Open Partners
at MAD//North
Open Partners are proud sponsors of the Content, Culture and Creativity stage at MAD//North 2026, delivering two strategic and insightful talks to brands, leaders, and marketers with big growth ambitions.
Find details on our talks and opportunities to be presented our talks in 1-1 sessions below.
To learn more about Open Partners, click here.
Our//Talks
Mid-funnel Monsters: Unlocking the Biggest Performance Opportunity of Our Time
Where does the biggest growth opportunity for brands sit in 2026?
This talk explores why the mid-funnel holds one of the most powerful (and most overlooked) opportunities for brands today.
We’ll explore how culture, content and creativity can be used to maximise the mid-funnel, taking you along Autotrader’s journey to becoming true ‘mid-funnel monsters’. We’ll look at how they captured the moments where attention turns into intent, the brand strategy behind it, and the ‘Big 4’ platforms they leveraged to achieve record-breaking performance.
You’ll leave with a clear, repeatable way to do more with less, using creativity and culture to unlock a new level of performance for your brand.
- Date: 26 February 2026
- Time: 10:20 AM to 10:40 AM
- Stage: Content, Culture + Creativity
Co-Founder, Open Partners
Head of Performance, Autotrader
Managing Partner, Creative & Strategy - Open Partners
Marketing Manager UK EMEA - MPM
Brand Manager - MPM
Being Odd: Culture Engines and Brave Clients
How can brands sit at the centre of culture and be seen and remembered amongst the noise?
This talk explores how in 2026, the UK’s most forward-thinking brands are thriving by trading “perfect” for “memorable,” to forge deeper, more human connections with their audiences.
This isn’t about being messy, but about a sophisticated embrace of esoteric humour, deliberate imperfection, and the “structural friction” of the odd.
You’ll learn the importance of being the brave client – one with a strategy that ensures your brand is celebrated and discussed at the centre of culture rather than being politely, and expensively, ignored.
Date: 26 February 2026
Time: 1:50 PM to 2:10 PM
Stage: Content, Culture + Creativity
Where else you'll find us
The North: an Innovation Hub of Change
How the region is driving media + tech innovation
Why the North is a hotbed of tech start-ups & disruptive indies
Talent, creativity & entrepreneurial energy. Is there a northern advantage?
Date: 25 February 2026
Time: 10:00 to 10:20 AM
Stage: Media + Tech
CEO - Open Partners
Non-Exec Director - Open Partners
OP at MAD//North
Open Partners are proud sponsors of the Content, Culture and Creativity stage at MAD//North 2026, delivering two strategic and insightful talks to brands, leaders, and marketers with big growth ambitions.
Find details on our talks and opportunities to be presented our talks in 1-1 sessions below.
To learn more about Open Partners, click here.
Our talks
Mid-funnel Monsters: Unlocking the Biggest Performance Opportunity of Our Time
Co-Founder, Open Partners
Head of Performance, Autotrader
Where does the biggest growth opportunity for brands sit in 2026?
This talk explores why the mid-funnel holds one of the most powerful (and most overlooked) opportunities for brands today.
We’ll explore how culture, content and creativity can be used to maximise the mid-funnel, taking you along Autotrader’s journey to becoming true ‘mid-funnel monsters’. We’ll look at how they captured the moments where attention turns into intent, the brand strategy behind it, and the ‘Big 4’ platforms they leveraged to achieve record-breaking performance.
You’ll leave with a clear, repeatable way to do more with less, using creativity and culture to unlock a new level of performance for your brand.
- Date: 26 February 2026
- Time: 10:20 AM to 10:40 AM
- Stage: Content, Culture + Creativity
Being Odd: Culture Engines and Brave Clients
Managing Partner, Creative & Strategy - Open Partners
Marketing Manager UK EMEA - MPM
Brand Manager - MPM
How can brands sit at the centre of culture and be seen and remembered amongst the noise?
This talk explores how in 2026, the UK’s most forward-thinking brands are thriving by trading “perfect” for “memorable,” to forge deeper, more human connections with their audiences.
This isn’t about being messy, but about a sophisticated embrace of esoteric humour, deliberate imperfection, and the “structural friction” of the odd.
You’ll learn the importance of being the brave client – one with a strategy that ensures your brand is celebrated and discussed at the centre of culture rather than being politely, and expensively, ignored.
Date: 26 February 2026
Time: 1:50 PM to 2:10 PM
Stage: Content, Culture + Creativity
Where else you'll find us
CEO - Open Partners
Non-Exec Director - Open Partners
The North: an Innovation Hub of Change
How the region is driving media + tech innovation
Why the North is a hotbed of tech start-ups & disruptive indies
Talent, creativity & entrepreneurial energy. Is there a northern advantage?
Date: 25 February 2026
Time: 10:00 to 10:20 AM
Stage: Media + Tech
1-1 Sessions
Miss our talks at MAD//North?
Get in touch to request a 1-1 session with our speakers covering everything you missed on the day.
