Pennsylvania Lottery picks MARC USA

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- MARC USA, a Pittsburgh-based advertising and public relations agency, has been selected to continue providing advertising and related services for the Pennsylvania Lottery, Secretary of Revenue Thomas W. Wolf announced today.

"We look forward to continue working with MARC USA over the next several years as their advertising services will support the Lottery in all of its efforts to raise funds for programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians," Wolf said.

MARC USA was chosen following an open and competitive procurement process. The company was one of three advertising firms that responded to the request for proposal issued in April. Wolf said a committee comprised of employees from the Revenue Department and other state agencies evaluated proposals in May. The committee determined that MARC USA's response to the RFP offered the best overall combination of understanding the Pennsylvania Lottery's objectives and scope of work, as well as disadvantaged business participation and cost.

Wolf said the department will immediately begin negotiations with MARC on a contract. The anticipated term of the contract is four years, with options for three, one-year renewals. The contract will go into effect in January 2008. The Lottery's advertising budget is expected to be $32 million per year.

MARC USA has provided advertising services to the Pennsylvania Lottery since 2003. It is the largest full-service advertising firm in Pennsylvania.