David Brennan set up his own media consultancy – Media Native – in 2011, specialising in the role of media within the 21st century digital landscape. Media Native clients include RTL, BBC, Sky, Royal Mail, Newsworks, Magnetic, EGTA, Deloittes and Discovery Channels.
Previously, as Research & Strategy Director at Thinkbox (TV's marketing body), David was responsible for managing all of their research output, communicating the findings to the industry, and helping to change industry perceptions around the future role of broadcast television. He set up and managed a number of ground-breaking and award-winning projects, including the Thinkbox TV Engagement Study, The TV Payback Study, Brain Waves – How TV works on the Brain; and Tellyporting – a look at the future for connected television..
Before that, David had worked in a variety of senior roles for ITV (including the role of Controller of Audience Planning during ITV Network Centre’s most successful ever ratings period), SVP - Research & Channel Development at Flextech Television (including team leader on a number of successful channel launches or relaunches) and Head of Group Strategic Insight at Associated Newspapers.
He also worked in Australia, where he headed research for The Seven Network before setting up his own successful media consultancy business. He authored ‘The State of the Digital Nation’ which looked at the future of Australia’s digital media industry.
In 2012, David published ‘CONNECTED TELEVISION – How TV’s Analogue Strengths Have Created A Digital Supermedium”, which has since been relaunched as 'TV's Not Dead' He has had articles published in most of the media trade press, including ADMAP, the Journal of Sponsorship, Marketing, Broadcast and Media Week. He blogs regularly for both Media Week and Mediatel. He has won many awards for his work in media research and marketing and has spoken at more than 200 international conferences.
He is married and lives with his wife Julie and son Shea (named after one of the unsung heroes of the legendary 1960’s Manchester United team) in Brixton, South London.