Oregon Health Authority Hiring AOR-Style Comms Team for Family Connects Oregon With $400K Budget
At a Glance Buyer: Oregon Health Authority (Public Health Division, Family Connects Oregon Program) Industry: Public Health (State Government) Location/markets: Oregon statewide; families with newborns; hospitals/medical providers; local program sites Primary scope: Strategic communications to increase awareness, acceptance, and use of Family Connects Oregon Key deliverables/channels: Brand + campaign strategy; multiplatform media buy; social ads; PR pitching; SEM (EN/ES); analytics; Squarespace website maintenance; TA/training Budget: Not-to-exceed $400,000 (initial term) Contract type/term: One contract; initial term July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027; options to extend up to 10 years cumulative Key dates: Proposals due Feb 16, 2026 (5 PM PT); NOIA approx Mar 31, 2026 Eligibility/must-haves: Health communications + social marketing experience; culturally specific community experience; manage/execute large-scale comms projects (5+ years) Why This Could Be Interesting Oregon Health Authority is seeking a strategic communications partner to support Family Connects Oregon, a no-cost, voluntary, evidence-based nurse home visiting program for families with newborns statewide. This isn’t just “general comms support.” The selected contractor will run campaign development and implementation, including a multiplatform media buy, social media advertising, PR pitching to local and broadcast outlets, and search engine marketing in English and Spanish—plus monitoring and analytics. There’s also meaningful ongoing work beyond campaigns: maintaining a recently redesigned Squarespace site (with accessibility expectations), and providing technical assistance and training so local sites can execute earned/owned media and public relations consistently. Best suited for mid-sized agencies with public health social marketing chops, performance media + PR coordination, and multilingual production workflows. Proposal deadline: February 16, 2026, at 5 PM PT Download the full RFP here.
State of Michigan Seeks Statewide Marketing and Advertising Vendor Pool With Media Buying
At a Glance Buyer: State of Michigan (DTMB – Procurement) Industry: Government / Public Sector Location/markets: Michigan (statewide; general public) Primary scope: Creative Media Advertising and Digital Media Marketing Services Key deliverables/channels: Campaign planning; creative; paid media planning/buying; production; PR/earned media (as needed); TV/streaming, radio/streaming, social/digital, out-of-home/transit, print, translated materials, State websites/apps content/design Budget: Not specified Contract type/term: Hybrid contract; effective June 1, 2026; transition period through Sept 30, 2026 (no payment); services begin Oct 1, 2026; term through Sept 30, 2029; up to two 1-year renewals Key dates: Questions due Thurs, Jan 22, 2026 (5 PM ET); answers posted Fri, Jan 30, 2026 (5 PM ET); proposal deadline Fri, Feb 13, 2026 (11:50 AM ET); transition begins Mon, Jun 1, 2026; contract begins Thurs, Oct 1, 2026 Eligibility/must-haves: Submit via SIGMA VSS; price proposal saved separately; provide a Social Media Advertising Plan; provide sample TV/radio/pre-roll work (or OneDrive link); production expected in Michigan unless approved; deliverables are State property and talent rights may require a 4-year buyout (if requested); ability/willingness to support design work in Articulate (as needed) Why This Could Be Interesting The State of Michigan, through DTMB Procurement, is sourcing statewide marketing and advertising support that can be deployed across multiple state departments and public initiatives. This is an as-needed engagement: the contractor supports campaign planning, creative development, media strategy and placement, production, event marketing, research, and related internal/external communications under individual Statements of Work. The scope is channel-heavy—TV/streaming, radio/streaming, social and digital, out-of-home/transit, print, translated materials, plus content and design support for State websites and applications—and it also anticipates PR and earned-media support when requested. The State signals a need to reach diverse audiences and respond quickly to emerging needs, with hands-on expectations around media plan development, negotiation/placement, and producing specific assets (TV, radio, and pre-roll). Rights are clearly defined: deliverables are State property, and talent usage may require an unrestricted buyout in Michigan media for a minimum of four years. The contract also includes a transition period before paid service begins, and it may be renewed for up to two additional one-year terms. Best suited for integrated agencies with strong media planning/buying, production ops, and comfort in structured public-sector workflows (plus the ability to support tools like Articulate when needed). Proposal deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026, at 11:50 AM ET Download the full RFP here.
