Marketing agency steps up collaboration with TV artist

Purpose Media has stepped up its collaboration with a leading TV artist by investing in a new television studio and fulfilment centre.

The move is the latest development in the partnership between the strategic marketing agency and Watercolour.tv, the subscription-based service founded by Matthew Palmer, a best-selling author and internationally recognised art tutor.

Purpose last year took a stake in the online watercolour tuition platform and has now converted part of its Derbyshire headquarters into a studio capable of producing 4K resolution broadcasts – thanks to a five-figure investment in the latest technology.

An in-house fulfilment centre has also been created and international deals struck with stock suppliers to support the growing demand for Matthew Palmer branded art supplies.

The moves will help drive further growth for the business – which has already enjoyed a doubling of turnover and profit since the partnership was struck.

The new studio will allow Matthew to broadcast live, produce high-quality video tutorials, host interviews and collaborate with guest artists while also supporting a major new broadcast opportunity with HobbyMaker, the UK’s only television channel dedicated to crafting.

Under the agreement, Matthew will appear regularly on the channel, demonstrating his painting techniques live on air, while viewers are able to purchase his curated range of watercolour materials and best-selling books directly through the programme.

With more than 25 years’ experience teaching watercolour and a global audience built through books, workshops, YouTube – where he has more than 170,000 subscribers – and Watercolour.tv, Matthew says the new facilities represent a major step forward for the brand.

He said: “This is an incredibly exciting stage for the business. The new studio allows us to create much higher quality content and connect with audiences in entirely new ways, including through television.

“My aim has always been to inspire people to pick up a brush and discover that they can paint.

“With the support of Purpose Media, we’re now able to reach even more aspiring artists around the world.”

Purpose Media managing director Matt Wheatcroft said the investment demonstrated the agency’s commitment to helping entrepreneurial brands scale.

He said: “Matthew has built a fantastic global following and a brilliant learning platform.

“By investing in studio facilities, fulfilment capability and new marketing channels, we’ve been able to accelerate the growth of the business and open up new opportunities such as shopping TV.”