Obama figure to star in marketing festival

Thomas Gensemer, who led Mr Obama's online campaign, is expected to be one of the main draws at the five-day event, which is being held during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Creative experts, public relations consultants and advertising experts are expected to travel from all over the world for the festival which will include panel debates, keynote speeches, and networking events.

Other speakers include Jimmie Stone, a partner in New York's Green Team advertising and branding agency, ITV's marketing director David Pemsel, and Mark Borkowski, one of Britain's leading PR gurus.

Issues due to be explored in the festival programme include how to create a major impact with a low-budget campaign, how music has become integral to marketing, and the latest social marketing trends.

Festival director Graeme Atha said: "We believe the time is right to celebrate the art and craft of marketing and marketing communications as a central and dynamic aspect of both business and culture.

"Where better to showcase this than as part of the world's biggest and best arts festival?"

Members of The Marketing Society will also select a range of Festival events on the basis of product innovation, promotional effectiveness and ticket sales before being judged.