Decoding the Transition to Zalpha: Pion Predicts
As the older cohort of Gen Zs approaches their 30s - what will a youth audience look like in 2025 and beyond? In this session, Pion uncovers the transition to a new wave of 16-24s and the tools you need to unlock the values and purchasing power of this digitally fluent hybrid generation.
Get ready for a high-energy introduction to Gen Zalpha - the in-betweeners that are shaping trends and culture right now. With exclusive insights from Pion’s Youth Trends Report, it’s not just data; it’s a roadmap for your business in finance, retail, beauty and more.
Decoding the Transition to Zalpha: Pion Predicts
As the older cohort of Gen Zs approaches their 30s - what will a youth audience look like in 2025 and beyond? With exclusive insights from Pion’s Youth Trends Report, uncover the transition to a new wave of 16-24s and the tools you need to unlock the values and purchasing power of this digitally fluent hybrid generation.
As the older cohort of Gen Zs approaches their 30s - what will a youth audience look like in 2025 and beyond? With exclusive insights from Pion’s Youth Trends Report, uncover the transition to a new wave of 16-24s and the tools you need to unlock the values and purchasing power of this digitally fluent hybrid generation.
Going Viral Like NYX Cosmetics: Don't Just Spot Trends, Create Them
A keynote from social media experts Campfire - more info coming soon!
Going Viral Like NYX Cosmetics: Don't Just Spot Trends, Create Them
More info coming soon!
More info coming soon!
Between the channels – how prospective students engage with media
As competition for student recruitment intensifies, it's crucial to assess the effectiveness of your media strategy. Join us for a deep dive into the latest SMRS Media Mapper 24/25 research, which uncovers how prospective students truly engage with media—insights often overlooked by traditional research tools.
In this session, we’ll explore key trends in student media consumption, from the influence of social media and peer-driven content to the importance of niche platforms like UCAS and TSR. We’ll provide actionable steps to assess your media plan’s 'health,' optimise your media mix, and ensure your messaging connects with students at every stage of their decision-making journey.
Gain the insights and tools you need to refine your strategy, maximise your recruitment efforts, and stay ahead in an evolving landscape.
Between the channels – how prospective students engage with media
As competition for student recruitment intensifies, it's crucial to assess the effectiveness of your media strategy. Join SMRS for a deep dive into the latest Media Mapper 24/25 research, which uncovers how prospective students truly engage with media—insights often overlooked by traditional research tools.
As competition for student recruitment intensifies, it's crucial to assess the effectiveness of your media strategy. Join SMRS for a deep dive into the latest Media Mapper 24/25 research, which uncovers how prospective students truly engage with media—insights often overlooked by traditional research tools.
The Ultimate Student Shopping Night with Hollister
Hollister's Senior Marketing Manager Hanne Fiksdal sits down for a fireside chat with Pion's Richard Jackson to talk about the success of their recent student focused IRL events. Creating interactive and personalised shopping nights for students in various locations across the UK, they dive into how to connect students with the brands they love in innovative and memorable ways - whilst driving high engagement and sales for the brand.
The Ultimate Student Shopping Night with Hollister
Hollister and Pion sit down to talk about the success of their recent student focused IRL events. Creating interactive and personalised shopping nights, they dive into how to connect students with the brands they love in innovative and memorable ways - whilst driving high engagement and sales for the brand.
Hollister and Pion sit down to talk about the success of their recent student focused IRL events. Creating interactive and personalised shopping nights, they dive into how to connect students with the brands they love in innovative and memorable ways - whilst driving high engagement and sales for the brand.
From Data to Strategy: Unlocking the latest HE Trends
At SMRS, we’ve dedicated the last five years to refining our syndicated research in the Higher Education sector, and now we’re excited to share the latest insights with you. In this session, we’ll take you on a journey from data to strategy, unlocking key trends and actionable takeaways that will empower your institution to make informed decisions.
Our research dives deep into the minds of prospective students, revealing their pain points, motivations, and how they engage with universities. With this understanding, you'll be equipped to build effective strategies that address audience challenges head-on, meet their evolving needs, and ultimately enhance engagement.
Join us for a data-driven exploration that will help you transform insights into impactful strategies for your university’s success.
