Mark Haslam shares the inspiration behind Loud Mouth Media. Mark, Founder & MD, reflects on his journey from a corporate world to entrepreneurship in a candid conversation with Marketing Masterclass Series’ John McCambley.
The Journey of Loud Mouth Media: 15 Years of Growth
Mark’s inspiration for starting Loud Mouth Media in 2011 stemmed from a deep-seated belief that he could do better than what he was currently doing at a large telecom company. After feeling disconnected from his family and frustrated with the corporate culture, he decided to take the plunge into the unknown.
Mark says “I felt like there was more to life instead of just clocking in and clocking out.”
This decision was not without its challenges; Mark had a young family and a mortgage to think about. Yet, with the support of his wife, he embarked on this entrepreneurial journey, fueled by a vision of what digital advertising could offer.
The Early Days
In the beginning, Mark faced uncertainty about the direction of his new venture. Despite the risks, there was a growing demand for digital solutions in Northern Ireland, and he recognized an opportunity to fill that gap.
“Nobody really knew what it was they were interested in. They just knew that I was talking about Google and paid media.”, says Mark.
With a blend of determination and a touch of daring, Mark set out to build a brand that would resonate with clients seeking innovative digital marketing strategies.
Balancing Work and Life
Fifteen years later, Mark reflects on the challenge of balancing the demands of running a successful business while being a dedicated husband and father.
He says, “I don’t miss a sports day, I don’t miss a school play… I don’t think you fully ever switch off.”
He acknowledges that while the work is relentless, he cherishes the privilege of leading a business and the relationships he has built over the years.
Finding Relaxation
When it comes to unwinding, Mark shares that he enjoys playing golf, which helps him step away from work mode, even if it takes a few days to fully disconnect.
“It’s a privilege to run a business for so long.”
As he continues to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, his gratitude for the journey and the people he works with remains a constant source of motivation.
Mark’s story is a testament to the power of belief, the importance of support from loved ones, and the rewards that come from taking risks to follow one’s passion.
For more insights from Mark and to hear the full conversation, check out the episode!
This interview is part of the “offline” series, in which our Founder, John McCambley, interviews leaders from across the digital marketing industry (agency and client-side).
About Mark…
Mark Haslam is the founder and Managing Director of Loud Mouth Media, a multi-award-winning performance marketing agency he established in Belfast in 2011.
Based in the Belfast, Mark has grown the agency into a Google Premier Partner (top 3% of UK agencies) with offices in Belfast, Glasgow, London and Dublin. Specialising in PPC, paid social, SEO, email marketing and performance creative, Loud Mouth delivers measurable results for ambitious brands.
A passionate advocate for transparency and results-driven digital marketing, Mark has previously lectured for the Digital Marketing Institute. Under his leadership the agency has won numerous Uk and International awards including PPC Agency of the Year and Integrated Search Agency of the Year, while also pioneering a successful 4-day working week.
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