About Us

A model built on purpose, not convention.

The Marketing Room began with a simple idea: experienced marketers shouldn't have to choose between meaningful work
and the flexibility to live their lives.

History

It began with a gap nobody was solving.

The Marketing Room began when we recognised a gap in how marketing was being resourced, and in the outcomes businesses were getting as a result.

On one side were mid-tier organisations desperate for genuine marketing talent to help them grow, but unable to justify the cost of full-time, experienced talent. On the other were highly experienced marketers who wanted to work flexibly, on their own terms, without giving up the calibre of work they were used to.

We brought the two together and discovered something far bigger than a clever way to resource a team: a better way for businesses and marketers alike to work.

A TMR marketer celebrating at The Marketing Room's expo stand

"We created TMR to give talented marketers another way to build meaningful careers, one that gives them the flexibility to make work fit their lives, not the other way around."

Tahnee Sharp, Founder

History

From a bold idea to a global company.

What started as a better way to resource marketing has grown into an international business.

Today we work with organisations of every size and stage, from SMEs finding their footing, to mid-tier businesses scaling at pace, to large enterprises. We now operate across five markets and three continents, with more than 130 experienced professionals around the world.

Through all of that growth, one thing hasn't changed: the standard of the work, and the calibre of the people behind it.

Effectiveness is greater than volume.

Purpose

Marketing is a business lever, not a line item.

Quality marketing has been the backbone of this business since the beginning.

We're marketers who lead with strategy and the core principles that genuinely move a business forward: proper marketing thinking, not execution for the sake of looking busy. Done well, marketing is one of the most powerful levers a business has to grow. Done poorly, it's just noise.

We're passionate about giving both businesses and marketing professionals a better way to work, and that restlessness is what fuels us to keep finding smarter ways to deliver. We're not here to produce more. We're here to produce what works.

Purpose

We believed in it so completely, we gave it a name.

The way we work wasn't a version of something that already existed, so we named it.

The Marketing Room is the first Managed Marketing Service Provider (MMSP): a new category built on the conviction that businesses deserve a smarter, more flexible way to access experienced marketing, and that marketers deserve a better way to do their best work.

It's an idea we're proud to have pioneered, and one we're still building, and bettering, every single day.

Explore the MMSP model →
Experienced marketing strategist working closely with a client
Global Positioning

Global capability. Local presence.

From a single idea, The Marketing Room now spans five markets and three continents. Wherever you are, you work with people embedded in your market, backed by the depth of an international network.

130+
Experienced marketers across the network
5
Markets
10years
Market leaders
500+
Clients engaged

Australia · New Zealand · Singapore · UK & Ireland · USA

How we're structured

Leadership that sits close to the work.

Head office management sets the model. Regional CEOs run each market. Business directors work alongside your marketer every day. The structure exists for one reason: so the experienced people are always within reach.

Head office management
Tahnee Sharp, Founder, The Marketing Room
Head office
Tahnee Sharp
Founder
All markets
Read bio +

Following a successful career responsible for the growth of brands from both agency and client side, Tahnee launched The Marketing Room in late 2018. Tahnee identified the declining understanding of the critical role marketing plays in business growth as an opportunity for an organisation that is dedicated to the development then execution of a strategic marketing plan.

In tandem, Tahnee saw first-hand a highly experienced, passionate, and motivated group of marketing professionals with young children, lost to the industry. Since then, Tahnee has led the business to now be Australia's largest, dedicated marketing consultancy.

Jonathan Sharp, Group CEO, The Marketing Room
Head office
Jonathan Sharp
Group CEO
All markets
Read bio +

With over 20 years of industry experience, Jon is responsible for the business's growth across the key pillars of people and culture, partnerships and marketing, and expansion and acquisition. Jon utilises his experience leading teams developed in previous professional positions as well as coaching roles with WA's State 16s and 18s AFL Academy programs.

Following a career that included leading large brand and advertising campaigns for brands such as West Coast Eagles, Tradelink, St John of God and Steel Blue, Jon's marketing experience is complimented by his understanding of the critical link between marketing, sales, and business strategy.

Myra Quartermaine, Business Manager, The Marketing Room
Head office
Myra Quartermaine
Business Manager
All markets
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With over 20 years of experience in office management, finance, and business operations, Myra has a proven track record in creating effective systems, managing teams, and driving business performance. As the General Manager of a boutique law firm, she played a key role in streamlining operations, implementing efficient systems, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the business.

Myra is passionate about creating environments where both creativity and efficiency thrive. By optimising workflows, managing resources, and enhancing internal processes, she ensures that teams can focus on delivering exceptional results for their clients.

Regional CEOs
Helen Davies, CEO, UK & Ireland, The Marketing Room
Regional CEO
Helen Davies
CEO, UK & Ireland
United Kingdom
Read bio +

Helen leads our UK & Ireland operations, bringing over 25 years of experience across marketing, communications, and strategic advisory roles in both the public and private sectors. Her career spans leadership positions in global consultancies, government departments, and major organisations across the UK, US, Asia-Pacific, and Australasia.

Helen has held roles including Deputy Global COO at Edelman Global Advisory, CEO of BPRI, Managing Director at both Added Value and Breakthrough Media, and Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications for the City of Melbourne. She has also led national behaviour change campaigns and advised on crisis communications at the highest levels of government.

As CEO, Helen focuses on connecting businesses and government bodies with highly capable, flexible marketing talent who can unlock fresh thinking, drive performance, and build lasting impact through experienced, agile marketing leadership.