Tennessee Department Of Tourist Development: Brand and Campaign Work With Major Media Spend
At a Glance Buyer: State Of Tennessee — Department Of Tourist Development Industry: Travel/Tourism (State Government) Location/markets: Tennessee; in-state and out-of-state tourism audiences; domestic + international markets Primary scope: Marketing, advertising, and public relations services for Tennessee tourism Key deliverables/channels: Brand + sub-brand development; creative concepting; campaign production/execution; PR; performance analytics + reporting; tourism websites/digital platforms Budget: Estimated $25–$30M annual spend; public relations services estimated at $500,000 annually Contract type/term: State contract; 5 years Key dates: Questions deadline: Jan 21, 2026 (2 PM CT); Proposal deadline: Feb 25, 2026 (2 PM CT); Oral presentations: Mar 24–25 & 27, 2026; Notice of Intent to Award: Apr 13, 2026 (2PM CT) Eligibility/must-haves: $1,000,000 line of credit letter; indicate whether annual billing meets/exceeds $20,000,000; domestic + international media placement experience; meet IT security requirement option; provide research tools (State will not procure) Why This Could Be Interesting The State of Tennessee’s Department of Tourist Development is seeking a contractor to support its tourism growth goals—specifically increasing both in-state and out-of-state travel to Tennessee. They’re procuring marketing, advertising, and public relations services, including brand and sub-brand development, creative concepting, and the production and execution of advertising campaigns. The RFP also calls out performance analytics and reporting, and work that boosts engagement across the State’s designated tourism websites and digital platforms. The headline signal is scale: the State estimates $25–$30M in annual spend, and notes public relations spend is estimated at $500,000 annually. The contract term is five years, creating long-run upside if you can navigate a formal, stakeholder-heavy environment. The State expects domestic and international media placement and requires the contractor to provide its own research tools and resources for research and reporting, fully operational at contract execution (the State will not provide or procure research tools on behalf of the Contractor). Mandatory requirements also include a $1,000,000 line of credit and disclosure of whether annual billing meets or exceeds $20,000,000. Best suited for mid-to-large agencies with destination/tourism experience, strong domestic + international media buying, integrated creative/PR, and a mature analytics + web/ADA practice. Proposal deadline: February 25, 2026, at 2 PM CT Download the full RFP here.
M&A Signals – Deals Announced Through January 14, 2026
Highlights CrowdStrike acquired SGNL CrowdStrike, which sells the Falcon security platform, is buying SGNL, an identity-management SaaS company. CrowdStrike says the combination is meant to secure identity access for human users and AI agents across hybrid and cloud environments. The release notes financial terms weren’t disclosed, though it cites a $740M figure, and it frames the deal as an expansion of its next-gen identity security offering. Agency lens: Expect high demand for crisp integration messaging and product positioning—what changes for customers, how SGNL capabilities map to Falcon workflows, and how to communicate the rollout without confusing buyers. Press release 11:11 Systems acquired Ntirety 11:11 Systems is acquiring Ntirety, a managed and professional IT services provider with VMware-focused cloud capabilities. The release ties the deal to Broadcom’s changes to the VMware Cloud Service Provider program and the need to help customers find compliant transition paths. It positions Ntirety’s VMware expertise as additive to 11:11’s cloud services, operational scale, and commercial capabilities in the segment. Agency lens: This kind of platform + services combination usually needs clear customer communications and updated GTM materials—especially around what’s changing for VMware workloads and how the combined team will support migrations. Press release Titan America acquired Keystone Cement Company — Deal value: $310M Titan America is buying Keystone Cement Company, which operates a cement plant in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. Titan links the deal to demand from U.S. infrastructure and transportation modernization programs, and it cites opportunities to improve operations while reducing carbon intensity as utilization grows. The release also references regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. Agency lens: Expect integration work across brand and stakeholder communications—customers, regulators, and local communities—as well as web and messaging consolidation once Keystone is brought under Titan’s umbrella. Press release Computacenter acquired AgreeYa Solutions — Deal value: $120M Computacenter is acquiring AgreeYa Solutions to expand its services footprint in the American market. AgreeYa is a professional