June 26, 2009 – Bangor, Maine - Bangor International Airport has awarded contracts to Sutherland Weston of Bangor and Swardlick Marketing Group of Portland for Public Relations, and Advertising and Marketing respectively.
Sutherland Weston won the Public Relations contract in a field of six candidates from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, DC. Sutherland Weston is based in Bangor and is one of the largest marketing and public relations firms in eastern and northern Maine. The firm, incorporated in 2005, is the result of a merger between Blue Paper Communications and CM Weston. Sutherland Weston’s primary focus for the Airport will be developing and implementing a strategic public relations plan, a social media plan, and increasing awareness of BGR’s services to all of their markets.
Elizabeth Sutherland, partner at Sutherland Weston, stated, “We are very pleased to be working with Bangor International as they are one of the key elements of Bangor’s economic development. As a growing public relations firm in Maine, we’ve been very fortunate to work with some of the state’s premiere brands, and we are thrilled to add Bangor International as a client.” Sutherland went on to say, “We are excited about helping BGR achieve its public relations goals. We feel our public relations expertise, neighbor status and loyalty to the City of Bangor is the perfect combination to provide BGR with a quality partner.”
Swardlick Marketing Group of Portland won the Advertising and Marketing contract. They were among five Maine companies competing for that contract. Swardlick Marketing Group has been in business in Portland for 28 years serving the travel, tourism, and transportation industries. Swardlick’s principal role will be to develop and implement the Airport’s marketing and advertising campaigns for scheduled air service, general aviation, and all other market segments.
Swardlick Marketing Group’s Managing Director, Steve Mason, said, “We are enthusiastic and prepared for the tasks ahead. We are ready to dedicate ourselves to a highly productive collaborative partnership. And we are confident that we can make a real difference for the Airport in this endeavor.” He continued, “We have a depth of understanding of the challenges facing Bangor International and a strong understanding of the market segments and key players in the aviation industry.”
Airport Director, Rebecca Hupp remarked, “We are pleased that two Maine companies were chosen by the selection committee. Both agencies offer their own unique qualifications and a wealth of experience to develop and strengthen the Airport’s marketing and public relations programs.”
Risteen Masters, BGR’s Marketing Manager, expressed, “I think that we have a very strong team that will help BGR realize its marketing and public relations goals. By dividing the contracts as we have, it gives us the expertise of two highly qualified agencies to draw upon.”
Bangor International Airport is a full-service regional airport offering non-stop, affordable flights to Boston, Detroit, New York’s JFK, Philadelphia, and seasonal flights to New York’s LaGuardia, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC. The Airport is an enterprise funded entity operated by the City of Bangor and is supported solely through Airport generated revenue.
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