Strategic Communications Services

The Vendor is required to provide e in strategic communications, engagement, and advocacy planning.
- Objectives:
•    Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies and plans that support the panel’s mandate and objectives.
•    Create and deliver compelling communication products across a range of platforms—selecting the most effective tools, techniques, and media to share key messages and results.
•    Research, design, and execute digital and social media strategies, including content for blogs, social networks, and other online platforms to foster dialogue and engagement.
•    Support and guide panel members in using social media to complement traditional communication channels and connect authentically with agency.
•    Prepare clear, professional communications products tailored to specific audiences and purposes.
- Branding
•    Develop a strong, consistent brand identity for the panel, including a proposed name, visual corporate identifier (e.g. Logo), colour palette, and style guide.
•    Propose and refine the panel’s official name as part of the brand development process, ensuring it aligns with the panel’s mandate, tone, and regional focus.
•    Create branded templates for reports, presentations, and consultation materials.
•    Draft a messaging framework that defines the panel’s mandate, purpose, values, and key messages.
•    Ensure consistent application of the brand across all materials—from launch to consultations and the release of the final report.
•    Produce portable display materials (e.g., pop-up panels) for events and consultations.
- Communications services
•    Develop a comprehensive communications plan to support all phases of the panel’s work, including:
o    Launch and initial stakeholder engagement;
o    Ongoing consultations in agency;
o    Media and public outreach throughout the process; and
o    Release of the final report.
•    Create an audience and message map to identify target audiences and tailor messaging.
•    Provide media relations tools for the panel such as templates for news releases, advisories, and media lines. Produce products in both official languages.
•    Identify and engage key influencers and partners in agency to help amplify the panel’s work and findings.
•    Develop a tactical outreach plan recommending opportunities to raise awareness through speaking events, media relations, social media, and community engagement. Particular focus should be on opportunities in the communities where the panel’s consultations will take place. 
•    Ensure outreach reflects agency diversity, with particular attention to:
o    Indigenous communities;
o    Acadian and francophone communities;
o    Visible minority communities;
o    Rural, remote, and coastal communities; and
o    Women, youth and emerging leaders.
- Website
•    Design and launch a bilingual (English and French), accessible, mobile-friendly website as the panel’s primary public platform, with functionality to receive electronic submissions and feedback related to consultations.
•    Manage the website throughout the contract, including updates, analytics, and performance monitoring.
•    Transfer website management and documentation to agency communications team at the end of the contract.
•    Produce content in both official languages.
- Graphic design & audio-visual creatives
•    Provide ongoing graphic design and audio-visual services to raise awareness of the panel’s work and engage key audiences.
•    Develop creative, visually compelling products such as infographics, placemats, short-form videos, and animations to communicate complex information in accessible ways.
•    Ensure all materials align with the panel’s brand identity and are optimized for use across digital, social media, and in-person channels.
•    Offer guidance on best practices for visual storytelling and digital presentation to support public facing communications.
•    Produce content in both official languages.
- Social media
•    Recommend the most effective social media channels and engagement strategies.
•    Develop a monthly content calendar with proposed posts, themes, and visuals.
•    Provide reusable social media templates aligned with the panel’s brand identity for panel members to use.
•    Produce content in both official languages.
- Consultation support
•    Develop consultation tools such as FAQS, one-pagers, briefing notes, and feedback forms to support engagement activities in both official languages.
•    Promote the panel’s planned public consultations through coordinated communications activities (traditional and new media).
•    Develop an online consultation portal on the panel’s website to gather thoughts, views and proposals on key issues from interested agency.
- Final report design support
•    Provide design and communications support for the panel’s final report, including:
•    Layout and visual design;
•    Executive summary and public-facing materials; and
•    Digital formats suitable for web, social media, and media distribution; and
•    Available in both official languages.

- Contract Period/Term: 1 year