Ybor City Development Corporation Selects HCP Associates for Marketing Services Contract

TAMPA, Fla. (April 13, 2016) Tampa City Council unanimously approved a three-year agreement between the City of Tampa and HCP Associates, Inc. on Thursday, April 7, 2016, for the provision of marketing and media relations services for the Ybor City Development Corporation (YCDC), a division of the City of Tampa’s Economic & Urban Development Department.

HCP Senior Business Strategist/Partner Sean Coniglio said, “We are honored and excited to serve the wonderfully eclectic and historic neighborhood of Ybor City by working with the YCDC, especially during such a pivotal point in the City of Tampa’s growth. This new addition to our family of clientele comes at a perfect time as our firm is celebrating 30 years of business throughout 2016. We couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off!”

HCP Associates is a full-service marketing firm that handles research, strategy, branding, public relations and interactive services in-house.

Brenda Thrower, Economic Development Specialist with Tampa’s YCDC said, “We were very impressed with HCP Associates’ experience in economic development research and planning along with their communitywide initiatives. Both were examples of what set them apart. Their shared vision and collaborative approach also resonated with the selection committee.”

According to Coniglio, HCP Associates will assess prior marketing efforts in the district performed by Mercury Productions, a Tampa-based video production company, as well as ChappellRoberts, a full-service advertising agency. HCP also will speak to stakeholders within the community and look toward new development projects underway that include: parking, retail, restaurants, brewery and distilleries, hotel, residential and commercial. The primary goal is to prepare YCDC for the future while embracing the past and unlocking the vibrant community’s treasures.

Additional peer review markets identified in previous research by the Nielsen Company will be analyzed covering trending neighborhoods/cities like Lower Downtown, Denver; Lower Haight, San Francisco; French Quarter, New Orleans; and, South Beach, Miami.

Eric Polins, HCP’s Senior Brand Strategist/Partner said, “We’ve developed a unique reputation over the years for having full-service ‘A to Z’ creative capabilities grounded by analytical research skills. And, let’s face it, everyone loves creativity, but facts and figures always win the day!”

In addition to research, HCP will also develop a new website for YCDC and will handle all branding and marketing initiatives, in addition to select media relations.

For more information on Ybor City, visit www.yborcityonline.com