Scottish Advertising agencies are up in arms following an invitation to pitch sent out by Napier University.

The tender for the university formally changing its name to Edinburgh Napier University which is to be launched next January, incorporates all creative and production for Universities & Colleges Admissions Service’s (UCAS) student recruitment campaign running after summer.

 The invitation included creative proposals being included such as a digital advert, a press/print advert, a radio script, a 4 or 6 sheet poster, a fulfillment item to be posted and/or emailed to campaign enquirers and ‘any other executions deemed appropriate’.

These would have been 50% of the selection criteria with price at 30% and experience at 20%. As well as a Pre Qualifying Questionnaire, the agency’s credentials along with two case studies were also requested.

These were to be received by July 15, while 45 minute presentations were scheduled for 22 July, but it is understood that these deadlines were put back by a week following complaints from agencies.  

A spokesperson for Napier University said that they were unaware of any complaints about the tender; “The design tender for our propose name change and refreshed brand identity was commissioned in May following a competitive tender exercise. In the intervening weeks we have not been contacted by the IPA on this or any other matter.”

The IPA has said that it is monitoring the matter but declined to comment.