Raimondo’s Out-of-State Contracts Extend Beyond Tourism

Raimondo’s Out-of-State Contracts Extend Beyond Tourism

The Rhode Island tourism campaign debacle is just the latest move by the Raimondo Administration to bring in out-of-state hires and vendors - and some with connections to those already in the state. 

After beginning her tenure with by bringing on a number of new-to-Rhode Island professionals, Governor Gina Raimondo’s administration has continued to tap talent beyond its borders for state contracts.  GoLocal reported on Wednesday regarding the tourism controversy: 

GoLocal learned that the website was developed by Boston ad agency Connelly and Partners. Connelly worked with now-RI Tourism Chief and former Massachusetts Tourism marketing officer Betsy Wall when she served in Massachusetts. Connelly was fired by Governor Charlie Baker amongst some controversy. 

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And beyond tourism? 

In February, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training announced it was partnering with the Connecticut-based Platform to Employment (P2E) to help place long term unemployed Rhode Islanders with federal grant money. 

RI Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, who was previously Connecticut’s Education Commissioner, served on the Connecticut Labor and Training Commission that oversaw P2E efforts which secured $3.6 million in state funding in 2014. 

Now, CommerceRI announced this week that it is backing a Massachusetts-based company to establish a “new operation” in Rhode Island. 

MassChallenge, will receive $100,000 to help Rhode Island create a powerful innovation brand and a strong reputation as an ideal state for entrepreneurship. MassChallenge is the world's largest business accelerator and competition program awarding over $1 million annually in prizes to small businesses and will be locating a new operation in Providence. The funding will support a boot camp accelerator program for RI entrepreneurs, a RI-Boston bridge-builder event, an innovation entrepreneurial ecosystem analysis for Rhode Island, and an innovation roundtable summit.

“The review situation has to be above board,” said University of Rhode Island Distinguished Professor of Business Edward Mazze of awarding -- and validating -- state contracts. “For instance, if someone moves here from another state, and business goes back to that state -- it begins to smell.”

Tourism Under Scrutiny — What’s Next?

“I’ve never seen such a mess in such a short period of time,” said Mazze on Wednesday of the tourism fallout.  “To me it’s inexcusable. The agency dropped the ball, but again, you and I know, you've got check everything. The agency submitted something, but whoever reviewed it the state level has to be held accountable.”

Last October, the Commerce Corporation had announced its selection of two out-of-state firms out of the three chosen for its $5 million tourism campaign - and picked the design firm of Milton Glaser to rebrand Rhode Island. 

Providence-based IndieWhip apologized for the WeAreRI video which was made public on Tuesday -- then pulled down, due to containing footage shot in Iceland; by Wednesday it was touting “overwhelming support and worldwide attention” for #WeAreRI.

“Accountability is key when a contract is awarded, they know the measurement, and the vendor is held accountable,” said Mazze. “ I saw the GoLocal editorial — accountability is very important. You can't just keep blaming others for the mistakes you’re making. We saw it with 38 Studios, that in Rhode Island when it comes to accountability, you always blame the lowest person in the organization.”

National press picked up on the dissatisfaction in Rhode Island for the “cooler, warmer” logo unveiled, with AdWeek writng of the NY-based designer who’d been tapped for the effort, “Milton Glaser is famous for the ‘I Love New York’ logo. So how did he do with Rhode island?  Some Ocean State Natives are critical of the campaign.”

Critics were quick to point out that local talent — such as at the Rhode Island School of Design — should have been given an equal shot in the process; now, a change.org petition has been started to do just that -- change the campaign.