01 December 2023 
Sarah Clayton, CUBO Events and Engagement Manager
Guy Thurlow, co-founder of CUBO partner Target Student has picked up the Rising Star award at the Media Week Awards.
The entrepreneurial business launched in 2021 creating and has created the UK’s first Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising network in university accommodation.
Target Student has partnerships with more than 40 universities and PBSA providers and a network of more than 200 digital advertising panels for brands to communicate with students where they spend a large amount of their time.
It has achieved 300% YoY revenue growth since launch working with global brands such as Coca-Cola, Disney, and Deliveroo.
The award is open to candidates aged 30 and under, and judges praised Thurlow’s entrepreneurialism – prior to starting the company, he had no experience in the media industry.
Judges for the prestigious award said: “Guy is clearly a real self-starter by virtue of his achievements so far with Target. He has spotted a new opportunity within a mature OOH marketplace, and that eye for potential growth is a skill he will do well to always have. There is more to come it feels like from Guy as he continues to make waves in the industry.”
Thurlow said that the business had faced numerous challenges, not least launching during the pandemic, and he self-funded it for two years by working multiple part-time jobs.
“Looking forward, I intend to maintain this momentum, striving for growth, efficiency, and innovation. I am committed to providing employment opportunities, nurturing talent within our team, and revolutionising the DOOH landscape,” he said.
