There’s just one week to go until Prolific North’s Northern Marketing Festival returns for 2026 and we’re gearing up to bring together some of the biggest brands, brightest marketers and boldest thinkers from across the North for three days of insight, inspiration and networking.
Starting in Liverpool on 12 May before heading to Leeds and Manchester, this year’s festival promises a packed programme exploring everything from AI-driven creativity and brand strategy to community building, media innovation and the future of marketing.
Delivered in partnership with strategic partner Embryo and with headline sessions from Williams Lea, the 2026 edition is set to be our biggest yet.
Across the three-city festival, attendees will hear from leading names spanning brands, agencies, publishers and platforms including Co-Op Live, Unilever, PG Tips, Uber Advertising, Sky, The Anfield Wrap podcast, Liverpool Hope University, mydentist, Inspired Pet Nutrition (Harringtons Pet food), Channel 4, Tiger Sheds and many more.
The festival opens one week today in Liverpool at the Royal Liver Suites with a day spotlighting the city’s thriving creative, digital and media ecosystem. Sessions on the agenda include affiliate marketing insights from Embryo, podcasting and audience growth with The Anfield Wrap, AI-powered advertising innovation, and a closing session from Unilever’s Head of Packaging Innovation and Design, Sarah Leech.
This year’s festival is built around three core themes: “Humans + Machines”, “Collective Grit – The Power of WE”, and “Making the Case for Slow Marketing”, themes designed to reflect the realities, challenges and opportunities facing marketers right now.
As strategic partner, Embryo will play a key role across all three days, bringing expertise and actionable insight from its digital marketing specialists.
With tickets selling fast and final preparations underway, Northern Marketing Festival 2026 is shaping up to be another standout celebration of Northern creativity, collaboration and innovation.
The festival takes place across Liverpool (12 May), Leeds (13 May) and Manchester (14 May). Full agendas are:
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