Award

Invitation to Tender (ITT) Media Buyer

ABERDEEN & ABERDEENSHIRE TOURISM COMPANY LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process initiated by Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Tourism Company Limited, a Destination Management Organisation based in Aberdeen, involved an open procedure to appoint a media buying agency for their tourism campaigns. The contract, titled "Invitation to Tender (ITT) Media Buyer," covers services from June 2026 to March 2028, with a potential extension, focusing on media planning, buying, and advertising with a digital emphasis across the UK. The initial tender phase concluded with applications by 28 April 2026, and the subsequent award was made on 13 May 2026. The contract, valued at £80,000, was awarded to SC696976, a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) based in Glasgow. The procurement falls under the "services" category, specifically focusing on travel and tourism.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities for companies experienced in digital marketing, particularly within tourism. Media buying agencies with expertise in managing Google Ads and delivering targeted digital campaigns could leverage this contract to showcase their capabilities across various seasonal campaigns in the UK. The requirement for strong communication skills, efficient account management, and service delivery means agencies adept at providing high-quality, data-driven advertising strategies will be competitive. Businesses with a record of working on similar projects and ensuring optimum media placement could find this contract essential in expanding their service reach and enhancing their portfolio in the tourism sector. The open procurement method invites diverse competition, making it appealing for SMEs with innovative approaches to tourism marketing.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Invitation to Tender (ITT) Media Buyer

Notice Description

VisitAberdeenshire is seeking an experienced media buying agency to manage and deliver media planning, buying, and advertising services for its tourism campaigns from June 2026 to March 2028, with an option to extend. The contract includes negotiating media placements to achieve best value, managing Google Ads and paid search activity, and delivering targeted, predominantly digital campaigns across the UK. The successful supplier will provide ongoing account management, campaign reporting and optimisation, and demonstrate strong communication, relevant expertise, and the ability to deliver effective, high-quality campaign outcomes.

Lot Information

Lot 1

VisitAberdeenshire is seeking appropriate tenders for a media buyer for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 financial years (until 31 March 2028 with the option to extend by a further 12 months if agreed by both parties) to negotiate the purchase of media and advertising space while ensuring best price and quality placement of ads to meet brief objectives. VisitAberdeenshire visitor campaigns display the very best of what the region has to offer for visitors, and locals. The successful vendor will not only fulfil the technical requirements of this Invitation to Tender but will also be a great cultural fit for VisitAberdeenshire and have common values (detailed above). Excellent communication skills, a highly skilled account management service, clear and accurate invoicing, and the ability to manage competing demands are essential to the success of the relationship. VisitAberdeenshire delivers a year-round programme of highly targeted campaigns with a digital bias across the UK. During the year, VA typically delivers several seasonal campaigns (spring, autumn and winter), both standalone and with partners such as Mackie's of Scotland and Loganair. The successful vendor will also manage and maintain VA's Google Ads activity, including providing monthly or quarterly reporting with recommendations for optimisation. To ensure best value, VisitAberdeenshire is inviting quotes from suitably skilled and experienced media buying companies to undertake media buying procurement, management and associated services from June 2026 - March 2028. This should include monthly 'always on' account management of Google ads/paid search. Media buy requirements will vary from brief to brief depending on specific campaign objectives and budget. In addition to response to brief/media plan proposals and the management and implementation of media purchase, VisitAberdeenshire requires weekly progress reports (unless otherwise agreed) and benchmarking of campaign performance, including recommendations for optimisation, and full and detailed post-campaign reporting. Project Scope Proposals should address, but not be limited by, the following key project components. Suggested online channels (social, content partnerships, display adv. Etc) to deliver effective tourism marketing campaigns Details of relevant skills and expertise Examples of previous work Details of live and post campaign reporting Details of media buyer/client relationship Details of commission process Details of any costs payable by VisitAberdeenshire

Renewal: The contract includes the option to extend for up to 12 months beyond the initial term, subject to agreement by both parties and satisfactory performance of the supplier.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000828472
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555859
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79340000 - Advertising and marketing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£80,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£80,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 May 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
28 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 May 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ABERDEEN & ABERDEENSHIRE TOURISM COMPANY LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ABERDEEN
Postcode
AB21 9FX
Post Town
Aberdeen
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM5 North Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Aberdeen City
Electoral Ward
Dyce/Bucksburn/Danestone
Westminster Constituency
Aberdeen North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SC696976