services firm with capabilities across the workplace, cloud, and applications, plus headcount augmentation, with teams in the U.S. and India. The deal will increase Computacenter’s U.S. services-based revenue mix and add context on AgreeYa’s 2025 revenue and EBITDA figures. Agency lens: With a bigger U.S. services push, the immediate needs are unified positioning, refreshed solution pages, and sales enablement that explain the combined delivery model without overcomplicating it. Press release NIIT Learning Systems acquired SweetRush Inc. — Deal value: $26M NIIT Learning Systems is buying SweetRush, a custom learning services firm headquartered in San Francisco with delivery teams across the U.S. and Costa Rica. The release says the combination brings together SweetRush’s custom, AI-enabled learning design with NIIT’s managed training services platform. It lists goals like expanding the services portfolio, converting more project work into longer-term relationships, and introducing NIIT’s managed learning services to SweetRush clients. Agency lens: This is a classic portfolio-expansion story—tight narrative, new brand/offer architecture, and updated go-to-market assets will be key to selling the combined offering clearly. Press release All M&A Deals
Funding Signals – Activity Through January 13, 2026
Highlights xAI raised $20B (Series E) CrowdStrike, which sells the Falcon security platform, is buying SGNL, an identity-management SaaS company. CrowdStrike says the combination is meant to secure identity access for human users and AI agents across hybrid and cloud environments. The release notes financial terms weren’t disclosed, though it cites a $740M figure, and it frames the deal as an expansion of its next-gen identity security offering. Agency lens: Expect high demand for crisp integration messaging and product positioning—what changes for customers, how SGNL capabilities map to Falcon workflows, and how to communicate the rollout without confusing buyers. Press release Rain raised $250M (Series C) Rain provides enterprise infrastructure for stablecoin-powered payments. The press release points to expanding its platform across regions and investing in new products to make stablecoin payments “invisible” to businesses and consumers. It also describes a platform designed to help enterprises adopt on-chain payments for purchases and business expenses across more than 150 countries. Agency lens: If Rain is pushing broader enterprise adoption, trust messaging, simple explainers, and sales enablement content become essential—especially when the tech is new to finance and ops teams. Press release LMArena raised $150M (Series A) led by Felicis and UC Investments (University of California) LMArena (formerly Chatbot Arena) runs a web-based platform that compares AI models through anonymous, crowd-sourced evaluations. The company said it will use the capital to operate the platform, expand its technical team, and strengthen research capabilities. Agency lens: If new benchmarks and research updates are a core output, PR and thought leadership can help translate technical results into a clear narrative for customers and partners. Press release Luxury Presence raised $22M (Series C) led by Bessemer Venture Partners Luxury Presence builds a platform for real estate agents and teams, positioned as a “system of action” rather than a traditional CRM. The company said it will use the new capital to accelerate product development; the release also notes a credit facility with J.P. Morgan as part of the broader financing. Agency lens: Turning a “system of action” story into simple, skimmable messaging (site, product pages, demos, and nurture content) is where agencies can help drive adoption. Press release AirNexis Therapeutics raised $200M (Series A) led by Frazier Life Sciences AirNexis is a clinical-stage biotech developing therapeutics for pulmonary diseases, including COPD. The company said it will use the funds to further advance global development of a dual PDE3/4 inhibitor it in-licensed for COPD. Agency lens: As a program moves through development, the corporate narrative and scientific storytelling (website, PR, investor/partner materials) often need to tighten—especially when communicating complex mechanisms clearly. Press release All Funding Rounds
NC Department of Public Safety Prequalification for Marketing Agency Support
