Digital Bites November 2024
Digital Bites Speakers 2024
Talk
The future of retail explained
Chris Hockin has recently been appointed Director of Business Development at global ad tech leader The Trade Desk. Based in Manchester, Chris brings 15 years of experience in the advertising technology sector to his new role after previously working as a Senior Seller at American technology Quantcast.
In this role Chris will be responsible for servicing and scaling new business opportunities for The Trade Desk’s clients in key markets located in the Northern region of the UK including Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
In ths session you will discover how The Trade Desk helps advertisers harness the power of retailer first-party data to reach audiences across the entire customer journey. Chris will discuss how this improves customer understanding, targeting and personalisation.
Talk
Digital PR in the German market – why native insights are key for new markets
With a background in tourism economics and a master’s degree in business psychology, Ronja has started her digital Marketing career in the Influencer and Social Media space. She has in-house and agency experience and is now looking to expand her knowledge and expertise in digital PR at C3. As a German native, Ronja is involved in all things DACH as well as international accounts.
Attendees will discover how native insights can unlock success in the EU market, learning how to navigate diverse media landscapes, understand cultural nuances, and tailor messaging to local audiences. Ronja will cover the role of language in PR authenticity and share real-world case studies on how native knowledge impacts campaign results. You’ll also gain practical strategies for applying these insights to improve PR outcomes across the EU.
Talk
Showing off your yoU-SP
Ellie Kime is a messaging mentor and copywriter who helps small business owners explain who they are, what they do, and why they’re so good at it. She’s professionally nosy, but has been self-employed for nearly a decade and worked with Pinterest and Notonthehighstreet, so it’s not going too badly. She hates buzzwords, likes Buzz Lightyear, and adores Buzzfeed quizzes.
For too long, we’ve been taught that personal and professional don’t and shouldn’t mix. But in actual fact, they go together in perfect harmony, whether your written copy, your online presence, or your approach to business in general. Ellie will cover how to really show it off.
Talk
The key to cross-generational influencer marketing
With experience in both talent management and influencer marketing, Molly offers unique insights and expertise into all things influencer marketing. She has worked with top names in the creator industry, gaining expertise across fashion, beauty, FMCG, gaming, and technology sectors. Molly is adept at developing and executing influencer campaigns that prioritise your brand and goals, ensuring impactful and successful results.
Talk
From Standout to Startup: The lessons learnt from leaving a giant retailer and starting my own marketing company
Chris brings 10 years of experience in agencies and in-house; working with brands like AO.com and Matalan to drive paid media performance. His approach is commercially focused, analysing the marketing landscape and understanding clients’ business models to deliver profitable, growth-driven solutions that make a meaningful impact on overall business success.
In this session attendees will learn the skills and mindset required to start your own marketing company, key lessons around preparing for failure, utilisation of AI as well as tools and tactics Chris uses everyday to do a better job in digital marketing (specifically Google & Meta).
Talk
Why GEO is the new SEO, and how to master it
Lizzie is a skilled SEO professional with over 10 years’ experience operating at a senior level and has a background in driving organic performance for a global client base. She has a penchant for data-led, commercial strategy and in addition to her vast experience in international SEO, she has also worked with many well-known national and local brands, across multiple industries.
This talk will cover the important role that Search Generative Experience has in digital strategy since the launch of AI Overviews. It will provide insights into SGE and actionable tips on how to boost organic presence in this space using GEO (generative engine optimisation) tactics.
Talk
Leveraging behavioural science to power international paid strategies
Charlotte is a passionate and data driven digital marketer, she is highly experienced in paid media and web analytics across both agency and client side. She has managed accounts from a wide scope of sectors such as manufacturing, confectionary, financial services, and leisure & tourism.
In today’s dynamic digital landscape, where competition is fierce and the customer journey is no longer as linear, standing out has never been more critical. This session will dive into the psychology that drives effective PPC ads, helping you tap into the subconscious triggers that influence decision-making and improve performance across international markets.
Key takeaways:
– The evolving international digital landscape and why distinguishing your brand is more vital than ever.
– Core psychological principles and behavioural biases that shape PPC success across different markets.
– Essential tools for creating persuasive and high-performing ad copy.
Strategies for testing, measuring, and scaling successful campaigns.
