About MAA

We provide effective, no-nonsense solutions to marine companies’ advertising, PR, media buying and marketing communication needs. Our straightforward, knowledgeable and service-orientated approach to business is welcomed by our clients. Our direct and relevant experience within the marine industry allows us to offer unrivalled value in helping our clients reach their target markets. (MAA was previously known as the Marine Advertising Agency).

Mike Shepherd

Mike Shepherd
More about Mike

MAA is headed up by Mike Shepherd.

With a background in marine publishing, working in chandleries and as a sailing instructor, Mike launched the business in 2008 with a unique insight into all that is marine. Additionally, he has completed a full circumnavigation as watch leader on Liverpool Clipper, in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2002/03.

Mike has competed at national and international level in dinghies and keel boats and currently races a Laser from Stokes Bay SC.

Emma Stanbury

Emma Stanbury
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Emma is responsible for all the media buying, both print and digital, at MAA as well as organising our annual press lunch and press dinner.

Emma comes from a customer service and office management background across a variety of industries.  She has taken advantage of living so near to the Solent by learning to sail at Stokes Bay Sailing Club.

Jake Young

Jake Young
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Jake joined MAA in the summer of 2015 to assist with clients’ website development. He performs a number of roles including writing and distributing press releases, sending out various newsletters and managing several websites hosted by MAA.

Zella Compton

Zella Compton
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Zella comes from a background in public relations and journalism and looks after all the PR and content creation, both consumer and business to business at MAA. Zella started her career in the building industry, before editing trade and consumer titles for various publishing houses. She writes a weekly column for The Portsmouth News and has been extensively published in national press including The Times.

Delighted to be working in the marine industry; she learnt to sail on the Hamble and has crewed in multiple offshore races, Zella has a particular interest in the marine environment, and the battle to end single use plastics.

Gina Groom

Gina Groom
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Gina joined the MAA team in 2016 to liaise with clients and media/publishing houses to ensure smooth delivery of promotional material and advertising.

Gina started her career in customer services but soon moved to the IT department at Lewmar where she spent a number of years. She is a member of Stokes Bay Sailing Club where, having previously crewed dinghies, she is now taking control and helming them.

Susannah Hart

Susannah Hart
More about Susannah

Susannah is responsible for the expansion of the digital marketing services offered by MAA as well as the implementation of client’s social media and online marketing campaigns.

Susannah joins MAA with a wealth of marine industry experience from across multiple sectors including, manufacturing, marina management, charter and membership sailing. She is also a keen sailor and scuba diver, having previously owned and operated her own PADI dive centre.

Darren Holloway

Darren Holloway
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Darren looks after all the MAA team’s technical and IT requirements.

Darren worked at a British Gas Call Centre in Southampton for ten years, before deciding to apply to Southampton Solent University to study a degree in Software Engineering. Completing his degree has allowed him to move into a new career of programming using the latest in web technology.

Anna Dent

Anna Dent
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Anna is responsible for MAA's accounts and office admin, having worked in a similar role for the University of Portsmouth, in the public sector and as a volunteer with the NCT.

Anna would like to get back into sailing now that her young son is growing up as she used to crew on Fireballs having grown up by the water in Hamble.

 

Jo Shepherd

Jo Shepherd
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Jo joined MAA in September 2017, having been involved as a shareholder before that. She is primarily responsible for maintaining the MAA databases to GDPR standards.

Jo brings with her transferable skills from a background in Quality Assurance in international pharmaceutical development companies.

 

Steve Davies

Steve Davies
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Creative ideas come naturally for Steve Davies. Steve has worked for a number of local and national design agencies producing award winning work for a diverse range of businesses. He has also produced ideas and designs on a freelance basis for many leading advertising agencies.

Steve holds a First Class BA in English and Art from the University of Chichester which has helped him fuse innovative headlines and copy with bold layouts and designs.

Lyndsay Hall

Lyndsay Hall
More about Lyndsay

Lyndsay is the commercial manager for Marine Industry News.

A well-respected and popular marine trade professional, Lyndsay is passionate about our market and the people who work within it. When she is not working, Lyndsay is usually creating in the kitchen or has her head stuck in a book.

Anna Cummins

Anna Cummins
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Anna has worked as a journalist for several lifestyle, travel and news outlets, producing in-depth features from across Asia and Europe over the past decade, and developing a particular knowledge of the marine industry in recent years. With a degree in biological sciences, she is particularly interested in uncovering how the industry is working to protect vital marine habitats and reduce pollution.

our clients

Shipyard Supply Co.
Ocean Safety
Marine Industry News
Entropy Resins
Selden Mast
Yamaha Motor
MDL Marinas
Navico
Lowrance
Simrad
B&G
Superyacht Tenders & Toys
Ancasta
Wessex Resins
Pro-Set
West System
Ocean Youth Trust South
Friends of PICU
Contender