Virginia inspector general investigating ad produced by POOLHOUSE
Virginia’s inspector general is looking into whether the state tourism office broke state procurement rules when it signed a $268,000 contract with an ad firm connected to Gov. Glenn Youngkin, reports VPM.
The ad starred Youngkin and was shot and produced by Poolhouse, an agency that produced more than $1.5 million worth of campaign ads for Youngkin last year. The “Welcome to Virginia” video launched in September and is playing in airports and welcome centers across the commonwealth. It prominently features Youngkin throughout the minute-long spot.
According to VPM, “Poolhouse had never worked with the Virginia Tourism Corporation before VTC reached out in March. VTC’s president, Rita McClenny, previously told VPM the agency, which is best known for its work for GOP candidates, was chosen in part because of its “familiarity” with Youngkin.
“Kate Hourin, a spokesperson for the Office of the State Inspector General, said in an email that the office would be examining whether VTC “followed the appropriate procurement laws and policies, and whether there was any waste of government funds.””
More here.
