The Room, the MediaTech marketplace has achieved 200% YoY growth and has expanded its client base welcoming new partnerships with Charlotte Tilbury, Red Bull and Virgin.

The business is a joint venture between Sky Sports host Alex Payne and marketing executive Tanya Hamilton-Smith. Having spent their careers understanding respectively the power of fandom (Alex as the face of English Rugby broadcasting) and brands (Tanya formerly of JWT and BBDO) they have developed a powerful proposition to bring together the worlds of Brands and Influence in a marketplace solution that provides a much needed antidote to the fog of paid posts and sponsored media. 

This new model is designed to drive trust and loyalty by creating an authentic and truly rewarding experience. Brands swap products & experiences in exchange for media created by influential people. This media performs better, is greater in terms of volume of content created and has the all important benefit of being truly authentic. 

Back in 2021, The Room raised investment from the TVB Growth Fund, which is managed by The FSE Group, who were joined by a number of angel investors from across the technology and private equity sectors. Throughout 2021 and into 2022 The Room have been focussing on the development of their global product and expanding their message about the importance of Brand Love across new sectors in the UK and beyond.

Alex Payne, Co-Founder at The Room said, “We are lucky enough to have an enviable and incredibly experienced group of shareholders around us who have all contributed to the success we’re seeing.  Tanya and I are looking forward to the next, Global chapter of growth for The Room and gearing up to a Series A raise later this year.”

Bradley Jones, Equity Portfolio Manager at The FSE Group: “Having known Alex & Tanya over the past few years before making an investment, we have been able to truly understand how the business has developed and professionalised its differentiation. As the world of social media develops, The Room is at the forefront of enabling brands to reach new customers through transparent authentic conversations in place of an influencer being paid to like a product. I am excited to continue to work with The Room team as they continue to scale the business through this next stage of growth.”

The TVB Growth Fund is part of Thames Valley Berkshire Funding Escalator, an £11.3m initiative funded by Thames Valley Berkshire LEP to support job creation and economic prosperity in Berkshire. The escalator, which also includes four separate loan schemes, provides eligible companies – from start-up to established – with loans and equity funding between £50,000 and £300,000 for activities that will deliver high-growth and employment opportunities.