Get a head start on the day with a packed programme of brand keynotes before the main action begins at MAD//Fest on 7 and 8 July.

Our popular Rise + Shine sessions return with inspiring talks from brands including HelloFresh, Cornetto, Ipsos, Greene King, Wasabi and more. Whether you're looking for fresh marketing ideas, cultural insights or practical inspiration, there's no better way to kick off your festival morning.

If you're an early riser, grab your badge from Check//In in Ely's Yard, skip the coffee queue and get your brain firing before the crowds arrive.

Tuesday 7 July

Disruption Stage

09:15 – 09:35

Bring Back DinnertimeThe Ingredient You Can't Put in a Recipe

Discover how HelloFresh inspired people back into the kitchen with an experiential campaign that transformed London Waterloo Station.

AI + Innovation Stage

09:10 – 09:30

The Mother of All Comebacks: How Cornetto Harnessed Fandom to Create a Nostalgic Viral Moment :

Discover how a much-loved brand reignited nostalgia for a new generation by bringing a heritage brand into 2026. Find out how global brand thinking was adapted into locally relevant campaigns, why embracing playfulness became a social media superpower, and how the power of fandom helped fuel an entire marketing ecosystem.

Media + Tech Stage

09:15 – 09:35

Over 50? Advertising Has Left the Chat...

Are you ignoring an audience worth €5.7 trillion?

While marketers remain obsessed with Gen Z, the over-50s—arguably the generation with the greatest spending power—continue to be overlooked. Join Eleanor Thornton-Firkin, Head of Creative Excellence at Ipsos, as she challenges the industry's assumptions about older consumers, revealing who they really are, what they value and how they engage with media.

Wednesday 8 July

Media + Tech Stage

09:15 – 09:35

The Original Social Network

As technology reshapes marketing, how do brands strike the right balance between innovation and human connection?

Join Chloë Davies, Growth Marketing Partner at The Unmistakables, and Nuala Gallagher, Brand & Marketing Director at Greene King, as they explore the future of marketing, leadership and creating experiences people genuinely value.

AI + Innovation Stage

09:25 – 09:45

The Human Algorithm: How Culture Wins Your Brand Trust

Consumers are overwhelmed, trust is in short supply and AI-generated content is everywhere. So how do you build a brand people genuinely care about?

George Sullivan, CEO & Founder of The Sole Supplier, explores, why being more human is still your greatest competitive advantage, how to create content audiences can't stop sharing, and why brands should invest in thriving micro-communities.

Media + Tech Stage 

09:15 – 09:40

Wasabi: When Your Niche Becomes Mainstream

How does a challenger brand stay distinctive as it becomes a household name?

Join Mays Elansari, Marketing Director at Wasabi, alongside Richard Sherwood, Chief Marketing Officer at Stannah, for a conversation about staying relevant while scaling for the next phase of growth.

Creativity Stage

09:15 – 09:35

Paradise x Casillero del Diablo: How Iconic Brands Stay Culturally Relevant

As Casillero del Diablo celebrates its 60th anniversary, discover how heritage brands continue to earn attention in an increasingly crowded entertainment landscape.

From product innovation and global partnerships to balancing fresh thinking with brand equity, Nick Jekyll, CEO of Paradise, and Emma Bartholomew, Advisor at Paradise, explore why the brands that succeed aren't simply the loudest: They're the ones people actively choose to spend time with.