Request for Quote: Provision of public relations and media engagement services for the United States market

Background

AgriFutures Australia is one of 15 Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) that service the Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) needs of Australian rural industries. We represent the research needs for 13 thriving rural industries delivering research and innovation that aims to give Australian farmers and producers real returns, as well as prepare them to thrive into the future. In addition to representing our 13 levied industries, we play a unique role among RDCs by engaging with the global agrifood innovation ecosystem to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of accessing, adopting, developing, and exporting agrifood technologies. This effort is championed by our AgriFutures grow^AG. platform and the annual evoke^AG. event.

AgriFutures growᴬᴳ⋅ is the platform for Australian and global agrifood innovation where users can explore research, technology, and commercialisation opportunities in one place. The platform facilitates connections with a diverse ecosystem including researchers, investors, and startups, and enables users to discover funding avenues, list projects, and engage with over 400 organisations.

All the information is free to access enabling users from Australia and around the world to locate information and opportunities to deliver innovation back to the farm and the food supply-chain. With a growᴬᴳ⋅ account users can gain access to our exclusive Concierge Service for personalised support. Whether it is finding strategic partners, exploring investment avenues, or forging valuable connections, our team ensures your outreach efforts are both effective and efficient.

AgriFutures evoke^AG. is Asia Pacific’s premier agrifood innovation event.
This unique, cross-sector, international event brings together thought leaders and change makers in agriculture, food manufacturing, research, innovation, investment, and policy to build connections for a more resilient, productive, and profitable agricultural sector and value chain.

evoke^AG. 2025 will be held on February 18-19 in Brisbane, Queensland.

Service requirements

AgriFutures Australia is seeking a dedicated public relations agency to elevate the visibility of its AgriFutures grow^AG. and AgriFutures evoke^AG. programs within the US market through targeted PR and media engagement activities. While the agency will primarily work on specific projects for AgriFutures grow^AG. and evoke^AG., they may also support broader campaigns across the business when required.

Examples of activities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing public relations campaigns to increase brand awareness of AgriFutures grow^AG. and evoke^AG. in the US market, potentially also supporting event promotion and coordination, thought-leadership positioning, and organisational support.
• Media engagement activities, such as drafting and pitching media releases to relevant outlets, managing interviews, creating talking points, and coordinating between media and AgriFutures Australia staff.
• Proactively identifying key media contacts and influencers within the US media landscape that align with AgriFutures grow^AG. and evoke^AG.‘s priorities.
• Identification of key spokespeople and talent sourcing to support the promotion of PR activities.
• Comprehensive reporting encompassing an evaluation of media pitching efforts, time spent on tasks, successful pitches, and key takeaways. Additionally, the report should provide an overall campaign assessment, detailing media metrics such as reach in relation to the target audience. While we utilise an internal media monitoring platform, we expect the selected agency to demonstrate the effectiveness of their pitching strategies.
  • Weekly reporting is required throughout the duration of the campaign, including recommendations for optimisation where applicable.
  • At the conclusion of each campaign, a final report should be submitted with suggestions for future campaigns and potential engagement opportunities.
• Regular work-in-progress meetings, with weekly check-ins during active campaigns, along with meeting notes and action plans.
• Strategic advice to ensure project messaging is tailored to media audience needs.
• Active monitoring of the US media landscape to identify PR opportunities and relevant commentary related to AgriFutures grow^AG. and evoke^AG. initiatives.
• Media crisis management if/ when needed.
• The ability to facilitate surveys within the US market on behalf of AgriFutures Australia, with all data remaining the property of AgriFutures Australia.

Download the full Request for Quote document

Timeline

Submitting a response

Applications for this Request for Quote must be submitted to the designated project contact Manager, Communications, Harriet Coutts, +61 0457160446, .

Terms of reference

AgriFutures Australia uses standard form contracts and agreements for projects and research procured by AgriFutures Australia (please refer to https://www.agrifutures.com.au/contracts-and-agreements/). These contracts and agreements set out the terms on which AgriFutures Australia will engage successful applicants to carry out the project.

Applicants must be familiar with the contracts and agreements before submitting a response, and are advised to seek legal advice beforehand.

These contracts and agreements have been developed to reflect AgriFutures Australia’s statutory and other procurement responsibilities.

If you require any amendments to the standard agreement please complete the statement of non-compliance for each of the relevant clause. AgriFutures will then assess those requests.

Applicants will be taken to have agreed to all clauses in the Master Services Agreement that are not referred to in a statement of non-compliance. The extent of any non-compliance will be a factor in AgriFutures Australia’s evaluation of the application.

If you require further information regarding these contracts and agreements please contact:

Stephanie-Kate Bratton

General Counsel

Email: .

Contact

Should you have any questions about the Request for Quote, please direct all enquires to the Manager, Communications   grow^AG. via the details below prior to 5pm AEDT Friday, 22 November 2024.

Questions related to the RFQ will be taken via email. Individual responses will not be provided by the Manager. A response, along with the question, will be posted in the Frequently Asked Questions section, below, within 24 hours of receival.

Please contact:

Harriet Coutts
Manager, Communications growAG.