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<p>The decision to appoint M&C Saatchi as the lead creative and strategic agency
for the apprenticeships marketing campaign followed an independent and impartial,
quality assured procurement process led by the Department for Education’s (DfE) strategic
communications team. This was conducted via the Campaign Solutions framework co-ordinated
by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), which maintains a roster of 27 best-in-class
advertising agencies capable of designing and delivering a major national campaign.
More information on the framework can be found at: <a href="https://ccs-agreements.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/contracts/rm3774"
target="_blank">https://ccs-agreements.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/contracts/rm3774</a>.</p><p>After
an initial engagement meeting with all interested agencies, the brief for the apprenticeships
campaign was issued to all 27 agencies on the roster. Three agencies were successful
at the first stage and subsequently invited to present their proposals to a team of
communications professionals including DfE’s Director of Communications and the Cabinet
Office Head of Campaigns. Throughout this process, additional support was provided
by professionals from the DfE Commercial Directorate and the CCS. A cross-government
team, comprising specialists from the Cabinet Office and Government Communication
Service, reviews all proposals for major public-sector communications campaigns to
confirm that they represent industry best practice and value for money.</p><p>Ministers
only meet government contractors once this process has been concluded and a winning
bidder notified. M&C Saatchi were notified on 8 June. I subsequently met with
the senior account planner from M&C Saatchi on 23 July as part of a regular ministerial
apprenticeships ‘stocktake’ meeting. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State
has not met with representatives of M&C Saatchi.</p><p> </p>
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