Episodes
In this episode, Mark McC delves into a candid conversation with Liam O'Keefe, brand director at Bleecker Burger, offering an in-depth exploration of their shared experiences in the realm of branding and hospitality. They discuss the landmark achievements of Bleecker Burger, emphasising the significance of becoming a London Living Wage company and obtaining the Best Companies one-star award. They highlight the importance of customer experience, operational challenges, and the delicate balance...
Published 05/08/24
CEO of Crerar Hotels, the AA Small Hotel Group of the Year 2023/24, Chris Wayne-Wills joins Mark McC on this week’s episode to discuss his career, his experience in the hospitality industry and the unique culture and approach of Crerar Hotels.
Published 05/01/24
Gemma Barter, the Senior Digital Marketing Manager at Honest Burgers discusses the importance of approaching digital marketing from a customer's perspective and emphasises the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the fast-paced digital landscape. She highlights the success of a campaign at Honest Burgers that focused on introducing a new menu item through an omni-channel approach, showcasing the power of cohesive marketing strategies.
Published 04/24/24
It’s bubble tea but for grown ups. In this episode, Mark McC has a chat with Paul Tanner, the Managing Director of CUPP, a bubble tea brand. Paul shares his journey from being a barista to becoming an MD. He discusses some learnings from his career, emphasising the importance of training and development for the team.
Published 04/17/24
From operation to marketing, employee to freelancer Alan Armstrong has a variety of experience in the hospitality sector, giving him a very holistic perspective on things. He discusses his experience working with celebrities and managing venues at a young age and what he learned from this experience. Alan talks about his freelance journey, offering advice on building a strong network and developing a diverse skill set to succeed in the marketing field. He also delves into the importance of...
Published 04/10/24
Is beer and curry a match made in heaven? Combining Indian street food and craft beer Marko Husak and Mayur Patel founded Bundobust, a casual restaurant and microbrewery chain. In this episode, they discuss their journey in the hospitality industry with host Mark McC. They share insights into their background in the industry, detailing how they combined their influences to create a unique dining experience. They address the challenges and successes they faced in starting Bundobustt, including...
Published 04/03/24
Hospitality entrepreneur and podcaster Mark Wogan shares his valuable insights on the hospitality industry including the challenges faced during the past four years, the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, and the need for government support. Along with host Mark McC they highlight the essence of kindness, generosity, and a welcoming spirit in the industry. They also touch on the evolving landscape of hospitality recruitment, with a focus on the potential for career growth and success within...
Published 03/27/24
Mark McC interviews Paulo de Tarso, a renowned figure in the hospitality industry with a rich background working in top restaurants worldwide. Paulo shares his journey from working in New York to opening his own restaurant, Margot, in London. He emphasises the importance of hospitality, service, and creating a positive atmosphere for guests. Paulo reflects on his experiences serving famous actors like Al Pacino and the impact of genuine connections in the industry. He discusses the...
Published 03/20/24
Paul Dickinson, Head Coach of the England National Culinary Team, First Employee of DSP Authentic and Global member of Forever Oceans Culinary Board talks to Mark McC about the importance of passion, creativity and inclusivity in the culinary world.
Published 03/13/24
Robbie Bargh, founder of the Gorgeous Group joins Mark McC, sharing insights into just why his restaurants are so gorgeous. They discuss the importance of creating memorable and transformative experiences for guests, emphasising the significance of attention to detail in menu creation and storytelling. The discussion delves into the success story of Dishoom and its younger sister, Permit Room, highlighting the meticulous approach to creating unique and immersive dining experiences. Robbie...
Published 03/06/24
In this podcast episode, Dan Brookman, CEO, and Sam Brown, CCO, of Airship and Toggle, discuss their journey in the hospitality industry and the evolution of their companies. They emphasise the importance of effective B2B marketing and how they approach it as a way to bring life and excitement to events and spur the industry forward. They also highlight the need for marketers to fully utilise CRM platforms like Airship to personalise and automate their marketing campaigns, driving customer...
Published 02/28/24
Jack Edge is a digital rock star and founder of Cuttin Edge Digital. Jack shares his journey in the hospitality industry, starting from his bartending job at a student nightclub to his role as a sales and marketing manager for a group of bars and clubs. He emphasises the importance of understanding the guest and utilising digital tools to drive sales and marketing efforts. Jack also discusses his recent venture into entrepreneurship, offering his expertise as a digital marketing consultant to...
Published 02/21/24
Want to achieve more in business and get that competitive edge? Executive Hospitality Coach Sarah Clark joins Mark McC to talk about how coaching can help hospitality leaders to achieve more from their business. She discusses her journey from being a managing director in the hospitality industry to starting her own coaching business.
