Ian Tonge

Biography

Ian Tonge is a digital marketing consultant, storytelling strategist and founder of IRT Media Group, helping brands, entrepreneurs and organisations turn complex ideas into clear, compelling digital campaigns.

With a background spanning BBC journalism, television production, e-commerce, customer experience and digital strategy, Ian brings an unusually broad perspective to modern marketing. He began his career in media and broadcasting before moving into senior digital roles, including Head of Content and Customer Experience at Boots.com, where he worked at the intersection of online retail, content, user experience and commercial performance.

Today, through IRT Media Group, Ian works with clients across sectors including education, automotive, technology, events, coaching, charities and professional services. His work combines strategic thinking with practical delivery across digital marketing, corporate video, paid search, social media, e-commerce, online learning, community-building and digital storytelling.

A growing focus of Ian’s work is helping businesses understand and apply AI within digital marketing. He supports organisations in using AI to improve content workflows, audience research, campaign planning, customer journeys, chatbot development, personalisation, marketing automation and online learning. His approach is grounded and commercially focused: AI should save time, sharpen messaging and improve customer experience — not create noise for the sake of it.

Ian’s BBC background means he understands the power of strong editorial thinking. He helps clients find the story that makes people care, then shapes that story for the right platforms, audiences and commercial objectives. His experience also allows him to bridge traditional and digital media, combining the discipline of broadcast storytelling with the speed, data and flexibility of modern marketing.

IRT Media Group has worked with a wide range of organisations, from entrepreneurs and specialist communities to major international brands including Airbus, Volvo Trucks and Intel. The agency is particularly experienced in supporting UK and European businesses looking to communicate with audiences in the Middle East, where cultural awareness, positioning and message discipline are essential.

Ian is also a faculty member at World Media Academy in Dubai, where he lectures in digital marketing and social media, sharing practical, real-world insight with the next generation of media and marketing professionals.

As a speaker, consultant or workshop leader, Ian is clear, pragmatic and refreshingly down to earth. He helps audiences understand what really matters in digital marketing: knowing your audience, sharpening your message, choosing the right channels, using technology intelligently, and keeping the human story at the centre.