Communications and Marketing Services

Description

Essex County Council (ECC) are seeking to commence procurement in January 2024 to establish a new Communications and Marketing Framework, to replace the existing Framework which expires in May 2024. Suppliers appointed to the Framework will deliver services to officers across ECC. It is proposed that the new Framework will have an initial two year term with an option to extend for a further two one year extensions (i.e. 2 years + 1 + 1 year). We are considering dividing the Framework into the following Lots: Lot 1A: Design - Digital/Web Design: working to WCAG 2.2 level AA guidelines Lot 1B: Design - Branding: Identity and Guidelines Lot 1C: Design - Publications Lot 1D: Design - Printed materials Lot 1E: Design - Campaign: concept development Lot 1F: Design - Artworking Lot 2: PR Services Lot 3: Photography Lot 4: Videography Lot 5: Media Services Lot 6: Full Service This Prior Information Notice (PIN) has been issued to the open market to obtain expressions of interest and invite interested suppliers to participate in an early market engagement exercise. We are requesting that interested suppliers complete a questionnaire via the hyperlink in I.3. of this notice. Responses should be submitted by EOP Friday 3rd November 2023. ECC may organise short follow up calls following review of responses. Lot 1: Design (including digital design) Suppliers must be skilled and experienced in accessible design, in line with Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018. Suppliers shall be able to provide a full design service, including digital design capabilities across all types of projects. This may include but is not limited to: • creative direction and management, in line with the brief • developing design concepts, suitable across all media channels • executing design solutions, working to existing brand guidance and suitable across all media channels • developing/producing multi-channel identity/style guides • typesetting, proofing and pagination • liaison with printers/print managers • artworking of design jobs Lot 2: PR Services Suppliers shall be able to provide a full PR service across a variety of projects. This may include but is not limited to: • Development and implementation of PR strategies, plans and tactics across a wide range of projects and campaigns. Either as a stand alone piece or in conjunction with other agencies (e.g. media buying) delivering requirements for large scale campaigns • Message development and definition • Content creation and distribution strategy (including seeding, syndication, blogging, social networks, video sharing, forums) • Stakeholder mapping and engagement • Reputation and crisis communications management • Workshop planning • Commission and deliver research that can extend into PR opportunities: conferences, awards, accreditations, speaking opportunities • Media/Journalist management, particularly with specialist trade media • PR events/stunts • Media training of key spokespeople Lot 3: Photography Suppliers shall be required to provide photography services to ECC for promotional and marketing purposes both internally and externally including, where appropriate, storyboarding, venue/actor/models sourcing, shooting and editing. This will include but not limited to: • offering strategic advice and guidance on best approaches; • creation of storyboards; • sourcing of venues, locations, props and actors/subjects/models; • delivering the shoot; • editing of photos; • safe storage and sharing of images and data, • adhering to GDPR guidelines. Lot 4: Videography The following (non-exhaustive) list provides the scope of the Videography LOT that suppliers may be expected to supply all or some of, on behalf of ECC: • Film production including pre- and post-production stages, storyboarding, venue/actor sourcing, - - Webinars and webcasting • Live video • Animation. Suppliers will be expected to manage all aspects of video production required including provision of a rationale to support recommended approach, suggestions on implementation including channels for dissemination and evaluation of effectiveness to demonstrate achievement of objectives. Lot 5: Media Services Suppliers will be required to plan, cost and buy media advertising, including (but not limited to): • Digital – display, social, paid search and audio • Outdoor and ambient media • Radio • Print • Addressable TV and VOD • Media partnerships Lot 6: Full Service Suppliers will be required to deliver a full suite of communications and marketing services where programmes of work require a range of support. Services shall include (but not be limited to): • Development of strategy in line with requirements of brief • Design (including digital design) • PR Services • Photography • Videography • Media Services • Account management from project inception to completion • Optimisation, reporting, evaluation and measurement