Events : New look invite-only iMedia Summit, April 24 at BAFTA is reserved for the advertisers, agencies and media owners with the most clout

Dan Brain writes .. Conferences. You know the drill, right? You pay an hour or so of Wayne Rooney’s weekly salary to sit in a room of people talking in clichés and flogging their wares on stage or over a cup of insipid coffee in the lobby of a rubbish hotel?

Well that’s not the iMedia Summit experience. This year’s new look invite-only Summit on 24 April at BAFTA is reserved for the advertisers, agencies and media owners with the most clout.

Drawing on the success of the global iMedia format, the Summit provides a space for invited VIP’s to network informally, share ideas through round-table discussions or debate the big issues in the conference. It’s ‘Chatham House’ rules so discussion is open, frank and focused on collaborative learning (plus there’s no chance of getting stitched up in the press by saying something remotely controversial).

Click here to apply for a complimentary pass including the conference, dinner and all social activities.
The event organisers have stripped down and condensed this year’s Summit into one very full day focused on knowledge sharing, topical debate and networking. Running from breakfast through to dinner and beyond, guests will hear from genuine industry thought leaders, meet new people and develop relationships. They may even advance their own careers…

Attendees will even have the chance to share a three course dinner and some decent wine with VIP guests including actor and social media sensation David Schneider, or ‘that bloke from Alan Partridge’ as he refers to himself on the website for his new agency, THATLOT.

Whilst this year’s gathering will break the iMedia tradition of an overnight and time spent ruining a good walk on the golf course (impossible in the West End unless you like those weird simulators), the whole event has been designed to provide maximum reward for the investment of your precious time whilst preserving the strong social side iMedia Summits are famed for.

Lively ‘Chatham House’ rules debate

Drawing heavily on the 30-strong community of industry experts who help steer the content, this year’s line-up is the strongest yet with more than 40 top brands, agencies and publishers sharing strategic insight on marketing and media hot topics.

For the sake of being different… – http://t.co/RIOqwEYhV8 http://t.co/kkd7vl3nG0 … via @iMediaTweet

— Will Corry (@slievemore) March 10, 2014

Ian James, Starcom’s Chief Digital Officer has been appointed as Chairman of the Summit and will inspire discussion by asking interesting and thought-provoking questions. No pressure, Ian. “We’re expecting some lively ‘Chatham House’ style debate on everything from global media planning and branding to digital transformation and talent infrastructure, making the iMedia Summit – a must for any senior marketing and media exec,” says Ian, a digital veteran with more than 15 years experience of working for the biggest brands, agencies and publishers.

Keynote focus Bettina Sherick, SVP Digital Strategic Marketing, 20th Century Fox

LA-based Bettina heads up 20th Century Fox’s global digital marketing and content development strategy for theatrical releases. Bettina’s keynote presentation will draw on major releases like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Xmen: Days of Future Past and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes to provide the inside-track on how the Hollywood studio has used the small screen to market the big screen experience – a fitting focus for BAFTA. Dave Trott, Author & Legendary Creative Dave, one of the most awarded ad men in history, will inspire your ruthless streak and ability to use disruptive ideas, creativity and risk taking in beating the competition. Drawing on his acclaimed staccato-style book Predatory Thinking and a track-record of delivering iconic campaigns for global brands like Pepsi and Toshiba, Dave’s keynote will provide plenty of anecdotes, lateral thinking and inspiration to take back to the office. Click here to read an interview with Dave.

Sam Singh, VP & Global Head of Media, GSK A fireside chat with Sam will put the stethoscope to the healthcare giant GSK’s media integration, targeting and engagement strategy. With the £2.2 billion healthcare market growing at 4.6% in the UK alone, Sam’s session promises to reveal valuable insight on how GSK works with its evolving agency roster to take around 1200 branded products to 140 global markets.

Touch and feel This year’s Summit has two distinct themes – Touch and Engage. Touch will put a spotlight on the most effective and efficient customer targeting strategies and technologies covering data, programmatic media and omnichannel integration. Confirmed speakers include leaders from Argos, American Express, Novartis, moneysupermarket.com and Odeon. Engage will show how leading brands are leveraging techniques, technologies and platforms like video, mobile and content marketing to build deeper and more valuable relationships with customers. Attendees will also come together at different points of the day to hear from brands like Unilever, Kraft and Shell to discuss issues like global media planning, brand publishing and experiential content.

Big hitters and supporters With a delegate list featuring major players from the likes of Diageo, Tesco, Mondelez, Sony Entertainment, Virgin Media, WPP, Havas, WPP, Omnicom and Publicis, it’s little wonder that firms like Aol, dmg media, Turn, outbrain, Teradata and Mediaocean are getting behind the event as sponsors. Some will be speaking alongside key industry players in the conference, others will be staging their own closed door round-table discussion groups. All will be contributing to the conversation and benefiting from time spent with a strictly vetted audience of decision makers. “We created the iMedia Summit as a different kind of quality-focused event for industry leaders to meet, debate key issues and share ideas. The strength of the audience and content has helped create a strong sense of community and a second-to-none value proposition for guests and sponsors alike,” says James Drake-Brockman, who heads up iMedia events in Europe and India.

Whether you value cliché-free content or proper networking time over good food and wine, this year’s Summit promises much for anyone looking to get ahead in marketing and media.

Click here to apply for a complimentary pass including the conference, dinner and all social activities.

A range of bespoke sponsorship opportunities are now available encompassing thought leadership, branding, networking, dinner and drinks options. Call Tim Brown, Sponsorship Manager on +44 (0)20 3615 2836 or email timbrown@dmgevents.com

Read more at http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/36126.asp#ZgZkvL1BqLiugJjG.99