Scope
Reference
2425-02-RCM-LJ
Description
The University requires a media planning and buying agency to assist in achieving its strategic marketing and student recruitment objectives, which include:
● delivering student recruitment success and engagement across the prospective student journey in line with academic and financial targets Home and International
● raising the profile and enhancing the reputation of the University through institutional positioning and research impact
● promoting the University brand and Sheffield city to achieve stand out and cut through in our competitive marketplace
● generating business leads through business engagement activity to support apprenticeship, placement, KTP and other institutional objectives
● Measuring and optimising all activity using data and insights to ensure our activities are relevant and impactful
The agency will proactively support and work in partnership with the University's Marketing Directorate. In scope are all media planning and buying activities across Prospective Student Recruitment marketing and all brand level marketing as well as lead generation business to business marketing, paid search activity and social media campaigns across all audiences.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £10,416,667 excluding VAT
- £12,500,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
5 January 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
8 January 2026
Standstill period
- End: 19 January 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
20 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 20 January 2026 to 19 January 2029
- Possible extension to 19 January 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
3+2
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79341400 - Advertising campaign services
- 79342000 - Marketing services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Information about tenders
- 10 tenders received
- 5 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 4 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Unsuccessful suppliers
Submission
Submission type
Tenders
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Suppliers
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE MEDIA LIMITED
- Companies House: 10910014
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJGQ-9668-VVPH
Third Floor, Frederick House
Brighton
BN1 4EA
United Kingdom
Website: https://aip.media/
Region: UKJ21 - Brighton and Hove
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
EDUCATION CUBED LTD
- Companies House: 08045459
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWBQ-5466-JHDM
New England House New England Street
Brighton
BN1 4GH
United Kingdom
Website: http://www.educationcubed.com
Region: UKJ21 - Brighton and Hove
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
HAVAS PEOPLE LIMITED
- Companies House: 02793794
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWWB-7379-THDL
Havas House Hermitage Court
Maidstone
ME16 9NT
United Kingdom
Email: publictenders@havaspeople.com
Website: http://www.havaspeople.com
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
HUNTERLODGE GROUP LIMITED
- Companies House: 07534447
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXHX-4549-YCMR
171 High Street
Rickmansworth
WD3 1AY
United Kingdom
Website: http://hunterlodge.co.uk
Region: UKH23 - Hertfordshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
HYBRID NEWS LIMITED
- Companies House: 06993551
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCJL-7563-YRGZ
46-48 Queen Charlotte Street
Bristol
BS1 4HX
United Kingdom
Website: http://hybrid.co
Region: UKK11 - Bristol, City of
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contracting authority
Sheffield Hallam University
- UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number): 10005790
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVMW-4512-JZYY
City Campus
Sheffield
S1 1WB
United Kingdom
Email: strategicprocurement@shu.ac.uk
Website: http://www.shu.ac.uk
Region: UKE32 - Sheffield
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government