This week, something extraordinary happened.
On Monday night at London’s iconic Royal Festival Hall, some of the world’s most influential people and industry disruptors gathered to celebrate the premiere of Ocean — the new feature documentary by the legendary Sir David Attenborough.
In the presence of His Majesty The King, this royal premiere was a moment of national and global significance. The guest list read like a who’s who of environmental, cultural, and entertainment influence — including Princess Eugenie, Maisie Williams, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Bear Grylls, Deborah Meaden, Jason Momoa, David Beckham, and other internationally renowned names.
And among the incredibly rare VIP attendees invited to walk the blue carpet and take part in this historic event? Tide Media Co-Founders Tom Montgomery-Swan and Hollie Dennis.
Not Just Present — Positioned
This wasn’t just a screening. It was a powerful tribute to the oceans — and a celebration of the most respected environmental storyteller of our time, Sir David Attenborough, whose impact over decades has reshaped the way the world sees the natural world.
Tom Montgomery-Swan wasn’t invited as a guest of circumstance — but as a key person of influence in the marine sector. Why? Because when the stakes are highest and the message matters most, people turn to those they trust.
As one of the most followed boating experts globally, and the idea’s man behind some of the most compelling marine marketing storytelling in the industry. He was invited because of his position — not as a worker behind the scenes, but as a leader helping shape the future of the marine narrative.
Thank You, Arksen
This moment would not have happened without the generosity of Jasper Smith; founder of Arksen — a forward-thinking explorer yacht builder with a deep-rooted mission to protect the ocean.
Arksen is a purpose-driven explorer yacht builder and adventure company that marries luxury exploration with a deep commitment to ocean conservation.
Arksen’s mission goes beyond crafting world-class vessels; it’s about fueling expeditions and initiatives that protect the seas for future generations. In fact, Arksen co-produced the Ocean documentary itself – partnering with Sir David’s film team (Silverback Films) to bring this project to life. The company’s ethos is rooted in what Jasper calls “designing for science,” ensuring their explorer yachts and ventures actively support marine research and conservation efforts.
Arksen Founder Jasper Smith
Jasper’s background as a successful tech and venture capital investor uniquely positioned him to disrupt how ocean conservation is funded. Under his leadership, Arksen has spearheaded innovative ways to bridge adventure with philanthropy. The company has quickly become a beacon for purpose-led innovation in the marine industry. Arksen’s projects range from cutting-edge explorer vessels to curated extreme expeditions – all designed to inspire a love of the ocean and a responsibility to protect it. Arksen even asks its yacht owners to dedicate a portion of their vessel’s time to scientific research and philanthropic projects, literally embedding conservation into the lifestyle of adventure.
10% for the Ocean — A New Wave of Giving
Also spotlighted on the night was 10% for the Ocean, a pioneering global alliance co-founded by Arksen to solve one of the marine world’s greatest challenges: underfunding.
Despite the oceans covering 70% of the planet, less than 1% of charitable giving goes toward protecting them.
This initiative seeks to change that, by encouraging individuals and organisations to commit 10% of their philanthropic giving to ocean causes — an ambitious but necessary goal that’s already driving major impact across 27 countries and 70+ conservation organisations.
One phrase lingered in our minds as we left the premiere: the world is in a delicate balance. That idea, woven through Ocean, captures why this film – and by extension, this premiere event – was so significant. The balance Sir David refers to is the equilibrium of life on Earth, much of which depends on the seas maintaining their health and productivity. The oceans regulate climate, produce the oxygen we breathe, and sustain a web of life that ultimately feeds and supports humanity. But as Ocean powerfully illustrates, human activities have upset that equilibrium. Industrial overfishing has shattered age-old food chains, pollution has tainted the water column, and habitat destruction has weakened the resilience of marine life.
Seeing Ocean drive’s makes you really think about our impact, the cinematic force was both sobering and motivating. Our world’s delicate balance can no longer be taken for granted. Each shocking statistic – like the fact that 90% of global fish stocks are overfished or exploited and seabed trawling is bulldozing vital habitats – is a call to re-balance the scales through conservation. And every uplifting scene of a marine sanctuary rejuvenating is proof that our efforts can indeed tip the balance back in nature’s favor.
