Communication strategy and branding

Background and purpose

The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) is a statutory development agency for promoting and ensuring media development and diversity, set up as a partnership between the South African Government and major print and broadcasting companies to assist in developing community and small commercial media in South Africa, in terms of the MDDA Act No 14 of 2002.

The MDDA calls for proposals (quotations included) for the appointment of an experienced service provider to develop a communication strategy for the Agency and analyse the MDDA current image and brands to determine optimal positioning in line with the Agency's mandate, strategic plans, advise on and create visual brand identity, style and application. This is essential for the Agency management of its corporate identity. The process should create a communication plan to support the brand's presence, identity and projects throughout the country, within a limited budget and having due regard to the limited nature of the Agency's intervention in pursuit of its mandate due to its resources at the present moment.

Objectives and scope

Develop a communication strategy and plan, including strategies that will support the achievement and successful positioning of the Agency goals and objectives. This should include a plan for the Project/Program Director to develop key messaging, presentations, documentation, announcements that support the Agency's Strategic and Business Plan;
Analyse and interpret the Agency positioning constraints;
Develop a corporate brand and ensure the Stratplan supports the brand presence, identity and projects throughout the country.

Terms of reference

This would include:
1. conduct a perception survey and stakeholder analysis,
2. development of a communication strategy and plan,
3. conceptualising of creative branding tools and platforms,
4. design and production of all branding elements/products,
5. frame and mount the already developed MDDA Value Statement,
6. the proposal should include the costing for the development of the strategy as well as the pricing schedule for the implementation period.

Required expertise and skills

? Prospective service providers must have the necessary skills, experience and capacity to perform the required work. All applying companies and/or individuals applying are therefore requested to submit details of previous similar work undertaken and a company profile.

? The proposal should also include proposed approach to the marketing of the Agency brand and its programmes, projects and deliverables with timelines and completion dates. All these must comply with MDDA related policies and relevant legislation.

Process

Interested individuals/and or organisations should submit the following information to Hariet Mhlanga () by 19 October 2007:

1. An organisational profile or CV, with three contactable referees
2. CV's of the people who will be responsible for the project
3. Submit an outline of the process to be followed
4. Proposed methodology
5. Detailed work plan and budget
6. Details of the HDI information of the bidder
7. Tax clearance certificate

Potential bidders are invited to a briefing to be held on the 12 October 2007, 15h00, at the MDDA Boardroom, 15 Sherborne Road, Parktown.

Reference documents

• MDDA Act, No.14 of 2002
• MDDA Regulations, No. 25570 of 2003
• Public Finance Management Act of 1999
• Treasury Regulations
• Etc.

[All reference documents are available on the MDDA website at www.mdda.org.za and the Government website, www.gov.za. ]

Timeframes

The contract will be awarded for a period determined by the MDDA on its discretion and satisfactory outputs/deliverable, also guided by the implementation plan.

Kindly submit your proposal to conduct the above and a reasonable quotation, by email to:

Ms Hariet Mhlanga
Email:
Tel: 011 726 3336

Submission deadline: 19 October 2007
Time: 12h00