Line//Up
What Sets Us Apart: our inaugural MAD//UpNorth theme
Something big is brewing UpNorth. A force in the global marketing and advertising industry to challenge the status quo is taking shape. A booming ecosystem, collaborative business culture + specialisms in areas such as retail, D2C, travel, sport, media/entertainment, content creation, tech + fashion are building strength, scale + expertise to put the north on a global stage.
But as marketers battle to engage consumers, drive growth + adapt to emerging trends, what is it that sets us apart as individuals, businesses + as an industry? How can we be distinctive, daring + different? What are we going to do to win hearts, minds + trust in an increasingly messy marketing + consumer environment?
New for 2025, MAD//UpNorth is here to celebrate the pioneering people, brands + businesses UpNorth who are shaping a thriving, dynamic + cooperative marketing scene across the north.
You'll be inspired by the big brands + disruptors who are making a difference.
You'll discover the innovators who are shaking things up + taking on the household names.
You'll meet the community of movers + shakers who are creating a future that truly sets the north apart.
Stages
150 speakers, 3 stages, 2 days - not a dull panel in sight. Expect a punchy no BS programme of quickfire keynotes, £20k innovation pitches + masterclasses from top CMOs, entrepreneurs + challengers with trademark MAD//Fest panaché. Here’s how our stages line-up:
Factory Stage - big stage action as top brands, founders, agency A-listers + innovators offer inspiration + insight on ‘What sets us apart’ (our ‘25 theme - read all about it here)
Media + Tech Stage - the place to explore the latest media trends, campaigns that turn the dial, and the emerging innovation that’s changing the game.
Content + Creativity Stage - Join cutting-edge creatives, content creators, social superstars, media owners, pioneering platforms + creative technologists for the inside-track on how to cut through, influence consumer choices + push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Want to see real brand challenges addressed by the hottest start-ups/scale-ups? Don’t miss our LIVE £20k brand challenges taking place on thematically relevant stages throughout the course of the event!
Themes + Hot Topics:
Speakers
The programme is currently in production - subscribe here for speaker alerts + more!
Got an idea for a content session that’ll wow the masses of marketers? Throw your hat in the ring using the form below + we’ll be in touch! Or contact luke@madfestlondon.com
Agenda
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Brand challenges
Want to see big brand challenges solved in real time by the most exciting marketing/advertising start-ups/scale-ups? Then you’ll love our Brand Challenge format!
We’ll be taking £20k pilot briefs from some of the world’s top brands + giving pioneering start-ups/scale-ups the platform to pitch their solution + secure a new client.
Not only do our brand challenges result in successful partnerships, they also provide a tangible, relatable stream of content where client-side marketers + agencies can see how top brands are investing in innovation to respond to everyday marketing issues.
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