Newsworks Speakeasy at MAD//UpNorth
The Newsworks Speakeasy left London and hit the road in February 2025, heading to Manchester for the first-ever MAD//UpNorth. With food and wine tasting, competitive news quizzing and a look behind the scenes of some of the north’s biggest headlines, the two-day agenda gave a glimpse of the very best of British journalism.
Check out our highlights video, as well as a photo gallery of some of the best bits from the event.
Photos from the Speakeasy
What’s on at the Newsworks Speakeasy?
Day 1 – Wednesday 26 February
12:40-1:30pm: Feast
Our esteemed panel of top food and drink experts are on hand to guide you through a tasting session of their favourite nibbles and tipples. Attendees will not only pick up some handy tips from our speakers but will also discover the best-kept secrets of Manchester’s scrumptious food scene.
Rob Buckhaven
drinks editor
Metro
Jimi Famurewa
restaurant critic and writer
Mary-Ellen McTague
chef and founder
Eat Well MCR
Cathy Toogood
Manchester travel expert
The Telegraph
4:15-5pm: Newsworks Generations Game followed by drinks
Join us for drinks, key insights from our ‘Youth’ research and our quick-fire news quiz of the year. Watch three media industry legends go up against rising talent from the next generation to see which team had their finger on the pulse of 2024.
Mel Leslie
agency & client relations
Newsworks
Niki West
director of agency and client services
Newsworks
Kate Bradbury
regional deputy managing director
Wavemaker
Yolandi De Villiers
performance manager
Notorious Communications
Jon Kershaw
managing director
PHD Manchester
Howard Parker
agency sales director UK regions, Scotland and Ireland
Reach Solutions
Lily Polak
international account manager
The Guardian
Grace Sharp
planning and partnerships manager
Wavemaker
Day 2 – Thursday 27 February
11.10am-12pm: The News Briefing
Kickstart your morning with a look at the day’s biggest headlines with former Mirror editor Alison Phillips and three top northern correspondents. The panellists will cast their eyes over the top stories, turning their razor-sharp analysis to explain how the day’s national news agenda matters to Manchester.
Constance Kampfner
northern correspondent
The Times
Alison Phillips
journalist and commentator
Stephen Robson
northern correspondent
The i Paper
12.55pm-1.10pm: Youth (Factory stage)
Newsworks research and insight director Heather Dansie presents our latest ‘Youth’ research, exploring how retailers can harness news brands to engage with elusive young consumers.
Heather Dansie
research and insight director
Newsworks
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