Whilst I don't doubt that Alienation are well-equipped to provide Bournemouth University with an excellent solution, I find their appointment galling and a gross oversight by this institution. Agencies absolutely have to appointed upon merit and expertise and location - particularly for a digital-based project - shouldn't be a driving factor. But in the current economic climate for such an institution, one that produces over 300 graduates in directly-related courses each year and has, as a partner in Dorset LEP, committed to helping support the local creative economy; to not even examine the capabilities on it's own doorstep is a real kick in the teeth for local businesses. Redweb (the largest digital agency in the SW and E Consultancy's Most Innovative Digital Agency 2010) is based next door. Strange (Awarded 2011 SW Best Digital Agency) is exactly 1 mile away. Bright Blue Day (UK's #3rd Best Interactive Agency) is 4 miles away. And Refreshed Media the digital sister of the multi award-winning and darling of The Drum, Thinking Juice - now part of Emerge, the largest independent advertising group outside of London, is just two miles away. Indeed, within a 20m radius of Bournemouth University there are at least 88 agencies, between them employing 851 very talented and capable staff.

And as this story is now two days old I'm probably just ranting at myself but last year Bournemouth University invested £200k in an initiative called The Digital Hub. They're intention was to place themselves in the centre of the local creative and digital economy and provide training, CPD, research expertise and physical resources to the local sector. In return one would imagine that they wanted to use this as leverage to not only grow their research capabilities, but also to drive an income for the university and also provide a visible demonstration of employment opportunities for potential applicants. Yet they don't appear to have any confidence in their local sector - either that or they are far too lazy to try and engage and build links.
After 12 months The Digital Hub was closed considered a failure. One doesn't have to think to hard to know why.

The comments made are strong, but no-one has a divine right to be favoured because there is a local resource.

It all boils down to integrity (unless the decision maker has a load of pals in Scotland).

Universities are a global business and need to be marketed globally and an ever widening reach. If everything was kept 'on the door-step' then builds an incestuous community.

It's all about the resources available and proving delivery. There are ways to embrace location and local knowledge, it just depends on the old premise of 'horses for courses.'

So what's the alternative? There are quite specific public sector procurement laws. Otherwise you end up with the danger of "jobs for the boys". Restricting business of this nature to the "locals" is dangerous and narrow minded. Factor in the size and state of the UK economy, then it is no surprise that agencies can and should be able to pitch for what they feel is appropriate, wherever it may be. Vice versa, organisations must feel free to open up the process to anyone, anywhere as long as they have the skills.

This was an open public tender - as it needed to be. Any of those agencies were free to pitch. I have no idea if they did or they didn't.

In the end, Bournemouth went with an agency with a strong track record in this field - and the project is currently progressing very well, with both sides very happy. Location was not an issue to them, or us. We do after all have an office only 80+ miles away from them.

Matt, as the director of a Bournemouth agency working with creatives, I don't doubt your sincerity, but do question the impartiality. I say that without trying to inflame the argument. You are after all a champion for design in the local area. I just don't think you can extend that in to "galling and a gross oversight".