From Data to Strategy: Unlocking the latest HE Trends
Deep dive into the minds of prospective students and be equipped to build effective strategies that address audience challenges head-on, meet their evolving needs, and ultimately enhance engagement. Join SMRS for a data-driven exploration that will help you transform insights into impactful strategies for your university’s success.
Deep dive into the minds of prospective students and be equipped to build effective strategies that address audience challenges head-on, meet their evolving needs, and ultimately enhance engagement. Join SMRS for a data-driven exploration that will help you transform insights into impactful strategies for your university’s success.
How to experiment in culture and get comfortable failing
How do you take a functional brand and make it culturally relevant for your audience? Perla Bloom is a strategist at the intersection of tech, creativity, and culture and is passionate about tapping into passion points to humanise brands.
Currently leading Expedia Group’s communications strategy across entertainment, social and editorial content, we sit down with Perla for a conversation on why culture is more than just TikTok trends and how your brand can leverage technology to tell stories and boost brand experiences.
How to experiment in culture and get comfortable failing
How do you take a functional brand and make it culturally relevant for your audience? We sit down with Expedia Group's Perla Bloom, a strategist at the intersection of tech, creativity, and culture to talk about why culture is more than just TikTok trends and how your brand can leverage technology to tell stories and boost brand experiences.
How do you take a functional brand and make it culturally relevant for your audience? We sit down with Expedia Group's Perla Bloom, a strategist at the intersection of tech, creativity, and culture to talk about why culture is more than just TikTok trends and how your brand can leverage technology to tell stories and boost brand experiences.
Building a User-Centered Culture in Marketing
How can UX research insights help brands and agencies align with the values and expectations of Gen Z and be the key to winning their trust and loyalty? Tariro Mupamhadzi, User Researcher at Charlotte Tilbury will share how to design experiences that truly work for people. She will explain how understanding user needs can shape innovative, customer-centric strategies that resonate with this younger demographic.
Discover how to turn research into ideas that make a real impact with insights into:
- Leadership as Advocates - Gain executive support by demonstrating how user-centred strategies drive measurable marketing results, similar to Amazon aligning leadership with customer-first principles.
- Collaborative, Agile Teams - Build cross-functional teams that prioritize iterative, user-driven campaign development, inspired by Spotify’s agile squads.
- Insights that Drive Results - Use customer feedback and data analytics to refine campaigns continuously, following Slack and Netflix’s approach to amplifying user insights for better personalization and engagement.
Building a User-Centered Culture in Marketing
How can UX research insights help brands and agencies align with the values and expectations of Gen Z and be the key to winning their trust and loyalty? Tariro Mupamhadzi, User Researcher at Charlotte Tilbury will share how to design experiences that truly work for people.
How can UX research insights help brands and agencies align with the values and expectations of Gen Z and be the key to winning their trust and loyalty? Tariro Mupamhadzi, User Researcher at Charlotte Tilbury will share how to design experiences that truly work for people.
This much we know – Voices from our Social Roster on developing youth engagement
Extending a primary recruitment campaign to create authentic connections that truly resonate with young people is key to engaging Gen Z and Alpha. In this session, hear directly from the voices behind Social Roster as they share the insights, strategies, and best practices for connecting with today’s young audiences. From short-form content to student-led campaigns, we'll explore what works in social media when it comes to youth engagement in education.
Our experts will discuss:
- Key trends shaping Gen Z’s social media behaviour
- How Higher Education can use social media to build trust, spark conversation, and foster genuine connections
- How brands outside the education sector are winning with youth-focused strategies – and what universities can learn from their approach (think authenticity, influencer partnerships, and community-driven content)
Join us to uncover what we’ve learned so far – and get ready to rethink your approach to engaging the next generation of students.
This much we know – Voices from our Social Roster on developing youth engagement
From short-form content to student-led campaigns, Social Roster explore what works in social media when it comes to youth engagement in education and how HE can use social media to build trust, spark conversation, and foster genuine connections.
From short-form content to student-led campaigns, Social Roster explore what works in social media when it comes to youth engagement in education and how HE can use social media to build trust, spark conversation, and foster genuine connections.
