In our latest “offline” edition, we catch-up with RS Group’s Senior Director, EMEA Performance Marketing & Web eCommerce – Paul Morris, and find out about his love for combat sports, how he was hospitalised by a bear, how he’s embracing AI and much more…
Why did you move into a career in digital marketing?
It felt like “the future” (1999)! I was good at science, maths, psychology, and business studies in school > university hence a natural career move for me.
I was also quite opportunistic by teaching the Design Director of a Digital agency (Walsh Simmons; who owned the likes of Laterooms.com) Karate (I’m a 3rd degree black belt) that in turn got me a “foot in the door” working in new business > becoming an eCommerce manager.
How do you switch off?
I struggle! Watching live combat sports (boxing, MMA, Muay Thai), engaging in sport myself (football, gym, boxing) and spending time with family & friends.
What is your favourite podcast in 2025?
I have 4 podcasts I listen to regularly: FT News Briefing, Reuters World News, Times news Briefing & The Intelligence from the Economist.
Fun fact about you?
I was once hospitalised by a bear (Proof here).
What’s your proudest professional achievement to date?
My Masters Degree in Digital Marketing. Not necessarily the qualification per se and rather the fact we (my wife was instrumental) had 2 young children, my wife was pregnant with our 3rd and I had an intense job at the time.
What is your favourite movie of all time?
Flash Gordon (1980). It reminds me of my childhood, Christmas and being carefree.
What 1 thing would you tell your younger self?
Delight in the small things of life. Sunny days, ice cream with the kids, small work successes, gym pb, etc.
How are you embracing AI in 2025?
If I focus on AI and its application to performance marketing; AI is enhancing idea generation, efficiency & scalability.
Examples include A/ Google AI for PPC bid automation > keyword mining. B/ Phi-4 > Meta Llama for SEO tasks such as auditing & clustering. Write Sonic > Copy.AI for content ideas.
As a consumer… what’s your favourite TV advert or social campaign at present?
Few campaigns stand out for me so far in 2025 (though the likes of Spotify Wrapped, Sprite’s #ThandRakr, Apple’s #ShotOniPhone & Duolingo Vs TikTok ban were good social campaigns).
The last impactful campaign that comes to mind was the Nike “Never Settle, Never Done” campaign from Wieden+Kennedy. Powerful storytelling showcasing grassroots > elite women football that was proven to impact+ visibility & engagement.
About Paul…
Paul has 25 years’ experience leading Marketing, Digital & Ecommerce. He was previously Director of Digital/ Ecommerce at Marshalls, Head of Marketing at Tesco Bank, Global Digital/ Ecommerce Director at PZ Cussons, led Digital marketing at the Co-op Group.
Paul has worked agency side (McCann, Havas, Bray Leino Yucca & Visualsoft) and client side with brands including Wickes, Laterooms, Distrelec, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Cash Generator, Stagecoach & Silverstone.
Paul is now Senior Director, EMEA Performance Marketing & Web eCommerce @ RS Group.
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn
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Next Event: Digital Superchats #16 – Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance
Offline with Andrew King – Head of Performance Media at N Brown Group