Platform Media has appointed Rhyanna Coleman to the newly created role of director of strategy, as the company looks to accelerate the expansion and commercialisation of its original IP slate. Coleman, who previously collaborated with Platform on launches including podcasts for Graham Norton and Ant & Dec, joins the business following senior roles at YMU and Spotify.
The appointment follows a period of growth for Platform, with recent launches including Olivia’s House with Olivia Attwood, Joe Marler Will See You Now and Bottom’s Up! with Alan Carr and Lee Peart. The company has positioned itself around building audience-first brands across sports, comedy and entertainment.
In her new role, Coleman will oversee strategic development across Platform’s original IP, with a focus on refining formats for video-first, platform-agnostic distribution, unlocking additional revenue streams and building long-term community ecosystems around talent-led content. This will include subscriptions, live events and merchandise initiatives designed to extend show brands beyond audio.
“I’m looking forward to getting under the hood of Platform’s original IP, working closely with their incredible creative and commercial teams,” said Coleman. “As the slate expands, my goal is to ensure we’re not just reaching audiences, but building high-value brands that benefit talent and partners alike.”
Platform Media CEO Josh Adley said the hire reflects the company’s ambitions to scale its owned IP. “I’ve partnered with Rhyanna on various shows over the years and every time I came away wishing she was part of our team,” he said. “She shares our vision and ambition in a way that is hard to find. I can’t wait for her to grow and optimise our slate in a big way.”
Coleman recently served as head of podcasts at YMU, where she led the agency’s podcast strategy, focusing on scaling established shows, diversifying revenue and developing new owned IP for clients entering the medium.
Prior to that, she spent three years at Spotify as an executive producer overseeing the UK Originals slate. During her tenure she worked on titles including Inner Monologue with Olivia Neill and The Way We Are with Munroe Bergdorf, helping to build digitally engaged audience communities around the shows.
Platform Media said the strategic hire marks the next phase of its development as it seeks to transform flagship podcasts into global, multi-platform brands spanning audio, video, live experiences and consumer products.
The company produces podcasts across sport, comedy and entertainment, and operates an audience network delivering branded campaigns and formats. In TV, it also produces visualised companion content for platforms including Netflix, Disney+, and BBC tied to global franchises such as Wednesday, The Traitors and Rivals.
