BBC begins tender process for media agency
The BBC has today started a tender process to find an agency to handle its £5m to £6m annual media strategy, planning and buying contract.
The initial three-year contract will see the successful agency assist in the media planning and buying of all non-BBC media.
It will work on behalf of the BBC's marketing and audiences and licence fee units, the first time one agency will handle media for both departments in a move designed to cut costs.
Agencies are now being invited to take part in a pre-qualification questionnaire and have been told they will need to "demonstrate strong digital and specialist media capabilities" to land the brief.
Simon Lloyd, director of media engagement and marketing and audiences north, said: "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."
The appointed agency will be required to plan and buy media for TV Licensing in close partnership with BBC strategic agencies.
The closing date for submitting a completed pre-qualification questionnaire is 25 January 2012 at 2pm.
Further information is available here.