The inaugural MAD//UpNorth, which will come to Manchester’s Factory International on 26-27 February.
MAD//UpNorth’s first theme is ‘What sets us apart’ and the festival will celebrate the pioneering people, brands and businesses in the North who are shaping a booming dynamic and cooperative marketing scene.
Sponsored by leading media agency Group M, the event will take place over two days, bringing together marketing professionals from across the North and Scotland for inspiring content and unrivalled networking opportunities. The launch of MAD//UpNorth will create the North’s largest ever marketing and advertising festival at a time when northern brands and agencies are thriving on a global stage.
The first speakers to be announced include:
- AO World Founder and CEO John Roberts
- Ogilvy Vice-chair and advertising legend Rory Sutherland
- Global Brand Director, Johnnie Walker, Jennifer English
- Co-op Chief Membership & Customer Officer Kenyatte Nelson
- Irn Bru Marketing Director, Lucy Henderson
- The Very Group CMO, Jessica Myers
As well as the main Factory Stage, the venue will have additional Media + Tech and Creativity + Social stages – boasting content to entice marketing professionals from every discipline.
Launched in 2018, MAD//Fest is the UK’s largest and leading festival for brands, agencies, publishers and tech platforms. The hit festival features 12,000+ attendees, content from the world’s most iconic advertisers and activations from brands including Diageo, Havana Club and Pernod-Ricard. In 2024, MAD//Fest was acquired by The Ingenuity Group, a leading marketing connections business.
Book MAD//UpNorth at Aviva Studios
