RFPs

T-Mobile has issued an RFP for b-to-b PR services. Peter Dobrow, director of external communications at T-Mobile, told PRNewser today the RFP went to a "select number of agencies," but also said, "I'm not at liberty to discuss how many or which ones at this point."

"We are strongly and powerfully consumer focused," he elaborated. "That said, there are products and services we offer that resonate with small and medium businesses and we are looking to generate interest there."

Waggener Edstrom will remain T-Mobile's agency of record and consumer agency. "The significant majority of our PR efforts are directed at consumers. This is a new area we're looking to put added focus towards," said Dobrow.

The RFP was issued during the past couple of weeks, and Dobrow said the company is "likely months away" from making a decision. T-Mobile is looking for an agency to support "our unique product offerings, which do include calling over wi-fi," said Dobrow. He said the agency should have a "deep knowledge of, understanding and relationships within certain vertical industries," but would not comment on specific verticals the company is interested in.

Yahoo has several PR RFPs in the works; two of which, for its consumer PR and measurement and metrics, have already been issued. The other, for B2B and metrics and measurement will be issued in "the next few days," said May Petry, vice president, corporate communications, Yahoo. PRWeek's Aarti Shah first reported the news of the PR review.

PRNewser has learned exclusively that Biz360, Dow Jones, Vocus, Cision and Media Proof are pitching Yahoo for the measurement and metrics business next week. The company will reach a decision by December 1st with a January 1st 2010 implementation of a solution to extend the work being done by Yahoo's internal analyst team. The RFP is budgeted in the low six-figures.

The consumer PR RFP is also budgeted for a low six-figure monthly retainer, Petry confirmed. Golin Harris is the incumbent, has been asked by Yahoo to participate in the RFP, and has accepted. The B2B incumbent Peppercom will not defend after the agency and Yahoo reached a "mutual decision" to part ways. The B2B decision time line is the same as that for measurement and metrics. Petry said she also expects the consumer RFP to be awarded by end of year.

Century 21 Real Estate is currently reviewing all marketing partners, including PR. A source tells PRNewser that a decision should come by end of year.

Burson-Marsteller, Century 21's current PR agency of record confirmed to PRNewser that they have re-pitched. Ogilvy PR has also confirmed they pitched the business. Cohn & Wolfe said they are not pitching the business.

The PR review is part of an overall marketing review and there is a large paid media component. "It's not just your regular PR RFP," a source told PRNewser. Century 21 Director of PR and Brand Communication Matt Gentile declined to comment on which agencies are currently at the table.

We will update this post as we hear more.

The State of Colorado has issued an RFP for, "Colorado Historical Society Marketing, Advertising, Public Relation and Web Site Redesign." Agencies must be a registered vendor to view the RFP. The deadline for submissions is 11/16.

[h/t: O'Dwyer PR on Twitter]

Exclusive: United Airlines has issued an RFP for a PR agency of record, "that will partner with us to further build the United brand," the company's Media Relations Manager Robin Urbanski tells PRNewser.

We had heard that United was shopping for PR, but the company declined to comment on whether or not they had issued an RFP when we contacted them several weeks ago, saying only, "We are evaluating how we best use both our internal and external resources."

Agencies, if you haven't heard from United, don't get your hopes up. Urbanski tells PRNewser "agencies have been invited." The new agency would not be replacing anyone, as Urbanski states, "we currently do not have an AOR." Asked if they have worked on a project basis with agencies in the past, she said only, "we have always used a combo of internal and external resources."

Given the company is headquartered in Chicago, it is feasible they would want an agency with a strong local presence, such as Ogilvy PR, Ketchum, Edelman or Golin Harris.

Bid proposals are due October 12th for a Montclair State University (NJ) RFP. The University is looking for a "full service Public Relations Firm for Arts and Cultural Programming." Specifically the work will be to support Peak Performances @ Montclair, which specializes in "work that challenges boundaries of dance, theater, music and opera."

The RFP is for a one year contract with the option to renew for an additional two one year periods. A university spokesperson said they do not comment on budgets.

Century 21 Real Estate is reviewing all of its marketing partners, reports PRWeek's Aarti Shah. Reached for comment, Century 21's current PR firm, Burson-Marsteller, declined to comment to PRNewser if they will be participating in the review.

PRNewser reached out to Century 21 media contact Matt Gentile for comment but have not heard back as of the time of this post.