Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations

The University of South Dakota is seeking a full‑service marketing, communications, and public‑relations agency to act as a strategic partner for a two‑year period (with a possible one‑year extension). The agency will develop and execute strategic communications plans, manage media relations and buying, provide analytics and reporting, and may deliver optional creative services on a project‑by‑project basis. The contract includes an annual retainer plus media‑placement spend, and the university will evaluate proposals based on expertise, past performance, local familiarity, and cost. • Core services: strategic communications planning, public relations, media relations, media planning & buying, performance measurement. • Optional services: creative development, copywriting, design, video production, photography (charged separately). • Budget: approx. $100 k annual retainer plus $250‑$350 k per year for media spend; total contract value roughly $700‑$900 k over two years. • Evaluation criteria emphasize higher‑education marketing experience, technical competence, resources, past performance, and cost proposal.