At a Glance Buyer: North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) Industry: Public Sector / Public Safety Location/markets: North Carolina Primary scope: Prequalification of prime contractors for marketing, advertising, and public relations services (as-needed) Key deliverables/channels: Market research; creative (print, billboards, websites, social, video, audio, broadcast scripts, talent management); account/project management; monthly performance monitoring/reporting; advertising; SEO; media buying; print production; copywriting/editing; data security/privacy Budget: Not specified (projects vary; DPS references $29,000 small-purchase threshold for assignment method) Contract type/term: Prequalified vendor list (not a contract); work issued via purchase order for projects ≤$29,000 or Scope Statement competition for projects >$29,000; list open for one year Key dates: Date of issue: May 1, 2025; Applications accepted on an ongoing basis Eligibility/must-haves: Minimum 2 years relevant experience; ACTIVE NC Secretary of State registration (“Current-Active”); ACTIVE SAM registration; familiarity with social platforms/ad placement; ability to include broadcast contacts (if applicable); provide a project point of contact at kickoff; submit related experience Why This Could Be Interesting North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) is building a prequalified list of prime contractors to support DPS marketing, outreach, and education programs on an as-needed basis. DPS is looking for vendors that can cover digital marketing, communications, advertising, and public relations support—and this is a prequalification, not a single project award. Once prequalified, vendors may be tapped for assignments below the State’s $29,000 small-purchase threshold via a quote process, while projects above $29,000 are competed among the prequalified list through a Scope Statement. The scope is broad and practical: market research; creative for print, billboards, websites, social, video, audio, and broadcast scripts; managing voice/acting talent when needed; account and project management; SEO; media buying; print production; copywriting and editing; and monthly performance monitoring and reporting. DPS also calls out data security and privacy expectations, and notes there is no limit on the number of vendors that may be added while the list is open. Best suited for agencies with at least two years of relevant marketing/advertising/PR experience, active NC Secretary of State and SAM registrations, and the ability to turn around quotes within seven business days. Proposal deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis Download the full RFP here.
University Of South Dakota Trademark Licensing Partner for 184-Vendor Program Growth
At a Glance Buyer: University of South Dakota (USD) – Marketing and University Relations Industry: Higher Education / Collegiate Athletics Licensing Location/markets: Vermillion, SD; Sioux Falls, SD; national exposure goals Primary scope: Trademark licensing and marketing services for USD’s collegiate licensing program Key deliverables/channels: Marketing plans; information systems + electronic account access; license management; digital logo/mark distribution; pre-production proof review; trademark enforcement; royalty + analysis reporting; conference/trade show representation; co-branding/promotion-rights fee handling Budget: Not specified Contract type/term: Three-year contract with two optional one-year extensions Key dates: Proposal deadline January 30, 2026; oral presentations/discussions (if required) February 9, 2026; anticipated award decision/contract negotiation February 16, 2026; contract commences April 1, 2026 Eligibility/must-haves: Provide 5+ similar references; demonstrate success increasing trademark royalty income and building national presence; describe electronic licensing capabilities; provide costs/fees and revenue expectations; include sweatshop policy; comply with state certifications (debarment, non-discrimination, prohibited entity, etc.); meet insurance requirements (GL/professional/auto at $1M); subcontracting only with state approval Why This Could Be Interesting The University of South Dakota (USD) is the state’s flagship university, a Division I program, and home to South Dakota’s only law school and medical school, serving 10,405 students. USD is hiring an experienced firm to support its collegiate licensing program, including licensing the University’s name and marks, marketing branded merchandise, and enforcing trademarks. The University’s stated goal is to maximize revenue and program effectiveness, coordinated with USD’s Director of Retail and Creative Services. This is built around revenue growth and tighter program operations. USD reports 184 licensed vendors, 17 trademark logos/terms, and recent annual gross royalty income in the ~$111K–$170K range (FY21–FY25). The base term is three years with two optional one-year extensions, beginning April 1, 2026. The RFP asks for a plan to increase net royalty revenue and strengthen national presence, plus practical infrastructure: electronic account access, pre-production product proof review, license management workflows, trademark enforcement, and quarterly/annual royalty analysis reports. You’ll also need to address costs/fees and revenue expectations, sweatshop policy, co-branding and promotion-rights fee handling, and licensing conference/trade show representation—signals that this is more than basic administration. Best suited for collegiate licensing management firms with proven royalty lift, strong enforcement, and modern digital licensee systems. Proposal deadline: January 30, 2026 Download the full RFP here.
