Official UK procurement notice
Engagement and Marketing Activities
Authority: University of Kent (Education)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe University of Kent seeks approval to appoint a single strategic media agency partner to deliver an integrated programme of search and social activity, media planning, marketing optimisation, and insight services to support Clearing and in‑cycle recruitment activity. The contract will run from mid/end April through to the end of April, covering the full recruitment cycle including Clearing, ECD deadlines, and the lates period.
Total contract value is £1,500,000 (ex VAT)
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1Awarded
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Direct award (no call for competition)
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 28 May 2026, 16:31 BST
- Last source update
- 28 May 2026, 16:41 BST
- Authority reference
26-030- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-050513- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a818Find a Tender
- Why no open competition
Single Suppliers Intellectual Property Exclusive Rights; Additional Repeat Further Following Competitive Procedure
- Published justification
A need to consolidate digital marketing suppliers and to pivot marketing strategy following external factors impacting recruitment numbers. A need to move quickly and decisively, with a supplier already in place for consistency of approach. To provide services related to Clearing Activities. The University of Kent reviewed the performance of its current media operating model, which involves working with two separate agencies across recruitment and brand campaigns. Analysis of recent cycles and campaign data shows that this dual agency approach was no longer delivering the level of integration, agility, or performance required to meet increasingly challenging recruitment targets. Fragmentation across planning, optimisation, and reporting has limited our ability to respond quickly to market shifts and to maximise the impact of our investment.
Notice history
3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 28 May 2026- Transparency notice published28 May 2026, 16:31 BSTUK5
- Contract award notice published28 May 2026, 16:41 BSTUK6
- Contract signature expected9 Jun 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid News LimitedSME9 Jun 2026 – 30 Apr 2027 | £1,500,000 | 28 May 2026 | Awarded |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- HYBRID NEWS LIMITEDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender