Agenda
Agenda
Day 1
8.30am
Registration, tea & coffee
Welcome, you’re now part of The Drum’s editorial team! Get your ‘Editorial Headshot’ for our flannel panel on your way in, grab a coffee and get ready for two days of dynamic live content creation.
9.30am
Flannel Panel - meet the team
Meet The Drum’s Editor Cameron Clarke as he introduces the key members of The Drum’s editorial, online, podcast, events and production team, what will be happening over the course of The Drum Live and how attendees can get involved in helping us create The Drum's content.
Cameron Clarke
Global Editor The Drum
Lynn Lester
Senior Vice President, Events & Marketing The Drum
Amy Houston
Senior Editor The Drum
Sam Anderson
Intelligence Editor The Drum
Richard Draycott
Associate Editor & VP of Community Engagement The Drum
Thomas O'Neill
Homepage editor The Drum
John McCarthy
Opinion Editor The Drum
Jenni Baker
Senior Editor – Branded Content The Drum
9.40am
News: Editorial Conference
Imagine - you are a Drum journalist for the day. What stories or topical issues would you pitch in to The Drum's editor Cameron Clarke? Listen in as our invited guests adopt the role of marketing journalists to pitch and discuss the stories they would cover if they were in The Drum's editorial team.
Cameron Clarke
Global Editor The Drum
Sam Anderson
Intelligence Editor The Drum
Naomi Walkland
CMO Motorway
Stephen Woodford
CEO Advertising Association
Gina Hood
Head of Growth & Client Partner, Pablo
Juanita Draude
EVP EMEA Monks
10.10am
Fireside Chat: Matt Hancock, former UK Culture & Health Secretary
As former Health Secretary, Matt Hancock was responsible for managing communications and public health messaging during the UK’s Covid-19 lockdown. Before that, as Culture Secretary, he introduced the Data Protection Act 2018. In our opening fireside chat, we hear about Matt's rise to Culture and Health Secretary, what he learned about managing communications during his time in Government and what his post-politics return to marketing will entail.
Richard Draycott
Associate Editor & VP of Community Engagement The Drum
Matt Hancock
Managing Director BBS
10.30am
Insight panel: Measure what matters
What does the future of marketing measurement hold? Gain insights into new approaches, evolving benchmarks and how to align measurement strategies with meaningful outcomes in today’s dynamic landscape. Get ready for a fast-paced, high-energy session packed with valuable insights.
Jenni Baker
Senior Editor – Branded Content The Drum
10.50am
Keynote: Connecting with consumers through community
In these times of diminishing consumer trust brands need to find new ways to connect. Communities provide a unique opportunity for brands to break through the trust epidemic and connect with audiences in a way that truly resonates. Find out how tapping into community can boost effectiveness and creativity.
Kat Bozicevich
Managing Director MG OMD
11.10am
Break
11.40am
Analysis: Oxford Debate - This house proposes that in 2025 the media is more important than the creative.
Which is most important in today’s fragmented media marketplace – the use of media or getting the right creative message. We pit top media strategists against creatives to slug it out to discover whether the media or the message is the most important in building brand engagement and sales.
Lynn Lester
Senior Vice President, Events & Marketing The Drum
Dane Buchanan
Chief Data & Analytics Officer M&C Saatchi Performance
Richard Morris
CEO, UK & EMEA IPG Media brands
12.10pm
Analysis: The Omnicom/IPG shakedown
It's nine months since the Omnicom and IPG deal was first announced and despite some reservations the takeover has been green-lighted by US regulators, so it's a goer. There's been lots of speculation...so let's have some more on how the deal is expected to shake out and impact the industry? Our panel will discuss the potential impact of this mega-deal.
Barry Dudley
Partner Green Square
Ajaz Ahmed
Co-founder Studio.One
Jon Goulding
CEO ATOMIC
12.40pm
Insight panel: Contextual advertising under the microscope
In partnership with
This panel explores how context-driven strategies are reshaping digital advertising - offering brand safety, creative alignment and scalable performance. Join us to learn why context is becoming the cornerstone of effective, privacy-first marketing.
Jenni Baker
Senior Editor – Branded Content The Drum
1pm
Lunch
2pm
Feature: The Great AI Showdown
In this live showdown of machine minds, we put four of the world’s leading AI platforms - ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Claude – through their paces. Each will tackle the same marketing challenges, prompts and questions in real time. You’ll judge their responses and vote for the sharpest, smartest and most surprising AI. Who will win the battle of the bots? You decide. Let the AI face-off begin.
