Mark Coad
About Mark Coad
Mark Coad is an Australian media and advertising executive based in Melbourne. He began his career in 1991 at the independent agency Total Media. In 1998 he moved to Y&R, where he worked as a planner and helped launch MEC in that market.
He joined OMD Melbourne as Managing Director in 2003 and became CEO of OMD Australia in 2006. In 2011 he ran the creative agency CHE within Omnicom Group. In 2013 he became CEO of PHD Australia. In 2020 he became CEO of IPG Mediabrands in Australia, a role he held for about six years.
According to The Marketing Academy, he oversaw a program that built automation and AI into the agency's operations at IPG Mediabrands. He has chaired the Media Federation of Australia and has served on the boards of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and ADMA. His LinkedIn activity says he later joined the independent agency Hatched. The same profile mentions a new advisory venture, 24HR Business Plan, and The Marketing Academy lists him as a Partner and Senior Advisor there in 2026.
Little of Mark Coad's angel investing is public. The one investment we could confirm is Manifest, described below. Trade press describes him as a former IPG Mediabrands CEO in an industry angel group, not as a venture investor. We found no public fund, syndicate or check size.
Manifest announced a $2 million pre-seed round in April 2026. Manifest is an AI-powered operational intelligence platform for agencies. Brand Fund by Previously Unavailable led the round. Antler, Icehouse Ventures, Techstars, family offices and industry angels also took part. Coad was named among the industry investors, alongside Henry Innis of Mutinex and Tim Burrowes of Mumbrella. Manifest was rolling out with agencies in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland at launch.
The only public data point is Manifest, an AI pre-seed company serving the agency, marketing and media sector. His own experience is in media agencies, advertising operations and applying AI and automation inside agencies. Founders selling into agencies or marketing services may find that experience relevant. Coad has not publicly stated a thesis, preferred stage, geography or check size, so none is given here.
- Manifest: AI operational intelligence platform for agencies. Coad took part in its $2M pre-seed round, announced April 2026.
- mumbrella.com.au/manifest-raises-2m-amid-australian-agency-roll-out-92
- marketing-interactive.com/manifest-launches-with-2m-backing-to-help-ag
- bandt.com.au/ai-based-agency-operations-platform-startup-manifest-rais
- securitybrief.com.au/story/manifest-raises-aud-2-million-to-track-agen
- themarketingacademy.org/profile/mark-coad
- linkedin.com/in/mark-coad-44005b85
- me.sh/profile/mark-coad
Investing activity
Mark Coad appears in 1 AI deal tracked by the Lounge deals desk. The rounds are mostly Pre-seed, with a median round size of $2M. The most recent is Manifest (Pre-seed, $2M, Apr 2026).
Mark Coad most often invests alongside Brand Fund, Jordan Taylor-Bartels, Tim Burrowes and James Hutchinson, and the companies they back on Lounge are mostly in AI.
Deals
Frequently asked questions about Mark Coad
Who is Mark Coad?
Mark Coad is a former CEO of IPG Mediabrands Australia. Before that he ran OMD Australia and PHD Australia. He is Melbourne-based and works across media agencies, advisory and board roles.
Has Mark Coad invested in AI startups?
Yes. He was named as an investor in Manifest's $2M pre-seed round, announced in April 2026. Manifest is an AI platform for agencies. We found no other public AI investments.
What is Mark Coad's check size?
It is not public. We found no stated check size or fund size, and we have not estimated one.
What stage and sectors does Mark Coad back?
His one confirmed investment is a pre-seed AI company serving agencies. He has not published a thesis. His experience is in media, advertising and agency operations.
Should I pitch Mark Coad if I build tools for agencies or marketers?
It may be a reasonable fit given his agency leadership and his Manifest investment. He is better placed to give industry feedback and introductions in that sector than to lead a round, and he has not said how he invests.
Where can I find Mark Coad online?
His LinkedIn profile is linked on this page. We found no public X account or personal website. Several other people named Mark Coad are on LinkedIn, so check the Melbourne media profile.
Is Mark Coad an angel investor?
Yes. Mark Coad invests personally as an angel.
What AI companies has Mark Coad invested in?
Mark Coad's AI investments include Manifest. The 1 round on Lounge are listed on this page with amounts, dates and co-investors.
What stage does Mark Coad invest at?
In the rounds tracked on Lounge, Mark Coad has invested at Pre-seed, with a median round of $2M.
Who does Mark Coad co-invest with?
Mark Coad's most frequent co-investors on Lounge are Brand Fund (1 deal), Jordan Taylor-Bartels (1 deal), Tim Burrowes (1 deal), James Hutchinson (1 deal) and Connon Bray (1 deal).