Let’s hear it loud and clear: the Amplify festival is back - 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, Joint Creative Director of Frame.

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Kicking off the day is a firm festival favourite - The Ogilvy Lecture, a tribute to David Ogilvy, a proud and passionate Scot who founded Ogilvy & Mather in New York which grew into 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 “You will never win fame and fortune unless you invent big ideas”. Smart guy, right?

Joanne Lynn, Joint MD, Lux EventsJoanne Lynn, Joint MD, Lux Events
Joanne Lynn, Joint MD, Lux Events

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, Chief Customer Officer at Nando'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.

Sarah will be introduced by Paul O'Donnell, outgoing Chairman of Ogilvy EMEA.

Another highlight of Amplify is the Clients v Agencies Creative Challenge, this year chaired by The Marketing Society CEO Sophie Devonshire. Star Awards Rising Stars and Future Leader Members are battling it out, with each team pitching global award-winning campaigns to persuade the audience to vote for their idea. The current score is Clients – 4, Agencies – 3 with the Clients winning the title for the past 3 consecutive years. The Agencies seriously need to up their game!

Rory Sutherland and Jan Gooding during the 2019 Ogilvy LectureRory Sutherland and Jan Gooding during the 2019 Ogilvy Lecture
Rory Sutherland and Jan Gooding during the 2019 Ogilvy Lecture

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 Marketing Guide and showcase the power of diversity in boosting creativity, innovation and collaboration.And finally, what’s a festival without 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.

You can find out more about Amplify and details on how to book tickets by clicking here.

Joanne Lynn, Joint MD, Lux Events

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