CO0298 Communications and Marketing Framework 2

Description

Essex County Council are looking to establish a Framework Agreement for Communications and Marketing Services. The Framework will have an initial two year term with options to extend in any number of periods not exceeding an extension period of 2 years in total. The maximum duration of the Framework will not exceed 4 years. Suppliers appointed to the Framework will deliver services to the communications and marketing team as well as other officers across ECC who may have ad-hoc requirements. The Framework will be divided into ten Lots including: Lot 1A: Design - Digital/Web Design: working to Web Content Accessibility Guidance (WCAG) 2.2 level AA guidelines Lot 1B: Design - Branding: Identity and Guidelines Lot 1C: Design – Publications Lot 1D: Design - Generic materials Lot 1E: Design - Campaign: concept and application Lot 2: PR Services Lot 3: Photography Lot 4: Videography Lot 5: Media Services Lot 6: Full Service The Framework Agreement is anticipated to commence on the 9th September 2024. Lot 1A: Design - Digital/Web Design: working to Web Content Accessibility Guidance (WCAG) 2.2 level AA guidelines Suppliers must be skilled and experienced in accessible design, in line with Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018. Requirements in this lot will involve but are not limited to: • the creation and design of digital assets for website and mobile app interfaces, email templates and other digital materials, ensuring a seamless and engaging user experience. • employing user-centred design principles to create interfaces that are intuitive and visually pleasing, optimizing the user experience. • the development of designs that are responsive and adapt to various screen sizes and devices. • creation of interactive elements and animations to enhance the user experience and engagement. • selection of fonts and colour palettes to reinforce the brand identity and improve readability. • use and maintenance of expertise in industry-standard design and prototyping software, such as Adobe XD, Sketch, Figma, and relevant tools. • creation of wireframes, prototypes, and mock ups to illustrate design concepts and interactions. • collaboration with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers, to bring design concepts to life. Suppliers must have an understanding of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles and best practices. Ensures all digital designs adhere to accessibility standards and brand guidelines. Creates accessible pdfs and uses Acrobat accessibility checker, colour contrast checker and other accessibility tools to ensure compliance with standards. Lot 1B: Design - Branding: Identity and Guidelines Requirements in this lot will involve but are not limited to: • development of brand identity, brand architecture including guidelines, logo, core message. Involves development of brand propositions, visual elements and associated multi-channel style guides for services, programmes and partnerships, including but not limited to creation of identity, colour palette, typography, look and feel. • desk or secondary research, or interrogation of research provided, to ensure solutions are in line with the requirements of the brief. • Ensures all digital designs adhere to accessibility standards and brand guidelines. Creates accessible pdfs and uses Acrobat accessibility checker, colour contrast checker and other accessibility tools to ensure compliance with standards. Lot 1C: Design – Publications Requirements in this lot will involve but are not limited to: • layout of publications, including but not limited to strategy and policy documents and information packs, which will be made available in print or online. • typesetting and pagination of designed documents. • ensuring all digital designs adhere to accessibility standards and brand guidelines. Creates accessibe pdfs and uses Acrobat accessibility checker, colour contrast checker and other accessibility tools to ensure compliance with standards. Lot 1D: Design - Generic materials Requirements in this lot will involve but are not limited to: • supply of graphic design and art working services for all media channels and formats including but not limited to posters, leaflets, social media assets, stands and event materials. • ensuring all digital designs adhere to accessibility standards and brand guidelines. Creates accessibe pdfs and uses Acrobat accessibility checker, colour contrast checker and other accessibility tools to ensure compliance with standards. Lot 1E: Design - Campaign: concept and application Requirements in this lot will involve but are not limited to: • The development of creative propositions, inclusive of relevant desk and secondary research to inform development. • Production of concepts and communications propositions across all channel options, ideally developing and testing new communications ideas prior to production. • Development of design concepts includes origination of design approaches which are suitable for the media specified. This would require delivery of a number of creative approaches for consideration by the client, in line with the brief referenced above. • Creative development packaged for delivery or archive, ensuring accessibility standards are adhered to. • Development of ideas and core messages including development of a campaign style guide to ensure consistency of application. • Application of a chosen concept to required media assets. • Ensures all digital designs adhere to accessibility standards and brand guidelines. Creates accessible pdfs and uses Acrobat accessibility checker, colour contrast checker and other accessibility tools to ensure compliance with standards. Lot 2: PR Services Suppliers shall be able to provide a full PR service across a variety of projects. This may include but is not limited to: • Development and implementation of PR strategies, plans and tactics across a wide range of projects and campaigns. Either as a stand alone piece or in conjunction with other agencies (e.g. media buying) delivering requirements for large scale campaigns • Message development and definition • Content creation and distribution strategy (including seeding, syndication, blogging, social networks, video sharing, forums) • Stakeholder mapping and engagement • Reputation and crisis communications management • Workshop planning • Commission and deliver research that can extend into PR opportunities: conferences, awards, accreditations, speaking opportunities • Media/Journalist management, particularly with specialist trade media • PR events/stunts • Media training of key spokespeople Lot 3: Photography Suppliers shall be required to provide photography services to ECC for promotional and marketing purposes both internally and externally including, where appropriate, storyboarding, venue/actor/models sourcing, shooting and editing. This will include but not limited to: • offering strategic advice and guidance on best approaches; • creation of storyboards; • sourcing of venues, locations, props and actors/subjects/models; • delivering the shoot; • editing of photos; • safe storage and sharing of images and data, • adhering to GDPR guidelines. Lot 4: Videography The following (non-exhaustive) list provides the scope of the Videography LOT that suppliers may be expected to supply all or some of, on behalf of ECC: • Film production including pre- and post-production stages, storyboarding, venue/actor sourcing, - - Webinars and webcasting • Live video • Animation. Suppliers will be expected to manage all aspects of video production required including provision of a rationale to support recommended approach, suggestions on implementation including channels for dissemination and evaluation of effectiveness to demonstrate achievement of objectives. Lot 5: Media Services Suppliers will be required to plan, cost and buy media advertising, including (but not limited to): • Digital – display, social, paid search and audio • Outdoor and ambient media • Radio • Print • Addressable TV and VOD • Media partnerships Lot 6: Full Service Suppliers will be required to deliver a full suite of communications and marketing services where programmes of work require a range of support. Services shall include (but not be limited to): • Development of strategy in line with requirements of brief • Design (including digital design) • PR Services • Photography • Videography • Media Services • Account management from project inception to completion • Optimisation, reporting, evaluation and measurement