Media, Content and Business Engagement Services

The University's Business School is seeking external organisations to support media visibility, audience engagement, business community outreach and stakeholder engagement activities. These services include content and editorial opportunities, audience development, business networking, economic insight initiatives, events and promotional activities.

Total value £130,000 (Estimated) Contract dates (January 2027 – December 2030) Duration: Up to 4 years (initial term plus extensions) Anticipated start: Q1 2027 (indicative) Engagement deadline TBC (Q4 2026) Engagement process description The University's objective is to establish a proportionate and effective approach to procuring services that strengthen its profile, reputation and engagement with key audiences. This includes strengthening the University's ability to: - Increase visibility and awareness amongst local, regional and sector audiences. - Promote University expertise, research, teaching and impact. - Engage employers, businesses, civic partners and external stakeholders. - Support knowledge exchange and regional economic engagement. - Extend reach through relevant media, content and audience channels. - Deliver effective business-facing events and engagement programmes. - Demonstrate measurable value and impact from external communications activity.

The University is seeking market insight to inform how this requirement can best be delivered, including approaches, methodologies and innovations that are aligned to the Higher Education sector. Indicative scope of requirement While requirements continue to be refined, the University anticipates that appointed supplier(s) may support the following activities.

The University welcomes views on how such services are commonly structured, measured and contracted within comparable organisations. The University welcomes feedback on innovative approaches to business engagement and the most effective delivery models for higher education institutions.

Purpose of this engagement This pre-market engagement exercise is designed to: - Test the University's current assumptions about delivery approach and scope. - Understand what represents standard market practice for media, content and business engagement services. - Understand whether the proposed two-lot structure is appropriate and attractive to suppliers. - Explore how smaller, specialist suppliers can be encouraged to participate. - Identify innovative approaches, tools and methodologies emerging in the market. - Explore delivery models appropriate to the UK Higher Education sector. - Understand suitable performance measures and reporting frameworks. - Ensure the eventual ITT reflects practical, implementable and market-aligned requirements. Insights gathered will directly inform the final specification and procurement approach.