Shaker Approves Contract for Economic Development Marketing

For the second consecutive year, Shaker Heights will call on professionals to develop a marketing strategy for its economic development initiatives.

City Council approved a $46,000 contract to Little Jacket, a design firm with offices in Cleveland and New York, to create and present the economic development strategy in 2013. For that money, the company will give the city 460 hours of creative and art direction, design, copywriting, print management and digital implementation, according to a memo from Shaker Heights Economic Development Director Tania Menesse.

The memo also states that the $100-per-hour-rate is well below Little Jacket's market value. The money comes from the city's economic development fund in the general fund.

Under the contract, company duties include:

• Expand the city's Work/Live campaign so that it includes components to attract and retain businesses and residents. The city wants to better engage residents and businesses via direct mail, advertisements, social media and more.

• Develop and design the Van Aken District request for qualifications packaging that will be sent to select mixed use developers.

• Web upgrades that will improve search engine optimization and mobile capabilities.