ChatGPT
Open AI
Gemini
Perplexity
Perplexity AI, Inc.
Claude
Anthropic
2.30pm
Insight panel: Turning data into growth
In partnership with
This panel explores how commercial analytics can uncover actionable insights, optimise marketing investment, and inform smarter strategic decisions. Experts will discuss the latest innovations in data integration, marketing mix modelling, and ROI measurement - revealing how analytics can move from retrospective reporting to future-focused growth planning in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Jenni Baker
Senior Editor – Branded Content The Drum
2.50pm
Fireside Chat: Inside the TGI Fridays relaunch
In 2024 the TGI Fridays restaurant chain went in to administration, but a last-minute deal saw the brand and 51 one of its UK restaurants rescued. On July 4th - Independence Day - the brand was officially rebranded, re-positioned and relaunched. We hear from CMO, Rhiannon Scarlett, on the role marketing is playing as the brand looks to return to its former glory as one of the UK's favorite US-flavored restaurants.
Amy Houston
Senior Editor The Drum
Rhiannon Scarlett
CMO TGI Fridays
3.10pm
Rapid-Fire Insights: 15-minute power talk
Get ready for a fast-paced, high-energy session packed with valuable insights. In just 15 minutes, industry experts will cut straight to the point, sharing bold ideas, key trends, and actionable takeaways to inspire and inform. No fluff—just powerful marketing insights delivered at speed!
3.25pm
Break
3.55pm
Analysis: Question Time – Holding Co CEOs under the spotlight
We are inviting leaders from the world’s biggest marketing services agency holding companies to join us for an open Q&A session on what their future holds. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit their questions earlier in the day and hear the CEOs debate and discuss the key issues.
Cameron Clarke
Global Editor The Drum
4.30pm
Closing Keynote
A business heavyweight rounds up the day with what 2026 holds for business.
5pm
Diary: It’s a wrap
The Drum’s editor brings the editorial day to a close with an overview of what we have covered, published and a few ‘funnies’ from the day.
5.10pm
Hit the bar
Relax and network over a few drinks to bring day one to a close. But don’t drink too much – The Drum Live Day 2 kicks off tomorrow.
Day 2
8.30am
Registration, tea & coffee
Welcome to Day 2. You’re now part of The Drum’s editorial team! If you’re a new recruit then get your ‘Editorial Headshot’ for our flannel panel on your way in, grab a coffee and get ready for another day of live and interactive content creation.
9.30am
Flannel Panel - Meet the team
Meet The Drum’s Editor Cameron Clarke as he introduces the key members of The Drum’s editorial, online, podcast, events and production team, what will be happening over the course of The Drum Live and how attendees can get involved in helping us create The Drum's content.
Cameron Clarke
Global Editor The Drum
Lynn Lester
Senior Vice President, Events & Marketing The Drum
Richard Draycott
Associate Editor & VP of Community Engagement The Drum
Thomas O'Neill
Homepage editor The Drum
John McCarthy
Opinion Editor The Drum
Jenni Baker
Senior Editor – Branded Content The Drum
9.40am
News: Morning Editorial Conference
Imagine - you are a Drum journalist for the day. What stories or topical issues would you pitch in to The Drum's editor Cameron Clarke? Listen in as our invited guests adopt the role of marketing journalists to pitch and discuss the stories they would cover if they were in The Drum's editorial team.
Cameron Clarke
Global Editor The Drum
Sam Anderson
Intelligence Editor The Drum
Chris Camacho
CEO Cheil UK
Chloë Davies
CEO & Founder It Takes a Village
10am
Opening Keynote
In this scene-setting keynote, Sir Martin Sorrell offers a state-of-the-nation address for the marketing industry, reflecting on where it’s heading post-Omnicom-IPG merger approval. He’ll explore the future of holding companies in an AI-driven world and ask whether the traditional model can still thrive. Expect unfiltered insights from a man who reshaped the agency landscape—and thoughts on how he’d do it differently if starting all over again
Sir Martin Sorrell
Executive Chairman S4 Capital
10.20am
Analysis: Show me the funny
We look back at the funny ads that wouldn’t get made today for fear of offending people and hear from brands and creatives on how to approach humour in advertising without crossing the line.
