Award-winning marketing event MAD//Fest, part of The Ingenuity Group, has announced the inaugural MAD//UpNorth, which will come to Manchester’s Factory International on 26-27 February.
MAD//UpNorth’s first theme is ‘What sets us apart’ and the festival will celebrate the pioneering people, brands and businesses in the North who are shaping a booming dynamic and cooperative marketing scene.
Sponsored by leading media agency Group M, the event will take place over two days, bringing together marketing professionals from across the North and Scotland for inspiring content and unrivalled networking opportunities. The launch of MAD//UpNorth will create the North’s largest ever marketing and advertising festival at a time when northern brands and agencies are thriving on a global stage.
As well as the main Factory Stage, the venue will have additional Media + Tech and Creativity + Social stages – boasting content to entice marketing professionals from every discipline.
Launched in 2018, MAD//Fest is the UK’s largest and leading festival for brands, agencies, publishers and tech platforms. The hit festival features 12,000+ attendees, content from the world’s most iconic advertisers and activations from brands including Diageo, Havana Club and Pernod-Ricard. In 2024, MAD//Fest was acquired by The Ingenuity Group, a leading marketing connections business.
MAD//UpNorth will take place on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th February 2025 at Manchester’s Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International.
Ian Houghton, Co-Founder and Commercial Lead of MAD//FEST, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of MAD//Fest’s trajectory over a relatively short period of time, and we can now proudly say it’s the UK’s biggest, freshest and most entertaining marketing and advertising festival.
“We’ve now turned our attention to the booming industry outside of London. The demand for a large-scale festival that reflects the needs, interests and market dynamics of the North has convinced us that MAD//UpNorth is the next logical launch for MAD//Fest and we can’t wait to help connect the ecosystem this February!
“We’re creating a destination festival that showcases exceptional work and innovation taking place all across the North.
“We can’t wait to see you all there – bring it on!”
Dan Brain, Co-Founder of MAD//FEST, said:
“We’re pretty excited about this one. Attendees of our very first MAD//UpNorth will be in for something special. They’ll be inspired by the big brands + disruptors who are making a difference. They’ll discover the innovators who are rewriting the rules. And they’ll meet the community of movers and shakers who are creating a future that truly sets the North apart.”
