Join Newsworks for a taste of the very best of UK national news brands on 26–27 February, as its Newsworks Speakeasy heads to Manchester for the first time
The Newsworks Speakeasy has become synonymous with MAD//FEST since its first appearance in July 2023. Now, after two years of showcasing brilliant cultural journalism in London’s 93 Feet East, the Newsworks Speakeasy is heading to the Aviva Studios in Manchester for the first-ever MAD//UpNorth.
Over two days at the end of February, attendees will get a taste of what makes UK national news brands a uniquely authoritative and trusted presence on the British cultural landscape. With sessions highlighting why journalism matters to millions of readers as well as advertisers, there’s plenty for you to get your teeth into.
Day 1: Food, drink and fiendish quizzes
We hope you’re peckish — day one kicks off with our esteemed panel of top food and drink experts taking Speakeasy attendees on a tour of some of their gastronomical go-tos.
Metro drinks editor Rob Buckhaven, food journalist Jimi Famurewa and chef and Eat Well MCR founder Mary-Ellen McTague will share tasters of their favourite tipples and nibbles as well as a glimpse into the scrumptious Manchester food scene.
Then later that afternoon, join us for drinks, key insights from our ‘Youth’ research and our quick-fire news quiz, the Newsworks Generations Game. Watch three media industry legends go up against rising agency talent from the next generation to see which team had their finger on the pulse of 2024.
Day 2: The News Briefing
Kickstart your Thursday morning with the day’s biggest headlines with former Mirror editor Alison Phillips and three top northern correspondents.
The panellists, including Phillips, The Times’ Constance Kampfner, The i Paper’s Stephen Robson and the Daily Mail’s Liz Hull, will cast their eyes over the day’s news agenda, offering incisive analysis of the stories that matter to Manchester.
Main stage: Youth
As well as all the excitement in the Speakeasy, we are also looking forward to presenting the findings from our latest ‘Youth’ research on the MAD//UpNorth main stage. In a session busting key myths around young Brits’ news consumption in 2025, Newsworks research and insight director Heather Dansie will guide attendees through the power of news brands when it comes to engaging with a notoriously elusive generation of consumers.
Head to the Newsworks Speakeasy at MAD//UpNorth page for more on our sessions and how you can be there.
