Attend
)
)
)
)
)
MAD//North returns to Manchester's St John's creative district on 25-26 Feb connect the north’s iconic brands, exciting disruptors, agencies, publishers, tech providers + platforms.
Frankly, such a buzzing ecosystem with unique specialisms, a culture of collaboration, strong sense of community + industry-leading talent pool deserves a major event that puts the north’s outstanding work, businesses + people on a global stage.
MAD//North isn’t your average dull trade show or yawn-inducing conference.
Featuring 6,000 industry leaders, superstar speakers, game changing disruptors, £20k brand innovation pitches, experiential activations, parties, DJs + entertainment, we’re putting on a punchy, vibrant + distinctive major festival to create a ‘moment’ where marketing tribes from across the north + beyond gather to learn, connect + talk shop.
The 2026 programme is currently in production - subscribe here for speaker alerts + more!
Kenyatte Nelson
// Chief Membership & Customer Officer, Co-op
Kenyatte Nelson
// Chief Membership & Customer Officer, Co-op
Jennifer English
// Global Brand Director, Johnnie Walker
Jennifer English
// Global Brand Director, Johnnie Walker
John Roberts
// CEO and Founder, AO World
John Roberts
// CEO and Founder, AO World
Pete Markey
// CMO, Boots
Pete Markey
// CMO, Boots
Rory Sutherland
// Vice Chairman, Ogilvy UK
Rory Sutherland
// Vice Chairman, Ogilvy UK
Lucy Henderson
// Marketing Director, Irn-Bru
Lucy Henderson
// Marketing Director, Irn-Bru
Aaron Fairweather
// Culture Marketing - Music & Artist Specialist, Redbull
Aaron Fairweather
// Culture Marketing - Music & Artist Specialist, Redbull
Sabrina Godden-Tuma
// Global Creative Director, Vodafone
Sabrina Godden-Tuma
// Global Creative Director, Vodafone
Dom Dwight
// Strategy + Innovation Director, Taylors of Harrogate
Dom Dwight
// Strategy + Innovation Director, Taylors of Harrogate
Rachel Kerrone
// Brand and Marketing Director, Starling Bank
Rachel Kerrone
// Brand and Marketing Director, Starling Bank
Sam Walker
// Group Marketing and Creative Director, N Brown
Sam Walker
// Group Marketing and Creative Director, N Brown
Jemma Haley
// Business Lead - Retail Media + Supplier Insights, John Lewis & Partners
Jemma Haley
// Business Lead - Retail Media + Supplier Insights, John Lewis & Partners
Dean Harris
// Head of Co-op Media Network, Co-op
Dean Harris
// Head of Co-op Media Network, Co-op
Roger Wade
// Founder, Boxpark + Chair, Box Fund
Roger Wade
// Founder, Boxpark + Chair, Box Fund
Doors Open & Attendee Check-in
Please have your entry QR codes which can be found in the Home Screen of the MAD//UpNorth app ready for scanning.
Welcome to MAD//UpNorth
Ian Houghton
Co-Founder, MAD//Fest
Dan Brain
Co-Founder, MAD//Fest
Chair's Welcome
Simon Lloyd
Chief Marketing and Customer Officer, ex BBC, Virgin Atlantic and Aldermore Bank.
Rory Sutherland in conversation with John Roberts, Founder of AO World
John Roberts
CEO and Founder, AO World
Rory Sutherland
Vice Chairman, Ogilvy
Who Attends?
80%
of tickets are for top tier brand marketers, agency leaders + media leaders via our complimentary guestlist initiative.
20%
of tickets are available to buy for martech/adtech innovators, platforms + solution/service providers.
MAD//UpNorth ‘26
- Get Involved
Interested in speaking, attending, sponsoring, exhibiting or meeting 6000 industry decision makers? Contact us to get involved with a punchy, vibrant + distinctive meeting of the north’s marketing tribes.
Sponsor//Exhibit at MAD//UpNorth ‘26
6000 attendees. 100% brands, media and disruptors. 0% time wasters.
MAD//Fest is all about bringing together the industry’s top brands + agencies in cool, creative spaces. So we’re excited to announce a brand new campus format for 2026!
MAD//North will return to St John's - Manchester's new neighbourhood for the creative industries where big name brands, major agencies + innovative businesses are changing the city’s landscape - physically and metaphorically.
And when MAD//North is in town, expect St John's to be buzzing with 6,000 influential marketers, inspiring content, the best solution/service providers, DJs, parties, entertainment, food, drink + much more. Why? To connect the marketing community, inspire new thinking + crystalise what makes the north a creative + innovation powerhouse!
Join Our Mailing List
Speaker updates, ticket giveaways and exciting opportunities - don’t miss a thing and be the first to know about what’s happening at MAD//Fest
