Meet the 2025 Media Minds: Starcom
As the quarter-final stage of the 2025 Media Mind tournament approaches, The Media Leader is shining a spotlight on some of the brightest quiz contenders.
These are industry experts whose sharp knowledge has propelled their agencies to the knockout rounds.
In part seven of this series, meet Dan Coleman, strategy director at Starcom UK. Coleman has been an essential player for this team so far. But what makes him tick?
Starcom will compete against Goodstuff on 8 October.
Dan Coleman, strategy director, Starcom UK
How did you get into the advertising industry?
I didn’t ‘fall into it’ I persevered with lots of interviews, rejections and a post graduate diploma in marketing.
What is your favourite medium and why?
Podcasts – in depth and a great advertising opportunity, only sadly always done badly.
Favourite media brand?
The Economist.
What’s is your favourite ad campaign?
Pedigree Caramelo in Brazil (Cannes award winner, check it out).
Biggest change in the media industry over the next five years?
Greater integration – we’re going back to full service, only this time media is leading.
You want to impress a new client – which restaurant do you take them to?
Most clients seem to love our Café Marcel on 8th floor of TV Centre.
What is your favourite fashion brand and why?
Levis – always taking risks and breaking new ground in advertising.
What is your favourite film and why?
Full Metal Jacket – the boot camp scenes prepared me for the first 5 years of media.
What are you listening to, watching or reading at the moment?
The Arseblog podcast, The Last of Us, Crooked Cross by Sally Carson – how authoritarian powers normalise tyranny through the everyday.
Favourite local café or bar?
See above, Café Marcel.
Finally what has been your personal highlight of Media Mind to date?
Our team captain Darren Guy pulling rank over younger team members insisting he knew Sex and the City Carrie’s favourite shoes – and getting it wrong
Want to see who else has made it this far? Check out the full line-up here
And if you think your team has what it takes, make sure you secure one of the limited places for Media Mind 2026 by contacting [email protected]