WHY
we exist
I’m excited to announce the launch of The Marketing Room in New Zealand. Our journey started with a clear and impactful vision. My passion for marketing has always been a driving force in my life; it inspires me and ignites my enthusiasm. I firmly believe in the transformative power of marketing for businesses. However, I understand that not every organisation has the resources to employ seasoned marketing professionals on a full-time basis.
I’ve also observed that many skilled marketing experts often leave the field temporarily to focus on family commitments. This experience significantly influenced our business model.
Our innovative approach quickly gained traction, establishing us as one of the top global marketing consultancies. Today, we provide a range of flexible, part-time solutions tailored for both businesses and talented marketing professionals. From our respected Marketing Manager service to our sought-after Social Media Managers, and our dedicated Marketing Projects team, we are here to support large brands in overcoming their resource challenges.
As we embark on this exciting venture in New Zealand, I look forward to collaborating with local businesses and assembling a team of passionate professionals right here. Regardless of the service you select, you can expect to work with seasoned experts dedicated to helping your business reach its objectives, all backed by our extensive global network.
Here’s to embarking on this new journey together!
Yours in Marketing,
our leadership team
Tahnee Sharp
Founder & Group CEO
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.
Sonya Aitken
CEO - New Zealand
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, design and delivery of New Zealand’s first digital only loyalty programme, new websites, develop and implement integrated CRM systems, ecommerce and retail solutions and customer journey frameworks.
The Marketing Room offers a real opportunity for Small – Medium New Zealand businesses to tap into marketing expertise that enables their business growth. We can’t wait to get amongst it Aotearoa!
Sonya Wilkinson
Business Director, Auckland
With over 20 years of experience across some of New Zealand’s most iconic retail brands—including The Warehouse, Torpedo7, and Bendon Lingerie—as well as luxury names like moochi and Continental Cars, Sonya Wilkinson brings a wealth of marketing expertise and industry knowledge. Her diverse experience also spans the B2B space, having worked with Sime Motors on renowned brands such as Volvo, UD, Palfinger, and Truckstops.
Sonya is passionate about uncovering the heart of a brand and uses data-driven insights to craft marketing strategies that deliver tangible results. Her proven strengths include strategic leadership, brand development, rebrands, digital marketing, customer experience, loyalty, and CRM.
Sonya is committed to elevating local businesses with innovative, results-focused marketing. Her wealth of experience enables her to provide both strategic direction and hands-on expertise to help businesses grow and scale effectively. Sonya thrives on transforming brand stories into meaningful customer experiences that drive success, and she’s excited to support businesses in New Zealand as they navigate the ever-changing marketing landscape.
Kelly-Anne Davis
Pod Leader - Western Australia
Kelly-Anne has 14 years of branding, marketing and advertising experience in Australia and Canada. She managed all facets of brand building from strategy and concept to campaign production, execution and post analysis. Kelly-Anne has worked with a number of large international brands like McDonald’s, IKEA and Thermomix as well as plenty of local West Aussie names such as P&N Bank, Water Corporation, Art Gallery of WA, Wesfarmers and more.
She’s spearheaded a number re-brands, executed traditional mass marketing campaigns on TV and radio, and rolled out a plethora of digital projects – all with a splash of mentoring on the side.
Jonathan Sharp
Chief Growth Officer
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.
Allison Crowe
Pod Leader - New South Wales
With 15 years of marketing experience spanning a wide range of industries across Australia, Allison has mastered the art of uncovering what makes a business unique and translating those insights into targeted strategies that drive sales. She leads our New South Wales team, delivering flexible, senior-level marketing expertise that helps businesses achieve their goals without the commitment and cost of full-time staff.
Allison has contributed to the growth of notable brands, including Octomedia, DoComeMonday, Spinifex Communications International, and the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW. Known for her ability to deliver impactful results she’s passionate about offering cost-effective, tailored marketing solutions that generate real outcomes for her clients.
Emily Watson
Pod Leader - Victoria
Emily’s experience in marketing results from over 15 years in the property and development industry. During this time, she discovered a passion for all things creative, content, marketing, and social media. Emily specialises in organic content, social media management and developing strategies to advance businesses in their niche. Her cup is filled when she has a licence to use her creativity and help other businesses stand out in the ever-evolving social media landscape.
Ultimately, she is a life-loving expert in social media marketing, strategy and content creation. Emily’s creativity, strategic mind and passion will elevate your digital marketing footprint.
