We're an advertising and media strategy agency in Leeds that's all about helping you win. We work with our clients to ensure they surpass their goals and get a good return on investment. At The Ark Marketing & Media, we don't treat you like a number; we treat you like our partner in making a real difference to your cause or business.
Crafting Campaigns With Precision And Care
Bespoke Audience Targeting:
We take pride in being able to find your ideal audience with pinpoint accuracy and creating custom campaigns just for you. Our team uses the latest industry tech and our own special systems to create the perfect solution for engaging your audience at just the right moment. We're experts at identifying your target audience and timing your campaign for maximum success, delivering an ROI that exceeds expectations.
Strategic Independence:
We do things differently here. Big media companies often treat clients as cash cows, scalping profits off everything they do, but it is our goal to not be like them - And that's built into our business mission. We believe in making a difference, and that's why we take an independent approach to navigating the media landscape with your best interests at heart. We're experts at cutting through the noise and delivering your message to the right people at the right time, so you get the most bang for your buck.
Creative and Analytical Synergy:
We believe that being both creatively excellent and analytically rigorous is the key to success. Our team doesn't just use data; we disassemble it and analyse it with a level of skill and care that only comes from years of experience. This approach helps us ask the right questions and craft messages that really hit home, driving engagement at every point of contact.
Partnership and Growth:
Our clients keep coming back for more because we always go above and beyond their expectations. They see advertising as an investment that we make sure pays off big time. We only succeed when our clients do, so we prioritise building a relationship based on trust, results, and a shared vision for the future.
Innovation for Impact:
Innovation is not just a fancy word for us; it's how we roll. We use all the latest tools and systems to ensure our campaigns are smooth, transparent, and effective. We're not just a media company; we're the change-makers who want to make a difference in our community and beyond—that's why we often work with charities. From planning to execution to evaluation, we constantly push ourselves to create lasting impact.
Driving Change Together:
We support local charities and initiatives that are making a real difference. At The Ark Marketing & Media, we're all about partnering with you to create campaigns that matter. We're passionate about your mission and will work tirelessly to make a positive impact. Let's work together to create a lasting legacy of positive change.
In memory of John Ainley
Our joint founder and managing director, John Ainley, sadly passed away in September 2025 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. John was instrumental in establishing The Ark Media and shaping the business we are today.
Meet the Team
Rob Bullock
Joint Managing Director
Rob, along with many of the current team, founded The Ark in 2002. After a 20-year career in newspapers and magazines for one of the country’s leading media groups, it was time to move on to pastures new. The team left in two’s (hence the company name) to form The Ark, and 20+ years later, we are still producing superb work to tight deadlines for great clients.
Clare Wilkinson
Senior Account Director
Clare brings a wealth of project and client account management skills to every job she handles. Highly experienced with thirty years industry experience, Clare is an expert in managing end-to-end campaigns with full ownership for project deliverables, objectives and client service.
Darren Needham
Commercial Director
Darren brings 25+ years of experience across outdoor and audio media, holding senior roles within major media owners, including Global. Now agency-side, he applies that insight to plan strategically, negotiate effectively and drive value. Known for his positive and collaborative style.
Nichola Ainley
Head of Media
Nichola is The Ark’s education specialist – she holds a BSc Hons and a PGCE and has previously worked as a teacher for 23 years. Her breadth of experience and knowledge means that her strategic approach and understanding is invaluable to our clients in this sector.
Oliver Garside
Insight and Research
Oliver transforms data into actionable insight to inform campaign planning. By analysing audience behaviour, market trends, and competitor activity, Oliver ensures every campaign is strategically targeted and evidence-based, helping clients make confident decisions and achieve measurable marketing results.
Tracy Eastwood
Director of Videography & Photography
Tracy has over 20 years of experience in Broadcast and Digital Media Production, including Video, Photography, Television and Radio. Her area of specialisation is Video Storytelling. She has managed numerous productions for retail and public sector clients such as Ritter Sport Chocolate, Bird's Eye, Heineken, Wellspring Academies Trust, and Invest Leeds. Tracy is highly skilled in using insight and creativity to develop and produce engaging video content, photography, and animations.
Wendy Ball
Operations Director
With over 30 years' experience in marketing Wendy oversees design and print across the business from formulating timelines and scheduling to operational management and process. She has a wealth of knowledge across a range of media disciplines, as well as an Honours Degree in Economics and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing.
Neil Bentley
Director
Neil’s customer centric approach and vast marketing experience enables him to effectively support and advise clients across a range of sectors, including Education, Defence, Charities and Federations. His passion for outstanding client service and quality production is always at the forefront.
Mark Wilkie
Director
Mark is an accomplished and highly experienced Director in the business of supplying creative marketing solutions that really work. Passionate about growing your business, Mark embarks on every commercial venture with a dynamic, creative and a personable approach to every project that ensures successful and strong delivery of end results.
Nick Grantham
Director
With over 4 decades of marketing all types of commercial property, Nick provides exceptional property marketing solutions that engage, inform, and persuade potential buyers, occupiers and investors. Solutions include web, brochures, videos, animation, CGI, signage, and a data room for all sectors of commercial property, including investment, development, retail, industrial, office, and auction.
Brian Layng
Designer
Brian learned his craft back in the days of typesetting, hot wax and rubylith, developing a near-fanatical attention to detail. He has experience in almost every facet of graphic design, from screenprinting to catalogue production, from brand management to commercial book publishing. He maintains an obsession with typography and the printed word.
Joanne Spencer
Designer
Utilising a broad skill set developed over an extensive design career, Joanne strives to achieve a strong aesthetic. One of Joanne's key strengths is her keen ability to adapt her design style to appeal to the target audience. Her energy and passion reflect in her bold and creative designs.
Georgina Smith
Designer
Georgina has a BA in Graphic Design, and previously worked as a designer for a charity creating print and digital assets. Her love of working with colour helps her to create bold, engaging designs with impact.
Hayley Cullen
Head of Accounting
With over 15 years in finance, and specifically in the OOH & Digital OOH industry for many years, Hayley’s wealth of experience & understanding of the intricacies of the industry bring a detailed support for the whole team & all our clients. Her passion for the industry, attention to detail & love of a good spreadsheet, ensures a professional and well managed finance department.