Fin del contrato entre SLDC y firma de marketing de Kansas City

san luis, saint louis, st louis, missouri

2025-10-17

La SLDC de St. Louis podría poner fin a su relación con la firma de marketing Candid, tras dudas sobre los altos costos del contrato y la decisión de la junta de no aprobar su extensión.

<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7999999999999998;text-align: center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">End of Contract Between SLDC and Kansas City Marketing Firm</h1><span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">La Corporación de Desarrollo de St. Louis (SLDC) parece estar lista para poner fin a su relación de tres años con la firma de marketing Candid, con sede en Kansas City, después de que su junta decidiera abruptamente no votar la extensión del contrato durante una reunión del jueves, sin ofrecer explicación alguna.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) appears ready to end its three-year relationship with the Kansas City-based marketing firm Candid, after the board suddenly chose not to vote on a contract extension during Thursday’s meeting, offering no explanation.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Candid, una empresa pequeña de tres personas, ha sido la encargada principal de la estrategia de rebranding de la SLDC, el rediseño de su sitio web y las campañas publicitarias regionales desde 2022.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Candid, a small three-person company, has been primarily responsible for SLDC’s rebranding strategy, website redesign, and regional advertising campaigns since 2022.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">La junta de la SLDC tenía previsto considerar la extensión del contrato de la firma por otros ocho meses, según la agenda del día, pero la decisión de no hacerlo podría marcar el final de la colaboración, ya que el contrato actual expira a fin de mes. En junio, la agencia había aprobado una extensión de cuatro meses por un costo de $115,000.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The SLDC board had been set to consider extending the firm’s contract for another eight months, according to the meeting agenda, but the decision not to do so may mark the end of their collaboration, as the current contract expires at the end of the month. In June, the agency had approved a four-month extension for $115,000.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Candid fue contratada en 2022 bajo la dirección del entonces director ejecutivo de la SLDC, Neal Richardson. Lo que comenzó como un contrato de $140,000 se expandió rápidamente a más de $2 millones en trabajo, incluyendo una adición de $685,000 aprobada a puerta cerrada a finales de ese mismo año.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Candid was hired in 2022 under former SLDC Executive Director Neal Richardson. What started as a $140,000 contract quickly expanded to over $2 million in work, including a $685,000 addition approved behind closed doors later that same year.

<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Una de las críticas más notorias al contrato vino de la entonces miembro de la junta de la SLDC y actual alcaldesa, Cara Spencer. Tras asumir su cargo, Spencer reemplazó a Richardson y volvió a nombrar a Otis Williams como director ejecutivo de la agencia, un puesto que había ocupado durante ocho años antes de retirarse en 2021.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One of the most notable critics of the contract was former SLDC board member and current mayor, Cara Spencer. After taking office, Spencer replaced Richardson and reinstated Otis Williams as executive director, a position he had previously held for eight years before retiring in 2021.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Después de una sesión cerrada de unos 30 minutos el jueves, la presidenta de la junta, Nancy Hawes, anunció que no se votaría sobre el contrato de Candid, a pesar de que figuraba en la agenda.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">After a roughly 30-minute closed session on Thursday, board chair Nancy Hawes announced that the board would not vote on Candid’s contract, despite it being listed on the agenda.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hawes, quien fue jefa de gabinete de la alcaldesa hasta agosto, aclaró más tarde que la junta no estaba necesariamente rompiendo definitivamente con Candid. Explicó que la SLDC evaluará nuevamente a la firma junto con otras cinco compañías que fueron incluidas el mes pasado en una lista corta de posibles proveedores de servicios de marketing y branding.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hawes, who served as the mayor’s chief of staff until August, later clarified that the board wasn’t necessarily cutting ties with Candid. She explained that SLDC would re-evaluate the firm along with five other companies recently shortlisted for marketing and branding services.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Un portavoz de la oficina de la alcaldesa Spencer se negó a hacer comentarios sobre el asunto.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A spokesperson for Mayor Spencer’s office declined to comment on the matter.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Candid fue una de varias consultoras contratadas por la SLDC durante la gestión de Richardson. Sin embargo, el costo elevado del contrato generó dudas, especialmente entre miembros de la junta, incluida Spencer, quien en ese entonces era concejal.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Candid was among several consulting firms hired by SLDC during Richardson’s leadership. However, the high cost of the contract raised concerns, particularly among board members including Spencer, who was then an alderwoman.

<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bajo la dirección de Sara y Becky Freetly, Candid explicó que cerca del 55% de los costos de su contrato correspondían a gastos de publicidad, patrocinios, eventos e impresión. A pesar de las críticas, varios miembros de la junta elogiaron su trabajo por su experiencia con agencias de desarrollo económico y su capacidad para promover los nuevos programas de la SLDC financiados con fondos federales por la pandemia.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Led by Sara and Becky Freetly, Candid stated that about 55% of its contract costs were tied to advertising, sponsorships, events, and printing. Despite criticism, several board members praised the firm’s work for its experience with economic development agencies and its success in promoting new SLDC programs funded by federal pandemic aid.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">La firma también manejó las relaciones públicas, supervisó la creación de una nueva marca y sitio web para la SLDC, y fortaleció la presencia digital de la agencia a través de redes sociales.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The firm also managed public relations, oversaw the creation of a new brand and website for SLDC, and strengthened the agency’s digital presence through social media.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">En un comunicado, Candid expresó que ha mantenido una relación positiva y productiva con la SLDC y que estaría dispuesta a continuar colaborando si la junta decide reconsiderar la extensión del contrato.<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In a statement, Candid expressed that it has maintained a positive and productive relationship with SLDC and would be willing to continue working with the agency if the board decides to revisit the contract extension.Cuando se le preguntó sobre el cambio de postura de la junta, el portavoz de la agencia, Deion Broxton, mencionó que la SLDC quería revisar más información antes de tomar una decisión definitiva. Agregó que se planea convocar una reunión especial antes de que el contrato actual expire al final del mes para seleccionar una nueva firma de marketing.
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: 700; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When asked about the board’s change of stance, agency spokesman Deion Broxton said that SLDC wanted to review more information before making a final decision. He added that a special meeting would be held before the current contract expires at the end of the month to select a new marketing firm.

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Fin del contrato entre SLDC y firma de marketing de Kansas City

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