I guess Swadley's isn't the only local business sucking on the taxpayer's teat!
Earlier this week, The "new and improved" Oklahoman reported the state has spent just shy of $100,000,000 with local PR and marketing firms since 2019. As the old VI Marketing creation Fogzie would say, "That's Not Cool!"
The report was courtesy of Carmen Forman and Ben "BBQ Bro" Felder – two reporters who will now find themselves on every PRSA, Ad Club, and Press Association shit list.
Via The Oklahoman:
Public relations companies have found a lucrative customer base among state agencies in recent years as many have signed off on millions of dollars in contract work for everything from website design to brand management.
Since 2019, state agencies have spent more than $99 million on public relations and marketing work from outside companies, according to state financial records.
The Oklahoman reviewed more than 60 contracts to learn more about the type of work public relations firms are doing for state agencies, utilizing records from the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services showing payouts from all state agencies and higher education institutions to 16 Oklahoma-based public relations, advertising and branding agencies.