Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13be3-a371-7391-aab4-1c556cbf988d/engagement-and-marketing-activities awarded GB direct award procedure # Engagement and Marketing Activities [The University Of Kent](https://tendernation.io/buyers/the-university-of-kent) Estimated value Not stated Published 8 Jul 2026 Deadline Rolling deadline ## About this tender ### Summary of Requirement The University of Kent has appointed 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 2026 through to the end of April 2027, covering the full recruitment cycle including Clearing, ECD deadlines, and the lates period. ### Background and Context This is additional advertising spend to that already committed as part of the contract, now in two phases. The first is for us to purchase additional out of home advertising in South London and Kent, additional Google pay per click advertising, and some other additional media, including Sky TV streaming, a presence on the Guardian's education website and a pilot of Chat GPT advertising. The second, following budget approval at EG on 6 July 2026, is for a further round of additional advertising investment, to spend more on out of home advertising in London and secure additional presence on TV streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+ and All4. This uplift also enable sus to promote our Kent Business School in the London area, with specific funding to focus on this specific institutional strength. This will improve: Integration ### Agility ### Performance Fragmentation across planning, optimisation, and reporting has reduced our ability to respond quickly to market shifts and has limited the impact of our media investment. This challenge has been intensified by external factors affecting applicant behaviour and market confidence: The meningitis outbreak in the Kent region and associated high‑profile press coverage, which may have negatively influenced local applicant sentiment during a critical recruitment window. Increasing volatility in international recruitment, driven by visa uncertainty, policy changes, and heightened global competition. Shifting behaviours among domestic students, particularly those from widening participation backgrounds, who are increasingly choosing to study closer to home due to cost‑of‑living pressures and a desire for stability. Given these conditions, a fragmented media approach presents a material risk to achieving recruitment targets. A continuation of services iwth the incumbent supplier will enable: Faster decision‑making and more agile in‑cycle optimisation Reduced duplication across planning and reporting ### Clear accountability for performance ### Greater efficiency in budget deployment Improved strategic coherence across domestic, postgraduate, and international markets The time‑sensitive nature of Clearing and the need for continuity from April onward mean that running a full competitive procurement process at this stage would introduce unacceptable operational and recruitment risk. ### Objectives for the Supplier Our media agency will support the University in delivering against ambitious targets across undergraduate, postgraduate, and international markets. Key objectives include: Increasing awareness and consideration among priority audiences ### Driving high‑quality traffic to key landing pages Generating enquiries, event registrations, and applications Supporting conversion from Offer Holder to enrolment This direct award is for additional funding. Read full description Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-06c6a0-2026-07-08T15:26:21+01:00 [View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-06c6a0-2026-07-08T15:26:21+01:00) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. [Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register) [Buyer profile The University Of Kent: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/the-university-of-kent) ## More tenders like this [Bannister Sports Centre Athletic Track Soft Market Testing Exercise · Harrow Council · 38 days left · 26 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a1540d-d9e4-71cb-ad57-1603e9042fec/bannister-sports-centre-athletic-track-soft-market-testing-exercise) [Engineering works and construction works – Integrated Partnerships Framework · Northern Ireland Water · 30 days left · 18 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-7b9a-73c9-b710-2a5021d3fa0d/united-kingdom-engineering-works-and-construction-works-integrated-partnersh) [Hdc-1714 wadkins pavilion refurbishment · Harborough District Council · 39 days left · 27 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a155bf-f664-72f9-9823-a85d6cddbdc6/hdc-1714-wadkins-pavilion-refurbishment) [Design, supply, and Installation of Newbiggin Skatepark Extension · Newbiggin Town Council · 35 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15552-19a2-7348-a5cc-3f5ae51ef934/design-supply-and-installation-of-newbiggin-skatepark-extension) [Tender for the design, supply, delivery and installation of a modular UNIT and associated works at ARC healthy living, irvinestown. peaceplus funded upgrade works · Fermanagh and Omagh District Council · 14 days left · 2 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15552-1b74-73ec-a6f6-a1af37959997/tender-for-the-design-supply-delivery-and-installation-of-a-modular-unit-and-a) [Architectural, design and building consultancy services - Dalby Visitor Centre · Forestry Commission · 25 days left · 13 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15552-1b8a-7041-80fb-e4943876fc38/architectural-design-and-building-consultancy-services-dalby-visitor-centre)