Dan Ginns is VP Brands and Agencies at Verve Group. His media career spans 30 years, spanning press, radio, cable tv, publishing, OOH and digital, across both large and small global and UK businesses.
Who is your digital hero?
Andrew Fawcett-Wolf, Global Media & Creative Lead at Dentsu Global Services / CEO & Co-Founder Paragon.
What has he done to win hero status in your eyes?
When Andrew was the CEO of Unanimis he took me in as director of sales. At the time, I was in a tough place in my career and needed someone to believe in me. He saw me as someone who could steady the ship, help him take the business forward, and glue all of the teams together.
Andrew also recognised early opportunities to provide operational solutions for agencies and clients, offshore and develop first class solutions at scale, while trusting and investing in emerging market skillsets and technology.
His leadership was, and continues to be, inclusive, proving that it’s possible to be a CEO while leading with empathy. That’s something I’ve tried to emulate as I’ve taken on more senior roles. I truly believe it’s vital to remember we’re in a human industry.
Even if you’re new to the digital world, feeling junior and surrounded by senior voices, it’s important to know we’re all just people.
How has his heroism helped drive digital?
Through Paragon, Andrew partnered with a former colleague to bridge the talent gap between global regions. Together, they brought smart, capable individuals into the industry, and this model has undoubtedly enabled countless people to grow and thrive in the digital industry.
Also, he’d probably hate to be called heroic, but from my perspective, and having seen the positive impact he’s had on those around him, he is.
What are the biggest challenges in digital we need another hero to solve?
The ongoing challenge in our industry is diversity, ensuring we’re hiring, valuing and developing the best talent from all walks of life. In our line of work, our audiences are diverse and deeply individual. We pride ourselves on finding and reaching them with precision, planning or buying their attention, and tailoring our messaging, but the same can’t yet be said for the industry itself.
I often remind myself of the phrase, “We’re not saving lives,” but that doesn’t mean we can’t improve lives, whether it’s colleagues or the audiences we serve. The past few years have brought unprecedented change, and it’s easy to forget what “normal” once looked like.
The industry has also undergone significant shifts in technology and privacy practices, and the evolution is far from over. While much of the conversation has centered around cookies and whether Google will continue to support them, the real issue goes deeper: consumer trust.
At Verve, we believe the future of advertising depends on rebuilding that trust. That’s why we’re focused on developing and investing in technologies that respect privacy while creating genuine connections between brands and consumers, such as on-device and zero-party data. Our goal is to give advertisers the tools to test, learn, and stay ahead, so they can embrace the future without losing what works today.
At Verve the saying goes, ‘Let’s Make Media Better!’ Following that mantra, that’s why our digital heroes should be the ones making the space welcoming, fun, and safe, champions of a digital world that’s vibrant and full of humanity
What is your most heroic personal achievement so far in digital?
As a Brit, we’re not the best at self aggrandising, this is a tough one. But honestly, I think the most meaningful achievement has been sustaining a long career in this ever evolving industry, with all of its high and lows, and still genuinely enjoying what I do..
Along the way, I’ve made a conscious effort to show up as my true self, to be a force for good, and to help develop my teams.
If I’ve managed to do that, and maybe even made a few people smile (albeit these days with increasingly corny Dad jokes), then that feels like something worth being proud of.
