Marks & Trends International is a specialized global media consultancy headquartered in Sydney, with representatives in Dubai, London, Islamabad, and Toronto.
Company Profile
Marks & Trends International is a specialized global media consultancy providing strategic business development, broadcast advisory, and media management solutions to television networks, digital platforms, and media investors worldwide. Headquartered in Sydney, with representatives in Dubai, London, Islamabad, and Toronto, the company serves clients across the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, and emerging territories.
The company specialises in transforming media concepts into commercially successful ventures by identifying market opportunities, developing sustainable business models, and connecting broadcasters, investors, and strategic partners. With extensive experience in news, entertainment, current affairs, and digital media, Marks & Trends delivers end-to-end consultancy services covering market research, feasibility studies, business planning, branding, content strategy, distribution, regulatory compliance, technical infrastructure, and workforce development.
A key strength of Marks & Trends is its ability to design cost-effective, scalable, and revenue-generating solutions that enhance operational efficiency while maximising commercial returns. By combining industry expertise with innovative thinking, the company helps clients launch, expand, and reposition media enterprises in increasingly competitive markets.
Marks & Trends remains committed to delivering practical, measurable, and sustainable outcomes that drive long-term growth and value for media organisations worldwide.
The person behind the practice
Shafaat Khan
Managing Director
A television industry leader with 30 years in media, spanning editorial and senior executive roles across broadcast, digital, and international media development.
Prior to founding Marks & Trends, Shafaat was Head of Foreign Bureaus and Development at Al Jazeera Media Network in Doha — where he drafted and implemented the integration and consolidation of 70 foreign bureaus across five continents, managing the legal, taxation, and HR operations required to run them.
Through Marks & Trends, he has represented leading global media brands including Discovery, Bloomberg, CNN, and Euronews across the Middle East, supporting market development, strategic positioning, and business growth. He led the successful launch of five television channels from concept to on-air operations: ARY Digital News, Al Aan infotainment Television, Jawna - interactive channel, Al Jazeera Balkans, and Al Jazeera Turk.
His broadcast background further includes BBC Radio (Foreign Language Service), SBS Radio Sydney, ABC Radio, and UAE Television.
Qualifications
- Degree in Law & Commerce
- Post-Graduate Diploma — Journalism, PR & Mass Communication
- Undergraduate Certificate in Science and Professional Practice of Psychology
- Advanced Course in Project Management
Industry roles
- Executive Committee member — News Xchange (EBU)
- Arab Broadcast Forum
- World Media Summit
Senior advisors
Marks & Trends draws on a network of senior industry advisors who bring specialist expertise across geopolitics, media markets, and editorial leadership.
Gürkan Zengin
Senior Advisor — Media & Geopolitics
Istanbul, Turkey
A highly accomplished Turkish journalist, foreign policy analyst, and senior media executive with nearly four decades of experience in television journalism and editorial leadership. Formerly News Director at Al Jazeera Turk, where he spearheaded the establishment and editorial strategy of the network's Turkish-language operations.
Nada Janette Hickey
Senior Advisor — Business & Financial Media
Australia
An accomplished Business Editor and Financial Markets Specialist with 10 years of experience delivering investigative reporting and breaking news across print and digital platforms. Extensive expertise covering business, finance, economics, and corporate affairs.
Chris Cobb-Smith
Senior Advisor — Media Security
United Kingdom
A former British Army Major with twenty years of command, staff, and training experience. Subsequently seconded by the UK Foreign Office to the UN (UNSCOM) in Baghdad as Operations Officer and Chief Inspector for high-profile challenge inspections, and later to the OSCE in Kosovo investigating war crimes and human rights abuses.
John Pullman
Senior Advisor — Global News & Broadcast
United Kingdom
A highly experienced leader in the global news industry who has produced hundreds of TV news programmes, built a global TV news channel, and led the visuals team at the world's largest news agency.
Core Values
Creativity
We push boundaries, experiment with new ideas, and deliver compelling stories that resonate with audiences. Originality ensures every project stands out.
Collaboration
Success is a team effort. We build strong partnerships with clients — understanding their unique goals and working together to co-create exceptional outcomes.
Sustainability
Committed to ethical advertising strategies and environmentally conscious production methods that make a positive impact on clients' brands and the world.
Excellence
We strive for the highest standards on every deliverable, setting a benchmark for industry best practices regardless of scale or market.
Integrity
Honesty and transparency guide our approach. Clients, partners, and stakeholders can trust us to act in their best interests at all times.
Beyond Today
Marks & Trends Limited's vision is to be a globally respected media development and consultancy company that contributes to the growth of a responsible, innovative, and sustainable media industry. The company aims to support broadcasters, digital platforms, and media organisations in creating credible, commercially viable, and audience-focused media solutions that uphold the fundamental principles of journalism, public trust, and ethical communication.
Through strategic expertise and industry collaboration, Marks & Trends seeks to contribute to a media environment where accuracy, accountability, creativity, and responsible storytelling remain central to the development of successful media platforms.
What We Do
Marks & Trends Limited's mission is to provide specialised media development, consultancy, and strategic advisory services that help organisations establish, strengthen, and transform television and digital media platforms. The company delivers practical, commercially focused solutions covering market analysis, business development, operational strategy, partnerships, content distribution, branding, and sustainable revenue generation.
Marks & Trends is committed to maintaining the highest professional standards by protecting confidentiality, respecting privacy, and conducting all engagements with honesty, transparency, and integrity.