Public Affairs (PA) and Public Relations (PR) Consultancy Services Framework

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                "description": "This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PIN) is issued to inform the market of a potential upcoming procurement for Public Affairs (PA) and Public Relations (PR) consultancy services. The purpose of this engagement is to: Understand market capabilities and interest Inform the scope and structure of the procurement Explore suitable commercial and delivery models Identify potential risks and opportunities This is not a call for competition and does not constitute a formal procurement process. Interested suppliers are invited to participate by completing a Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire. The questionnaire seeks feedback on service capabilities, delivery models, commercial preferences, and suggestions for framework design. Please follow this link to express your interest and access the related documents: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aster/aspx/ProjectManage/605 Responses will be used to shape the procurement strategy and documentation. Subject to the outcome of this engagement, the contracting authority may proceed with a formal procurement process. Suppliers who do not participate in this engagement will not be excluded from future opportunities. It is mandatory for any interested suppliers to register on the new CENTRAL DIGITAL PLATFORM which is part of the enhanced Find a Tender Service.",
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        "title": "Public Affairs (PA) and Public Relations (PR) Consultancy Services Framework",
        "description": "Aster Group is undergoing a strategic transformation aimed at enhancing public engagement, improving stakeholder relationships, and increasing visibility across its key housing sectors. As part of this initiative, we require expert PA/PR Consultancy services to support our internal team and boost our communications strategy, manage media relations, and ensure consistent messaging across all platforms. It is the intention of Aster Group therefore to establish a framework agreement with suitably qualified Supplier(s) who will provide selected PA/PR Consultancy Services to meet needs that cannot be met in-house by its own provision, or where additional knowledge and expertise is required. We intend to establish a framework with 3 Lots as follows: Lot 1 - Public Affairs (PA) Services Lot 2 - Public Relations (PR) Services Lot 3 - Ad hoc Special Projects Project Objectives *Real-time high-level counsel and insight in a period of rapid change and in a time of increased scrutiny *Deliver media relations and 24/7 high level crisis and issues management for both media and stakeholder engagement work. *Plan and execute creative and innovative campaigns, producing high-quality, accurate content, and effective and measurable tactical delivery *Innovative applications of technology such as AI *Expertise in navigating the Devolution agenda *Strong political connections across all parties *Nuanced understanding of the political environment *Ways to showcase expansion in new geographies and refreshed service offers *Create opportunities to educate and influence, as a sector leader to ensure we have a trusted and sought-after voice in the sector *Support for M&A activity Project Desired Outcomes *Drive positive media coverage including key messages in key media including driving opportunities across the national and trade press *Increased share of voice and brand awareness among key influencers and media *Increased opportunities to build partnerships and relationships with organisations and individuals that will help us deliver our strategy *Increased opportunities to influence and shape policy *Creative campaigns that will support our strategy and elevate and strengthen our position in the market Interested suppliers are invited to participate in the Tender by following this link to express interest and access the related documents: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aster/aspx/ProjectManage/621",
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                "title": "Lot 1 - Public Affairs (PA) Services",
                "description": "PA services will focus on navigating the evolving political landscape, so we understand change and impact on our services and customers, and to help us inform and influence government policy. This includes: * Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement: Building relationships with key stakeholders across central and local government * Policy Monitoring and Intelligence: Monitoring political developments to anticipate and respond to change * Strategic Counsel: Providing strategic advice for proactive and reactive engagement * Advocacy and Representation: Providing advocacy development, consultation input, policy insight, and stakeholder representation * Reporting and evaluation: Deliver regular, engaging reports that highlight stakeholder engagement, policy developments, and most importantly the campaign's outcomes and impact, while continuously evaluating and improving public affairs activities.",
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                "title": "Public Relations (PR) Services",
                "description": "PR services will focus on managing public perception and reputation of the Group, enhancing general brand awareness, and supporting our Corporate Strategy and Strategic Objectives. This includes: * Strategic communications planning: Delivering a well-executed communications plan that is driven by campaign(s) to tell our story and maintains momentum with the right and most impactful media and key influencers. * Creating compelling and engaging content: a focus on high-quality communications to best connect and engage with media, customers, emerging influencers and other target audiences. * Strategic counsel: Providing strategic advice for proactive and reactive engagement to inform C-Suite level counsel. * Crisis and issues management: Access to 24/7 reactive communications support for high-level issues management. * Reporting and Evaluation: Deliver regular, engaging reports that evaluate PR activity effectiveness and highlight campaign engagement, outcomes, and their impact on achieving business objectives.",
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                "description": "From time to time and as need may arise, Aster Group will require support for ad-hoc projects that extend beyond our day-to-day PA and PR programmes. These projects would be delivered over fixed time periods and may need to pull on skills across the full comms mix: PR, PA, research, social media, placemaking, event support, rich media content creation, among others. Results would need to be tracked, measured with impacts and outcomes played back to the business in a compelling and engaging way. These can include but not limited to: * Research e.g. consumer, market, perception studies, economic impact reports. * Roundtable / events support e.g. thought leadership campaigns * M&A activity e.g. to support growth ambitions * Social media support e.g. strategic guidance, measurement and evaluation",
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