day meeting in Jacksonville at UNF this week (Wed. & Thurs.) will include a discussion of their annual legislative budget request.  Chancellor Frank Brogan is asking the 17-member board which oversees the State University System to ask for a 6% increase for next year.

Tallahassee – Moments ago the Florida Senate on a vote of 18-16 agreed to adjourn Sine Die, effectively ending the special session on oil drilling called previously by Gov. Crist.  Earlier the Florida House did much the same, meeting for only slightly less than an hour, before agreeing to adjourn by a vote of 67-44.  Debate in the House was previously limited by a vote to 10 minutes per side.

The Governor called the proposed four-day session hoping to get the legislature to pass a proposed constitutional amendment which, if approved by a super-majority of Florida voters this fall, would have prohibited drilling for oil in Florida’s waters.  But Republican leaders on both sides, suggesting the Governor’s call was nothing more than a political stunt, chose instead to dispense with his idea claiming more time was needed to study a wider variety of issues associated with the Deepwater-Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf.

“There is no silver bullet or quick fix to this problem, and anyone who tells Floridians differently simply does not respect our citizens,” House Speaker Cretul said in his opening comments. “Simple solutions designed to produce sound bites, photo-ops and political attacks will do nothing to help Floridians in need recover,” Cretul continued.

The Speaker also announced the formation of six workgroups charged with looking at greater detail at the situation and its affects, then reporting back to him by late August.  Over in the Senate, a special committee already studying Florida’s economy was scheduled to meet later today to discuss the oil spill’s fallout.

The abrupt adjournment of the House presumably altered the Senate’s original plans to spend several days in committee meetings studying the issue in greater depth.  A variety of senators were recognized for floor debate before the final vote was taken effective ending the session.

ST. PETERSBURG — In the first month of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Gov. Charlie Crist asked BP for $25 million to pay for an advertising blitz to promote how clean Florida’s beaches are.

BP said yes, and the state spent all the money, only to see tourism drop anyway.

Two weeks ago, Crist asked BP for another $50 million. This time, the company said no.

Now Crist is talking about calling in the lawyers — and complaining about how much money the company appears to be spending on television and newspaper ads that plug BP’s efforts to cope with the oil spill.

“To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement,” the governor, looking peeved, told a roundtable of Tampa Bay area officials Tuesday gathered at SRI St. Petersburg to get an update on matters related to the spill. The state has lined up an expert legal team, he said, “and we’re ready if BP doesn’t do the right thing.”

He stopped short of using the word “lawsuit,” instead telling reporters, “We’re trying to force them to do the right thing, like they say they’re doing in their commercials.”

Ninety percent of Florida’s shoreline has seen no oil at all, Crist said. Only the beaches in the Panhandle have been hit by tar balls, tar mats and other thick oil goop. Yet the whole state has been tarred by the perception that the beaches are tainted, he said, hurting Florida’s $65 million tourism industry.

That first $25 million BP sent “went quickly,” Crist said, but the need to entice tourists to come back continues as the oil keeps spewing from a mile beneath the Gulf of Mexico.

In his letter to Crist, Douglas J. Suttles, chief operating officer of BP, wrote that since most of Florida’s beaches are clean, “we are exploring other options on how to promote tourism on a more local level to benefit those most directly impacted.” For example, he cited the company’s support for a Jimmy Buffett concert in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Crist compared the long-running spill to both a natural disaster and a Bill Murray movie, calling it “a hurricane that comes ashore every day. It’s like Groundhog Day. It’s day after day after day.”

Yet instead of approving more money for Florida to run ads about its beaches, Crist said, the company is running ads touting its own cleanup and claims efforts.

“It’s abundantly clear to me that we need that money to share the story about what’s going on on Florida’s beaches, and what needs to be shared is that most of our beaches are beautiful,” Crist said.

“The notion that they’re spending who knows how much money to put a good face on BP — how does that help us here?”

BP says it has spent $3.5 billion on cleaning up the spill. It has also set aside $20 billion in a special fund to compensate victims across the Gulf coast.

Last month, President Obama criticized BP for spending an estimated $50 million on an ad and public relations campaign to repair the company’s battered image.

BP spokeswoman Lucia Bustamente would not say how much the company has spent on its own ad campaign, which has included daily full-page ads in the St. Petersburg Times and other newspapers as well as commercials on CNN and other national channels.

“We don’t disclose that,” she said.

Craig Pittman can be contacted at craig@sptimes.com.