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000828472-2026-05-14T00:00:00Z",
    "date": "2026-05-14T00:00:00Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000828472",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "org-112",
            "name": "Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Tourism Company Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Tourism Company Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "c/o P&J Live, East Burn Road, Stoneywood",
                "locality": "Aberdeen",
                "region": "UKM50",
                "postalCode": "AB21 9FX"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "website@visitabdn.com",
                "telephone": "+44 1224900490",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "Destination Management Organisation",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "Travel and Tourism",
                        "scheme": "COFOG"
                    }
                ],
                "url": "https://www.visitabdn.com/"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-90",
            "name": "Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Castle Street",
                "locality": "Aberdeen",
                "postalCode": "AB10 1WP"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "url": "http://"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "org-102",
            "name": "Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Tourism Company Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Tourism Company Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "c/o P&J Live, East Burn Road, Stoneywood",
                "locality": "Aberdeen",
                "region": "UKM50",
                "postalCode": "AB21 9FX"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "website@visitabdn.com",
                "telephone": "+44 1224900490",
                "url": "http://"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer",
                "centralPurchasingBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "Destination Management Organisation",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "Travel and Tourism",
                        "scheme": "COFOG"
                    }
                ],
                "url": "https://www.visitabdn.com/"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-103",
            "name": "SC696976",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "SC696976"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "274 Sauchiehall Street",
                "locality": "Glasgow",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "G2 3EH"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme",
                "url": "http://"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-104",
            "name": "Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Castle Street",
                "locality": "Aberdeen",
                "postalCode": "AB10 1WP"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "aberdeen@scotcourts.gov.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 1224657200",
                "url": "https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/courts-and-tribunals/courts-tribunals-and-office-locations/find-us/aberdeen-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court/"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "name": "Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Tourism Company Limited",
        "id": "org-102"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000828472",
        "title": "Invitation to Tender (ITT) Media Buyer",
        "description": "VisitAberdeenshire is seeking an experienced media buying agency to manage and deliver media planning, buying, and advertising services for its tourism campaigns from June 2026 to March 2028, with an option to extend. The contract includes negotiating media placements to achieve best value, managing Google Ads and paid search activity, and delivering targeted, predominantly digital campaigns across the UK. The successful supplier will provide ongoing account management, campaign reporting and optimisation, and demonstrate strong communication, relevant expertise, and the ability to deliver effective, high-quality campaign outcomes.",
        "status": "complete",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 80000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-28T17:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2026-04-28T17:00:00Z"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "APR553192",
                "documentType": "contractNotice",
                "title": "Invitation to Tender (ITT) Media Buyer",
                "description": "VisitAberdeenshire is seeking an experienced media buying agency to manage and deliver media planning, buying, and advertising services for its tourism campaigns from June 2026 to March 2028, with an option to extend. The contract includes negotiating media placements to achieve best value, managing Google Ads and paid search activity, and delivering targeted, predominantly digital campaigns across the UK. The successful supplier will provide ongoing account management, campaign reporting and optimisation, and demonstrate strong communication, relevant expertise, and the ability to deliver effective, high-quality campaign outcomes.",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553192",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "APR553192-1",
                "title": "Invitation to tender (ITT) media buyer document",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=APR553192&idx=1",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-02T14:23:02Z",
                "dateModified": "2026-04-02T15:04:38Z",
                "format": "application/pdf"
            },
            {
                "id": "APR553192-2",
                "title": "Questionnaire & tender proposal",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=APR553192&idx=2",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-02T14:23:02Z",
                "dateModified": "2026-04-20T11:04:19Z",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet"
            },
            {
                "id": "APR553192-3",
                "title": "Invitation to tender (ITT) media buyer document",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=APR553192&idx=3",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-02T15:04:37Z",
                "dateModified": "2026-04-02T15:04:37Z",
                "format": "application/pdf"
            },
            {
                "id": "APR553192-4",
                "title": "Invitation to tender_media buyer_2026_2028",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=APR553192&idx=4",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-09T14:08:00Z",
                "dateModified": "2026-04-09T14:08:00Z",
                "format": "application/pdf"
            },
            {
                "id": "APR553192-5",
