University Public Relations Agency

You are invited by Aston University to submit a Pre-qualification Questionnaire response to this requirement via the DueNorth ProContract portal https://procontract.due-north.com/SupplierPreLoginHome. Where full details including the specification are held. The award of this requirement will be based on a TWO stage processes. At PQQ stage Aston will be looking to shortlist approximately a maximum of 8 tenderers to take to the tender stage.

To meet its 2020 vision, Aston University will require focused, bold and thoughtful strategic marketing. We are a “challenger brand”. Unlike the Russell Group universities, we are not content with the status quo. We are the “incumbent newcomer” – fresh, dynamic and inclusive, breaking the mould of traditional universities – already established and positioned to grow. As a member of the Midlands Innovation group of six research intensive universities, we will continue to promote high quality and applicable research led by areas of real strength, such as photonics and entrepreneurship, and to position ourselves as “Excellent, Different and Distinctive” – a university where ordinary but talented people come and achieve great things.

We wish to work with an agency that will help us to expand our media coverage, grow our reputation amongst new audiences, remain top of mind with academics and opinion leaders and develop a vibrant research narrative leading to REF2020.

We have a small internal PR function which is successful at dealing with the regional media and incoming national media queries. This tender is to identify a PR agency with the expertise, contacts and empathy to work alongside the internal team in order to build and place significant national stories – especially in the broadsheets, on BBC television and radio and within appropriate digital channels and communities.

We have an established pool of media friendly academics but we wish to encourage our next generation of media commentators and we are seeking an agency who will support our internal team to create a culture in which academics see engaging with the media a part of their day job..

The REF – Research Excellence Framework – will always remain a key focus. In REF 2014, we achieved our highest ever score, with 78% of research submitted evaluated as 'world leading' or 'internationally recognised'. That's up from 45% in 2008. Whilst media coverage does not count as ‘impact’ in the REF definition, influencing policy and creating engagements does. Promotion of Aston’s research will always remain a key role of the appointed PR agency as we head towards REF 2020.

In September 2016, Professor Alec Cameron, Aston’s new Vice-Chancellor, joined the University. PR activities will be adapted as necessary in line with the new Vice Chancellor’s priorities.