Eureka Springs Times-Echo
A large crowd of residents and business people was expected to attend a workshop of the Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission on Wednesday, June 26, after a letter was circulated requesting input from “stakeholders” regarding a “new advertising campaign.”
That workshop, however, never transpired as a notice was sent to stakeholders Tuesday afternoon, June 25, that it had been cancelled.
“The 4 p.m. workshop for June 26, 2024 has been cancelled; I apologize for any inconvenience caused. There will be public comments as usual at the 6 p.m. regular meeting,” according to the notice, attributed to “CAPC Chair.”
The cancellation of the workshop came after a letter, attributed to chair Chris Clifton, was sent out through a CAPC email address, according to a document titled “Incident Report: Rogue Commissioner Actions,” regarding Clifton that was handed out during a pair of special meetings on Friday, June 21.
The document alleges that Clifton was making “public statements to an internal stakeholder email thread using an official CAPC account instead of a private, commissioner account.” It’s unclear what distribution list was used to send out the letter. An email to Clifton from the Times-Echo requesting verification that he wrote and sent the letter was not returned.
The letter requested stakeholders to attend the June 26 workshop, which was scheduled to be held before the regular monthly CAPC meeting at The Auditorium.
“Madden Media will present potential campaign slogans for our new advertising campaign for Eureka Springs,” the letter reads. “We will be sending out videos soon to help see the ideas in advance. This is the most important decision we as a community will make regarding our advertising this year and for next year. The workshop is for Stakeholders and commissioner feedback.”
The letter goes on to accuse an unidentified person of trying to “force through” a slogan without input, adding that the message being advanced aligns with “political and public policy activism messaging.”
“I called the workshop after finding out someone was trying to force through the slogan they preferred without stakeholder involvement or the commission being able to vote,” the letter reads. “In the past we’ve made sure we’ve gotten input on this piece and voted on, when we hired our ad agency we made sure to get stakeholder input, this is just as important and I hope we get it right.
“I did a deeper look when I received a lot of pushback on scheduling the workshop for stakeholder input and insisting on a vote, some were saying I was unilaterally deciding what our slogan would be. Clearly that’s silly if I’m asking for a vote. I took a harder look at the slogan that was being attempted to be forced through, Incidentally the slogan is ‘Free to be.’ In my opinion someone may have been pushing for this slogan behind the scenes as it aligns with their current and past political and public policy activism messaging. I may be wrong, but at the meeting I’ll show you why I think this and you can judge for yourself.”
Political stances have been a topic for the CAPC, according to the letter.
“Our commission has been having debate on whether to engage in intertwining more political or public policy activism in our main advertising messaging,” the letter reads. “This workshop will most likely have some passionate debate on this topic and perhaps change how we market Eureka Springs significantly moving forward. But this should be out in the open not forced through without stakeholders and all commissioners involved.”
The letter then points to advertising done by Disney, Target and Bud Light that have led to revenue losses. All three companies have been in the headlines in recent months regarding LGBTQ and Pride supportive marketing campaigns.
“Many companies take or have taken a social stance in their advertising hoping to appeal to a younger audience, or specific demographic for instance Disney, Target and But Light,” the letter reads. “Bud Light lost 28 percent market share over one commercial, all three above mentioned lost large amounts of revenue.
“I encourage you to research the topic and I will bring some information from very credible polling, business sources to share and hopefully help us think through our decision.”
The letter concludes by urging input at the workshop.
“I like to say do no harm when it comes to our advertising, avoid controversy, avoid politics, avoid cultural messaging and stick to advertising Eureka Springs Tourism, but I’m one voice,” the letter reads. “Now is the time to come to the workshop and voice your opinion as our advertising can have a substantial impact good or bad depending on what we do.
“Sincerely, Chris Clifton.
“Copyright 2024. Eureka Springs CAPC, All rights reserved.”
