Marc Walker is a Stockton-based digital marketing specialist who launched performance marketing agency Low Digital. He was recently awarded the Google's Honours Award for his work using Google’s artificial intelligence to significantly improve business outcomes for his client.
What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? My first job was a call handler at NEMS Market Research in Billingham. I worked part-time there for nearly five years while studying at my A-Levels and then Business at Teesside University. My role involved calling residents from around the country and inviting them to participate in telephone surveys. With bonuses, I typically earned around £500 a month.
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? The best advice I’ve received is to invest —whether it’s reinvesting your earnings back into your business, dedicating time to learning new skills, or putting savings into the stock market (Personally, I recommend investing in a global index fund, as it allows you to invest in thousands of businesses worldwide, offering a low-risk, diversified approach). Constantly investing in yourself and your business is key to long-term growth and success.
What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing? One of the main challenges in my sector is keeping up with the rapidly evolving landscape, as industry best practices are constantly changing. It’s easy to fall behind if you’re not proactive in adapting to these shifts. For example, recent advancements in artificial intelligence have significantly impacted how we bid and structure digital marketing campaigns, making many of the strategies we once thought were the best now obsolete.
I've seen many agencies and freelancers who haven’t kept up with these changes fall behind, and unfortunately, their clients' business results suffer as a result. When I was named the 2024 Google Honours International Winner, my case study highlighted how adopting modern search best practices helped drive business growth for my clients.
What would your dream job be? I’m an avid athlete and have tried many sports over the years. To mix things up and avoid the typical answer of “footballer,” I’d say my dream job would be as a track runner. I thrive on high-intensity training, which helps keep me disciplined and focused. Having a role centered around physical performance would keep me motivated, as I find it hard to stay productive without that discipline in my routine. Even now, I can get easily agitated and lose focus if I don’t start my day off with some exercise.
In many ways, I relate to track athletes, as success in both athletics and business isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about putting in the hard work and consistently striving for improvement. At Low Digital, just like in track, the results come from focus, perseverance, and a relentless commitment to refining our strategies, rather than relying on luck or talent alone.
What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? My advice would be to learn a trade. Digital marketing is a rapidly growing sector with a huge demand for talent, and businesses will always need skilled digital marketers. I’d recommend initially focusing on one area of the vast digital marketing landscape—whether it's SEO (search engine optimisation), PPC (pay-per-click), social media, creative, data and analytics or programmatic—preferably something that aligns with your skill-set and interests. Starting with an agency or a start-up is often the most effective way to gain experience, but there are also plenty of online courses and training opportunities to help you get started.
What makes the North East a good place to do business? The North East has a strong sense of pride and local identity, which helps businesses build authentic connections with the community. This makes partnering with local businesses a natural preference for many. Part of my journey to winning the North East Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards was based on case studies highlighting how I’ve partnered with local businesses to drive successful growth.
How important is it for business to play a role in society? For me, being responsible and ethical in business isn’t just a corporate buzzword—it’s personal. The values I live by should be reflected in the way I run my business. Whether it’s ensuring sustainability in our operations or finding ways to give back to the community, I believe business should have a purpose beyond profit. I want to show that a business can be both successful and responsible, and I think this is becoming increasingly important for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Outside of work, what are you really good at? I’m passionate about long-distance running and endurance sports. I can run a 5k in 16 minutes (definitely not close to the level to be a professional track runner unfortunately), and last year, I completed my first ironman triathlon in Melbourne, Australia.
Who would play you in a film about your life? If I had to choose, I’d say Tom Holland would be a great fit. He brings a combination of youthful enthusiasm and confidence, along with the ability to navigate complex emotional moments. His talent for balancing humour with intensity makes him well-suited to portray my personality and the highs and lows of building a business.
Which three people would you invite to a dinner party, and why? I’d invite Bob Dylan, my favourite musician, although I am sure he would absolutely hate it given his preference for privacy with his fans. Ricky Gervais, my favourite comedian, would bring humour, wit, and bold perspectives, challenging ideas with his irreverent approach while keeping the mood light (even better if he brought Karl Pilkington along as a plus one). Finally, I’d invite my son Bobby , because he represents the heart and soul of everything I do. His presence would keep the conversation grounded and remind me of the values that actually matter.
