10 Sessions To Watch At Advertising Week Europe

If you're attending Advertising Week Europe on May 10-12 this year, I am here to highlight a few things worth seeing. I've decided to use a retro listicle format because I am still pretending to live in the pre-pandemic era.

Now seriously, we are in 2021, so if you aren't attending, what are you waiting for? Sign up! It's all virtual so no worries about travel or late nights; you can just tune in when it suits you.

I’ve chosen 10 sessions from nearly 150 different options available live and on demand. Hopefully this will give you a taste of the programme ahead of the event next week. I accept no responsibility for failing to tell you here about another 140 sessions.....you need to discover those for yourself.

1. Taking Action to Improve the Representation of Black People in Marketing

I like this session because it talks about action. Not fluffy terms about how things should be more equal. Nope, it’s just about actual action to make sure Black people are represented in marketing and how to do that. With Nicola Mendelsohn, VP of Facebook EMEA; Julian Douglas, International CEO at VCCP, June Sarpong, Presenter & Author at Diversify; and Bejay Mulenga, founder and MD, Supa Academy.

 2. John Cleese and Colleen DeCourcy, Great Minds Interview

It’s the legendary Monty Python comic in conversation with one of the world’s top creative minds, Colleen DeCourcy of Wieden and Kennedy. They’re going to discuss John’s book on creativity and see how many of the lessons he shares can apply to creativity in the commercial and advertising space. Be warned. There will be lots and lots of fun.

 3. Embracing Change: How we found Happy Place

I’m in this session but that’s not why you should tune in. I’m just there to highlight the really interesting brand Happy Place, set up by presenter and author Fearne Cotton. I love the realistic and refreshing way she talks about making the brand accessible to people, handling difficult issues around mental health and experimentation. Straightforward and inspiring.

4. What Men Can Do to Be Better Allies to Women

Sometimes women get tired of talking about the desire to feel safe or equal. So here is a thought provoking panel led by a man who cares about the lack of physical and psychological safety that women feel throughout their lives. A candid look at everyday sexism, micro-aggressions and what being an ally really means.

5. Personal Leadership and How to Change Your Life in 10 Seconds Flat

I love Sherilyn Shackell, founder of The Marketing Academy. This is a session that is about changing the way you think. She takes a dive into topics such as personal leadership, tools to build resilience, and simple but powerful tips to boost your energy, reduce overwhelm and take back control of your life. Be warned: She's likely to swear a lot and that makes it much more fun than your standard leadership seminar. As a fellow human who loves bad language, this is the session for me.

6. Driving Meaningful Change, with Baroness Oona King and June Sarpong, OBE

Baroness Oona King from Snap (who has a long and fabulous history ranging from politics to presenting in her past) and award-winning author and presenter June Sarpong OBE discuss their shared mission to drive meaningful and lasting diversity, equity, and inclusion. They mix entertaining conversation and laughter with their deep knowledge of the subject.

7. The Future of Periods, with Jody Elphick, Callaly

Now this is a topic I never thought I’d see on stage in my lifetime. But yes! It’s here! The future of periods. One of the biggest revelations of my adult life is discovering how few men really know what’s going on in a woman’s pants, despite all the cheesy jokes I heard about that in nightclubs as a teenager. So tune in to hear from Jody Elphick from Callaly, which is a organic period product brand.

8. The Future of Museums: Can NFTs, MOOC's, and XR Save Our Cultural Institutions?

I find the NFT hype a little baffling sometimes but these guys are here to discuss the potential for culture. Looking at the future of museums, experts from the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego and artists among others explain what digital transformation, NFT's, XR, and digital communities can bring to our cultural institutions to ensure a robust future for the arts. Interesting and super relevant to now.

9. Is it Time For Brands to Make People Laugh Again?

I mean the answer is clearly yes. If you want to find out more from Walkers, VCCP, Paddy Power and Strat House, then tune in. I have no idea if they agree with me frankly but a world without humour?? Never!

10. It Groaned, It Chewed, It Conquered: Inside Pringles’ Frank the Zombie Campaign

Speaking of laughter, this session does well on the fun name. I'm a sucker for a great session title. But it’s more than fun. It’s a really good case study of how a consumer goods brand can use gaming to make an impact. Want to understand why Pringles used a gaming zombie on Twitch? Well, me too, frankly. What were you guys thinking? Looking forward to finding out.

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And that's it. Join us for everything I forgot here, the Future is Female Awards, networking, breakfasts, lunches, closed-door roundtables to tackle big issues. Don't miss out on the last major virtual event before summer....when we know you'll all rightfully be in Europe's parks soaking up the sun and no longer on your sofas.