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Digital Media Planning and Buying Services

SRUC

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 Oct 2026 at 12:30

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

SRUC is seeking one or two agencies to plan, buy and manage paid digital media campaigns for its higher education activities. The work covers advertising strategy, campaign planning and delivery across multiple channels, with the aim of improving audience engagement and conversions cost-effectively. Campaigns will support brand awareness, student recruitment, promotion of commercial services and engagement with wider stakeholders. The procurement is divided into two lots: one for activity in Scotland, and one covering the UK and international markets. The international lot requires agencies to account for differences in media markets, audience habits and consumption across countries. The buyer is SRUC, an education and research organisation based in Edinburgh. Work supports activity across Scotland and, for the second lot, elsewhere in the UK and international markets.

SRUC invited offers through an open procedure. The tender deadline was 11 November 2026 at 12:00 noon UTC; the award period was scheduled to start at that time. The contract is intended to run for two years, commencing around 5 January 2027, with the possibility of two one-year extensions by mutual agreement. The estimated total procurement value is £320,000 across the two lots; no individual lot values are stated. Bids were to be submitted electronically in English and remain valid for 90 days. Variant bids were permitted. Suppliers were assessed against suitability, with the criteria set out in the tender documents. The contract was planned to recur in 2030. Electronic ordering and payment are provided for, and electronic invoicing is allowed.

This opportunity suits media buying agencies with proven higher education experience and the ability to deliver campaigns in Scotland, across the UK or in international markets, depending on the lot. Suppliers need to manage several campaigns across multiple channels and show they can turn audience and media-market insight into effective engagement strategies. The brief calls for understanding of differing consumer habits, media landscapes and market conditions, particularly for international activity. Agencies should be capable of planning and managing paid campaigns that support student recruitment, brand awareness, commercial services and stakeholder engagement, while pursuing strong engagement and conversion cost-effectively. Businesses able to offer tailored local and international market expertise may be best placed to address the two distinct scopes.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Digital Media Planning and Buying Services

Notice Description

SRUC is seeking to appoint one or two media buying agencies who have the experience to develop and deliver media activity in the higher education sector within local and international markets, while recognising the different perspectives, challenges, market demands and media consumption that exist within different countries. The selected suppliers must have the ability to deliver and manage several campaigns across multiple channels and deliver the highest levels of engagement and conversion in the most cost-effective way. The suppliers should be able to recommend the most effective media engagement strategy through their understanding of the varying media landscape and consumer habits of our intended audiences. The appointed agencies will also support SRUC in delivering its institutional objectives through effective paid media activity designed to increase brand awareness, drive student recruitment, promote commercial services and support wider stakeholder engagement across Scotland, the UK and international markets.

Lot Information

Digital Media Planning and Buying Services - Scotland

SRUC is seeking to appoint a media buying agency who has the experience to develop and deliver media activity in the higher education sector within a local Scottish market, while recognising the different perspectives, challenges, market demands and media consumption that exist. The selected supplier must have the ability to deliver and manage several campaigns across multiple channels and deliver the highest levels of engagement and conversion in the most cost-effective way. The supplier should be able to recommend the most effective media engagement strategy through their understanding of the varying media landscape and consumer habits of our intended audiences. The appointed agency will also support SRUC in delivering its institutional objectives through effective paid media activity designed to increase brand awareness, drive student recruitment, promote commercial services and support wider stakeholder engagement across Scotland.

Renewal: The Contract will commence on or around 5 January 2027 for a period of 2 years with the possibility of 2 one-year extensions by mutual agreement. Renewal will follow.

Digital Media Planning and Buying Services - UK and International

SRUC is seeking to appoint a media buying agency who has the experience to develop and deliver media activity in the higher education sector within UK and international markets, while recognising the different perspectives, challenges, market demands and media consumption that exist within different countries. The selected supplier must have the ability to deliver and manage several campaigns across multiple channels and deliver the highest levels of engagement and conversion in the most cost-effective way. The supplier should be able to recommend the most effective media engagement strategy through their understanding of the varying media landscape and consumer habits of our intended audiences. The appointed agency will also support SRUC in delivering its institutional objectives through effective paid media activity designed to increase brand awareness, drive student recruitment, promote commercial services and support wider stakeholder engagement across the UK and international markets.

Renewal: The Contract will commence on or around 5 January 2027 for a period of 2 years with the possibility of 2 one-year extensions by mutual agreement. Renewal will follow.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07858a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096037-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79340000 - Advertising and marketing services

79341000 - Advertising services

79341100 - Advertising consultancy services

79341200 - Advertising management services

79341400 - Advertising campaign services

79342000 - Marketing services

79342200 - Promotional services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£320,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Oct 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
11 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
2030

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SRUC
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH9 3JG
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Southside/Newington
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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