CEO, The Daily Scrum News | Media Futurist & 4x Author | Mentoring the Next Generation of Ethical Journalists | Building the Global Standard for AI-Driven Storytelling
On a crisp morning in Winnipeg, a six-year-old boy recently arrived from Jamaica stood before a large red lever in his new school. Encouraged by a mischievous classmate who claimed the lever rang the “lunch bell” to feed the school, the boy pulled it with pride. Instead of the smell of food, the air was filled with the roar of sirens and the flashing lights of fire trucks. That boy was Donovan Martin Sr., and while the chaos of that fire alarm left him in tears, it served as a symbolic initiation into a life defined by high-stakes environments, the weight of responsibility, and the realization that one person’s actions can move an entire system.
Today, as the founder and CEO of The Daily Scrum News, Martin is still pulling levers—but this time, they are the levers of media innovation and ethical journalism. His journey from a terrified immigrant student to a media futurist and four-time author is a masterclass in resilience and the pursuit of a legacy that transcends profit.
The Root of Resilience
Martin’s early years were shaped by a blend of disciplined labor and academic curiosity. After graduating from Red River College with a focus on Business, Entrepreneurship, and Publishing, he didn’t head straight for a corner office. Instead, he embraced the grit of the trades, joining the carpenters’ union to learn scaffolding. This path led him to some of the most perilous job sites in North America—hanging off skyscrapers, working beneath rivers, and navigating the complexities of nuclear reactors.
“Every chapter added another layer to how I see leadership, responsibility, and risk.”
These experiences provided a visceral understanding of risk that no textbook could replicate. He eventually transitioned into the corporate world, managing billions of dollars in exposure for one of the world’s largest insurance companies. Yet, even as he rose through the ranks of the federal government—supporting ambassadors, ministers, and members of Parliament—Martin remained grounded in the values he learned at his very first job at KFC. He often reflects that the discipline, customer service, and pride in one’s work he acquired behind a fast-food counter are the same skills he passes on to his children today.
Engineering the Future of Media
In 2018, Martin pivoted from the security of the federal government to the volatility of entrepreneurship, founding The Daily Scrum News. It was a move fueled by a desire to build something “meaningful and future-focused”. The early days were marked by the typical growing pains of a startup, but Martin’s background in risk management allowed him to see opportunities where others saw threats.
Under his leadership, The Daily Scrum News became a pioneer in the North American media landscape. Long before “AI” became a buzzword, Martin was experimenting with the technology, leading his organization to become the first in North America to implement digital synthetic journalists—or AI avatars—to report the news. Today, the platform stands as one of the largest independent news networks in Canada, boasting a global roster of over 140 writers.
His growth is not merely defined by technological firsts, but by a deep-seated commitment to mentorship. Martin has mentored over 200 interns from more than 30 universities across the globe, from the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia.
“Leadership isn’t just about building something for yourself. It’s about creating opportunities for others.”
A Truth-Seeker’s Legacy
Martin’s impact is most visible in his role as a “Journalism Mentor and Media Futurist.” Through his outreach, he provides training in journalism and creative writing specifically to amplify the voices of the Afro-Caribbean and BIPOC communities on a global scale. His work is a direct challenge to the “political machine” he has witnessed firsthand over three decades of consulting for candidates and elected officials.
As an author, Martin doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. His book, Running To Win, serves as an unvarnished guide to the psychological and ethical tolls of political life, while his work The Machine explores the cold calculations behind power and the manipulation of marginalized groups. These publications reflect his core philosophy: that media and politics must be anchored in integrity, or they risk becoming tools of deception.
“Nobody gets everything they want in a negotiation, but they get something they need.”
This belief in compromise and common ground informs his current project: a think tank designed to tackle complex policy issues in healthcare, education, and socio-economics. By fusing deep policy analysis with the reach of his media network, Martin is building a bridge between factual reporting and actionable social change.
Vision: Setting the Global Standard
Donovan Martin Sr. remains focused on a singular, ambitious goal: to build one of the largest and most trusted news organizations in the world. His vision is one where technology serves humanity, where AI increases the speed of reporting without sacrificing the “human-centric storytelling” that remains the heartbeat of his work.
For the next generation of leaders, Martin offers a perspective forged in both failure and success. He encourages Gen Z to embrace the messiness of their twenties and thirties, to “fail hard,” and to prioritize happiness over a paycheck in the early stages. His life is a testament to the idea that a career doesn’t have to be a straight line—it can be a collection of chapters that eventually form a cohesive, impactful story.
Editorial Note
Donovan Martin Sr.’s journey from a young immigrant in a Winnipeg schoolyard to a titan of independent media serves as a powerful reminder that leadership is a craft honed in both the boardroom and the trenches. His story invites us to reflect on our own “red levers”—the moments where we have the power to signal change—and challenges us to ensure that when we do, we do so with the integrity and vision required to build a better future.
