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10 things to see at Advertising Week Europe: Editor's Overview

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By Stephen Lepitak, -

March 20, 2017 | 6 min read

Ahead of this year’s Advertising Week Europe, The Drum’s editor Stephen Lepitak shares the 10 events he’s most looking forward to... and which you should be too.

Advertising Week Europe

Advertising Week Europe

Advertising Week is always a mammoth operation. People don’t appreciate just how much work goes on behind the scenes to make it happen each year in places like New York, London, Tokyo and, soon, Mexico City.

The team at Stillwell Partners are constantly on the hunt for the best, most exciting industry-related content – be that through the industry’s biggest thinkers, the hottest topics of the day or the sprinkling of some celebrity stardust. Add in catching up with peers at the many networking events and you have an unmissable agenda.

With over 175 seminars and workshops over four days, leadership breakfasts, special events and fringe events galore, there really is something for everyone. Here’s my own highlights for this year.

1. The Chairman’s Desk – Monday, 20 March, Fast Company Stage, 10.15am

Opening the week will be IPG chairman and chief executive Michael Roth on stage with CNN Money’s Nina dos Santos, as well as Wired’s UK executive editor Greg Williams, Bob Saffin, Fast Company editor and Henry Mance, political correspondent for the FT, to talk all things politics. Expect Trump, Brexit and other major industry concerns to get an airing.

2. Google’s Matt Brittin talks to Unilever’s Keith Weed – Monday, 20 March, Fast Company Stage, 11.15am

Two senior executives of the industry’s most important global companies discuss the opportunities that the digital climate offers marketers today. This is a unique opportunity to listen to two of European advertising’s most influential figures to offer insight and knowledge on the same stage.

3. Richard E Grant, “Confessions of a Perfumed Ponce” – Monday, 20 March, Shutterstock Stage, 5.15pm

The much-loved Withnail & I actor (who also starred in the 1989 hit How to Get Ahead in Advertising) speaks to Marie Claire’s editor-in-chief Trish Halpin about how he transitioned into the brand business with his fragrance Line ‘Jack’. Grant can tell a story better than most, doesn’t hold prisoners, and will no doubt reminisce over a few of his famous encounters over the years. Expect him to be similarly honest when offering insights on his brand building experiences.

4. Opening Gala – Monday, 20 March, 6.30pm

Once again held at St. James’s Palace, this is the best opportunity of the week for the industry to catch up and mingle for those fortunate enough to score an invite.

5. The Truth is Out There – Tuesday, 21 March, Shutterstock Stage, 11am

When the world is at a loss when it comes to what to it can believe in the news, the editor of the Independent Christian Broughton talks about the rise of #fakenews and the need for trusted content in a “post truth” world. He also discusses programmatic distribution with members of his team and will share insights of taking the newspaper digital-only a year ago.

6. The Russian World Cup – How Will 2018’s biggest show be watched? – Tuesday, 21 March, Shutterstock Stage, 1.15pm

James Kirkham, head of football media brand Copa90, and James Griff, director of The Bleacher Report, tackle together the challenges and opportunities for both broadcasters and brands at the game’s flagship tournament. How do they expect fans and brands to interact with next year’s World Cup away from the TV set, and what does that mean for the live sporting viewing habits of the future?

7. Renaissance: A New Creative Value System – Tuesday, 21 March, Fast Company Stage, 3.15pm

Join Dentsu Aegis Network’s UK & Ireland chief executive Tracy De Groose and guests for a lively discussion about how creativity fuels the digital economy, why she believes it’s vital that our industry embarks on a rebirth – and where art and science fit in to a new creative value system.

8. The Power of Visibility: Equality in the Age of YouTube, Wednesday, 22 March, The Guardian Stage, 1.15pm

Joining Publicis London and Poke chief executive Nick Farnhill on stage to talk about the role of influencers will be Rose Ellen Dix and Rosie Spaughton, YouTube’s “Rose and Rosie”. They will talk about what they find successful when communicating social messages to an ever-growing video audience. Expect the trio to have an engaging conversation about conveying difficult subjects to a mass audience, which is never an easy task.

9. Thoughts from the Head of Advertising: A Talk by Mark Denton Esq – Thursday, 23 March, IPA Centenary Stage, 1pm

In an industry full of personalities few are as intriguing or as entertaining than the always creative Mr Denton. He plans to share how clients can get their money’s worth from creative people – but I guarantee that you won’t know what to expect from him in advance.

10. The Next-Gen Newsroom – Thursday, 23 March, Shutterstock Stage, 3.45pm

Finally, a shameless plug for my own panel for this week, featuring commercial bosses from the Bleacher Report, the Lad Bible and Hearst, discussing building the future of media. They’ll share their experiences of running a publishing company in the social media age – and how each of their approaches will evolve.

Also, be sure to visit us at The Drum Arms, our pub takeover of the Queen’s Head on Denman Street, Piccadilly Circus. We’ll be serving refreshments and hosting events and gatherings for the duration of Advertising Week Europe.

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