Excitement is building as MAD//North prepares to take over Manchester’s St John’s creative district for two epic days celebrating the very best of marketing, media and advertising from across the North.
On Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 February, more than 4,000 brands, agencies and creators will gather at Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International, for what has quickly become the North’s flagship creative industries festival.
MAD//North shines a spotlight on the bold ideas, fearless creativity and distinctive Northern spirit shaping work seen on a global stage. The festival brings together the people behind the campaigns, culture and conversations driving the industry forward.
A packed programme under the theme of ‘Northern Soul’ will explore creativity, culture, sport, entertainment and innovation, with speakers including Rory Sutherland, Maisie Adam, Jonathan Warburton, Gary Neville, Jill Scott, Adam Field, Dr Jo Twist OBE and many more.
Opening the festival will be Jonathan Warburton, whose story lies behind one of the most successful family-run and family-owned businesses, which celebrates its 150th year in 2026. Jonathan will unpack why humour, values and being proudly Northern have been the secret ingredients in the Warburtons story, perfectly baked into MAD//North’s Northern Soul theme.
Music and cultural heritage also take centre stage with The Oasis Effect, a panel exploring how Manchester’s most famous band continues to influence brand storytelling today. Featuring Adam Field, VP Brand Marketing at Berghaus, the session examines how Oasis-inspired attitude, humour and identity helped spark one of the biggest cultural brand moments of the summer.
With Manchester hosting The BRIT Awards and the very first BRITs Fringe in the same week, MAD//North will tap into that national spotlight with a dedicated panel exploring the power of music, culture and live events in shaping brand relevance, creativity and global reach. Plus, a lively conversation between Bez of Happy Mondays and Tombola’s Head of Brand, Hannah Brotherton, promises to be as unpredictable as it will be entertaining!
Sport takes the stage too at MAD//North, with former Lioness and broadcaster Jill Scott and Wrexham AFC’s Chief Business & Communications Officer Robert Faulkner sharing insight into how sport, storytelling and fandom are driving brand growth, as well as the club’s extraordinary journey on the pitch and on Netflix.
Comedian Maisie Adam brings her trademark humour and sharp wit to MAD//North, sharing personal insights from her career in comedy and media while exploring creativity, authenticity and the bold, fearless spirit that defines the North’s cultural and creative landscape.
Plus, there will be a major broadcaster panel featuring voices from BBC, Sky, ITV and Channel 4, which will unpack the changing TV landscape and what it means for audiences and advertisers alike.
MAD//North has rapidly established itself as a must-attend date in the creative calendar, and tickets are now nearly sold out.
