Monty Halls' Big Blue Bag initiative and ambassadorial role

Summary

The request sought details on delays to the 'Big Blue Bag' marine conservation initiative, correspondence with ambassador Monty Halls, and procurement compliance for his £20,000 contract. The authority released partial information including strategy documents and email chains but withheld specific correspondence and procurement details under exemptions.

Key Facts

• Visit Isle of Man announced a partnership with Monty Halls for the 'Big Blue Bag' initiative in October 2024.
• The ambassadorial role was agreed upon for a 12-month period totaling £20,000.
• The initiative was scheduled to launch in Spring 2025 but was still listed as 'coming soon' in July 2025.
• The response included an 'Influencer strategy' PDF and email chains regarding the partnership.
• Specific correspondence between Visit Isle of Man and Monty Halls was withheld.

Data Disclosed

• 21st October 2024
• Spring 2025
• July 12th 2025
• £20,000
• 12 months
• 171 pages
• 3 documents
• 2025-09-06
• 2025-07-15

Exemptions Cited

• Part exempt

Original Request

On Monday 21st October 2024, Visit Isle of Man announced a partnership with TV broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Halls to pilot a conservation project, 'Big Blue Bag'. The announcement also stated that Mr Halls had become an official ambassador for Visit Isle of Man and would work closely with the Visit Agency to champion the Island's natural beauty, rich marine ecosystems and UNESCO Biosphere status through his initiative, which is focused on marine conservation. The announcement stated that the premise behind Big Blue Bag is that the collected data can be uploaded to a digital app 'currently in development'. It added: 'The Big Blue Bag will officially launch in Spring 2025.' However, Big Blue Bag's own website today (July 12th 2025) still states the initiative is 'coming soon' and still offers discount for the first 100 subscribers, indicating a low take up. There is, as yet, no app. 1. What is the reason for the delay to Big Blue Bag? 2. What correspondence (please include emails, letters, WhatsApp messages, texts) has taken place between Visit Isle of Man and Mr Halls/Big Blue Bag over the initiative's progress since launch? 3. Given that almost eight months have elapsed since Big Blue Bag's launch, is Visit Isle of Man content that the investment of taxpayers money is being met with tangible, measurable, results? Secondly, in answering an FoI request on 23rd October 2024 about the cost of Mr Halls' visits to the Isle of Man and his filming of an Extraordinary Isle video, Visit Isle of Man stated there was a 'longer term partnership agreement in an ambassadorial role for 12 months totalling £20,000'. Isle of Man Government financial regulations state that the procurement of goods and services above specific values must be subject to competitive tenders OR a waiver obtained. 4. Was the ambassadorial role put out to tender, and, if so, please provide details of how many people/organisations submitted a bid and the ensuing process (I am aware you cannot disclose names and amounts) OR please provide the waiver that allowed you to enter into the relationship with Mr Halls without such a competitive exercise. 5. Other than the two-minute video, cost breakdown detailed in that FoI reply, how has Mr Halls fulfilled his ambassadorial role so far and how will he fulfil it in the remaining months. With thanks.

Data Tables (33)

Full Response Text

1 From: Sent: 01 August 2024 10:54 To: Subject: FW: Actions and 2024 strategy deck - Visit x Attachments: Influencer strategy_05March.pdf So this is what went to the Board. We can discuss tomorrow. D

From:

Sent: 14 March 2024 13:10 To:

Subject: FW: Actions and 2024 strategy deck - Visit x

From:

Sent: 13 March 2024 17:46 To:

Subject: RE: Actions and 2024 strategy deck - Visit x

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Realised I just shared this with you on another email chain, so responding here too!

Do let us know if there is anything else that would be helpful to share.

From:

Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 5:22 PM To:

Subject: RE: Actions and 2024 strategy deck - Visit x

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So sorry to chase needs this for tomorrow if possible? Just the one as is that you presented to us last week is fine!

Thank you

3 Influencers  to update influencer strategy deck to include and partnerships.
o Visit to share details of and partnerships, including deliverables.

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Isle of Man. Giving you freedom to flourish

WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this e- mail, please delete it and notify the sender as soon as possible.

No employee or agent is authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of any of the Departments or Statutory Boards of the Isle of Man Government with any party by e-mail without express written confirmation by a Manager of the relevant Department or Statutory Board.

RAAUE: S’preevaadjagh yn çhaghteraght post-l shoh chammah’s coadanyn erbee currit marish as ta shoh coadit ec y leigh. Cha nhegin diu coipal ny cur eh da peiagh erbee elley ny ymmydey yn chooid t’ayn er aght erbee dyn kied leayr veih’n choyrtagh. Mannagh nee shiu yn enmyssagh kiarit jeh’n phost-l shoh, doll-shiu magh eh, my sailliu, as cur-shiu fys da’n choyrtagh cha leah as oddys shiu.

Cha nel kied currit da failleydagh ny jantagh erbee conaant y yannoo rish peiagh ny possan erbee lesh post-l er son Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh erbee jeh Reiltys Ellan Vannin dyn co-niartaghey scruit leayr veih Reireyder y Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh t’eh bentyn rish. 1 From: Sent: 11 January 2025 15:02 To: Subject: Re: Big Blue Bag field trials Today CauƟon: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any aƩachments or following any links. Ah, sorry , just picked this up having got in from the tour with , and taken a few photos around the island on the way back. Have just crashed through the door of the lighthouse (there’s a sentence you don’t write very oŌen). Are you guys around tomorrow at all, or Monday. Really happy to pop in then and discuss next steps. Brilliant meeƟng with about this yesterday, and are also interested in geƫng involved (have I menƟoned this already? Have an inkling I did…..). Anyway, hoping to get some wriƟng done this aŌernoon (including a blog about this visit to the island), so does tomorrow work at all? All the best,

PS. Hope the trial run went well! Sent from my iPad

On 11 Jan 2025, at 10:25,

Hi all, will be in Ramsey Beach from 2pm today close to Queen’s Pier. Please join her if you are able. I will try to be there too…

If you can reply to this email confirming if you are going I’ll let Beth know

Cheers

Sent from my iPhone 5

Sent from my iPad

On 10 Jan 2025, at 15:57,

wrote:

Hi Both, cc me in , if I can I’d like to join, but I need to be with late afternoon.

BW

From:

Sent: 10 January 2025 14:59 To:

Subject: RE: Big Blue Bag - field trials.

Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.
Hi , great you’re back in the IOM – Happy New Year!

We haven’t field tested yet (we had an opportunity with school groups in November but the bags arrived later), but delightfully there is some synchronicity as

field testing the bags tomorrow with some families.

I believe we wouldn’t want you there at the start (they need to rip them to bits without you wincing!), but I believe the two of us arriving towards the end of the testing session could be great. You could quiz and the families and would be another great photo op.

I’ll get details and come back to you.

Cheers.

PS: Myself and are doing a Seasearch shore dive at Niarbyl in the morning…..

Manx Wildlife Trust - Manx Wildlife for the Future Treisht Vanninagh Y Doogys Feie - Bea-Feie Vannin son y traa ry-heet

Stay connected. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or visit www.mwt.im
Manx Wildlife Trust, 7-8 Market Place Peel, IM5 1AB, Isle of Man | (01624) 844432 | Reg Charity 225 IOM | Reg Company 5297 IOM Please consider the ecological impacts before printing this email. 1 From: Sent: 24 January 2025 16:27 To:

Subject: Re: Big Blue Bag Initiative Timeline Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.
,

Good to hear from you - hope you’re all surviving unscathed in the maelstrom of the big blow!

I’ve copied in and as well, just to make sure we’re all on the same song sheet here.

We’ve always said we’d go for a national launch in Spring - hosted on the island, with (hopefully) contributing a vessel (am meeting them in early Feb to try to put flesh on those particular bones), and a big old press splash. We’re in the process of building the app, with looking very good as potential backers. They make that decision on 4th Feb.

The target date is mid April for this launch. By then the app will be functioning, we’ll have the 25 bags ready to go for distribution around the island, and we’ll have a PR strategy in place.

Does that sound about right

Ta,

Sent from my iPad

On 24 Jan 2025, at 10:34,

wrote:

Good morning

I hope all is well with you and that you’re not being battered by storm Eowyn like we are on the Island!

I quickly wanted to check in and see if I could get an update on the timeline for the launch of the Big Blue Bag Initiative. I’ve been working with a journalist from Coast magazine who has asked for an idea of when the initiative will launch and of course we would love to be able to promote it where possible.

Kind regards,

2

WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this e-mail, please delete it and notify the sender as soon as possible.

No employee or agent is authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of any of the Departments or Statutory Boards of the Isle of Man Government with any party by e-mail without express written confirmation by a Manager of the relevant Department or Statutory Board.

RAAUE: S’preevaadjagh yn çhaghteraght post-l shoh chammah’s coadanyn erbee currit marish as ta shoh coadit ec y leigh. Cha nhegin diu coipal ny cur eh da peiagh erbee elley ny ymmydey yn chooid t’ayn er aght erbee dyn kied leayr veih’n choyrtagh. Mannagh nee shiu yn enmyssagh kiarit jeh’n phost-l shoh, doll-shiu magh eh, my sailliu, as cur-shiu fys da’n choyrtagh cha leah as oddys shiu.

Cha nel kied currit da failleydagh ny jantagh erbee conaant y yannoo rish peiagh ny possan erbee lesh post-l er son Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh erbee jeh Reiltys Ellan Vannin dyn co-niartaghey scruit leayr veih Reireyder y Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh t’eh bentyn rish. 1 From: Sent: 23 October 2024 14:23 To: Subject: Re: Big Blue Bag initiative -

Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.
Brilliant - please feel free to pass on my email. I’ve just been contacting various sponsors actually -

• so you find me on a roll.

