Let’s hear it loud and clear: the Amplify festival is here

It’s great to be back in the room after two long years so if you work in marketing or the creative industries we’d love you to join us, writes Joanne Lynn

After two long years, The Marketing Society’s Amplify Marketing Festival, will return on 25 August in front of a full house at the University of Edinburgh Business School. We can’t wait to be back in the room, reconnecting and celebrating the value of marketing while the world’s biggest arts and cultural event is in town.

Amplify is all about creativity. The big idea. A well-crafted idea.

This year we’ve introduced a new event that celebrates the craftmanship involved in bringing these great ideas to life. A mix of leading and rising industry talent, including David Boni (photographer), Jordan Laird (filmmaker), Holly Ward (animator) and Arusa Qureshi (writer) and Simon Mallinson (producer), will join us for an hour-long panel discussion chaired by Eilidh Mcdonald,jointcreativedirectorofframe.

Kicking off the day is a firm festival favourite–theogilvylecture,atribute to David Ogilvy, a proud and passionate Scot who founded Ogilvy & Matherinnewyorkwhichgrewinto one of the biggest advertising networks in the world. This is the man who famously said "The customer is not a moron. She's your wife" and “Youwillneverwinfameandfortune unless you invent big ideas”.

Over the years we’ve heard from many inspirational speakers; from Stonewall’s Jan Gooding and The Queen’s Gambit Co-creator Allan Scott to advertising legends Rory Sutherland and Mark Ritson. This year is no exception with Sarah Warby,chiefcustomerofficeratnando's taking the stage.

Starting her career as Brand Manager for Unilever, Sarah was Marketing Director at Heineken, CMO at Sainsbury’s and CEO of Lovehoney.

She’s also a Non-exec Director at Moneysupermarket plc and Chair of the Marketing Academy.

Another highlight of Amplify is the Clients v Agencies Creative Challenge. Star Awards Rising Stars and Future Leader Members are battling itout,witheachteampitchingglobal award-winning campaigns to persuade the audience to vote for their idea. The current score is Clients 4 Agencies 3 with the Clients winning thetitleforthepastthreeconsecutive years.theagenciesseriouslyneedto up their game!

We’re also running a Diversity in Marketing fringe event in partnership with the IPA. Chaired by IPA Scotland Chair, Gill Jarvie, speakers Neil Skinner, Marketing Director of Edrington UK and Leila Siddiqi, Associate Director Diversity at IPA will talk through a Diverse Marketingguideandshowcasethepowerof diversity in boosting creativity, innovation and collaboration.

Andfinally,what’safestivalwithout the best after party in town?

The Big Comedy Blowout in support of Stand up to Cancer is a marketing quiz mixed with comedy at the Assembly Treehouse in George Square Gardens. Teams of 4 will take part in some healthy competition and if you’re a big First Dates or Gogglebox fan, you’ll do well in the Channel 4 round, our quiz sponsor.

Now’s the time to turn up the volume and shout about creativity in all its forms. If you work in marketing or the creative industries, we’d love you to join us.

Youcanfindoutmoreaboutamplify and details on how to book tickets at www.marketingsociety.com/ event/amplify-marketing-festival-2022

Joanne Lynn, Joint MD, Lux Events