Four colleagues together at a work event
Our People

When you rethink how people work, you reimagine what business can achieve.

The traditional employment model leaves an extraordinary pool of experienced marketing talent largely untapped. We give you access to it, flexibly.

Where we started

It started with a simple purpose.

The Marketing Room was founded to create meaningful, flexible career opportunities for experienced marketing professionals returning to work after maternity leave.

What began by addressing one significant challenge quickly revealed something much bigger: an extraordinary pool of experienced marketers who wanted to continue their careers, but needed a different way of working.

Our purpose hasn't changed. The opportunity it unlocks has grown.

Tahnee Sharp presenting to a client team
Marketing professional working flexibly from a shared workspace lounge
The shift

The way people want to work has changed.

Across the globe, there is a growing workforce of highly experienced marketing professionals who no longer want, or need, the traditional five-day permanent role.

For some, it's about raising a family. For others, it's pursuing personal interests, caring for loved ones, studying, travelling, building a portfolio career, or simply choosing a better balance between work and life.

What they all have in common is this: they still have enormous value to offer.

The traditional employment model doesn't always accommodate these choices. As a result, an extraordinary pool of marketing capability remains largely untapped.

The talent

Experience doesn't disappear when working hours change.

These are marketers with 10, 15 or even 25 years of experience. They've led brands, managed large budgets, built high-performing teams and delivered meaningful commercial outcomes.

They haven't stepped away from their careers. They've stepped away from a model of employment that no longer suits their lives.

And while they may choose to reduce the time they work, they don't reduce the care, energy or professionalism they bring to it.

They want meaningful work. They want to contribute. And they want to continue using the experience they've built over their careers.

Experienced marketing leader presenting brand strategy to colleagues
Embedded marketer working alongside a client team at one screen
The model

Better for our people. Better for your business.

Our Managed Marketing Services model is designed to unlock this talent.

We create flexible, meaningful opportunities for experienced marketers, typically working one to three days per week and embedded within client organisations, combining experienced thinking with hands-on delivery.

For our people, it means continuing to build rewarding careers without sacrificing the flexibility that's important to them.

For our clients, it provides access to a unique pool of experienced marketing talent, flexibly embedded within their business when and where they need it.

We believe the future of marketing isn't simply about choosing between permanent employees and external agencies. It's about accessing the right expertise, at the right time, through a model that works for both businesses and the talented people behind them.

What started with a purpose has become a powerful source of commercial value for our clients.

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

The experience behind our people.

Our people come from real in-house and agency-side careers, built on some of the most recognised brands in the world.

Today, they apply that experience differently — embedding themselves within client businesses, where the knowledge, judgement and perspective they've built across their careers can be put to work on your marketing challenges.

Showing clients forAustralia
Mastercard
Destination NSW
IHG Hotels & Resorts
AMP
University of South Australia
Mitsubishi
SA Tourism Commission
EY
Tennis Australia
Heinz
ghd — good hair day
New Balance AU
The Good Guys
Stockland
Australia Post
Le Tan
MLC
Lend Lease
Metcash
CBA
Hawaiian
Woodside
Chevron
Vodafone
Lego
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
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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
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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
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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.