Who We Are
As a full-service political media firm, we develop the end-to-end strategy and manage the execution. Whether it is direct mail, digital, TV, or developing a field plan, Third Coast has proven, winning experience at all layers of political campaigns.
Third Coast was founded with a simple goal: to make sure our clients win. The founding partners bring decades of individual experience in politics, government, and business and we marry those experiences to deliver an integrated campaign strategy that reaches voters with the messages and content that best resonates with them.
Founding Partners
Hobbies
- International travel
- Attempting to cook
- Playing with my dogs, Daisy & Winston
Favorite Books & Magazines
Carmen Olmetti
Partner
Carmen Olmetti is currently the Global Head of GTM Operations at LinkedIn. Carmen leads all points of global strategic planning and internal consulting for LinkedIn’s media line of business. Prior to his time at LinkedIn, Carmen was a Vice President for Global Sales Strategy at SAP.
On the campaign trail, Carmen has worked directly on and for dozens of campaigns in Illinois. Most notably, Carmen was the Field Director for IL Governor Pat Quinn’s successful 2010 re-election. As a founding member of Third Coast Strategies, Carmen has worked with statewide, judicial, and local candidates – helping elect many to public office.
Carmen specializes in strategy development, including data analysis, voter segment identification, and designing winning digital campaigns across key platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and other channels.
Academic Credentials:
- Master of Science, Integrated Marketing & Communications, Northwestern Medill School of Journalism (expected May 2024)
- Master of Arts in Extension Studies, focus on International Relations, Harvard University (expected May 2023)
- MBA, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
- Master of Science in Accountancy, University of Illinois-Chicago
- Bachelor of Science of Accountancy, W.P Carey School of Business, Arizona State University
- Certificate of International Relations, W.P Carey School of Business, Arizona State University
Hobbies
- Legos
- Retro video games
Favorite Books & Magazines
Leonard Cannata
Partner
Academic Credentials:
- Juris Doctor, University of Illinois at Chicago Law School
- Master of Public Administration, University of Illinois-Chicago
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, DePaul University Chicago
- Licensed Illinois attorney admitted to practice in the Northern District of Illinois and Supreme Court of the United States