                "title": "Questionnaire",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=APR553192&idx=5",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-20T11:04:19Z",
                "dateModified": "2026-04-20T11:04:19Z",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet"
            },
            {
                "id": "MAY555859",
                "documentType": "awardNotice",
                "title": "Invitation to Tender (ITT) Media Buyer",
                "description": "VisitAberdeenshire is seeking an experienced media buying agency to manage and deliver media planning, buying, and advertising services for its tourism campaigns from June 2026 to March 2028, with an option to extend. The contract includes negotiating media placements to achieve best value, managing Google Ads and paid search activity, and delivering targeted, predominantly digital campaigns across the UK. The successful supplier will provide ongoing account management, campaign reporting and optimisation, and demonstrate strong communication, relevant expertise, and the ability to deliver effective, high-quality campaign outcomes.",
                "url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555859",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "VisitAberdeenshire is seeking appropriate tenders for a media buyer for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 financial years (until 31 March 2028 with the option to extend by a further 12 months if agreed by both parties) to negotiate the purchase of media and advertising space while ensuring best price and quality placement of ads to meet brief objectives. VisitAberdeenshire visitor campaigns display the very best of what the region has to offer for visitors, and locals. The successful vendor will not only fulfil the technical requirements of this Invitation to Tender but will also be a great cultural fit for VisitAberdeenshire and have common values (detailed above). Excellent communication skills, a highly skilled account management service, clear and accurate invoicing, and the ability to manage competing demands are essential to the success of the relationship. VisitAberdeenshire delivers a year-round programme of highly targeted campaigns with a digital bias across the UK. During the year, VA typically delivers several seasonal campaigns (spring, autumn and winter), both standalone and with partners such as Mackie's of Scotland and Loganair. The successful vendor will also manage and maintain VA's Google Ads activity, including providing monthly or quarterly reporting with recommendations for optimisation. To ensure best value, VisitAberdeenshire is inviting quotes from suitably skilled and experienced media buying companies to undertake media buying procurement, management and associated services from June 2026 - March 2028. This should include monthly 'always on' account management of Google ads/paid search. Media buy requirements will vary from brief to brief depending on specific campaign objectives and budget. In addition to response to brief/media plan proposals and the management and implementation of media purchase, VisitAberdeenshire requires weekly progress reports (unless otherwise agreed) and benchmarking of campaign performance, including recommendations for optimisation, and full and detailed post-campaign reporting. Project Scope Proposals should address, but not be limited by, the following key project components. Suggested online channels (social, content partnerships, display adv. Etc) to deliver effective tourism marketing campaigns Details of relevant skills and expertise Examples of previous work Details of live and post campaign reporting Details of media buyer/client relationship Details of commission process Details of any costs payable by VisitAberdeenshire",
                "status": "complete",
                "hasOptions": false,
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "allowed"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 720
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The contract includes the option to extend for up to 12 months beyond the initial term, subject to agreement by both parties and satisfactory performance of the supplier."
                }
            }
        ],
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2026-04-28T17:00:00Z"
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "technical",
                    "description": "Technical and professional ability: Demonstrated experience in media planning, buying, and campaign management, particularly for digital and tourism marketing campaigns. Relevant experience: Evidence of delivering similar contracts, including examples of successful campaigns and measurable outcomes. Account management and service delivery: Ability to provide effective account management, communication, reporting, and optimisation services. Financial standing: Evidence of financial stability to deliver the contract. Quality assurance: Processes in place to ensure accuracy, transparency, and continuous improvement in campaign delivery and reporting.",
                    "minimum": "Proven track record of delivering comparable media buying services within the last 3-5 years. Appropriately skilled and experienced personnel assigned to the contract. Ability to manage and optimise Google Ads/paid search activity with regular reporting. Satisfactory financial standing (e.g. no significant financial concerns identified through checks). Clear and robust reporting, invoicing, and performance monitoring processes in place."
                }
            ]
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "classification": {
            "id": "79340000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false
    },
    "language": "EN",
    "description": "(SC Ref:831978)",
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000828472"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000828472"
        }
    ],
    "noticetype": "PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000828472-1",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "org-103",
                    "name": "SC696976"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000828472-1",
            "awardID": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000828472-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 80000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2026-05-13T00:00:00Z"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "276",
                "measure": "bids",
                "value": 15,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "277",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "value": 15,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "278",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
                "value": 0,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "279",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
                "value": 1,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "280",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "value": 15,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ]
    }
}