DIGITAL MARKETING RFP ISSUED BY KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Kansas State University was founded in 1863 as the country’s first operational land-grant university. The university has physical campuses in Manhattan, Salina and Olathe, and offers a Global Campus, which administers K-State’s online programs. The university boasts an enrollment of approximately 21,000 students, drawing from all 50 states and approximately 100 countries. K-State, with an annual budget of more than $900 million, has nine colleges — Agriculture; Architecture, Planning & Design; Arts and Sciences; Business Administration; Education; Engineering; Health and Human Sciences; Technology and Aviation; and Veterinary Medicine — and a Graduate School. K-State and offers more than 400 degrees and options, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctorates and certificates.

K-State’s main Manhattan campus covers more than 2,320 acres, including research and agricultural facilities, and is known as the “Silicon Valley for biodefense” because of its leadership in food safety and security and agro-defense. The Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus is known for its educational focus on experiential learning, professional pilot program and renowned unmanned aircraft systems programs. K-State Olathe serves the industry and workforce needs of Greater Kansas City. Global Campus administers 100-plus online programs as well as professional development workshops and enrichment programs. K-State Research and Extension has a presence in every county throughout Kansas and supports research in more than 20 K-State departments.

From the 8,616-acre Konza Prairie Biological Station to the Johnson Cancer Research Center, the university is home to 90-plus research centers, ensuring researchers and partners have the tools they need to solve global challenges. Scientific research expenditures exceed $213 million annually and extramural funding tops $199 million per year.

Kansas State University is consistently recognized by Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Forbes magazine has one of the nation’s best colleges, including being the most inclusive.

INTRODUCTION

Kansas State University (“University”), is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to provide digital media services, including placement and management of digital display advertising, Google Ads, social media advertising (Facebook/Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, TikTok, etc.), video (Performance TV, OTT, InStream, YouTube, etc.), remarketing, and other emerging media. (the “Services”).

The Services include

1. Strong, robust reporting capabilities and offerings to both communicate effectiveness at an executive level and also provide insights for ongoing tactical agility.
2. Analytical capabilities and consultative approach; demonstration of upper-level strategic thinking in support of the institution.
3. Experience with higher education, specifically supporting enrollment marketing across a large, complex, multi-campus institution.
4. Experience targeting niche corporate environments (and specific titles within) for professional development opportunities.
5. Command of emerging digital offerings and opportunities.
6. A strong understanding of how the university’s collective advertising programs could interact and the ability to identify areas of overlap/potential areas for collaboration that would be of great benefit to the institution.

Closing Date For Proposals: All proposals shall be received promptly at 2:00 p.m. CT on 12/21/2021. Proposals received after the closing will not receive consideration and will remain sealed in the bid file.

Submission Of Proposals: The official Signature Sheet, Cost Proposal form, and any other required documentation must be uploaded to the Vendor Bid Submission Secure File Upload portal,https://www.kstate.edu/finsvcs/purchasing/proposalsubmission.html, prior to 2 p.m. CT on the closing date. Proposals submitted via any other method will not be considered. Under all circumstances, it shall be the vendor’s responsibility to ensure their bid is properly received by the appropriate date/time at the Kansas State University Purchasing Office.

Relevant agencies include Ketchum PR and Makovsky PR.