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Media Buying & Planning Services

Department for Work and Pensions

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

07 Aug 2026 at 14:15

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

28 May 2026 at 11:40

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Work & Pensions procured media buying and media planning services for activity across the United Kingdom. The media buying service covers purchasing advertising space across television, radio, digital channels and newspapers. The media planning service covers identifying the most effective media channels and messaging for campaigns. The requirement is categorised as advertising services (CPV 79341000). It is a single service requirement rather than a multi-lot programme, and the work supports the Department’s public communications and campaign activity. Suppliers need to combine media strategy and planning with practical buying and booking capability across a broad range of advertising channels, serving a central government buyer with nationwide delivery requirements.

The procurement is complete and was awarded under a framework using a selective procedure. The process was treated as non-competitive at this stage. One lot was awarded to WAVEMAKER LIMITED on 1 January 2026 for £95,000,000 excluding VAT, or £114,000,000 including VAT. The award period was 14 June 2026 to 13 June 2030. The contract was signed on 14 July 2026 and runs from 14 July 2026 to 13 June 2030, with a value of £95,000,000 excluding VAT, or £114,000,000 including VAT. The contracting process and contract are both recorded as complete or active respectively. The published requirement focuses on media buying and planning delivery rather than separately priced lots.

This award indicates substantial, recurring demand from the Department for Work & Pensions for an integrated media agency capable of planning and buying campaigns at national scale. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need access to television, radio, digital and newspaper advertising markets, strong media partner relationships, and the capacity to manage multiple channels, formats, audiences and campaign budgets. It would also need to turn approved briefs into detailed implementation plans covering timings, channel-level media laydown, targeting, costs and rationale. The service model requires strategic responses with measurable objectives, audience insight, channel strategy, evaluation measures and budget recommendations, followed by rapid progression from approved plans to booking readiness. Evidence of disciplined campaign delivery and measurable performance would therefore be important.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Media Buying & Planning Services

Notice Description

The Media Buying element of this contract purchases the advertising space on either TV, Radio, digital channels, newspaper etc. The Media Planning element Provision of Media Planning Services including identification of best Media Channels and Messaging.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a75b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075340-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Award under framework
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79341000 - Advertising services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£95,000,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£95,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Jan 20269 months ago
Contract Period
14 Jul 2026 - 13 Jun 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Work and Pensions
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9NA
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

WAVEMAKER LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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