Growing an Award-Winning Digital Signage Brand: The Rise of ScreenCloud

When Mark McDermott co-founded ScreenCloud in 2015, digital signage was largely seen as a static, hardware-bound solution used by retailers and airports. In the decade since, the industry has undergone a dramatic transformation, shaped by cloud technologies, the rise of hybrid work, and an evolving need for organizations to connect with frontline teams. At the center of that transformation stands ScreenCloud, a company recently recognized for its innovation and impact… And now backed by private equity firm Tenzing to scale its next phase of growth.

McDermott, who was recently awarded the title of CEO of the year 2025, has been instrumental in steering ScreenCloud’s trajectory. His product-led leadership and vision for workplace communication have helped the company earn the trust of major global brands while redefining what digital signage can be.

This is the story of how ScreenCloud became one of the most respected names in the space – and the thinking that’s shaped its rise.

A Founder Focused on Product, People, and Purpose 

Before starting ScreenCloud, Mark McDermott had already built a reputation as a forward-thinking product leader. A background in web development and digital publishing gave him a strong foundation in user-centric design. What set him apart, even early on, was his ability to bridge the gap between technical excellence and human connection.

That same philosophy carried into ScreenCloud. McDermott never viewed digital signage as just a tool for marketing, it was, in his view, a channel for operational clarity, culture, and employee engagement. His leadership has consistently focused on the question: how can we help organizations communicate better, at scale, in real time?

Building a Brand That Didn’t Fit the Mold 

ScreenCloud was founded on a simple insight: digital signage software should be as easy to use as a modern consumer app. At the time, the market was fragmented, crowded with legacy vendors offering rigid, hardware-tied solutions. Getting a screen live often required a tangle of cables, contracts, and specialist know-how.

McDermott and his co-founders saw an opportunity to break with convention. ScreenCloud would be fully cloud-based, device-agnostic, and built with simplicity at its core. Users could manage hundreds, even thousands of screens from a single dashboard, with drag-and-drop tools that made content scheduling feel intuitive or, dare we say it, even fun.

This approach quickly attracted attention from tech-forward companies and global retailers looking to move away from outdated infrastructure. What began as a nimble startup grew rapidly into a scalable platform, serving organizations with anything from ten to ten thousand screens.

But growth was never the goal for its own sake. McDermott’s focus remained on a robust and customer led product. Mark and his team focused on building trust and solving real communication problems, particularly for businesses with dispersed or deskless teams.

In a landscape where many digital signage providers chased flashy features, ScreenCloud quietly built a product that worked, and worked well.

Designing for Impact, Not Just Display 

At the heart of ScreenCloud’s product philosophy is the belief that content is only as good as its context. This meant rethinking how screens are used inside organizations, not just as announcement boards, but as part of a wider information ecosystem.

The software was designed to integrate with the tools companies already use: Microsoft Teams, Google Slides, Tableau, Power BI, Slack, and countless others. With a deep focus on automation, organizations could schedule updates, pull in live data, and ensure consistency across hundreds of locations with minimal effort.

Just as importantly, ScreenCloud focused on experience design. Non-technical users could publish updates without relying on IT support, while enterprise clients could maintain control over branding and compliance. The result was a platform that felt agile, but never chaotic.

McDermott frequently speaks about the “consumerization of enterprise software” – a guiding principle that helped ScreenCloud differentiate itself in a space known for clunky interfaces and slow rollouts. That same thinking informs every part of the platform, from onboarding to analytics.

Earning Trust in an Evolving Market 

One of the more underappreciated challenges in digital signage is the demand for professional support. And its here where ScreenCloud’s pro services team are not just stepping up, but excelling in the industry. In fact ScreenCloud are one of the only enterprise CMS products to offer on-hand professional support and site visits, from planning to after-sales.

And it’s not just professional support. Security has always been a core focus for ScreenCloud. And for companies managing communications across multiple regions and regulatory environments, trust isn’t optional, it’s foundational.

ScreenCloud’s success with global enterprise stems not only from its usability but its reliability. The platform is built with enterprise-grade security standards, including SSO, data encryption, and full audit logs. This allows organizations in finance, healthcare, and manufacturing to deploy signage at scale without compromising compliance.

But trust isn’t just about security. It’s about longevity. ScreenCloud invests heavily in customer success, with a team that supports rollout strategy, content optimization, and long-term value. Whether working with a small school district or a global restaurant chain, the company brings a consultative approach to every implementation.

The result is a brand that feels both accessible and credible, a rare combination in an industry that often skews one way or the other.

A Strategic Inflection Point: The Tenzing Acquisition 

In early 2025, ScreenCloud entered a new chapter with a majority investment from growth-focused private equity firm Tenzing. The move was a strategic decision to accelerate expansion while maintaining the company’s core values.

For McDermott and the team, the partnership was about more than capital. It was about backing a long-term product vision and scaling it with the right cultural alignment. The deal gave ScreenCloud access to operational expertise and new global networks, while preserving its independence as a product-led company.

Tenzing’s investment also signaled broader market confidence in ScreenCloud’s approach. In a time when many digital signage providers are consolidating or pivoting, ScreenCloud has doubled down on its core mission: helping businesses communicate clearly, securely, and at scale.

Award Winning and Industry Leading 

In July 2025, ScreenCloud secured the title of best Technology and Digital Solution at the first ever Great British Industry Awards. As Mark McDermott says, “This award is a testament to the incredible work of our team and the forward-thinking customers we’re proud to support, and it’s exciting to see digital signage recognized as a vital part of today’s communications stack.”

On the back of McDermott’s CEO of the Year award, this award just highlights how ScreenCloud’s star is rising, with the goal of becoming the most trusted name in digital signage.

What Comes Next 

With the backing of Tenzing and a growing client base across sectors, ScreenCloud is now focused on the future of workplace communication including AI-driven content. The company is also exploring new integrations with enterprise tools, and expanding its presence in under-served regions.

But the guiding philosophy hasn’t changed. Every new feature must serve the mission of reducing communication friction. Every screen must offer value to the people viewing it, whether that’s a factory worker checking their shift schedule or a retail manager monitoring sales targets in real time.

McDermott continues to lead the business with the same product-minded clarity that shaped its origins. He remains an advocate for transparency, a champion for user experience, and a firm believer that internal communication deserves the same level of attention as customer-facing tech.

Lessons From a Visionary Brand 

ScreenCloud’s journey offers a case study in quiet innovation. There was no flashy pivot, no radical reinvention. Instead, the brand grew by doing the basics exceptionally well: listening to customers, building usable software, and earning trust over time.

ScreenCloud’s rise as the premium corporate digital signage solution is a reminder that clarity still cuts through. And at the helm of it all is a founder who understands that technology, at its best, is not just about screens or code, but about helping people feel connected to something bigger.

As businesses navigate the next wave of workplace transformation, the companies that lead will be those who communicate with purpose.

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