COMMUNICATIONS, PHOTOGRAPHIC, MAPPING, PRINTING AND PUBLICATION SERVICES
ENVISION SAINT JOHN: THE REGIONAL GROWTH AGENCY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
MARKETING AGENCY OF RECORD
Date of Issue: October 6, 2025
ABOUT ENVISION SAINT JOHN: THE REGIONAL GROWTH AGENCY
Who We Are
Envision Saint John (Agency) is the Saint John Region's lead economic development and visitor attraction agency, tasked with sustainably growing our economy and population. We are governed by an independent Board of Directors and actively supported by the municipalities that are our key funding partners - Saint John, Quispamsis, Rothesay, Grand Bay-Westfield, Hampton, Fundy-St. Martins, and the Fundy Rural District.
Envision Saint John is a convener, bringing together diverse stakeholders to develop a shared economic vision. We function as an economic intelligence hub, gathering and interpreting economic data that informs strategic decision-making. We work as an innovation accelerator, creating platforms and support mechanisms that help businesses and entrepreneurs start up and scale up. We are storytellers, crafting compelling narratives that attract visitors and new residents and reveal the region's
economic potential to local, provincial, national, and international audiences.
The Saint John Region Value Proposition
The Saint John Region has much to offer a rapidly changing world. We are a global gateway with unmatched transportation and logistics opportunities. We have the most diverse set of energy assets in Canada, a strong post-secondary education sector, and are home to multiple global headquarters and a talented and educated workforce. These assets are complemented by a supportive, innovative, and entrepreneurial business community and aligned municipalities who share a common vision for the region.
The Saint John Region offers a remarkable quality of life that is attractive to many - short commutes, more attainable housing than most urban settings, an exciting and engaging urban core, and readily accessible suburban and rural communities, with easy access to nature. Located on the Bay of Fundy, home to the world's highest tides, rich with history, culture, live entertainment, and unique architecture, the Saint John Region's distinctive qualities create an equally compelling proposition for
both residents and visitors.
Strategic Pillars
- Growth Readiness
- Talent Attraction & Retention
- Business Attraction, Retention & Expansion
- Visitor Attraction
Marketing and communications play a leading role in visitor attraction, defining and building the Saint John Region's destination brand. It is equally important in creating the narrative that supports population growth, talent attraction and retention, business attraction, retention, and expansion. By crafting and communicating messaging that tells the region's unique economic story, Envision Saint John creates a powerful platform for attracting talent, stimulating investment, and building
collective regional confidence.
Brands
Envision Saint John presently has four active brands:
1. Envision Saint John - Agency's brand. The Envision Saint John brand is purely for the agency itself and promoting the work that it does.
2. Discover Saint John & The Towns by the Bay* - Tourism brand.
3. The Saint John Region - Place brand.
4. SJLIP - The Saint John Local Immigration Partnership
*In 2026, the Agency will transition to a new harmonized branding approach (using The Saint John Region) where there will be common elements shared between the tourism and place brand, but with visual differences to separate and make each as appealing as possible for its intended audience.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Envision Saint John is inviting qualified New Brunswick firms to submit proposals to be named
Strategic Marketing Agency of Record for a three-year period commencing April 1, 2026, plus a one-year renewal period at the option of the Agency.
The successful proponent will assist with researching, developing, and executing assigned marketing and communications activities including, but not limited to:
- Strategic brand management.
- Developing and executing strategic marketing campaigns, thought leadership and media relations campaigns to drive interest in the Saint John Region.
- Supplier Engagement, as required. (Including Photography, Videography, Media Buying and Research etc.).
- Digital Expertise including Website Development, Hosting and Support.
Envision Saint John reserves the right to hire additional agencies and partners at its discretion.
PROPOSALS
Proposals must conform to the requirements for this RFP. Envision Saint John reserves the right to waive any irregularity in any proposal or to reject any proposal for any reason. Envision Saint John, on criteria determined by the Agency, will make the selection of the proposing firm. The use of the term "firm" throughout this document means: Individual Proprietor, Partnership, Limited Liability Company, Corporation or Joint Venture.
Your proposal is expected to cover the following:
Experience/Portfolio:
1. Detail your firm's experience in providing strategic marketing expertise to advance a growth agenda. Please identify core strengths.
2. Provide three case studies including at least one for an economic growth client and one for a tourism client.
3. Company references: two testimonials from current or former clients for whom you have completed a similar scope and nature of work as defined in this RFP, preferably in the past five years.
Operations:
1. Outline proposed procedures relating to the regular administration of this account, including billing schedule, estimates format, conference and meeting reports, scheduling of regular meetings to discuss the account progress, evaluations of programs, monthly budget reports, and any other relevant information/procedures you deem pertinent for the services required in this RFP including online project management tools and other relevant documents.
Team:
1. Identify your firm's "prime" who will be the lead on the account.
2. Identify any additional team members or partners you may include plus defined roles and responsibilities of these persons.
Fees:
1. Outline your proposed pricing structure including the individual billing rates of any staff who may be assigned to any projects. Please include any admin fees.
2. Provide for any additional outside or 3rd party fees if required in your proposal and any markup rates.
3. Travel fees, if applicable, should be detailed in your proposal.
4. Proponents can also submit alternate pricing models for consideration.
OPTIONAL BIDDER REGISTRATION
An optional Bidders registration will be available for those interested in receiving information updates during the open period of the RFP. This is an option only to prospective bidders and is not a requirement.
The list of bidders will not be disclosed.
Bidders can register by submitting an email to hello@envisionsaintjohn.com stating your interest and return email address for communications.
QUESTIONS
Questions must be directed to hello@envisionsaintjohn.com. Questions and responses will be circulated to all registered bidders. No phone contacts for questions.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Interested and qualified firms must email their proposal hello@envisionsaintjohn.com by 4:30pm AST, October 24, 2025 and use the following subject line:
- Proposal for Marketing Agency of Record.
All late or incomplete submittals may be rejected. No verbal submittals will be accepted.
All submissions will become the property of Envision Saint John.
PROPOSAL EVALUATION
Eligible proposals will undergo an evaluation process that includes assessment by a committee comprised of the COO, member(s) of the Envision Saint John board and other select team members. Assessment criteria may include, but not be limited to, experience, price and references. Proponents may be asked to provide additional information or details for clarification.
This is a tender notice only. In order to submit a bid, you must obtain official tender documents from the New Brunswick Opportunities Network, another authorized tendering service or as indicated in the tender notice.
