UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, the landmark programme of free events and activities now underway in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, has appointed the7stars to handle its UK media planning following a competitive pitch handled through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), the Government Procurement Service.

The appointment is the first account the7stars has won through the Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) since gaining a place on the Media Services framework on the designated lot for public sector media planning and buying at the start of the year.

The UNBOXED pitch was available to all the agencies on the newly created government roster with responses to the tender submitted via the online portal.

the7stars strategic planning process will lead the development and delivery of integrated campaigns that work alongside the event company’s owned and earned channels. Unique strategies for UNBOXED events will be underpinned by the7stars’s Gravity Planning platform to identify and target untapped contexts and formats that engage young people and drive awareness.

All advertising on traditional non-digital media channels will be purchased via OMD Group – UNBOXED’s above the line media buying partner.

Nick Maddison, managing partner at the7stars, said: “We are genuinely excited to be working with the wonderful team at UNBOXED, on what is our inaugural account in the new CCS Media Planning and Buying framework.

“Through strategy, planning and media activation we are driven to unlock UNBOXED’s unique programme of events for millions of young people across the UK.”

Ben McKnight, communications director at UNBOXED, said: “UNBOXED is unique celebration of creativity bringing hundreds of amazing free events and activities across the UK in 2022 and we're delighted to have the7stars onboard to help increase our reach and impact amongst audiences through a holistic multi-channel planning strategy.”