I’ll drop them a line back should they get in touch.

Best,

Sent from my iPad

On 23 Oct 2024, at 14:08, wrote:

I hope you’re keeping well.

I’ve received the below email from – sounds like a good collaboration opportunity/investment partner!

Are you happy for me to pass along your email for them to reach out / want to pick up with them yourself directly?

Best wishes

From:

Sent: 23 October 2024 10:47

Subject: Big Blue Bag initiative -

Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.
,

I hope you are well and having a good week so far?

2 As the ‘Big Blue Bank’ the recent announcement of the ‘Big Blue Bag’ initiative that Visit Isle of Man are running immediately caught our attention and is something I would love to have a chat with you about potential collaboration opportunities.

As an organisation, we have dedicated roles and resource that focus on our responsible impact, including environmental sustainability activity and monitoring and is something that runs strong through our values and strategy. We understand and endeavour to do work to protect ecosystems and biodiversity at it is an important part of environmental impact. We also have a volunteer scheme for employees in which the bank gifts time to every person to give to good causes and initiatives, as well as a seafarer offering within our banking proposition.

I look forward to hearing back from you and talking further.

Kind regards,

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Isle of Man. Giving you freedom to flourish

WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this e-mail, please delete it and notify the sender as soon as possible.

No employee or agent is authorised to conclude any binding agreement on behalf of any of the Departments or Statutory Boards of the Isle of Man Government with any party by e-mail without express written confirmation by a Manager of the relevant Department or Statutory Board.

RAAUE: S’preevaadjagh yn çhaghteraght post-l shoh chammah’s coadanyn erbee currit marish as ta shoh coadit ec y leigh. Cha nhegin diu coipal ny cur eh da peiagh erbee elley ny ymmydey yn chooid t’ayn er aght erbee dyn kied leayr veih’n choyrtagh. Mannagh nee shiu yn enmyssagh kiarit jeh’n phost-l shoh, doll-shiu magh eh, my sailliu, as cur-shiu fys da’n choyrtagh cha leah as oddys shiu.

Cha nel kied currit da failleydagh ny jantagh erbee conaant y yannoo rish peiagh ny possan erbee lesh post-l er son Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh erbee jeh Reiltys Ellan Vannin dyn co-niartaghey scruit leayr veih Reireyder y Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh t’eh bentyn rish. 1 From: Sent: 14 January 2025 12:38 To:

Subject: Re: January Visit Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.
Afternoon all,

Just the quickest note to say a huge thanks for hosting me over the course of the last few days. The lighthouse was a triumph - turns out I wanted to be a lighthouse keeper all along, everything else has paled into insignificance. What a spot - put some stuff on the socials and have had a fair few folks getting in touch to ask where it is and how they can book it.

A busy few days - the thing was great fun (sorry I didn’t stay for lunch , but was keen to get back and stuck into the writing!). Hope the journo’s enjoyed it - strikes me that a great fam trip on the island would be getting a bunch of lifestyle journalists together and showing them how to trek / operate in the wild effectively! The preponderance of white trainers and puffa jackets on the hike was interesting for a grumpy old Marine.

Great meeting with as well, who seem committed to backing the app. That’s really important, as it’ll be at least to get it right. Decision from them on the 4th Feb.

And of course a lovely bit of filming with and the Wildlife trust to promote the wildlife week in June - that sounds like quite an event I must say.

More to come from me. I’m pestering the to do a feature on the island, so watch this space.

But in the main, thanks again.

All the best,

Sent from my iPad

On 10 Jan 2025, at 11:13, wrote:

Hi

Oh my goodness, sorry It has been very icy here.

According to our airport information, you should have arrived?

Let us know if you have any issues.

Kind regards, 3

Sent from my iPad

On 9 Jan 2025, at 16:11,

wrote:

Please see the details from for Monday: I'll pick him up from his accommodation at 09:30 and we'll head straight to Knock Rushen.

We'll then head to Peel Castle (weather permitting) where he can have a chat with our , .

Then we can pop to the Manx Whale and Dolphin HQ on Michael Street for a chat with them before I take him back.

My plan is to film him doing an intro piece at Knock Rushen then, in Peel, talking to about wildlife generally and at about cetaceans. The aim is to create a short promotional film for the wildlife holiday.

Many thanks,

From:

Sent: 08 January 2025 14:46 Subject: RE: January Visit

Hi

Yes, we haven’t booked anything in for Friday, Sunday and Tuesday, so you can use these days to generate content (visuals etc.) and have a few of your own meetings with industry.

Many thanks, 4

From:

Sent: 08 January 2025 12:52 Subject: Re: January Visit

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