Talk
Data overload? Practical strategies for managing SEO data for mid-size enterprises
Andriy is the Head of SEO at Iglu Cruise, the UK’s largest independent cruise and ski agency. His passion for the web began back in 2007 when he built his first website. With deep expertise in SEO for enterprise and e-commerce websites, Andriy turns endless datasets into actionable strategies for international brands. He’s driven by a love for data and its real-world impact.
In Andriy’s talk, you’ll learn:
– The key SEO metrics that genuinely matter for tracking and improving performance
– How to prioritise SEO data for smarter, faster decision-making
- The best tools to use and why automation is essential for success
Talk
It starts with a like
Mercy Fulani is a Digital Marketer and designer with over four years of industry experience, and specialising in content marketing.
She was recognised as a Top 24 Marketer of 2024 by the Girls in Marketing community. Over the years she has worked with a range of business owners and organisations to help them elevate their brand.
She is a Real Role Model and a mentor for DigitalHer, an initiative by Manchester Digital that aims to empower and inspire women and girls from all over the country that are working in tech.
She also freelances as a graphic designer and creative strategist.
This session will focus on helping the audience to look beyond the vanity metrics and refocus their brand’s efforts and resources on building deeper relationships with their audience through mixed content.
Mercy will cover:
– The content type that works for you and your audience
– Questions you need to answer when crafting your content
– Using your content to tell a story that engages your audience
Talk
Cutting through the noise: How strategic influencer gifting at scale strengthens brands
Tom Higgins is the founder of GIFTA, the UK’s leading influencer gifting and seeding company. GIFTA is redefining influencer marketing by prioritising authentic storytelling and empowering creators to share their unique narratives free from brand control, fostering deeper connections with communities. Offering a fully integrated solution for influencer campaigns, GIFTA handles everything from product personalisation and fulfilment to performance tracking and are the first in the UK to distribute chilled and frozen products to influencers, unlocking unique opportunities for food and beverage brands. GIFTA’s client roster includes global brands such as Unilever, Sainsbury’s, L’Oréal, Adidas, and Heinz
In today’s crowded digital landscape, brands need more than just paid partnerships to build authentic connections with their audiences. Tom will explore how GIFTA leverages strategic influencer gifting at scale to help brands engage nano and micro-influencers, creating genuine content that resonates with consumers.
Key takeaways:
– Learn how gifting differs from traditional paid influencer partnerships and why it’s an effective way to foster authenticity and loyalty with consumers.
– Discover the unique advantages of working with smaller influencers who have highly engaged, loyal followings that drive meaningful interactions.
– Get an inside look at how GIFTA manages the entire gifting process—from influencer selection to performance tracking—and gain practical insights on how you can implement similar strategies to achieve measurable success.
Talk
Gen-AI & Virtual Production – Using emerging technologies to level up your visual content
Ben Martin is the Partnerships Manager at Powerhouse Studios in Leeds, with over six years of experience in the creative and marketing industries. Since joining Powerhouse, Ben has immersed himself in Virtual Production, an emerging technology revolutionising photography and filmmaking. Recognising its potential to expand creative possibilities, introduce cost efficiencies, and improve sustainability in a traditionally wasteful industry, Ben has become an advocate for its use in marketing. With four years of agency experience and two years brand-side, Ben focuses on helping brands and agencies push the boundaries of innovation and deliver outstanding content.
Budgets for content creation are going down; the need for cut-through content is on the rise and turnaround of content needs to be more reactive than ever. Over the past few years, Virtual Production, a film-making technique typically reserved for Hollywood films has become accessible to the marketing & advertising industries.
During this session, you’ll discover how it works, when to use it and what it means for your budgets, creative possibilities and content strategies.
Talk
CRO > Everything else
With 10 years of experience in digital marketing, Dan leads Moneypenny’s digital acquisition team and spearheads lead generation efforts across the UK & US. When he’s not thinking about CRO & PPC, he’s thinking about nappies and the Gruffalo as he chases his young sons around the house.
Dan will explore why CRO should be focused on above acquisition channels in the pursuit of performance efficiency. He’ll highlight the significant impact CRO can have on your website, discuss the role of data and share some of the CRO actions he has taken on the Moneypenny website.
The audience will learn:
– How CRO can drive cross channel efficiencies
– The role of data in CRO
– Actionable things to improve your website performance