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.
Yorkshire-based comedian, writer, and broadcaster Lucy Beaumont will be the special guest for the inaugural MAD//UpNorth keynote on Wednesday 26 February, at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International in Manchester.
MAD//UpNorth speakers include:
- John Roberts: CEO and founder, AO World
- Rory Sutherland: Vice-chair, Ogilvy
- Kenyatte Nelson: Chief Membership & Customer Officer, Co-op
- Jessica Myers: Chief Marketing Officer, The very Group
- Sacha Lord: Co-founder, Warehouse Project
- Adam Zavalis: Chief Marketing Officer, ASDA
- Michelle Spillane: Chief Marketing Officer, Paddy Power
- Lucy Henderson: Marketing Director, Irn-Bru
- Danny Micklethwaite: Chief Marketing Officer, Arla Foods
- Mark Brown: CMO, Hovis
- Jon Kell: Global Marketing Director, Yoto
- Peter Hook: Musician, DJ and writer
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
