MAD//UpNorth: The North's Creative Revolution

Are you one of the lucky ones to get a ticket to the sold-out MAD//UpNorth?

Here at The Candidate, we are delighted to have a ticket and be heading to the event this week. MAD//UpNorth is the first of its kind in the North. Starting in London in 2018, it is now the UK's biggest marketing and advertising festival. The fact that there is demand for a festival of its size in Manchester signifies that there is much to celebrate in the creative North. The event promises to bring together the region's best and brightest talent to showcase their work and connect with others.

The host of the Factory Stage, Simon Lloyd, explains:

"There is no doubt about it, the North is a creative powerhouse. A thriving hub of creativity and innovation. Manchester is often called the UK's 'second city' for digital and creative and a magnet for global brands and agencies. The North is no longer playing second fiddle; it's leading the charge. With continuous investment, a growing talent pool, and a culture of innovation, the region is redefining the UK's marketing, creative, and digital industries."

What is MAD//UpNorth?

MAD//UpNorth is a two-day marketing, advertising, and digital festival (27th and 28th February) that takes place in Aviva Studios. Aviva Studios, itself a testament to the creative progress in the city, opened in 2023; its architecture is a blend of the old and new, with the original brickwork. The event will feature a variety of speakers, workshops, and exhibitions. With over 150 speakers from various backgrounds, including retail, D2C, travel, sport, media/entertainment, content creation, tech, and fashion, it promises insights into the latest trends in the marketing industries and opportunities to network with others.

What is the concept of MAD//UpNorth?

The concept of MAD//UpNorth is to celebrate the North's creative revolution. The event showcases the region's best and brightest talent and provides a platform for creatives to connect with each other. Organisers promise that time at the festival is a good investment, and with some amazing sponsorships and partners behind the festival, it's a no-brainer for marketers across the Northwest to head to the festival and experience it.

Who are the speakers at MAD//UpNorth?

MAD//UpNorth features a range of speakers, from industry leaders to emerging talent. There will be around 150 speakers, too many to mention, including celebrities such as Gary Neville, Lucy Beaumont, and Bez from the Happy Mondays. Some of the sessions we hope to catch are:

• Rory Sutherland In Conversation with John Roberts, Founder of AO World
• Futureproofing Media: What Comes Next?
• Pete Markey from Boots — Boots: staying relevant in a changing world
• Kenyatte Nelson from Co-op – Oldie but a Goody – How to modernise a 180-year-old business

And some of the great panels, including:

• Female leaders panel — Reasons to be positive: How the North is driving female leadership in the media.
• Marketers and creatives assemble – A diverse and inclusive world needs you.
• Innovation and creativity do not require a London Postcode
• Female Leaders panel - Reasons to be positive: How the North is driving female leadership in Media
•  The Experience Equation 
• Now That’s What I Call Retail Media: Lessons from the industry’s best

Check out the whole line up here! 

Laura Walters, Recruitment Board Director at The Candidate

''It is so good to see an event of this size, scale, and calibre come to Manchester. Many of my clients and candidates have previously travelled to the London MadFest from the North, and it really shows that growth and commerce in the region is thriving. It has been a long time coming, and I am looking forward to being able to enjoy the event and jump in a cab rather than take the long train, after catching up with loads of industry friends.'

We will try to keep you updated and be sure to let you know how we get on. 

If you are attending and would like to grab a chat, then get in touch!

We hope to see you there!