Find a TenderAwarded without competitionContract award notice
Published 28 May 2026, 16:31 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Engagement and Marketing Activities

Official notice

Authority: University of Kent (Education)

Direct award
Awarded value£1,500,000published award · exc. VAT
Awarded 28 May 2026no call for competition
Awarded to Hybrid News Limited

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The 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 published

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
South East (UKJ4)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a818 Find 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
  1. Transparency notice published
    28 May 2026, 16:31 BST
    UK5
  2. Contract award notice published
    28 May 2026, 16:41 BST
    UK6
  3. Contract signature expected
    9 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £1,500,0001 award exc. VAT
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Hybrid News LimitedSME9 Jun 2026 – 30 Apr 2027£1,500,00028 May 2026Awarded

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

The University Of Kent

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PDYN-9654-JPQJ · GB-UKPRN: 10007150 The Registry,, Canterbury, South East, CT2 7NZContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • HYBRID NEWS LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 06993551GB-PPON: PCJL-7563-YRGZ 46-48 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol, South West, BS1 4HXContact email

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender