Highlights from the Female Leaders’ Club at MAD//Fest 2024
MAD//Fest was back with a bang this year, with a larger venue the perfect addition to enable the festival to accommodate the huge number of attendees that flock. And it wasn’t just the increased amount of space at Truman Brewery that went down well. The content on display was premium and diverse, delighting all those that came down across the three days.
Propeller Group was proud to get involved, sponsoring The Female Leaders’ Club – an initiative that has grown year on year. This space, which has a focus on amplifying female voices, was a resounding success, hosting numerous talks with leading women in the industry.
Our very own Jocelyn Wright Medhurst, Associate Director, had the opportunity to host a fireside chat alongside Helen O’Donnell, Head of Development at BBC Studios. The two led an engaging discussion around the secret to creating family content that entertains children and resonates with adults.
Much of the session was taken up by chatting all-things Bluey, the award-winning phenomenon that has drawn praise and attention around the world for its realistic and humorous depictions of family life. The conversation soon turned to BBC Studios’ collaborations with content creators, and the way this extends its reach. Whether it’s David Attenborough or Munya Chawawa – the real skill lies in using these influential figures appropriately and effectively to unlock deeper audience engagement.
The spotlight wasn’t just on us
We were thrilled to see so many Propeller clients throughout the conference, participating in panels and hosting their own discussions.
Haines McGregor, the design, branding and strategy agency, hosted a discussion with Nikola Maravić, Senior Director of Global Marketing at Carlsberg, on the Creativity Stage. They explored all things 1664 Blanc, connecting the dots between consumer, culture and brand, sharing how Carlsberg Group established the most elegant beer brand in the world.
Creative Strategist & Music Producer, Becky Wixon, hosted a panel as part of Songtradr’s gender equality initiative ‘Balance the Mix: Why Empowering Women in Music Amplifies Brands’. This panel explored the idea that “who makes the work, shapes the work”, reiterating the importance of including diverse voices at all stages of creative production.
Meanwhile, GroupM CEO Josh Krichefski joined a discussion on ‘How to Support Your Team’s Mental Wellness’, emphasising the importance of fostering a more emotionally aware workplace culture.
Looking back, there’s no need for rose-tinted glasses. MAD//Fest 2024 was a remarkable and overwhelming success, showcasing the best in marketing innovation and thought leadership. The Female Leaders’ Club shone bright as a beacon of inspiration and empowerment, highlighting the incredible contributions of women in the industry. We’re proud to have been part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking festival, and look forward to continuing to support initiatives that drive positive change and foster inclusivity in the marketing world.