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Independent Agencies to Watch 2024

After a popular launch in 2023 our Independent Agencies to Watch list will return in September. Book your tickets now!

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Returning for its second year after a smashing debut in 2023. Shining a spotlight on the North’s most exciting new and growing agencies…

The Independent Agencies to Watch list reveals just some of the incredible independent agencies doing phenomenal things whether it’s a big focus on sustainability, soaring growth with revenue, staff or clients in just a year or two, or making waves with diversity.

For any questions regarding the research, please contact hello@prolificnorth.co.uk

We’ll be revealing the results of this year’s research at an exclusive event in Manchester on 19th September, featuring some lively panel sessions from agency leaders. They’ll be sharing their journeys of growing a successful agency, the set backs and successes that come with it and of course the lessons learnt.

We’ll also be addressing the challenges and opportunities more widely for the agency sector after an unsettled few years. Plus, chatting all about what makes the North such a brilliant place to be creative!

Stay tuned for some more exciting speaker updates coming soon…

Tickets will be limited, so you can snap yours up today below!

Agenda

17:30

Arrival & networking

18:00

Welcome & Introduction

With David Prior, Editor at Prolific North

18:10

Key note session: Fireside chat with Butterfly 3ffect

- Michael Heaven, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Butterfly 3ffect

18:30

Independent Agencies to Watch 2024 - first half

We reveal the first batch of brilliant agencies from this year's research

18:40

Networking break

19:10

Independent Agencies to Watch 2024 - second half

The second half of this year's research

19:20

Panel session: The future for Independent Agencies

Stories, set backs and successes. Plus, we discuss the best ownership structure for indies

Featuring:
- Sam Gregory, Co-CEO at Tangerine
- Mark Hancock, Managing Director at ZUT
- Louise Vaughan, Co-Founder & Chief Client Officer at Definition
- Alex Willcocks, Founder & MD at Engage Interactive
- Russell McGrath - Senior Business Development Manager at Sedulo

20:00

Networking and drinks

20:30

Event close

Speakers

Mark Colour (1)

Mark Hancock

Managing Director

ZUT

View Linkedin Profile

Mark Hancock is managing director and owner of ZUT - A global content creator based in Liverpool. Mark, 43 from Knowsley, went from being one of ZUT’s clients to working at the agency, becoming a director, and eventually buying the business. Under his leadership, ZUT has grown to become one of the leading creative and production companies in the North West, achieving a 4.1 million turnover last year.

TANGERINE HEADSHOTS 13 O6 23 9342

Sam Gregory

Co-CEO

Tangerine

View Linkedin Profile

As co-CEO of independent and employee-owned Tangerine Communications, Sam Gregory has been instrumental in the agency’s growth and has helped Tangerine to become an industry leader in PR and social media communications. Recently awarded Campaign's Global Independent Agency of the year, Tangerine's client roster includes established global brands and disruptive market leaders like Specsavers, Iceland Foods, Essity, Topcon and PPG.

Louise Vaughan 1 Screen

Louise Vaughan

Co-Founder & Chief Client Officer

Definition

View Linkedin Profile

Louise is Co-founder and Chief Client Officer of Definition and has been instrumental in leading the agency’s growth into one of the UK’s largest agencies with a HQ outside London. Definition has almost 300 clients worldwide, ranging from start-ups and scale-ups to global household names like Amazon, Lego, Honda, HSBC, and the Cabinet Office. PR Week made Louise one of its Top 10 Influential Leaders outside London and she is listed in their Power Book for 2024 (oh, and for 2023, 2022 and 2021).

Alex Willcocks

Founder & MD

Engage Interactive

View Linkedin Profile

Alex co-founded Engage back in 2007 and now oversees the agency’s strategic direction in his role as Managing Director. Working closely with the Board and Senior Leadership Team, his job is to ensure that Engage continues to grow and thrive under their new stewardship as an employee owned agency.

Michael Heaven

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Butterfly 3ffect

View Linkedin Profile

Michael Heaven is the co-founder and managing director of Butterfly 3ffect. Michael has been at the forefront of agency operations and growth for over a decade. Most notably, Michael was a member of the founding team at Social Chain and led the agency's expansion into the US market. Following Social Chain's merger and IPO in 2020, Michael furthered his leadership and operational experience as the managing director at Offbeat Media Group, a Mark Cuban backed-venture in Atlanta.

Russell McGrath

Senior Business Development Manager

Sedulo

View Linkedin Profile

Russell has a career of over 20 years as a business advisor. With a focus on assisting businesses to access the funding required to support growth, Russell has worked in both private and public sector advisory organisations including Manchester Growth Company, Grant Thornton, ABGI, and Sedulo.

Book your tickets

Sponsored By

Sedulo 300x169

Sedulo

Nimbus Hosting

Start: September 19, 2024 5:30 pm

End: September 19, 2024 8:30 pm

Hosted at

Colony One, Silk Street

Colony One Silk St, Silk Street, Ancoats, Manchester, UK

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