Commonwealth Games 2010's PR tender: favourism alleged

Editor's Pick

New Delhi: Recently a tender was brought out by Organizing Committee of Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi for hiring a PR agency to promote Commonwealth Games. It speaks about handling promotions of the games across the Commonwealth. However, it has some peculiar qualifying criteria that will ensure that only few agencies can qualify for the tender.

Here are few things to note:

(A) 4. Eligibility Criteria
(B) 4.1 75% Turnover as PR

It has asked for 75% of the turnover in India to be from PR operations. This will ensure that only independent PR agencies (i.e. not 360 degree companies, subsidiary of advertising agencies, etc.) can bid for the tender. Also, only the agencies that have smartly bifurcated their billings to PR and non-PR activities can bid for the tender.

Most of the companies show PR billings and other billings (such as Hotel reservation, backdrop printing, newsletters, etc.) as a part of overall turnover. This criteria should disqualify most of the agencies. In fact, the tender also mentions work such as training, venue management, collaterals, etc. that would not classify as PR work.

4.2 Rs. 10 crore+ Turnover from India

This criteria is also unreasonable. If they are looking for a partner to manage PR across the Commonwealth then why should they need a Rs. 10 crore plus turnover from India? Wouldn't it be smarter to hire international PR firms as well who have experience of handling events such as Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, etc.?
4.3 People as on December 31, 2008 - 25 in Delhi office

This is a real gem. Most companies have a minimum team size that is dependent upon job role. For large assignments, they can recruit. Also, any company that wants to bid and wants to invest in quality talent will not qualify since the criteria is that it should have had more than 25 people on December 31st, 2008 in Delhi office. It is immaterial whether they have 1 or 2 now.

Shouldn't the organisers be concerned about the background and experience more than the numbers in the past? Based upon the criteria, few these agencies will perhaps qualify for bidding the tender. Most of them will not have the relevant experience to handle the event of this magnitude.

Last event of a similar stature in India was Asiad Games in 1982 when most of these agencies did not exist.

Source: finsights

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