RI Chose Iceland Video Vendor Over PR Firm's Recommendation

Documents show that the company that made a Rhode Island tourism video that included a clip filmed in Iceland was selected in March based on advice from a state employee who had worked for that company weeks prior.

The public relations firm running Rhode Island's tourism campaign recommended the state economic development agency hire a different company to make the video, but was overruled, according to documents released to The Associated Press following a public records request.

The video that Rhode Island released in late March was quickly pulled after being mocked for showing footage of a Reykjavik concert hall.

A Providence-based video production service, IndieWhip, made the video.

The Commerce Corporation's art director says he recommended IndieWhip because of the company's qualifications, not because he used to work there.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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