MAD//UpNorth kicked off today (26 February) promising to champion the brands, businesses and agencies in the north of England.

Anticipation for the two-day event was high, with delegates queueing down the street to get in as the doors opened at 10am, leading to long delays to enter the venue.

It is expected that around 4,000 visitors will attend, including some of the advertising and marketing industries’ leading figures, discussing the latest media trends and innovations.

Staged at Manchester’s Factory International, the theme is ‘What sets us apart’, and aims to celebrate the North’s growing marketing scene.

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It is the first time the event has been staged in Manchester and follows the success of MAD//Fest, which was launched in London in 2018. The event has since grown to become the UK’s largest brand conference and last year it was acquired by marketing group Ingenuity Group for an undisclosed sum.

The Manchester event will include 150 speakers, including Ogilvy’s Rory Sutherland, the Co-op’s Kenyatte Nelson and The Very Group’s Jessica Myers.

Also taking to the stage will be comedian and writer Lucy Beaumont, former Manchester United footballer Gary Nevile and Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook.