MT Influence #23

As autumn begins, we’re diving headfirst into one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year, boat show season! This month, our team has been out in force across a number of the world’s top yachting events, from Cannes to Monaco, supporting clients with world premieres, press launches, sea trials, influencer activations, and more. It’s been a privilege to help bring their stories to life on the global stage.

We’re also thrilled to share some fantastic developments in the franchise sector. From being appointed by Zambrero UK to support their national growth, to celebrating McKenna Townsend’s official membership with The BFA, it’s been a standout month for strategic partnerships and sector leadership.

Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for Metstrade 2025, and are proud to sponsor the VIP Lounge for the very first time. With over 1,600 exhibitors and a brand-new format, this year’s show is set to be bigger than ever. Plus, we’re preparing to attend the National Franchise Exhibition (The Franchise Exhibitions) at The NEC, Birmingham in early October – and we’d love to connect with brands looking to accelerate their franchise journey.

From innovative influencer collaborations to integrated campaigns that deliver results, this month’s stories highlight how we’re helping clients amplify their presence, spark engagement, and drive real growth.

Amplifying client stories at the industry’s top shows

This month, our team was proud to support many of our clients across four of the world’s leading yachting events: Cannes Yachting Festival, Monaco Yacht Show S.A.M., Salone Nautico Internazionale – Genova, and Southampton International Boat Show. Through press launches, world premieres, sea trials, one-to-one media briefings, and VIP experiences, we helped amplify our clients’ stories to international audiences, strengthening their brand presence and showcasing innovation, design, and sustainability. The shows have been full of energy, creativity, and ambition driving the marine industry forward – it was a privilege to play our part in sharing these stories on the global stage, and we look forward to more to come this season.

Influencer collaborations make waves for Princess Yachts at Cannes

MT worked closely with the Princess Yachts team to plan and develop a high impact superyacht influencer programme at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.  The programme was created to further leverage the brand’s significant announcements – helping to maximise reach, engagement and impact through the power of influencer partnerships.

We collaborated with Katia Damborsky (The Yacht Writer), Matthijis Rhee (Mr Superyachts), and Michael Yachts, who created engaging, impactful and high-quality content throughout the show – targeting specific superyacht audiences. They visited the stunning Y95 and spotlighted the new V65 launch, amplifying the brand’s announcements to target and engage with audiences across multiple social platforms.

It was great to see the impact and engagement their storytelling generated around such an exciting moment for the brand!

The BFA welcomes McKenna Townsend as Advisor Member

We’re proud to share that McKenna Townsend has officially joined the British Franchise Association (The BFA) as an Advisor Member. With over 20 years of experience in supporting leading businesses, from Subway, Gong cha, Zambrero UK, and easyStorage, we’re passionate about driving meaningful growth and success across the franchise landscape. Becoming an Advisor Member of The BFA, the UK’s most influential voice in franchising, is a significant milestone for us. It reflects our long-standing commitment to ethical, sustainable, and scalable franchise models, and our desire to help even more businesses grow and thrive. As part of our membership, we’ll be providing strategic marketing communications support and trusted guidance across the UK and beyond. A huge thank you to Pip Wilkins QFP and the team at the BFA for the warm welcome. We look forward to working together to strengthen the future of franchising.

Zambrero UK partners with McKenna Townsend

We are delighted that Zambrero UK, the Mexican-inspired quick-service franchise, has appointed McKenna Townsend to support its growth and upcoming restaurant openings across the UK. Since launching in 2021, Zambrero UK has grown to 13 locations and is on track to reach 100 restaurants by 2030. McKenna Townsend will be driving franchise recruitment, PR campaigns, and influencer activity, helping Zambrero connect with new audiences, promote restaurant openings, and champion its Plate 4 Plate initiative, which donates a meal to those in need for every burrito or bowl sold.

Proud sponsors of the Metstrade VIP Lounge

We’re thrilled to announce our sponsorship of the Metstrade VIP Lounge, helping to deliver an elevated experience for invited guests at the world’s largest marine equipment trade show.

VIP attendees can enjoy:

• Early access to the show floor

• All-day catering and refreshments

• Private lounge space for meetings and networking

• Seamless entry via the VIP entrance

• Priority parking and exclusive access to the official opening

This year’s Metstrade, taking place 18–20 November 2025, will be the biggest yet, with 1,600+ exhibitors, new dedicated zones, and, for the first time, the entire RAI Amsterdam is taken over by the show.