Naeema Ismail, CEO, Singapore, The Marketing Room
Regional CEO
Naeema Ismail
CEO, Singapore
Singapore
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With over 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, and brand strategy, Naeema is a seasoned leader recognised for driving transformative growth and building high-performing teams across Asia. Before joining The Marketing Room, she led FINN Partners' Singapore office, where she established and expanded its PR and strategic communications practice, growing it to contribute over 70% of the agency's business.

Throughout her career, Naeema has advised C-suite leaders and guided communications strategies for some of the world's most respected brands, including IBM, AWS, Pfizer, Nike, Airbus, AIA, Autodesk, and the Singapore Tourism Board.

At The Marketing Room, Naeema leads the Singapore business, helping organisations access flexible, in-house marketing solutions that drive growth and innovation.

Sonya Aitken, CEO, New Zealand, The Marketing Room
Regional CEO
Sonya Aitken
CEO, New Zealand
New Zealand
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A strategic brand marketer with 25 years of experience, Sonya has led the way with some of New Zealand's biggest brands including Fisher & Paykel Appliances, Air New Zealand, Auckland Airport, Vodafone NZ (now One NZ), Elders NZ and Naveya & Sloane.

Sonya is passionate about focusing on the customer and brand while delivering excellent growth outcomes for the business. She has led and worked with teams to deliver brand relaunches, New Zealand's first digital-only loyalty programme, new websites, integrated CRM systems, ecommerce and retail solutions and customer journey frameworks.

Jonathan Sharp, CEO, Australia & USA, The Marketing Room
Regional CEO
Jonathan Sharp
CEO, Australia & USA
Australia & USA
Read bio +

With over 20 years of industry experience, Jon is responsible for the business's growth across the key pillars of people and culture, partnerships and marketing, and expansion and acquisition. Jon utilises his experience leading teams developed in previous professional positions as well as coaching roles with WA's State 16s and 18s AFL Academy programs.

Following a career that included leading large brand and advertising campaigns for brands such as West Coast Eagles, Tradelink, St John of God and Steel Blue, Jon's marketing experience is complimented by his understanding of the critical link between marketing, sales, and business strategy.

Business directors

The business directors on your market.

Your experienced management contact: working directly with your marketer, every day.

Showing directors forAustralia
Katherine Rafferty, Business Director, The Marketing Room
Business director
Katherine Rafferty
Business Director
Western Australia
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Katherine has extensive experience in delivering impactful brand and marketing campaigns across health, retail, government, and not-for-profit organisations. With over 15 years of experience, she has a proven track record in driving brand growth and commercial success.

Braden Loader, Business Director, The Marketing Room
Business director
Braden Loader
Business Director
Western Australia
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Braden brings a diverse background across consumer marketing, brand strategy, partnerships and commercialisation, with experience spanning sport, entertainment, FMCG and hospitality.

Having worked with global brands including Google, Apple, Universal Music Group, AFL, NRL, Corona and Budweiser, Braden offers a strong blend of consumer insight and commercial acumen. Based in Perth, he supports clients with experienced marketing leadership across Western Australia.

Emily Watson, Business Director, The Marketing Room
Business director
Emily Watson
Business Director
Victoria
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Leveraging over 15 years of marketing insight, Emily's expertise extends powerfully into business development and professional partnerships, dedicated to ensuring businesses genuinely succeed. She draws on experience with companies such as Stockland, Satterley, Woodward and Stonebank to show how marketing should function, leading to real growth and preventing costly missteps.

Her journey began in the dynamic property and development sector, igniting her love for creative content, strategic social media, and impactful branding.

Michelle Oliver, Business Director, The Marketing Room
Business director
Michelle Oliver
Business Director
New South Wales
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Michelle is an accomplished marketing leader with more than 20 years' experience driving brand, demand and customer growth across Australia and Asia Pacific. She most recently served as Chief Marketing Officer, APEJ at RGF Staffing, and previously held senior roles with Peoplebank and Michael Page, beginning her career agency-side at M&C Saatchi.

With deep expertise in professional services and recruitment, Michelle brings a thoughtful balance of brand ambition and performance discipline, and is particularly energised by the evolving role of artificial intelligence in marketing.

Eryl Thomas, Business Director, The Marketing Room
Business director
Eryl Thomas
Business Director
New South Wales
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With two decades of strategic expertise, Eryl is a trusted problem solver and collaborative partner who helps brands unlock their potential. She has guided transformations for major brands including Woolworths, McDonald's, ALDI, Australia Post, and government organisations across diverse sectors.

Eryl is passionate about connecting data insights with real human behaviour to craft strategies that deliver measurable results, with a hands-on approach to brand architecture, retail transformation and market positioning.

Daniella Kalyvas, Business Director, The Marketing Room
Business director
Daniella Kalyvas
Business Director
South Australia
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With over a decade of experience guiding high-value client relationships and delivering integrated marketing campaigns, Daniella thrives at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and operational excellence. She has partnered with the Government of South Australia, the Black Dog Institute, Bridgestone Australia, Adelaide University, the University of South Australia and Perks Accounting & Wealth Advisers.

A natural connector and commercially savvy leader, Daniella has built and nurtured high-performing teams while mentoring emerging talent and fostering strong, purpose-driven cultures.

Names, roles, portraits and bios sourced from themarketingroom.com.au/about-us · portraits currently hotlink to the existing site and will be replaced with rebrand photography.