Cost of Covid-19 public information advertising and notices.

Summary

The request sought details on the Department for Enterprise's spending on Covid-19 public information advertising between February 2020 and September 2021, specifically targeting payments to Manx Radio and IOM Newspapers. The authority disclosed three distinct cost categories totaling over £212,000, breaking down the specific amounts paid to the requested media outlets for each campaign.

Key Facts

• The Department for Enterprise spent £19,010.36 on support scheme promotion and general business messaging relating to Covid-19.
• A separate £123,195.36 was incurred to deliver a Covid-19 campaign on behalf of the Cabinet Office and Public Health over 8 months.
• An additional £70,443.36 was spent promoting initiatives facilitated by the Economic Recovery Group.
• Manx Radio received a total of £46,669.80 across all three disclosed spending categories.
• Isle of Man Newspapers received a total of £36,090.80 across all three disclosed spending categories.

Data Disclosed

• £19,010.36
• £3,430
• £7,645
• £123,195.36
• £17,946.80
• £26,731.80
• £70,443.36
• £25,293
• £1,714
• 1st February 2020
• 30th September 2021
• 2061025
• 2021-10-29
• 2021-11-25

Original Request

Please can you confirm the following: 1. What is the total amount of public money spent by the IOM Government Department of Enterprise on Covid-19 public information notices, corporate marketing, leaflets, pull-outs and adverts from 1st February 2020 to 30th September 2021 (to include all such public information in relation to Covid-19 , relevant regulations, vaccination, business support schemes and associated public health messaging)? 2. From such overall sum, what is the total amount paid to Manx Radio? 3. From such overall sum, what is the total paid to IOM Newspapers? Please note that the Cabinet Office has already provided answers with regard to relevant Cabinet office spending, so the above questions are solely in relation to the Department of Enterprise spending. Thank you.

Data Tables (3)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor, St Georges Court Upper Church Street, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624 682381) Website: www.gov.im/ded Email: anthony.walker@gov.im

Our ref: 2061025 25 November 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 29 October 2021 and which states:

"Please can you confirm the following: 1. What is the total amount of public money spent by the IOM Government Department of Enterprise on Covid-19 public information notices, corporate marketing, leaflets, pull-outs and adverts from 1st February 2020 to 30th September 2021 (to include all such public information in relation to Covid-19 , relevant regulations, vaccination, business support schemes and associated public health messaging)? 2. From such overall sum, what is the total amount paid to Manx Radio? 3. From such overall sum, what is the total paid to IOM Newspapers? Please note that the Cabinet Office has already provided answers with regard to relevant Cabinet office spending, so the above questions are solely in relation to the Department of Enterprise spending. Thank you." We sought clarification from you on 04 November 2021: “do you require the amount of monies paid in total to business's or the amount of money spent on marketing the financial assistance schemes?” You kindly responses on 04 November 2021 and confirmed: “In relation to Q.1 the amount sought is in relation to the advertising/marketing/publicity, not the money paid out under financial schemes to businesses. Thank you.” Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

Total cost of DfE support scheme promotion and general business messaging relating to COVID-19 was £19,010.36, of which £3,430 was paid to Manx Radio and £7,645 was paid to Isle of Man Newspapers. The total cost incurred by DfE to deliver a COVID-19 campaign over 8 months on behalf of Cabinet Office and Public Health was £123,195.36, of which £17,946.80 was paid to Manx Radio and £26,731.80 was paid to Isle of Man Newspapers. In addition, the total cost incurred to DfE to promote initiatives facilitated by the Economic Recovery Group was £70,443.36, of which £25,293 was paid to Manx Radio and £1,714 was paid to Isle of Man Newspapers.

Please quote the reference number 2061025 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.