Be Less Boring: Richard Ayoade, Jimmy Carr, Maggie Pocock Join MAD//Fest London 2025

MAD//Fest, which was founded in London in 2018 and acquired by the private equity backed Ingenuity Group in 2024, is Europe’s biggest and most disruptive summer gathering. The festival features more than 350+ speakers, 150+ tech, media and agency exhibitors; a series of £20k start-up challenges from top brands, food and drink brand activations from Havana Club, Lina Stores, Hoppers, Sticks ‘N’ Sushi, Chick 'N' Sours, Treasury Wines, White-Claw and more; parties, DJs and entertainment.

Speakers who will be attempting to make the business case for being less boring and tackling issues including AI, creativity, humour, culture marketing, the creator economy, media + tech, leadership, attention and more include: 

• Richard Ayoade, Comedian and Broadcaster
• Jimmy Carr, Comedian/Broadcaster
• Dr. Maggie Pocock, Space Scientist and Broadcaster
• Rebeca Ricoy, Marketing Director - Europe and LATAM, Duolingo
• Dirujan Sabesan, Chief Marketing Officer, Wingstop
• Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympian + Peeress
• Rory Sutherland, Vice Chair, Ogilvy
• Julia Goldin, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Product Officer, LEGO
• Manashi Guha, Chief Growth Officer, L'Oreal
• Sir Martin Sorrell, Executive Chairman, S4
• Sadira Furlow, Chief of Global Brand and Communication 'Dean of Dopeness', Tony's Chocolonely
• Sharry Cramond, Marketing Director, M&S
• Munnawar Chishty, Chief Marketing Officer, Carlsberg Britvic

Other key features at MAD//Fest London 2025 include:

• Launch a Business in 48 Hours - Cocreatd £100k Challenge
• MAD//Fest Summer Party feat. Horse Meat Disco (3 July)
• £20k challenge briefs from L’Oreal, Jack Daniels, Clarins, The LEGO Group, and MARS in partnership with Co:Cubed
• Havana Club Social - a brand new space to connect with top marketers
• MAD//Fest Hexagon Stage in partnership with Kantar Marketplace - the destination for big-stage conversation with top CMOs, disruptors, creatives, tech leaders and celebs
• New Havas Brewery Stage - the home of disruptive marketing tactics from disruptive brands
• Invite-only Dentsu Leadership track and CMO Club in partnership with XR addressing the most important topics for current and future CMOs
• Female Leaders’ Club - a space for women and allies to network and discuss the pivotal issues in changing the gender makeup of leadership roles in marketing and advertising.

“Where else can you get your fix of creative ideas, culture and connections with talent ranging from Rory Sutherland to Horse Meat Disco?” said Dan Brain, MAD//Fest London’s Co-founder.

“True to our 2025 theme, ‘Be Less Boring’, we’re urging attendees to stop playing it safe, push boundaries and take calculated risks with an inspiring line-up of speakers, innovation and social events. Expect to be challenged, inspired, and leave with tangible plans to fuel your growth and career aspirations.”

“When Dan and I founded MAD//Fest back in 2018, we had the ambition to create a flagship festival that challenges the status quo and connects the marketing world with a distinctive festival experience,” said Ian Houghton, MAD//Fest London’s fellow co-founder.

“From early stage east London start-ups to global agency networks and tech powerhouses, you’ll find businesses of all different shapes and sizes connecting with the world’s top advertisers at MAD//Fest. Better still, you’ll see them have fun while they’re at it!”