LEAD 2024 Agenda

08:30 Registration & Coffee

09:00 Welcome from our Host

Samira Ahmed, Journalist & Broadcaster

09:05 The UK’s Economic Outlook

CBI’s Chief Executive will deliver a keynote on the importance of a positive economic vision to strengthen the UK’s competitiveness; prepare for the future of work; secure green growth and stay at the forefront of technology and innovation.

Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive, CBI  

09:25 Advertising’s Big Questions

ABQs is a collection of essays curated by industry think tank Credos, which try to answer the public’s most frequently asked questions about advertising. In this session we’ll be tackling some of its meatiest topics.

• Laurence Green, Director of Effectiveness, IPA 
• Bridget Angear, Founding Partner, craig+bridget 
• Enyi Nwosu, Chief Strategy Officer, UM London 
• Phil Smith, Director General, ISBA   

09:55 Government Keynote   

The Secretary of State will outline the government’s plans for the creative industries and highlight her key priorities for 2024.

The Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport  

10:05 Opposition Keynote

The Shadow Minister will give a speech on Labour’s aspirations for the creative industries in the coming year.

Sir Chris Bryant MP, Shadow Minister, Creative Industries and Digital

10:15 Political Keynote

An entertaining and informative look at the latest developments from inside Westminster, followed by audience Q&A. 

Kate McCann, Political Editor, Times Radio 

10:40 Refreshment Break

11:15 Advertising and the Online Safety Act

Lord Grade will make a special address on the implementation of the Online Safety Act, highlighting specific points about advertising within the context of both broadcasting and online safety regimes.

Lord Michael Grade, Chair, Ofcom

11:30 Public Trust in Advertising: Why the ASA’s Regulation Matters

In conversation with the Advertising Association Chair, the ASA team will share their priorities for ad regulation, including key areas such as AI, online regulation and green claims, and discuss why industry support for the ASA helps build trust in advertising.

• Dame Annette King DBE, Global Lead, Marketing Practice, Accenture Song & Chair, Advertising Association
• Guy Parker, Chief Executive, ASA
• Shahriar Coupal, Director of Advertising Policy and Practice, ASA
• Donna Castle, Director of Communications, ASA

12:00 Keynote Address: The Rt Hon Gordon Brown

LEAD is delighted to announce an exclusive keynote from former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, followed by audience Q&A. 

The Rt Hon Gordon Brown

12:30 Greener Growth: Advertising’s Role in Shaping the Future of the Economy

Join ITV, eBay and System1 Group in a deep dive into how advertising can foster positive changes in consumer behaviour, all while contributing to sustainable growth and profitability. 

• Kate Waters, Director of Client Strategy and Planning, ITV 
• Eve Williams, Vice President & General Manager, eBay UK  
• Chiara Manco, Creative & Media Partnerships Director, System1 Group 

13:00 Lunch

14:00 Unlocking AI’s Potential

Leaders at Meta and Google will deliver keynotes on AI’s potential to unlock substantial productivity benefits to the UK economy, with a specific focus on the UK advertising industry. Following these presentations, our host, Samira Ahmed, will facilitate a Q&A session.  

• Derya Matras, Vice President, UK, Northern Europe, Middle East & Africa, Meta 
• Debbie Weinstein, Vice President and MD of UK & Ireland, Google  
• Samira Ahmed, Journalist & Broadcaster 

14:45 Advertisers’ Sliding Doors Moment

It’s almost game-over for third-party cookies…but is the industry ready? ‘Sliding Doors’ meets the so-called ‘cookie-pocalypse’ as IAB UK’s CMO brings to life two alternative ways forward for advertisers and how each scenario will play out. Find out what you can do today to ensure that you’re not only prepared but taking control of what happens next.

James Chandler, CMO, IAB UK

15:00 Beyond Representation: Bridging Social Impact and Business Success in Advertising

Channel 4’s Diversity in Advertising Award sets out to improve authentic representation in British TV ads. This session will explore how 2022 winners Vanish and Havas London’s portrayal of a disability not only had far-reaching social impact and business success, but was also transformative for the brand.

• Veriça Djurdjevic, Chief Revenue Officer, Channel 4 
• Elliot Harris, Creative Partner, Havas London 
• Cigdem Kurtulus, Global Brand Director, Reckitt   

15:30 The Challenge as the Creative Opportunity

Are growth challenges different for a household name and an emerging brand? Cadbury and Lucky Saint both face hurdles when it comes to creating effective, relevant advertising. Do brands become less agile with age, or does reputation and history allow for bigger, bolder moves?

• David Clements, UK Marketing Lead, Mondelez International
• Clare Hutchinson, Chief Strategy Officer, VCCP
• Emily Laws, Head of Brand, Lucky Saint
• Harjot Singh, Global Chief Strategy Officer, McCann & McCann Worldgroup

16:00 Responsible Growth: What Next?

In this closing speech, AA President Alessandra Bellini will set out what the industry should do next to make a responsible contribution to the UK’s social and economic growth.

Alessandra Bellini, President, Advertising Association

16:10 Networking Drinks

17:00 End of Event

View all speakers here and book your tickets here

“LEAD 2023 was superb! So many key people from across the industry were there. It really is the event where decision makers are listening to the big issues advertising is facing and, crucially, coming up with actual solutions that can be implemented quickly.”

Graham Alexander, Global Communications Director, Teads