Amplify Virtual Festival 2020

Celebrate the power of marketing

Whilst most of the festivals due to take place in Edinburgh this August have sadly been cancelled we are delighted that Amplify will still go ahead - in a virtual format. 

Over the years we have developed 4 popular event brands that have defined our festival day. This year we will spread these across 3 days in our festival week. 

And if you are unable to watch the events live you can always watch the recordings when and where suits you best. 

We are delighted that our new CEO, Sophie Devonshire, will officially open Amplify on August 24.
 

The Ogilvy Lecture
Monday 24 August | 1-2.15pm

This annual lecture is a tribute to David Ogilvy, a proud and passionate Scot who went to school in Edinburgh before setting up Ogilvy & Mather New York and developing one of the biggest advertising networks in the world. His books on marketing and advertising are still highly regarded both by academics and practitioners. 

This year's Ogilvy Lecture will be delivered by Mark Ritson.

Mark Ritson is a brand consultant and former marketing professor. He has a PhD in Marketing and taught on the MBA programmes of leading business schools including London Business School and MIT. He teaches the Marketing Week Mini MBAs in Marketing and Brand Management.

For thirteen years Mark served as the in-house professor for LVMH.  He writes a weekly column for Marketing Week. On three occasions he has won the Business Columnist of the Year at the PPA Press Awards, the highest award for magazine journalism in the UK.

He was also the British Society of Magazine Editors Business Columnist of the Year in 2018. Mark's more scholarly publications include articles in the Sloan Management Review, Harvard Business Review, the Journal of Advertising and the Journal of Consumer Research. 
 

Mark will be introduced by industry legend Rory Sutherland. As a previous Ogilvy Lecture speaker Rory needs no introduction but suffice to say he is one of the most influential advertising professionals in the world today.

Previous lectures have been delivered by Jan Gooding, Syl Saller and Grainne Wafer, Rory Sutherland, MT Rainey, Adam Morgan, Benny Higgins and Ellis Watson.

The Badger Debate
Wednesday 26 August | 1-2pm

The Badger Debate is named in memory of Kenny Harris. Kenny was one of the great characters in the marketing community and a passionate and champion debater who, with his black and white beard was affectionately known as “The Badger”.

Kenny believed that debating was a key skill for marketing professionals who need to make more of an impression in the boardroom. He was a great supporter of The Marketing Society and an inspiration to many.

Motion

This House believes that marketers should prioritise purpose over profit

Debaters

FOR the motion: Steven Barton, CEO justhands-on.tv & Partner of Barton Consulting and Gill Wylie, Planning Director, Frame

AGAINST for motion: Sandra Pickering, CEO, opento and Julian Boulding, Founder & President, thenetworkone

The debate will be chaired by Lisl Macdonald, Spring and Atlas
 

Creative Challenge: Clients v Agencies
Friday 28 August | 4-5.15pm

Each team will champion a set of Pioneering Spirit Award campaigns and the audience will vote for the winning ideas which will determine the winning team.

This year's teams are:

Clients
Cat Leaver, Brand Scotland (captain) 
Derek Hemphill, Royal Bank of Scotland
Marina Maciver, Scottish Enterprise
Emma Pollock, Diageo
Gregor Smith, Seafish

Agencies
Jane Strachan, PUNK (captain)
Chris Melvin, Sunshine Communications
Erica Hungerford, Dentsu Aegis Network
Steve Johnstone, Alliance Creative
Cat Summers, Guy & Co

Chair: Rod Gillies, Vice Chair, The Marketing Society Scotland
 

Ticket prices

The Ogilvy Lecture - FREE to members // £30 + VAT for non members
The Badger Debate - FREE to members // £20 + VAT for non members
Creative Challenge - FREE to members // £20 + VAT for non members

Corporate members who have tickets included as part of their package will gain access to additional passes for colleagues or guests. Lux Events will be in touch to confirm these with you. If you have any queries please contact us. Non members will be sent an invoice within 7 days of registering.

Booking

Online booking is now closed. Please email us to confirm which session(s) you would like to attend. Non Members are very welcome but please include your billing address so we can invoice you straight away.