YMS LDN announcement: New sessions and speakers have landed

The countdown for Pion's YMS LDN event is well and truly on, and we can’t wait to be joined by a host of exciting speakers and panellists. From Monzo to Pinterest, speakers from across the youth marketing industry will be taking to the stage to share the tips, answer your questions, and delve deep into the world of Gen Z. 

In this blog, we’ll be updating you on some of the latest speakers set to join us in June, as well as announcing more exciting sessions that attendees can look forward to. 

Why attend YMS? 

Since the inception of the Youth Marketing Strategy festival (YMS) in 2011, YMS has grown to become the world’s largest youth marketing conference, taking place in the UK and the US every year. 

YMS is an immersive digital marketing conference like none other, bringing together the biggest names making waves in the youth marketing industry today for a two-day spectacular on the latest trends, perspectives and insights from the Gen Z world. It’s the go-to event for any forward-thinking brand. 

“YMS is not just any marketing event, it's a movement that bridges the gap between young people, brands, and the trends that are shaping Gen Z's world”, says Event Programme Manager Olivia Newman. “This year's programme is filled with industry experts, thought leaders, and disruptors all under one roof with topics such a creators, TikTok strategies and how young people are faring in difficult economic times top of the agenda.”

YMS LDN: Speaker announcement

Zara Easton, Head of Brand Marketing @ LinkedIn 

Zara leads LinkedIn's brand marketing in the UK, leveraging her prior brand-building experience with Virgin Group. Currently, she directs her marketing efforts towards Gen-Z, acknowledging the challenges they face amid a cost-of-living crisis and a highly competitive job market. 

Martin Anderson, Head of Digital Marketing @ Sony 

With a challenging approach to sustainable online growth hacking, Martin Andersen currently spearheads online business development projects across owned, earned, and paid media platforms at Sony

Tierney Cowap, Growth Marketing Manager @ Monzo 

Tierney is a social and digital marketing specialist with over eight years experience in the publishing and e-commerce industries. In the last decade, she has led the development and execution of multi-channel marketing strategies for influential global brands, including The Daily Telegraph and Refinery29.

Alyssa Jaffar, Senior Communications Manager @ Deliveroo 

Currently, Alyssa is the Senior Communications Manager for the global rider fleet at Deliveroo, a leading online food tech company. She's also the Co-Chair of the Learning & Development Committee and the Marketplace Lead of the Gender Equity group for the business.

Michel Jacqueroud, Affiliate Marketing Manager @ Samsung 

Since joining Samsung, Michel has led the affiliate channel to grow double digits two years in a row. 2023 was the year when Michel tapped into the world of influencers to reach students and younger audiences; this resulted in Samsung winning its first PMA Award. 

Nur Ozdamar, Artist & Label Lead @ YouTube/Google 

Nur is an entertainment industry executive committed to nurturing artists through technology and education. Originally born in Turkey, the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 honoree is currently based in London as YouTube’s Artist & Label Development Lead for Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). Nur spearheads an international team championing and growing 400+ artists and labels

Bryony Warwick, Marketing Manager @ Kraft Heinz 

Currently Marketing Manager for Sauces at Kraft Heinz, Bryony has over 10 years experience in brand marketing at some of the UK's favourite retail & hospitality brands, including Nando's, PizzaExpress, Hotel Chocolat and The Co-operative Group.

Oliver Yonchev, Co-Founder and CEO @ Flight Story 

Georgia Willows, Senior Strategic Partner Manager @ Pinterest 

Leading content strategy, acquisition, and growth across Fashion, Beauty, and Art creators with a focus on Gen Z creators, Georgia helps creators on Pinterest to create inspiring content, understand their audience on the platform and monetise their audiences.

Must-attend YMS LDN sessions

Next Gen Utopia: The Transformation Economy

Where?: Culture & Trends Stage

The Gen Z / Gen Alpha consumer doesn’t necessarily subscribe to the same hedonism as previous generations. In a health-conscious world, our panellists (from Here Be Dragons, Gymbox and TRIP) will look at how this demographic seeks their highs and how you can market effectively to them, without losing the sense of fun. 

Bringing Gen Z Insights into the Boardroom

Where?: Culture & Trends Stage

More than 50% of the world's population is under 30 but the average age of a Board of Directors is almost 60 years old. Pentland Brands (owners of Speedo, Berghaus, ellesse, and more) and mission-led startup The People discuss why every business should have a Youth Advisory Board and their learnings from the process.

Gen Z: Ask Us Anything

Where?: Culture & Trends Stage

This live session offers a unique opportunity to seek the unfiltered opinions of young people on a wide range of topics. Get ready to put them in the spotlight as they share their perspectives on everything from technology and social media to education and their hopes and fears for the future. Don't miss this chance to connect with the voices of the next generation

How AI Is Fuelling Marketing, Commerce and Social

Where? Innovation Track

Oliver Yonchev, Co-founder & CEO of Flight Story, hosts a conversation with senior brand execs to discuss the role AI is playing in their marketing strategies, the impact it’s having across social, ecommerce and creators and what it means for brands and their Gen Z consumers.

The Different Paths to Success for Young People Today

Where?: Future of Work Track

There is no linear path to success for young people today - university, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, the gig economy and more are all viable options for this generation. Join Deliveroo, giffgaff, and Brixton Finishing School as we dig deeper into what young people want from the world of work and how organisations are responding.

Dear CMOS - What Your Social Media Managers Wish You Knew

Where? Social Media Track

When you look at the demographic of social media teams within organisations, they are often young people who know social platforms better than their senior colleagues. Hear the truth from our panel (The Diary of a CEO, Brixton Finishing School, and Cineworld) of young people running social media for big brands on what it’s really like being the voice of your organisation.

A word from Pion’s Head of Insights and Events… 

“This year’s YMS festival more than ever is focused on community, not just the community Pion has created but the communities within that. 

“For example, our creator track this year, is not just a breakout track, it’s a space for the creator community to gather, knowledge share and feel apart of something. In a world where so many of us are working remotely, to all unite with our common interests and values is what sits at the heart of this years event.” Rick Jackson, Head of Insights and Events @ Pion

Like what you’ve read? Secure your tickets to YMS LDN now and join us for two days of networking, panels, and speakers. See you there!