Cultural PR & Communications

Summary and scope

The purpose of this Request for Tender (RFT) is to invite proposals to lead the strategy and delivery of PR and communications and publicity for its cultural offering. Culture is at the center of life in the city, as well as vital to development of the city as a cultural tourism and leisure destination. Following the endorsement of the city’s Cultural Plan 2026 – 2036, now is the time to provide a clear, coordinated and long-term approach to the promotion of culture, one that matches the depth of creativity already present across the city and supports it to flourish. In 2026, CN appointed one agency to deliver the paid media strategy, planning and buying for culture. This tender will introduce a second specialist agency to lead the strategy and delivery of national PR and communications. This will create an all of business approach to increase the pipeline of cultural tourists and grow market share by building awareness, driving visitation and increasing ticket sales. Year one will have a more primary focus on ticketed exhibitions for Newcastle Art Gallery (NAG) and increasing visitation to New Annual, CN's flagship arts, music and ideas festival.