Marc Gordon
CEO - UK & Ireland
As CEO of The Marketing Room’s UK & Ireland team, Marc Gordon brings a wealth of experience in driving business growth. Over a 12-month period, Marc successfully doubled revenue in both the UK and Western Australia, demonstrating his passion and energy for fast-paced expansion. With 14 years in sales and business development, Marc has held senior roles, including Regional Director at The CFO Centre Australia and National Lender Account Manager at SimplyBiz Group. A retired martial artist in Aikido, Marc now enjoys hiking and walking in some of the world’s most scenic spots. His leadership philosophy revolves around empowering his team and delivering outstanding client experiences.
Neil Davies
Regional Partner - North West, UK
Gabrielle Woodbridge
Business Director, Queensland
Having worked with some of the world’s most innovative brands across SaaS, biotech, sustainability, and technology, Gabrielle has seen first-hand what makes business communities thrive. Originally from Sydney and having lived and worked across the globe, she believes Queensland is the place to be—especially as Brisbane steps onto the world stage in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics. With a dynamic, growing economy and a surge in innovation, it’s an incredible time for businesses here to take their marketing to the next level.
With over 15 years of experience spanning SaaS, technology, biotech, and sustainability, Gabrielle is a strategic marketing powerhouse who thrives on crafting data-driven, authentic campaigns that connect brands with their audiences. From leading customer adoption and engagement strategies across APAC at SAP to pioneering carbon market innovation with BlueBlock as an entrepreneur, her career is a testament to strategic innovation, leadership, and commercial impact.
A UQ (university of Queensland) MBA graduate and award-winning marketing leader, Gabrielle has a passion for challenging the status quo, amplifying brand narratives, and driving business growth. Her expertise in ABM, digital transformation, and go-to-market strategy makes her the perfect fit to lead and support our talented marketers in Queensland.
As a working mum of three girls (including twins!), Gabrielle is passionate about The Marketing Room’s model, which provides seasoned marketing leaders with meaningful opportunities while offering growing companies the flexibility they need to scale their strategy effectively. Having led large regional field marketing teams throughout Asia for global organisations, she sees the TMR approach as an ideal solution for businesses needing expert leadership, agile execution, and strategic direction during periods of change and growth.
Gabrielle is excited to champion Queensland businesses, helping them elevate their marketing, drive growth, and make their mark on a global scale.
Katherine Rafferty
Business Director - Western Australia
Katherine has extensive experience in delivering impactful brand and marketing campaigns across various sectors, including health, retail, government, and not-for-profit organisations. With over 15 years of experience, Katherine has a proven track record in driving brand growth, commercial success, and innovation. Her expertise spans strategic planning, integrated campaign execution, brand management, PR, media buying, and stakeholder engagement.
Katherine has held several senior marketing roles, including her recent role as Senior Marketing Specialist at St John WA, where she led marketing efforts for a $28 million government-funded project establishing new St John Urgent Care health centres in Perth. Her responsibilities included branding, patient experience, and acquisition strategies, showcasing her ability to drive meaningful results in both health and corporate sectors. Katherine has also worked as the Local Area Marketing Manager for Kmart Australia, overseeing campaigns for new and refurbished stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Throughout her career, Katherine has honed her skills in managing complex projects and budgets, engaging with a range of stakeholders, and ensuring that campaigns deliver on key performance metrics. She blends creative strategy with a results-driven approach, empowering brands to reach their full potential.
Her passion for creating tailored marketing solutions is backed by a solid academic foundation, including a Bachelor of Business and Marketing, a Certificate IV in Graphic Design, and Mini MBAs in Brand Management and Marketing. Katherine leverages her strategic insights and creative capabilities to deliver comprehensive, tailored marketing solutions that ensure lasting impact.
Kate Downie
Chief Global Growth Officer
Kate has a strong passion for growth, collaboration, and storytelling. With over 20 years of experience, she has produced television commercials across the globe—from Iceland and Mexico to the USA and Australia—partnering with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Google Australia, Tourism WA, Citizen Watches, Lotterywest, Expedia, IKEA, McDonald’s, Nikon, Nestlé, AFL, and many more.
Building a successful company has been as much about business acumen as creative expertise. As a business owner and a mum of two, Kate knows firsthand the juggle of managing projects, people, and family life. She’s passionate about creating an industry that supports and uplifts women, championing flexibility, mentorship, and opportunity.
Kate was drawn to The Marketing Room because of its purpose to support marketing professionals returning to the workforce after maternity leave by offering flexible part-time roles. She understands the importance of providing a platform for these talented professionals whilst balancing family commitments.
She thrives on the challenge of balancing logistics, budgets, and client needs while maintaining the relationships that make any project a success.
Global Marketing Consultancy
We are an independent marketing consultancy focused on creating and executing strategic marketing plans. Our highly experienced marketing professionals serve as in-house outsourced Marketing Specialists for a diverse range of clients across the globe, including Australia, the USA, the UK, New Zealand, and Singapore.
