The Bookseller reveals Marketing and Publicity Conference line-up

The Bookseller has revealed the full programme for its forthcoming Marketing & Publicity Conference, scheduled to take place both online and in person at County Hall, Waterloo, on 1st July.

The theme of the conference, which is celebrating its ninth year, is "Creativity. Community. Continuity". It will focus on the ability to think and respond with creativity, as well as the nurturing and growth of The Bookseller’s professional and reader community. Attendees will spend the day exploring the ways in which we use both elements to foster continuity: a sense of long-term thinking, agile use of existing resources, and relationship-building that goes far beyond individual campaigns.

Programme highlights include keynotes from HarperCollins UK’s director of marketing strategy Hannah O’Brien, who will be speaking about the differing ways in which we measure success. Meanwhile Ness Labs neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff will discuss finding creativity and curiosity in a non-linear age. 

In addition to this, Spotify’s director for audiobook partnerships and licensing Duncan Bruce will discuss how to find audiences, while the director of Ascetic Studios Samar Habib will explore the topic of visual marketing. An insightful crash course on crisis comms will be delivered by Megan Carver, and Waterstones’ head of books Bea Carvalho will lead a case study of the company’s most achievable and effective collaborations. 

There will be further panels on events, grass-roots comms, trends and wellbeing in the workplace. Furthermore, delegates will have the chance to book one-to-one surgeries with industry experts to workshop their campaign conundrums or take part in an invigorating Creativity Sprint led by BookMachine. The full line-up and confirmed speaker list can be viewed here.

The day will conclude with an endnote from author and journalist David Robson on the laws of connection, followed by an after-party drinks reception. 

Miriam Robinson, programme director at The Bookseller, said: "So much of our roles — in particular relationship-building and creative thinking — require time and space to develop. And we all know how hard those are to come by! This year’s [Marketing & Publicity Conference] creates that time for you to step away from your desk, connect with others and get the headspace, insight and expertise you need. It’s a privilege and a pleasure to create the programme — I’m overjoyed with the range and brilliance of speakers joining us on stage, not to mention the range and brilliance of delegates who will be attending."

The Bookseller thanks sponsors HarperCollins, Nielsen BookData and Shimmr and partners BMS and PPC for their support. 

Subscribers to The Bookseller receive a 15% discount on tickets, which can be booked at thebookseller.com/marketing-and-publicity-tickets.