The Northern Marketing Festival with strategic partner Embryo are bringing together some of the biggest brand voices in the UK next week, with a standout series of keynote sessions exploring creativity, growth, performance and customer experience across Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester.
Taking place across three fantastic northern cities; Liverpool on 12 May, Leeds on 13 May and Manchester on 14 May. The festival will once again unite marketers, agency leaders, brands and creative businesses from across the North for a packed programme of talks, networking and insight.
Among this year’s highlights is a strong line-up of brand-led keynote sessions featuring senior leaders from Co-op Live, PG Tips, Unilever, Tiger Sheds and more, with speakers tackling everything from brand growth and packaging innovation to experiential marketing and creativity.
Rebecca Lott, Marketing Director, Co-op Live
Beyond the bowl: Turning events into ecosystems
As Marketing Director at Co-op Live, Rebecca Lott will share how the UK’s newest major live entertainment venue is redefining what audiences expect from events and experiences.
In Beyond the bowl: Turning events into ecosystems, Lott will explore how brands and venues can move beyond one-off moments to create connected, immersive ecosystems that build loyalty, engagement and long-term value.
Elle Barker, Chief Marketing Officer (UK&I) at Lipton Teas
Bringing Back the CreativiTEA
One of the North’s most recognisable consumer brands will also take to the stage as PG Tips / Lipton Teas & Infusions examines the balance between creativity, effectiveness and building lasting emotional connection with audiences.
Attendees can expect honest reflections and practical lessons from a brand that has consistently delivered memorable campaigns while maintaining a distinctive voice in a crowded market.
Sarah Leech, Head of Packaging Innovation & Design, Unilever
Beyond the Shelf: Reimagining Packaging
Packaging is no longer just about functionality or shelf appeal.
Beyond the Shelf: Reimagining Packaging will explore how brands are using packaging as a strategic marketing tool to drive engagement, reinforce brand values and create stronger customer experiences.
The session will examine the changing role of packaging in a digital-first and sustainability-conscious world, alongside the opportunities for brands to use design and innovation to stand out.
Sam Jenkinson, Head of Marketing, Woodlands Group t/a Tiger Sheds
A Tiger By The Tail: Building Growth Based On Brand, Performance & Real Life Revenue
Rounding out the keynote programme is A Tiger By The Tail: Building Growth Based On Brand, Performance & Real Life Revenue – a session focused on the ongoing challenge facing marketers as they balance brand-building activity with measurable commercial performance.
The talk will explore how businesses can align creativity, performance marketing and revenue generation to build sustainable growth, while avoiding the trap of chasing short-term metrics at the expense of long-term brand value.
With marketers under increasing pressure to demonstrate effectiveness, the session is expected to offer practical insight into what genuine growth looks like in today’s market.
Tickets for the Northern Marketing Festival are available now.
Liverpool – 12 May, Leeds – 13 May, Manchester – 14 May
