Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Queen's University Belfast
University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NN
UK
E-mail: f.toh@qub.ac.uk
NUTS: UKN
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
QUB/2670/25 Contract for Advertising and Communication Campaigns (Rest of World Market)
Reference number: QUB/2670/25
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79341400
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The University has a requirement for a marketing partner to support the Global Marketing and Reputation teams achieve the goals and recruitment objectives set out in Strategy 2030. This requirement has been split into two Lots. Economic Operators can submit a tender response for either Lot 1 or Lot 2 or both Lots.Lot 1 – Appointment of an International Digital Marketing Partner for North America, Latin America (LATAM), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Asia, South East Asia (SEA), Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Rest of World (excluding the UK and Ireland).Lot 2 – Appointment of an International Out of Home Media Buying Partner for North America, Latin America (LATAM), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Asia, South East Asia (SEA), Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Rest of World (excluding the UK and Ireland).
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
5 000 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Appointment of an International Digital Marketing Partner for North America, Latin America (LATAM), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Asia, South East Asia (SEA), Sub-Saharan Africa (
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79341400
79341200
79340000
79341000
79341100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKN0
Main site or place of performance:
Belfast, Northern Ireland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 1The agency will be responsible for: • Development and implementation of multi-channel digital marketing campaigns in international markets (North America, Latin America (LATAM), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Asia, South East Asia (SEA), Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Rest of World (excluding the UK and Ireland).• Robust reporting and digital advice and guidance on an ongoing basis to the University’s in-house marketing and recruitment teams to inform planning, delivery and to optimise marketing performance.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 70%
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 year, subject to a satisfactory review with the option to extend the Contract for a further 48 months.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Appointment of an International Out of Home Media Buying Partner for North America, Latin America (LATAM), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Asia, South East Asia (SEA), Sub-Saharan A
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79341400
79341200
79340000
79341000
79341100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKN
Main site or place of performance:
Belfast, Northern Ireland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The agency will be responsible for: • Planning and buying of out of home campaigns in international markets North America, Latin America (LATAM), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Asia, South East Asia (SEA), Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Rest of World (excluding the UK and Ireland).. This will include researching the opportunities, identifying target audience media consumption habits, assessing environmental factors that could impact on campaign delivery and media buying. • Robust reporting and advice on out of home opportunities for the University to inform future planning and buying.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 70%
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 year, subject to a satisfactory review with the option to extend the Contract for a further 48 months.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2025/S 000-003842
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 1
Contract No: QUB/2670/25
Title: Contract for Advertising and Communication Campaigns (Rest of World Markets), Lot 1 – Appointment of an International Digital Marketing and Communications Partner
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
24/07/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 2
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 3
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Akerolabs Ltd
Brighton
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 3 500 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 2
Contract No: QUB/2670/25
Title: Contract for Advertising and Communication Campaigns (Rest of World Markets), Lot 2 – Contract for an out of home planning and buying partner
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
22/07/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Krow Agency Limited
Belfast
UK
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1 500 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast
BT7 1NN
UK
E-mail: f.toh@qub.ac.uk
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
11/08/2025