From winning coverage to guiding clients, Marcus knows that success favors the bold — a lesson he’s already passing on to his kids.

Kate: What is your favorite nickname and how did you get it?

Marcus: I didn’t really grow up with an actual nickname. My dad called me Marky when I was younger (and still does sometimes), but otherwise, my friends just called me Marcus. 

Kate: Where do you consider “home”? What is special about it?

Marcus: I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and then went to high school in Leesburg, VA. I still consider Pittsburgh my hometown, though, and I visit quite frequently to see my older brother, who still lives there himself. I also go back to see Steelers games as they’re my favorite sports team.

Kate: What non-work activities inspire you?

Marcus: I love spending time with my two kids. My oldest child, Marcus, is getting to the age where he’s really starting to enjoy sports, so getting outside and playing with him has been super fun lately. When he was born, this was the moment I always looked forward to, and it’s exciting that he’s finally at that age where we can actually play together. 

Kate: What’s your favorite thing about working at Caliber?

Marcus: I love that Caliber allows you to try new things. Since I’ve joined the company two years ago, I’ve been afforded the opportunity to take on tasks outside of my immediate responsibilities. Every time I’ve asked to do something or expressed interest in doing something, someone at Caliber has made it happen, and I’m very grateful for that. 

Kate: If you had to include one ingredient in every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Marcus: I really enjoy chicken. So any dish that has chicken in it sounds good to me! My favorite dish that my wife makes is a cajun chicken pasta that I absolutely love. I also really enjoy my mom’s baked chicken and rice with gravy! And you can never go wrong with garlic parmesan flat wings! 

Kate: What’s your favorite movie and/or book?

Marcus: Can I choose two? My favorite movies are The Godfather part I and II. I love a good mafia movie.

Kate: What’s one accomplishment from your childhood that you still brag about?

Marcus: I once had a triple-double in an intramural basketball league in high school. Although, to be fair, my mom was the one keeping my stats, so the numbers may have been inflated, LOL. 

Kate: What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you?

Marcus: I think I’ve told everyone about my acting exploits in high school. So another fun fact is that I won a fishing competition at summer camp when I was younger. I caught a 13-inch bass! 

Kate: When you think about your time at Caliber, what career accomplishment or milestone makes you feel most proud?

Marcus: There have been a ton of great moments that I’ve been lucky to enjoy, but the moment I’m most proud of is securing coverage for our client Cotality, formerly known as CoreLogic, in Fox Weather. It was my first real win after joining the account, and I was super excited about it. 

Kate: Name one thing that amazes you about fintech or innovation in financial services.

Marcus: I love the personalization of fintech. There are so many services and products out there that can be tailored to your individual needs or lifestyle, and I think that’s really fascinating. 

Kate: What’s your favorite Caliber Perk?

Marcus: I love that we have unlimited PTO. I don’t use it as much as I should, but it’s nice knowing that it’s always available when I need it! Later this year I will be going on a family trip to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. My wife and I are also in the process of planning a cruise for October.

Kate: What historical figure do you most admire?

Marcus: This might be a weird one, but my favorite historical figure is Julius Caesar. I learned about him in high school and have always admired his leadership and strategic prowess. 

Kate: Looking back, are there any defining moments that helped shape you into the rockstar you are today?

Marcus: In high school, I had a guidance counselor who really helped me grow and take my academics more seriously. She instilled confidence in me that I was smart enough to be successful, and that’s what’s led me to where I’m at today. 

Kate: How would you describe the duality of being a student and a professor in Caliber College of Public Relations?

Marcus: Being both a professor and a student is a cool experience. On one hand, I get to teach and share my knowledge with those new to Caliber or new to PR, and it’s a great feeling to mentor our early-career teammates. As a CCPR graduate of our 100 and 200 levels, I’ve been able to pick up new concepts and skills that I wasn’t familiar with before. I am looking forward to more learning to come with the 300-level courses. One of the most rewarding parts of being a student was getting to apply what I learned — now, as a professor I teach a session on something as foundational as building strong meeting habits. It may sound simple, but knowing how to run an effective meeting with clear agendas, notes and action items goes a long way in supporting both our clients and internal teams.  

Want to join Marcus Paul at Caliber? Check out our job postings page for open positions! 

The Staff Spotlight Q&A series highlights Caliber team members for the stellar work they do each day and the important part we all play in the company. Read more Staff Spotlight Q&A posts to learn more about our top-tier team.