CP1417-17 Heart of the South West Growth Support Programme for Marketing to Eligible Small and Mediu...

DCC is the accountable body for a business support diagnostic programme which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) This programme aims to deliver a free three hour business support session to 4,100 eligible SMEs (see B3.1.3 and B3.1.4) that will diagnose business needs and ensure that they are able to access the relevant services to enable them to succeed and grow. As well as referring eligible SMEs on to appropriate support where it exists, one fifth of businesses (820) will have more intensive diagnostic support through the following specialist modules: digital, finance, innovation, HR and marketing.

DCC is looking to procure a marketing campaign to promote this free business support diagnostic service across the HotSW LEP area (which incorporates the Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset geographical areas). This area covers a range of urban, coastal and rural businesses, it is essential that the campaign engage with all types of businesses in the HotSW LEP area and that the Contractor is able to provide evidence of this.

The campaign must direct eligible SMEs to the Growth Hub website which hosts the online registration form, as this is the only way they can access the support. The campaign must therefore complement the website and any existing marketing, the link to the Growth Hub website online referral form is www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/gsp-apply/.

The business support programme commenced in February 2017. The marketing campaign will commence on 1st October 2017 and run until the 31st December 2019.


This contract may include but will not necessarily be limited to the following range of services:
• Printed press (mainstream newspapers; local regional newspapers; specialist journals; trade magazines etc.)
• Digital media (social media; search engine optimisation; employer branded websites; pay-per-click attraction campaigns; banners buttons etc.)
• Analysis and research methods (digital tagging, analytical reports, campaign briefs)
• Any other media channels (for example television and radio)