Agencies invited to tender for BBC Media Services

Agencies invited to tender for BBC Media Services

BBC Media

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has begun the first stage in its search for a media agency for combined services.

Two BBC business areas have joined together for the first time to invite expressions of interest in an initial three-year contract for media strategy, planning and buying services.

The move - bringing together the BBC‘s Marketing and Audiences and Licence Fee Units - will improve financial efficiencies across the corporation while retaining a focus on quality and creativity.

Announcing the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) for the tendering process, director of media engagement and marketing and audiences North Simon Lloyd, said that the successful agency would be required to work closely with the BBC‘s Media Engagement team to assist in the media planning and buying of all non-BBC media.

Agencies will be asked to demonstrate strong digital and specialist media capabilities as part of the ?5m to ?6m annual contract.

"The type of media bought by the BBC has changed over the last few years, with a steady rise in digital space and outdoor media. More than half of the media bought by BBC Marketing & Audiences last year was digital, giving us the opportunity to communicate with our audiences using display and mobile channels," Lloyd said.

BBC TV Licensing Head of Sales and Marketing Peter Kirk welcomed the joint tender across BBC Divisions, in a move which is intended to improve value for the licence fee payer.

"The appointed agency will be required to negotiate and buy media for the Licence Fee Unit across paid-for media channels including display, video-on-demand and search marketing," Kirk added. "We‘ll be looking for an agency which demonstrates an understanding of BBC and TV Licensing strategic objectives and a solid commitment to achieving value for money".

The appointed agency will be required to plan and buy media for TV Licensing in close partnership with BBC strategic agencies.

Successful media agencies are invited to complete and submit a PQQ by 25 January 2012. A short list of agencies will be selected and invited to formally tender for the business in March 2012.