TML and AMI to deliver Challenger Stage at The Future of Media London
The Media Leader (TML) has joined forces with the Alliance of Media Independents (AMI) to launch the Challenger Stage at this year’s The Future of Media London.
Taking place on 4 November at Kings Place, the Challenger Stage will deliver a dedicated programme designed specifically for independent agencies, addressing the opportunities and challenges they face through the lens of this year’s event theme, “Media Means Business.”
Created in response to growing demand from independent agencies for content tailored to their unique commercial and strategic challenges, the Challenger Stage will provide practical insights, debate, and networking for one of the industry’s fastest-growing sectors.
Developed in partnership with the AMI, the programme aims to ensure the conversations taking place on stage reflect the priorities, pressures and opportunities facing independent agencies today.
Speaking on the partnership, Sam Tidmarsh, head of event content at Adwanted Content, said: “Independent agencies are continuing to punch above their weight every single year. They move fast, take risks, and aren’t afraid to tell a client something they don’t want to hear to get the very best results. The Challenger Stage exists because that energy deserves its own platform, and I’m excited to work with the Advisory Board to create an agenda that is built around this exact mindset.”
Martin Woolley, chair of AMI, said, “Indie agencies and their challenger brand clients aren’t usually the focus at significant events like The Future of Media London. This exciting collaboration changes that. We’ll have an exciting agenda, built by AMI and The Media Leader, with focused, punchy, high-value content to help challenger brands compete better with the biggest brands”.
Jamie Hewitt, chair of the planning and effectiveness working group at AMI, added, “We’re excited to support the launch of the Challenger Stage. It provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the unique opportunities and challenges facing challenger brands and their agency partners, while embracing the innovation, expertise and collaboration that our industry has to offer in an ever-changing media landscape.”
Following the successful launch of The Future of Media London Advisory Board, a dedicated Challenger Stage Advisory Board has also been established to help shape the programme.
Representing a cross-section of the independent agency community, the board will work with the content team to identify the issues that matter most to independent agencies, ensuring the agenda is relevant, practical and aligned with AMI’s mission.
Alongside Woolley and Hewitt, the Advisory Board includes:
- Clare Arndell, head of media planning & operations, Salocin Group
- Caroline Ayling, marketing director, JAA Media
- Sam Drake, executive director, Project5
- Leigh Herbert, managing director, Republic of Media
- Darren Burroughs, managing director, Media Futures Market
- Fidelma Fox, client lead, Piqniq
- Alex Moore, associate director, We Are Boutique
- David Lucy, managing director, December19
- Alex Kirk, managing director, Medialab Group
- Ed Turner, managing director, Bicycle London
- Ruth Nichols, chief strategy officer & partner, Stitchy London
- Ben Wood, strategy & performance director, Hallam
- Suzana Lay, head of brand team & planning director, The Grove Media
- Mark Connolly, managing partner for client success, What’s Possible Group
- Rachel Fletcher, business director, Craft Media
- Michelle Milner, insight director, the7stars
Speaking on joining the advisory board, JAA Media’s Caroline Ayling said: “I’m so excited to be part of the advisory board for the Challenger Stage in its inaugural year, helping shape its themes and speakers. Getting the fast-moving indie agency and challenger brand community into one room doesn’t happen often. These are the people willing to do things differently, take calculated risks, and move faster than the bigger players can.”
Suzana Lay added: “The future of media belongs to the challengers, the people brave enough to question convention and create new paths forward. That’s exactly the spirit this stage is designed to celebrate.”
To register to attend the Challenger Stage on day two at The Future of Media London, or the event in whole, visit https://www.adwantedevents.com/foml26