MAD//North 2027 Heads Back to Manchester
MAD//North 2027 will return to March 2027 at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, marking its third consecutive year at the iconic Manchester venue. The announcement was made during MAD//Fest earlier this month, following another successful edition that welcomed approximately 4,000 delegates from across the North’s creative, media, and marketing industries. The continued partnership reflects the event’s growing popularity and Manchester’s status as one of the UK’s leading creative hubs.
Event Continues to Grow Year After Year
Since establishing itself in Manchester, MAD//North has experienced consistent year-on-year growth, attracting an expanding audience of marketing professionals, advertisers, media experts, creative agencies, and technology innovators. The event has built a strong reputation for bringing together influential voices from across the industry while providing valuable networking opportunities and thought-provoking discussions.
Global Brands Join the Creative Community
The previous edition featured participation from several internationally recognized brands, including Unilever, Bupa, Primark, Manchester City FC, Stripe, ITV, TikTok, and BBC. These organizations were joined by agencies, creators, entrepreneurs, innovators, and emerging talent from across Northern England and beyond, creating a vibrant platform for collaboration, business development, and knowledge sharing.
‘Northern Soul’ Inspired a Unique Event Experience
A defining feature of the latest edition was its “Northern Soul” theme, which shaped the overall visitor experience. Rather than following a conventional conference format, MAD//North adopted a design-led and “unconference-style” approach that encouraged attendees to move freely between sessions, engage in meaningful conversations, and create their own personalized event journey. The combination of inspiring content, networking opportunities, live activations, and interactive experiences created an engaging atmosphere throughout the venue.
Manchester Provides the Perfect Setting
Manchester has become a natural home for MAD//North thanks to its thriving creative ecosystem and collaborative business environment. The event makes full use of the campus-style setting around Aviva Studios and the surrounding St John’s district, connecting visitors with nearby cultural venues, creative businesses, restaurants, and local attractions. This integration helps create an event experience that reflects the city’s distinctive creative identity while supporting the wider local economy.
Organizers Excited to Build on Success
Commenting on the announcement, Dan Brain, Co-founder of MAD//Fest, said returning to Manchester and Aviva Studios was an easy decision after receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, partners, and the wider creative community. He highlighted the city’s energy, openness, and collaborative spirit as key reasons for the event’s continued success, adding that Aviva Studios provides the flexibility and scale needed to deliver an ambitious and engaging experience.
Factory International Welcomes the Return
Stephanie Williams, Head of Events at Factory International, described MAD//North as exactly the type of event the venue aims to host. She praised the festival for encouraging bold conversations while celebrating creativity, innovation, and business as a force for positive change. Williams also commended the organizers for transforming both the venue and its surrounding area into a vibrant destination filled with inspiring content and influential industry leaders.
Expanded Plans for MAD//North 2027
The 2027 edition is expected to build on the successful campus-style model introduced in previous years. Organizers are exploring opportunities to expand the event with additional programming, stronger partnerships with local organizations, and new ways to connect visitors with Manchester’s wider cultural and creative community. These enhancements are expected to further strengthen the event’s position as one of the UK’s premier gatherings for the creative, media, and marketing sectors.
MAD//North 2027 Set to Strengthen Manchester’s Creative Reputation
As preparations begin for the 2027 edition, MAD//North is expected to attract even more global brands, industry leaders, creative professionals, and innovators. By combining inspiring content, collaborative experiences, and meaningful business connections, the event will continue to reinforce Manchester’s reputation as a leading destination for creativity, innovation, and marketing excellence.
