Mediaboss Marketing

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From left, Weber County commissioners Scott Jenkins, Jim Harvey and Gage Froerer are pictured at a Nov. 23, 2021, meeting.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

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From left, Weber County commissioners Scott Jenkins, Jim Harvey and Gage Froerer are pictured at a Nov. 23, 2021, meeting.

Tim Vandenack, Standard-Examiner

OGDEN In a bid to get the word out to the public about Weber County happenings, the local COVID-19 response, Weber County Sheriffs Office activities and more, county leaders have been contracting with The Dicio Group to aid in the efforts.

The Salt Lake City-based communications and public relations firm first inked an accord with the county in 2017 and has since earned nearly $1 million in county funds $945,165.79, to be exact.

Now, though, commissioners have decided to shift gears and on Tuesday they approved agreements with three firms, including Dicio, to aid the county in marketing and advertising efforts via social media and other means. Instead of marketing decisions coming chiefly from commissioners, individual county departments have their own budgets and will decide which of the three firms services to tap, if and when necessary.

What were going to do is break that contract (with Dicio) up, said County Commissioner Scott Jenkins. At stake for the marketing firms is the county funding earmarked for such services. For the county, its about connecting with the public and touting its services and accomplishments.

Use of private contractors to handle county duties has caused friction among prior slates of county commissioners. Some have argued instead that the county should hire its own staffers, though the issue doesnt seem to generate the public sparks among county officials that it once did. Marketing efforts have also raised eyebrows in the past among some who worry use of public funding in such a manner can have the effect of bolstering the standing of elected officials, perhaps giving them an unfair edge when election time rolls around.

Jenkins, for his part, said the shift is mainly meant to give individual departments leeway in making marketing and advertising decisions. Aside from Dicio, commissioners on Tuesday approved agreements with Heart and Soul Marketing of Lichfield Park, Arizona, and Dragonfli Media Technologies of Salt Lake City.

Jenkins also said that county departments with marketing needs now have funds budgeted for the purpose, giving department heads the power over the funding and marketing decisions. Different departments have distinct marketing needs and now theyll be able to pick which of the three firms best fits them.

The funding scheme for marketing also changes per Tuesdays action. Whereas agreements with Dicio had dollar amounts tied to them the firm could get up to $125,000 a year in past contracts, though amendments could push that figure up the accords with the three companies dont set dollar limits.

Instead, each of the firms spells out an hourly rate for service, $100 for Dicio, $125-$145 for Dragonfli and $125-$150 for Heart and Soul. Individual departments will presumably be bound by the marketing funding each is allotted.

Jason Horne, the countys purchasing agent, said 21 firms responded to the countys initial call for proposals for marketing services.

Commissioner Jim Harvey lauded the countys marketing efforts, saying Weber Countys social media presence is stronger than Salt Lake, Davis and Utah counties. The Weber County Facebook page has around 11,000 followers compared to the 9,000 followers of Salt Lake Countys Facebook page and the 3,600 who follow Utah Countys.

Dicio has aided commissioners and other departments in promotion of county initiatives, efforts and programs. The firm also helps with social media, produces promotional videos and interacts with the media on county issues. Its also aided in county communication efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to transparent.utah.gov, the government website that tracks government spending, Dicio has earned $945,165.79 from Weber County since 2017. That includes $233,198.54 so far for 2021, $391,017.65 in 2020, $168,649.71 in 2019, $94,500 in 2018 and $57,799.89 in 2017.

The firm came under fire in a 2020 state audit stemming from its work with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

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Weber County shifts gears on marketing and PR, contracts with 3 firms - Standard-Examiner