A Film That Pulls No Punches
The film lays bare the destruction mankind has caused: overfishing, deep-sea trawling, climate disruption, and invisible plastic pollution. But it also shows nature’s incredible ability to recover — if we act now.
It’s a message we at Tide have long championed. Our work has always strived to be more than beautiful visuals — it’s about creating real impact, educating audiences, and inspiring our viewers to love and enjoy their time in and on our oceans. To sit in that room and see the power of storytelling used on such a scale only reaffirmed the importance of our mission and the power of storytelling through video.
The “GOAT” Of Broadcasting
No reflection on this premiere would be complete without celebrating Sir David Attenborough, the evening’s guiding light and the world’s most revered environmental storyteller. At 99 years young Sir David commands a presence and respect that is unparalleled. For decades, he has captivated audiences with documentaries that unveil the wonders – and vulnerabilities – of our natural world. From the forests to the oceans, he has given voice to wildlife and in doing so, has educated generations about the need to treasure our planet’s diversity.
Ocean is, in many ways, a capstone to Sir David’s life’s work. It focuses on the ecosystem he calls “the most important place on Earth” – the ocean – distilling a century’s worth of discoveries and lessons into one film. The premiere felt like a tribute to this legacy.
Throughout the film, Attenborough’s narration is both gentle teacher and urgent advocate. His trademark wonder at nature’s splendors is still there in his voice, but so is a clarion call for change, sharpened by the knowledge that time is running out to correct our course.
What Sir David has acheived in his lifetime is nothing short of extraordinary.
For the Tide team, being present to honor Sir David was deeply personal. Many of us grew up on his BBC specials, our passion for the ocean partly kindled by the images and stories he brought into our houses. To be in that premiere hall, applauding him in person, was surreal. It reinforced why we do what we do. Storytelling can change the world, and Attenborough is living proof. As he often reminds us, conservation wins are possible – species can be brought back from the brink, ecosystems can flourish again – if we harness the power of storytelling to drive action .
HM King Charles and Sir David took centre stage.
What Trust Looks Like
This wasn’t just another night out. It was a royal event, a global stage—and a deeply humbling reminder of how far Tide Media has come. To be invited into such an intimate, close-knit evening was a real honour, and a reflection of the trust and relationships we’ve built within the marine world. Standing among some of the most influential figures in the industry felt surreal. When we first started this company, the idea of being part of something like this, a few seats away from the King of England and sat amongst the worlds elite celebrities and industry movers would have seemed far fetched. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but even more thankful for the incredible brands and people who continue to believe in what we do.
Opportunities like this still feel surreal—but they’ve been earned through years of consistency, deep industry insight, and a relentless focus on quality. Brands trust Tide and our founders because we don’t just understand the marine world—we’re part of it. We live it, breathe it, and know how to craft stories that resonate and deliver real impact. Our love for this industry runs deep, and the clients we work with aren’t just names on invoices—they’re genuine partners. Together, we build collaborations that spark inspiration and drive meaningful growth.
“To be counted among such company, at a premiere for a film that tells the most urgent story of our time, affirms everything we stand for,”
Tide Founders Tom & Hollie celebrating Sir Davids film with musician James Blunt
Looking Ahead — Standing Taller Than Ever
This moment marks a turning point — and it’s just the beginning. In the coming weeks, Tide will announce major changes and exciting developments that will significantly elevate our international capabilities, further cementing our place at the top of the industry.
We’re building, expanding, and evolving — so that the brands who trust us not only stay in safe hands, but in the best hands. To our clients, partners, and followers — thank you for your continued trust.
If you’ve been thinking about raising your game, there’s no better time than now. We’ve worked hard to reach this level, and we’re proud of what Tide has become — a partner that truly understands how to move the needle. If our approach and results resonate with you, we’d love to explore what we could build together.
Let’s make something extraordinary together.
Thank you Arksen, Sir David Attenborough and HM King Charles III for the opportunity to be included in such an incredible evening.
Tide Co Founder; Tom “Monty” Montgomery-Swan
#TideMedia #OceanFilm #MontySwan #MarineMarketing #RoyalPremiere #DavidAttenborough #10PercentForTheOcean #BlueEconomy #StorytellingThatMatters #KeyPersonOfInfluence #Arksen #TrustedByTheBest #NextChapter