MAD//UpNorth wasn’t just another marketing event, it was the Glastonbury of the marketing world. No mud, but plenty of buzz.
With over 4,000 attendees packed into Manchester's Aviva Studios, the atmosphere was electric, and the queues were... well, let's just say they gave us ample networking opportunities.
https://youtu.be/8v9w8pZjf1M
What We Learned
Amongst the networking, note-taking, and snack-hunting, a few big themes stood out:
- Authenticity wins. People can spot a fake from a mile off. If your brand were a person, would it have any mates? If not, it’s time to rethink how you talk to your audience.
- Community is everything. Customers don’t just want to buy from you they want to belong. The brands that get this right build loyalty that money can’t buy.
- Data + creativity = marketing gold. Data should fuel ideas, not kill them. The best campaigns use data to guide creative thinking, not replace it.
- Sustainability matters. Greenwashing won’t cut it. People want brands that actually care and back it up with action.
Tom Ridges Took the Stage
Our very own Tom Ridges got on stage and explained why most media targeting is wasting budget. He broke down how behavioural science and AI can fix it.
If you missed it or want a second listen, watch the full talk via the video above. And grab your copy of his deck bellow...
Get the Herdify Book
We also launched The Herdify Book a no-nonsense guide to audience influence and why marketing works better when you understand human behaviour.
Didn’t grab a copy at the event? Download it bellow...
How can brands stand out in today’s world?
One of the big questions we asked at MAD//UpNorth was: how can brands stand out in today’s world? So, we hit the floor and put it straight to the experts, marketers, media planners, and industry leaders. Their answers? Smart, surprising, and sometimes brutally honest.
From cutting through the noise to building real audience connections, these insights are pure gold.
Watch the video below to hear what they had to say.
https://youtu.be/p_qBic1THZk
See You Next Time?
MAD//UpNorth 2025 was a blast. If you stopped by our stand, came to Tom’s talk, or just grabbed a free coffee, thanks for making it a great event.
Got questions? Curious about how Herdify can help you? Drop us a message.
Until next time, keep it real, keep it smart, and don’t waste your ad budget. See you in 2026!
