Coach Class

In conversation with Mark Webb, head of comms Shift MS

May 20, 2021 Dom Burch Season 1 Episode 15
Coach Class
In conversation with Mark Webb, head of comms Shift MS
Show Notes

We met on Twitter ten or so years ago, since when we've become virtual mates.

Both comms professionals by trade, we had a shared connection in Hamish Thompson.

Mark describes himself as a public speaker and campaigner, a Social Media and PR Pro, with demonstrable experience of getting around in a wheelchair, having an incurable, progressive illness called Multiple Sclerosis. He's not a ninja or a guru but he blogs at One Man and his Catheters and plays Wheelchair Rugby - admittedly badly.

In this conversation we reminisce about the social media hey days, what's changed in the world of comms since we started out, but also what motivates Mark, where he gets his get up and go, in spite of starting the day with his tank quarter full due to his MS.

We also talk about his personal brand - his colourful clothing, footwear and hair dyes. If people are going to stare at the man in a wheelchair - do it because he looks funky or weird not because of his disability. Eye catch for the right reasons.

He's transparent, open and upbeat about his illness while he can be.

His two best purchases in lockdown are his hair clippers and his posh coffee machine.

Physically he is always knackered - but he was born positive. He started life as a holiday rep and helped open Disneyland Paris, living a wonderful silly life, drinking and snogging. Then met his wife, which caught him up short. 

Some of this drive comes from his wife and two children, who he wants to live up to, and show them a good example.

Dixons, and his manager at the time, helped him go through each stage of his early illness - transforming his PR role into social media. 

If you enjoy listening to this podcast why not check out some of the others in season 1 & 2. Or perhaps you fancy taking part yourself? If so why not get in touch. You can find me via LinkedIn or Twitter