Invitation to Tender for Public Relations services for Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub (TEN467)

Overview

Cornwall Development Company (CDC) operates as Cornwall Council's economic development arm and is a member of the CORSERV group of companies. CDC has been successful in its bid to the European Growth Programme 2014 - 2020 to establish and operate the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly (CIoS) Growth Hub. This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, with match funding from Cornwall Council, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Growth Hub encourages and supports businesses to grow, innovate and invest through a one-stop service for information and guidance on and access to business support. It does this through a content-rich online portal and social media activity backed by a telephone and face-to-face service delivered by office-based Business Navigators and a team of experienced Senior Business Connectors covering Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.

Commission

On behalf of the CIoS Growth Hub, CDC wishes to appoint an agency to deliver public relations and campaign activity to generate positive, business related media coverage that will raise awareness and promote the service in conjunction with achieving media profile for its clients at a local, regional and national level as appropriate.

The agency will be required to deliver consistent and high quality online, print and broadcast media coverage including trade or sector specific publications/channels when relevant.

The agency will generate media coverage that places Growth Hub clients at the centre of each story, focussing on their success to demonstrate the quality and impact of the Growth Hub service and related business support activity. This will form the bulk of the contract, but there will also be the opportunity to plan and deliver campaign activity around relevant business themes as well as key milestones and events for the Growth Hub.

Content should also demonstrate the wide variety of businesses the Growth Hub works with in terms of age, size, geography and sector.

Budget

A budget has been set for this commission of up to £40,000 (excluding VAT) for public relations and campaign activity until 30 September 2021. The cost of advertising and advertorial placement will be covered by a separate budget, subject to agreement.

The budget for the commission will be allocated based on agreed activity and associated costs with the successful Tenderer.

How to apply

For more details, including how to apply, please download the attachments and follow the process outlined in the Invitation to Tender.