Eastern Washington University Direct Admissions and Lead Gen Vendor Pool With Multi-Year Term
At a Glance Buyer: Eastern Washington University (EWU) Industry: Higher Education (Public University) Location/markets: Cheney and Spokane, Washington; statewide and online programs Primary scope: Enrollment Management and Marketing Services (qualified contractor pool) Key deliverables/channels: Student search + lead gen; direct admissions; digital marketing + paid media; content strategy + creation; graphic design + visual storytelling; print + direct mail; performance analysis + reporting; financial aid leveraging; training + consulting Budget: Not specified Contract type/term: Services contract; qualified vendor pool; 3-Year term with 2 optional 1-Year extensions Key dates: Q&A Period: January 5–16, 2026; last addendum: January 23, 2026; proposal deadline: February 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM PT; evaluations: February 9–20, 2026; oral interviews (if required): February 24–25, 2026; announce apparent successful contractor: February 27, 2026; negotiate/award: March 5, 2026; begin work: April 1, 2026 Eligibility/must-haves: Licensed to do business In Washington (or commit within 30 Days of selection); no willful wage-theft violation determinations in past 3 Years; no mandatory individual arbitration clauses or class/collective action waivers; higher-ed enrollment marketing track record; ability to work with existing platforms (Slate, Ellucian Banner, website); pricing provided as package and/or a la carte Why This Could Be Interesting Eastern Washington University (EWU) is a regional, comprehensive public university based in Cheney and Spokane, Washington, serving 9,000+ students across in-person and online programs. EWU is building a qualified contractor pool for future Enrollment Management and Marketing Services to support student engagement, recruitment, student search, and enrollment through data-informed marketing and targeted outreach. This is structured for flexibility, not a single fixed engagement. EWU anticipates contracting with pool members as needs arise, spanning student search and lead generation (including list scoring and inquiry management), direct admissions support, digital marketing and paid media, content and creative production, print/direct mail, and performance analysis and reporting. They also stress operational maturity: change management, project management, data security, and the ability to work cleanly inside existing higher-ed systems like Slate and Ellucian Banner. Pricing that supports both package and a la carte models is encouraged to enable faster, project-based contracting. Best suited for higher-ed enrollment marketing specialists who combine acquisition, data/CRM integration, and measurement. Proposal deadline: February 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM PT Download the full RFP here.