Published 02/14/24
Mark McC interviews Philip Turner, founder and owner of Chestnut Group. Philip shares insights into the company's values and culture, emphasising the importance of passion, genuine interactions, and fun. They discuss the significance of community engagement and how Chestnut strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for both guests and employees. Philip also highlights the importance of investing in training and development, aligning it with the company's culture and creating...
Published 02/07/24
Ian Edward, an industry mentor, investor, and hospitality entrepreneur, discusses his experiences and insights in the hospitality sector. He emphasises the importance of mentoring and providing support to entrepreneurs and business owners, particularly in areas such as strategy, property, people, funding, finance, and exit. Ian also shares his thoughts on the different types of investments in the sector, ranging from crowdfunding to private equity, and highlights the significance of finding...
Published 01/31/24
In this podcast episode, social media expert and founder of Avocado Social Alison Battisby joins Mark McC to discuss social media trends for 2024 and how to use them for your business. She highlights the rise of LinkedIn as a popular and engaging platform, with a focus on lifestyle content and networking. They also discuss the potential growth of Threads, a social media app launched by Meta, and its potential impact on the market. Alison emphasises the importance of retention rate as a...
Published 01/24/24
In this podcast episode, Sonia Ferre, the founder of Mas Qi, a wellness retreat in Alicante, shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind creating a space for people to find balance and fulfilment in their lives. Sonia discusses the importance of taking time for yourself, reevaluating dreams and goals, and making conscious choices to live a more purposeful and stress-free life. She emphasises the power of yoga, meditation, and healthy eating in achieving overall well-being. Sonia...
Published 01/17/24
This episode is a recording of the Silicone Brighton Panel hosted by Trapeze Media at Yolk House, Brighton. Host Mark McC was part of the panel. The panel discusses the challenges and impact of technology in the hospitality industry. The panel includes Kitty Newman, Director and Founder of Trapeze Media Joe Lynch, Account Director at Cam Research and Insights, Jordan Moore, founder of Unbarred Brewery, and Olivia Reid, F&B Director at Sessions and Shelter Hall.
Published 12/06/23
In this episode of the Supersonic Hospitality Marketing podcast, Mark McC chats to Gavin Adair, the CEO of Rosa's Thai restaurant chain. Gavin shares his experience of opening a new Rosa's Thai location in Glasgow and discusses the positive feedback they have received so far. He also talks about the revitalization of the area where the restaurant is located, with other businesses opening nearby.
Published 11/29/23
In this bonus episode, host Mark McC and guest Trevor Gulliver, co-founder of St. John restaurants and founder of Napoleon Boulevard wines, discuss the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry. They emphasise the need for businesses to prioritise local sourcing, support farmers and producers, and reduce the carbon footprint associated with shipping products around the world. They also touch on the impact of Brexit and the role of government in promoting sustainable practices....
Published 11/24/23
In this podcast episode, Trevor Gulliver, co-founder and CEO of St John Restaurant, discusses his journey in the hospitality industry. Trevor shares his experiences working in the music industry, designing t-shirts for bands, and organizing concerts. He then delves into the founding of St John Restaurant and the philosophy behind it, emphasizing the importance of staying true to their vision and not compromising for the sake of trends or financial gain. Trevor also touches on the changing...
Published 11/22/23
In this episode, host Mark McC has a chat with three legendary restaurateurs in Brighton: James Thomson, co-founder of Wildflor; Don Sperring, co-founder of Chilli Pickle; and Robert Shenton, co-founder of Riddle & Finns. Each guest shares their journey and how they got started in the restaurant industry. They discuss the unique qualities of Brighton as a city, its vibrant and eclectic atmosphere, and the strong support for independent restaurants.
Published 11/15/23
In this episode, Raz Helalat, director of Black Rock Restaurants, joins the podcast to discuss the success of his restaurant empire. Raz shares the journey of starting with the original Coal Shed restaurant in Brighton and expanding to include the Salt Room and Burnt Orange. He also talks about the challenges and triumphs of opening a restaurant in London during the pandemic. The conversation touches on the unique concepts and flavours of each restaurant, as well as the importance of creating...
Published 11/08/23
In this episode Hamish Stoddart, co-founder of Peach Pubs and founder MD of After the Clouds Foundation, shares his journey in the hospitality industry. Hamish discusses the early days of Peach Pubs and how they focused on creating a strong brand DNA and providing exceptional service. He also talks about their commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, such as only using ethically sourced animal products and seasonal ingredients. Hamish shares his passion for Africa and his work with...
Published 11/01/23
In this episode of the Supersonic Hospitality Marketing Podcast, recorded live at Hospitality Tech Expo in London, host Mark McCulloch is joined by Mariam French, the Marketing Director at Leon Restaurants, and Andrew Brooke, the Head of Information Technology at Tortilla. The discussion revolves around their experiences and insights into implementing digital strategies in the hospitality industry.
Published 10/25/23