Media planning, buying and associated services framework 2023 (SP-23-05)
Framework Description
The Scottish Government's Media Planning, Buying and Associated Services Framework (SP-23-05) covers planning and buying paid media for public sector campaigns in Scotland, the UK and Ireland, Europe, the USA and other territories. Lot 1, UK and overseas media bought in the UK, runs from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028. Lot 2, international media bought in-country, runs from 2 October 2023 to 1 October 2027. This framework is used by the Scottish Government and APUC.
Context & Use Case
Campaign spend from central government, health, councils, police and fire, universities, colleges and the third sector goes through it for social advertising, public information campaigns and revenue-generating promotion. Agencies plan and place campaigns across TV, radio, press, digital, cinema and out of home, and buyers use mini-competitions to test value. Recruitment and public notice advertising is bought through a separate framework.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: UK and overseas media bought in the UK Lot 2: International media purchased and placed in-country Television and radio Press and magazines Digital, mobile and social media Cinema and out of home
Lots
Lot 1 - UK and overseas media (bought in UK); Lot 2 - International media (purchased and placed in-country)
Who Can Apply
It suits media planning and buying agencies, including those with international buying networks for Lot 2. It is closed to new applications until it is re-tendered, likely around the end of each lot: 1 October 2027 for Lot 2 and 30 June 2028 for Lot 1.
Buyer Benefits
Pooling media spend across the Scottish public sector gives buyers stronger buying power, while mini-competitions let them test value campaign by campaign. A coordinated approach lets public bodies share planning insight, and in-country buying through Lot 2 suits campaigns aimed at audiences overseas.
Next Steps
Agencies should prepare for the Lot 2 re-tender first, ahead of 1 October 2027, followed by Lot 1 before 30 June 2028. Gather public sector campaign results, media cost benchmarks and evidence of audience reach, and watch the Scottish Government's framework page for re-tender news. Agencies on the framework should keep mini-competition responses sharp and record outcome data.
How Athena Can Help
Media buying tenders turn on evidence of value and results. Athena's win theme development uses our F.V.D. model to show what sets your planning and buying apart, and our competitor scoring tests your draft against other agencies before submission.
Our framework timing plan sets out when each lot is likely to be re-let, so you can prepare for both, and campaign tender support covers standalone media briefs from councils and agencies in the meantime.