Community College Of Baltimore County Full-Service Advertising Support
At a Glance Buyer: Board Of Trustees, Community College Of Baltimore County (CCBC) Industry: Higher Education / Community College Location/markets: Baltimore County, Maryland Primary scope: Full-service advertising and marketing support for integrated recruitment and brand-building campaigns Key deliverables/channels: Market research + audience segmentation; annual media strategy; creative concepts + asset production; media planning/negotiation/buying; SEM; paid social; streaming video/audio; display/programmatic; outdoor/transit; print (as appropriate); dashboards; monthly/quarterly reporting + optimization Budget: Not specified Contract type/term: Three-year engagement beginning on or around April 30, 2026; two optional one-year renewals (performance-based) Key dates: Questions due January 20, 2026, 2:00 PM ET; technical offer due February 6, 2026, 4:00 PM ET; product demonstrations week of February 23–27, 2026; price proposal due March 2, 2026, 4:00 PM ET Eligibility/must-haves: 5+ years experience in integrated marketing + media planning/buying + creative; higher education (or similarly complex, multi-audience) experience; in-house or dedicated partner capabilities for creative, digital marketing, paid media execution, analytics, and reporting Why This Could Be Interesting The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) is a Maryland community college serving high school students, working adults, career changers, online learners, and lifelong learners across academic, workforce training, and personal enrichment programs. CCBC is seeking a full-service marketing and advertising firm to serve as a strategic partner for integrated recruitment and brand-building campaigns tied to measurable enrollment growth. The work spans research and audience segmentation, campaign concepting and production, and end-to-end media planning, negotiation, buying, and optimization across paid search, paid social, streaming, display/programmatic, outdoor/transit, and select traditional placements. What makes this one worth a look is the structured, multi-year rollout: the first six months emphasize research, a comprehensive media strategy, and developing a new research-backed creative campaign while keeping existing advertising in-market; year two launches and optimizes the new campaign; year three maintains and evolves it. CCBC also expects the agency to manage multiple campaigns with overlapping audiences and to stay integrated with PR, digital communications, enrollment marketing, community engagement, event promotion, and social media. A stated challenge—shifting continuing education marketing away from heavy print/direct mail and phone-based registrations—signals room for a digital-first partner to drive change. Best suited for agencies with 5+ years integrated experience, higher-ed (or similarly complex) client work, and strong in-house/dedicated capabilities across creative, digital, paid media, analytics, and reporting. Proposal deadline: February 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET. Download the full RFP here.
Florida Prepaid College Board Seeks 529 Advertising and Digital Partner
At a Glance Buyer: Florida Prepaid College Board Industry: Public Sector / Financial Services / Education Savings (529) Location/markets: Florida (statewide); Investment Plan nationwide option under evaluation Primary scope: Advertising/creative, digital marketing, and social media and/or public relations, partnerships, and events for Florida Prepaid/Investment, ABLE United, and the Foundation Key deliverables/channels: Campaign strategy + creative; paid media planning/buying; web/UX/analytics; SEO blog content; email journeys/segmentation; organic social; media relations/storytelling; partnerships; community engagement; events; measurement/reporting Budget: Prepaid/Investment total marketing budget expected $20M–$25M per year; ABLE United $1.5M–$2.0M per year; Foundation $1.0M–$1.5M per year Contract type/term: Up to two firms; retainer by component with approved passthrough/hourly project-based services; term length not specified Key dates: Proposal deadline January 22, 2026, 12:00 PM ET; response opening January 22, 2026, 2:00 PM ET; negotiation period January–April 2026; anticipated contract effective April–July 2026 Eligibility/must-haves: Florida-based permanent office; 5+ years experience (per component); 5+ years financial services experience; minimum annual billings ($15M advertising/digital/social; $5M PR/partnerships/events); no “Going Concern” language in prior three annual audits (as of June 30, 2025) Why This Could Be Interesting The Florida Prepaid College Board administers Florida’s 529 tuition and investment plans and is seeking an agency partner to strengthen advertising, digital, partnerships, and public relations across the Board, ABLE United, and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. This ITN has two components: (1) advertising/creative, digital marketing, and social media; and (2) public relations, partnerships, and events. Respondents may propose on one or both, and the Board intends to award contracts to up to two firms for retainer-based support (with some services billed as approved passthrough/hourly project work). The opportunity is performance-driven and in a moment of change. The Prepaid/Investment programs share a total marketing budget expected at $20M–$25M per year, with success tied to metrics like traffic, conversion, customer acquisition cost, adoption, satisfaction, and retention. The Board has launched a Salesforce-powered records/CRM system, a customer access portal, and a redesigned marketing website. ABLE United is preparing for major eligibility expansion under the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, and the Foundation is evolving from a passive match program into an active statewide scholarship partner with plans to build out dashboards and lead tracking in Salesforce. Best suited for Florida-based agencies with strong paid + digital, CRM-aware lifecycle marketing, and/or PR/partnerships/event capabilities in financial services. Proposal deadline: January 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET Download the full RFP here.
