Welcome back to our series of Employee Spotlights, which is inspired by a common content idea across various types of communities.
Community Spotlights highlight one member of the community and allow other members to get to know them a bit better, which is exactly what we’re aiming for as well. Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Marc.
From front-page news to frog-spotting in Somerset, Marc Cooper’s path to community management is full of unexpected turns.
Hi Marc! Let’s start at the beginning: How did your career take you from journalism to community management at Standing on Giants?
It’s a bit of a funny one, actually. I was working as a journalist in Bristol and, truthfully, it wasn’t the most inspiring time. One day, a job ad for a community manager role at a renewable energy startup popped up on my LinkedIn. It sounded interesting, and they happened to be in the same building – just two floors up – so I popped upstairs, had a coffee with them, and ended up with the job.
That’s where I first encountered branded online communities and Standing on Giants. The outgoing community manager was from SOG, and I was mentored by Gabriel Fraga. It was my first proper step into the community world and I’ve been in love with it ever since.
You’ve worked with a huge range of clients at SOG. What’s one moment that really stands out for you?
There are two things I really value. First, I support a team of community managers, and nothing beats seeing them grow, taking on challenges they weren’t sure they could handle, getting promoted, or just thriving. It’s genuinely fulfilling.
Second, I love the moment when a brand-new community goes live. After all the discovery, planning, platform picking, and purpose-defining, you finally see it out in the world. That’s always special.
When you’re starting a new community from scratch, where do you begin?
For me, it’s always about the “why” but from the user’s perspective. Clients understandably focus on what value the community brings to their business. But I always push us to ask: Why would anyone actually want to join and engage here? What’s the compelling reason? That’s the cornerstone.
You’ve worked on both internal and external-facing communities. What do you enjoy most about building these different types of spaces?
Meeting people! Whether it’s stakeholders, customer support teams, product managers, or tech leads – each organisation has its own vibe. I especially enjoy working with clients who foster open, collaborative cultures where people challenge each other respectfully and creatively.
Do you think your background in journalism has helped your work in community?
Definitely. As a journalist, I had to speak to everyone – from the Prime Minister to people living on the street. That experience helps me connect with people across all levels of an organisation. I’m not overwhelmed by titles, and I know how to listen – really listen – and loop back to important insights.
You ran the London Marathon as a journalist, right?
I did! It was a tradition in the newsroom I worked in. Our local charity had a place in the marathon, and each year the editor would “volunteer” the least fit reporter to take it on. That year, it was me. I weighed about 17 stone and could barely run for a bus. I trained for a year, wrote about my journey, and somehow ran the marathon in five hours without stopping. Once was enough though!
We also heard there were some very glamorous assignments… like the Maldives?
Yes! Regional journalism didn’t pay much, but we got press trips in exchange for travel writing. I was sent to the Maldives, Jordan (a couple of times), and even did a Nile cruise. It was incredible. The travel features were a big deal in local lifestyle magazines back then, and it brought in lots of business for tour operators.
So these days you’re more into brunch and meditation than marathons?
Absolutely. My ideal Saturday involves a lie-in, a group meditation at a local centre,, coffee with friends, a nice walk in Somerset or Wiltshire and some kind of brunch – always brunch. Later, maybe dinner outside and a film or show. Chilled but satisfying.
What’s your ultimate brunch order?
Scrambled eggs, mushrooms, crispy bacon, and maybe sausages, if I know the place does it right. All on sourdough toast, and always with a strong black coffee.
You regularly go on silent retreats too. What’s the biggest thing those have taught you?
Perspective. Spending six days meditating for eight hours a day – no phone, no screens, no distractions – it’s incredible. You start to see how small your day-to-day worries really are. All the anxiety, the overthinking, it just melts away. You come back feeling completely reset.
And your roots aren’t just in the English countryside. You have Parisian heritage, too?
That’s right. My mum’s French. Most of my family is now scattered around France, but one of my uncles is a priest in Paris. He even ended up on the front page of French newspapers at one point, but that’s a longer (and slightly wild) story…
We hear that in good old England you have some … unique neighbours in your garden?
Ah yes, the newts! When I bought the house, it came with a pond and turns out, it’s home to protected crested newts. We had a specialist come in to check and they’re thriving. We also have frogs, and recently I spotted one doing this surprisingly athletic swim across the pond. It’s a bit of a wildlife haven out there.
Final question: If you could take the entire Standing on Giants team out for a day, what would you plan?
Not a silent retreat, don’t worry! I wouldn’t impose that on anyone. But maybe a nice walk, good food and a space where people can just be present and connect. That’s what I love most about this work, after all.
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