- International presence
- Access to our entire team
- Dedicated Pod Leader
- Unrivalled network of suppliers and partners
what
we value
Although all of our people bring their own personality and experience to your business, the one thing we all share is the belief and commitment to our values. They are simple but powerful.
A no-nonsense guide to the people we want to work with us and the kind of people you can expect to be working with you.
WHY
marketing
IS GOOD BUSINESS
Marketing is the engine that powers a business and has the capacity to build real fiscal value into your operation. It drives sales, new markets and new opportunities. In addition, marketing shortens your sales cycle, and enables you to charge and sustain a price premium. It empowers you to build trust with stakeholders – customers, employees, shareholders, distributors, suppliers and partners. A consistent marketing approach will also decrease your cost per new business acquisition.
B2B CUSTOMERS
ARE FINDING YOU BEFORE YOU EVEN KNOW THAT THEY ARE LOOKING
Marketing gives your customers a reason to choose you over your competitors. It creates a predisposition towards your brand and company, hence creating increased willingness to make contact. Marketing allows you to stand out, be different, be seen and be heard. It allows you to control the narrative and drive the conversation.
Why we are [ unique ]
whatthey say
Geoff has quickly become a trusted advisor to our Executive Team, and his strategic brand advice has enabled us to transform our organisation for the future.
Partnering with The Marketing Room has been a catalyst to put in place a brand strategy that has reshaped our brand architecture, product suite, team culture and customer experience.
In only a few months we’ve seen noticeable results and we’re looking forward to growing the File Republic brand in new international markets.
It’s astounding how Geoff was able to grasp the complexities of our market, our organisation, and our product, and translate that into a strategy that ignited such passion in our team from top to bottom.
It’s been a great experience and a partnership that we’re looking forward to continuing.
Sean Conroy
File Republic
The Marketing Room team – specifically Jon and Kelly- Anne – were outstanding in their work with us to rebrand and develop a marketing strategy going forward. Their professionalism and practicality was outstanding, offering expert advice and strategic insights. Kelly-Anne’s work with us to plan and implement our rebrand was highly valuable, as will be the marketing strategy she developed
with us to guide our marketing activities going forward.
Highly recommend The Marketing Room.
Anna Dixon
BlueSalt Consulting
Like most businesses we were facing resource challenges within our marketing team. We needed senior, experienced marketing support that could hit the ground running to ensure we didn’t miss the deadline for a new campaign launch.
I’m thrilled to say The Marketing Room were able to provide this support. Their consultant worked inside our business and emersed themselves in our team, brand systems, and processes. It was just what we needed at a crucial stage of an important project for the business.
I can’t praise them highly enough and will consider them again for any additional short-term support we need.
Damien Van Pelt
RAC Insurance
We are over the moon with Isabel.
She is an amazing Social Media Manager, and everyone loves her in the office. I am glad she can adapt to the nature of our business and fully understood the message we would like to convey to our pages. Isabel’s content is very meaningful and knows exactly what is relevant to post in our industry. Gautam and I are very glad as well that Isabel is friendly to the team members in the office with their loudness.
I noticed she does take feedbacks seriously and used it to improve or amend any changes required. 10/10
Fionah Perales
Aroha Care Group
It’s been 2yrs that I’ve been toying with the need to get help with social media presence for my business. I knew what was needed and knew how much it would help legitimise and grow our presence online. BUT, NDIS is a finicky beast. The industry is full of misinformation from pockets within all stakeholders, and I am so passionate about how bad that is. NDIS is an incredible scheme, a world first! But the participant experiences can be terrible if they are being lead by misinformation.
That’s why I always insisted any word or sentence we put out there, HAD to be accurate, positive, correctly worded, politically correct, in brand, and about 5 other things as you now know.
King Kong charged me a fortune and got it wrong.
A previous staff member worked for me full time and couldn’t get it.
Then recognising I needed to solution still, I reached out to you guys, and found Eliza.
I can’t sufficiently explain how much of an amazing job she has done.
Brief – Zoom call to clarify – a few weeks of work into strategy – and bom, she’s nailed it, like I’d done it myself.
It’s no easy feat. Like I said there’s so much misinformation. But she immediately understood my brand, my ethos, and gets the industry.
She deserves this praise. She’s done a great job. And she will be an absolute asset to growth of our online presence and lead generation.
So got damn excited!
Filipa Watts
Kukoon
Such a pleasure working with Tahnee Sharp and her brilliant team at the The Marketing Room. They’ve been such a safe pair of experienced, trustworthy and talented hands for more than 9 months. Narelle Cant and I truly see them as an extension of our own team and we’d be in a different place without their help. What a business model, what a team and what a leader Tahnee is!
