Day One at MAD//North will bring the energy of The Northern Soul: bold ideas, creativity, and fearless Northern spirit. The Factory Stage, in partnership with WPP Media,  is where big brands and big names take center stage. The Media + Tech Stage in partnership with StackAdapt, will look ahead to the future of the northern media landscape, whilst the Social + Discovery Commerce Stage, in partnership with TikTok, spills the secrets behind that irresistible ‘buy now’ click. Get ready for the talks, trends, and moments that will have the festival buzzing.

The Factory Stage

Highlights from the Factory Stage on Day One lean hard into Northern Soul. We kick things off with Jonathan Warburton unpacking the brilliant North West success story that is Warburtons! The week of MAD//North Manchester takes national centre stage as host of this year’s BRITs as well as bringing that same energy to MAD//North. Ever wondered what a conversation between Bez form The Happy Mondays and tombola’s Head of Brand & Demand Generation would be like? On 25 February, you won’t have to - what can possibly go wrong?!?! With 2026 shaping up to be a huge year for sport, (is it coming home this year?!??!), we’re welcoming former Lioness and broadcaster Jill Scott talking about the relationship between sports culture and brand building, as well as Wrexham AFC’s Chief Business & Communications Officer, giving us the lowdown on their remarkable story, both on the pitch and on Netflix. And just when you think it couldn’t get more Northern, Maisie Adam takes the mic, delivering the laughs and reminding us why the North’s authenticity, creativity, and passion deserve to be celebrated.

Media + Tech Stage

This year, the Media + Tech stage returns for Day 1 of MAD//North with some punchy themes that represent everything that marketers should be thinking about in the media landscape. From kicking off the day with a panel diving into why the North is a hub of innovation, to hearing about PureGym's strategy to cut through the noise and connect through the funnel, to how AI can be tied to commercial value with Domino's and more, this stage is full of nuggets of wisdom relevant for brands and agencies alike. And to top it all off, what better way to round off the day than to hear from the BBC, Sky, ITV and Channel 4 on a panel to break down the broadcaster's view of the TV landscape of today and tomorrow? In short, it isn't a stage you want to miss - but don't just take my word for it, check out the agenda and tell us what you really think.

The Social + Discovery Commerce Stage

Step into the Social + Discovery Commerce stage at MAD//North and uncover what really makes people hit ‘buy now’. Kate Nightingale, Chief Behavioural Officer at Humanising Brands, kicls off the stage and will break down the psychology of social commerce, showing how emotion, design, and instant gratification turn casual scrolling into real sales. Want to find out how TikTok shapes how the world, well let them tell you. Also, discover how P.Louise has built a brand that fully understands the scroll-to-shop moment, turning bold looks and an even bolder personality. Then, go behind the scenes with the UK’s top creators in a no-holds-barred Creators Confessional, where top creators like @DawsOnScreen, @whatemwatches, and @livethedashthey reveal what works, what flops, and how brands can collaborate with creators, not just market through them. Finally, peer into the future with a guide to emerging trends, from AR/VR commerce and AI creators to metaverse shopping, and get the insights you need to stay ahead in the fast-moving world of social and discovery commerce.