Popular marketing event MAD//Fest, which traditionally takes place in London every summer, has unveiled the line-up for its first-ever MAD//UpNorth edition.
Taking place in Manchester’s Factory International across 26-27 February this year, the line-up will include comedienne Lucy Beaumont as keynote speaker.
The event’s inaugural theme will be: ‘What sets us apart’, celebrating some of the leading people, businesses and brands who are helping to shape the North’s rapidly growing marketing scene.
“Making light of the way we do things up north and pointing out what’s funny, unusual and different has served me pretty well professionally, possibly sparing me the future threatened by my career teacher at school,” Beaumont said.
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“But I think there’s also a serious point to be made. Northerners are a creative bunch with a strong sense of identity, regularly punching above their weight in many areas, including music, culture, and potentially even marketing. I can’t wait to share my thoughts on What Sets Us Apart and how we can leverage our northerness at MAD//UpNorth.”
Also set to speak at the event are; Ogilvy’s Rory Sutherland, the Co-op’s Kenyatte Nelson, The Very Group’s Jessica Myers, ASDA’s Adam Zavalis, Paddy Power’s Michelle Spillane, Irn-Bru’s Lucy Henderson, Arla’s Danny Micklethwaite, Hovis’ Mark Brown, and former Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook.
MAD//Fest co-founder, Dan Brain added: “Naturally we’re excited to bring Lucy’s unique brand of observational humour to MAD//UpNorth.
Marketers have long attempted to capture the cultural zeitgeist in their work, which is something Lucy has done incredibly well throughout her stellar screen and stage career.
“Not only can MAD//UpNorth attendees get under the skin of what makes the north’s most iconic brands tick; they can also gain fresh thinking from people like Lucy on what really sets the north apart and its creative credentials.”