Sam Anderson
Intelligence Editor The Drum
Alex McQueen
Head of Humour Kitchen
Harry Phillips
Head of Sports Marketing Paddy Power
Noel Bunting
Chief Creative Officer Publicis London
Paddy Gilmore
Founder HumourScope
10.50am
Analysis: Building trust in a privacy-first era
In partnership with
This panel explores how consent and preference management solutions are evolving to help digital platforms stay compliant while enhancing user trust. Experts will discuss best practices, tech innovation, and how businesses can turn regulatory requirements into opportunities for better customer relationships and ethical data use in a privacy-conscious landscape.
Jenni Baker
Senior Editor – Branded Content The Drum
11.10am
Break
11.40am
Analysis: Oxford Debate - This house proposes that by 2030 the Client Services Director will be the most important person in an agency
AI is developing so rapidly right now that the next few years will see untold change to how agencies operate and function. AI and tech will revolutionise research, data, insight, strategy, strategy development, creative and production, but can a machine ever replace the humble Account Manager/Director? We hear from client services team about why they can’t be replaced by technology and the platforms who say they can.
Richard Draycott
Associate Editor & VP of Community Engagement The Drum
12.10pm
Feature: Fireside Chat
The Drum’s Editor interviews a leading brand CMO.
12.30pm
Insight panel: Show me the media money
With so many media options now available where are smart brands going to be spending their marketing money in 2026?
Cameron Clarke
Global Editor The Drum
Sally Weavers
Founder Craft Media
12.50pm
Analysis - Martech in 2025
What does the sensible tech stack look like in 2025/26 and are brands really getting value from their tech stack?
1pm
Lunch
2pm
Feature: Game Show: A Question of Sports (Marketing)
Two teams of marketing experts go head to head in The Drum’s homage to the top TV games show to discuss the big opportunities around sports and sports entertainment marketing.
Cameron Clarke
Global Editor The Drum
2.30pm
Analysis: B2B has arrived! This is much more than a moment
B2B marketing has now caught up with its B2C cousins. But has it taken over? With smart use of data and insight into customer journeys are B2B marketers now the smartest kids on the marketing block?
2.50pm
Feature: Fireside Chat
We catch up with a leading brand CMO to find out which industry stories/events/challenges are grabbing their attention right now and why?
Amy Houston
Senior Editor The Drum
3.10pm
Rapid-Fire Insights: 15-Minute Power Talk
Get ready for a fast-paced, high-energy session packed with valuable insights. In just 15 minutes, industry experts will cut straight to the point, sharing bold ideas, key trends, and actionable takeaways to inspire and inform. No fluff—just powerful marketing insights delivered at speed!
3.25pm
Break
3.55pm
Analysis: Question Time – CMOs on the Spot
We host an open Q&A session with global brand CMOs to discuss and debate the challenges and opportunities facing them in 2025/26. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit their questions earlier in the day and hear the CMOs answer their questions.
Lynn Lester
Senior Vice President, Events & Marketing The Drum
Jessica Myers
Chief Customer Officer Very
4.30pm
Analysis: Under The Influencers
Have the rules changes in 2025? With Unilever revealing more than 50% of its budget is now spent on social and influencers what does that mean for the future of advertising and media? Our panel of advertising experts, influencers and social specialists look to the future.
Lynn Lester
Senior Vice President, Events & Marketing The Drum
Detch Singh
CEO Hypetap
4.50pm
Opinion: Closing Keynote
A business heavyweight rounds up the day with what 2026 holds for business.
5.10pm
Diary: It’s a Wrap!
The Drum’s editorial team brings the editorial day to a close with an overview of what we have covered, published and a few ‘funnies’ from the day.
5.15pm
Hit the bar
Relax and network over a few drinks to bring The Drum Live to a close for 2025.
2.30pm
News: Afternoon Editorial Conference
Join The Drum’s senior editors and invited guests to update on the day's major news stories and find out if any of the morning’s discussed stories have developed.
Cameron Clarke
Global Editor The Drum
Tom Banks
Creative Editor The Drum
10.45am
Rapid-Fire Insights: 15-Minute Power Talk
Get ready for a fast-paced, high-energy session packed with valuable insights. In just 15 minutes, industry experts will cut straight to the point, sharing bold ideas, key trends, and actionable takeaways to inspire and inform. No fluff—just powerful marketing insights delivered at speed!
12.30pm
Analysis: Going In-House
With AI making research, strategy, creative and production so much faster and cheaper will we see more brands take their marketing in-house? Our expert panels discuss the pros and cons for brands of going ‘in-house’, the unique challenges it presents and look at where in-housing has succeeded and failed.