The Gen Z Playbook: Strategic Tech Partnerships for a New Generation
Gen Z's digital expectations demand more than traditional marketing. This session reveals how strategic tech partnerships – going beyond basic influencer deals – unlock explosive growth with this influential generation. Discover how Awin empowers brands with cutting-edge tech solutions like the AI-driven Help Me Choose to personalise the customer journey and Contester, a platform maximising influencer impact through video & livestream, ultimately driving measurable business results. We'll showcase real-world examples of successful Gen Z campaigns powered by Awin.
Key Takeaways for Marketers:
- Mastering Gen Z Engagement Through Tech: Learn how to leverage strategic tech partnerships to create personalised, seamless, and engaging experiences that resonate with Gen Z's digital behaviours and preferences.
- Awin's Solution for Gen Z Marketing: Discover how Awin's platform and partner ecosystem connect brands with innovative technologies like Help Me Choose AI and Contester to drive successful Gen Z campaigns.
- Measuring Gen Z Partnership ROI: Learn how to track and analyse the effectiveness of your Gen Z partnerships facilitated through Awin, demonstrating their impact on key business metrics like sales, brand awareness, and customer acquisition.
The Gen Z Playbook: Strategic Tech Partnerships for a New Generation
Gen Z's digital expectations demand more than traditional marketing. Awin reveals how going beyond basic influencer deals can unlock explosive growth with this influential generation. Discover how you can create personalised, seamless, and engaging experiences that resonate with Gen Z's digital behaviours and preferences.
Gen Z's digital expectations demand more than traditional marketing. Awin reveals how going beyond basic influencer deals can unlock explosive growth with this influential generation. Discover how you can create personalised, seamless, and engaging experiences that resonate with Gen Z's digital behaviours and preferences.
“The Search for Truth” - How to achieve emotional resonance in a distracted world
Gen Z is constantly on a quest for truth; seeking authenticity, transparency, and real connections in all that they consume; and with 63% of Gen Z consumers preferring brands that offer meaningful experiences (McKinsey), an experiential strategy has never been more important.
Experiential work has the unique ability to cut through the noise by eliciting raw and authentic emotions. It transcends the superficial by creating immersive moments that feel real, compelling, and true to life. These experiences offer a sense of connection that resonates with Gen Z on a deeper level, providing them with something tangible in a world that often feels fragmented.
Hosted by immersive storytelling experts SWAMP, our panel will explore the secrets behind the success of their experiential work and how their theatrical expertise garners a uniquely human approach. SWAMP will discuss how they are bringing the fun, creating a lasting emotional impact and working with content creators to maximise IRL experiences in the digital world.
Why we’re excited:
- Clem at SWAMP will share how they bring their storytelling expertise to the world of brand activations; and how their theatrical skillset allows them to incite powerful and authentic emotions - delivering astounding engagement results for their clients.
- From mansion parties for uni students to supper clubs and running meet ups, Maddie at Tinder will share how they are shaking up the dating world to bring their online community together IRL - and why their strategy is all about the feelings you want them to walk away with
- Charlie brings a wealth of experience from his 20 year career in the creative industries, including roles at the BBC, Lego and now ITV.
“The Search for Truth” - How to achieve emotional resonance in a distracted world
In an age of distraction, immersive and experiential work has proven to be the way to Gen Z’s hearts. Our panel explore the secrets behind their experiential strategies, sharing how they are bringing the fun, creating a lasting emotional impact and working with content creators to maximise IRL experiences in the digital world.
In an age of distraction, immersive and experiential work has proven to be the way to Gen Z’s hearts. Our panel explore the secrets behind their experiential strategies, sharing how they are bringing the fun, creating a lasting emotional impact and working with content creators to maximise IRL experiences in the digital world.
Brand Collabs 2.0 - The Bridge to New Audiences
Brand collaborations are the gift that keeps giving, but how are they evolving to help brands build bridges to new audiences?
Why we're excited:
- Francesca developed strategy and ideas for all multi-channel seasonal campaigns and marketing activations at Ann Summers, aligning the brand with key partners.
- Nicole spearheads aligning Three with key pillars of youth culture, focusing on music and sport. She'll share the key behind their partnership with Chelsea FC and in particular the women's game as well as music festivals and more.
Brand Collabs 2.0 - The Bridge to New Audiences
Brand collaborations are the gift that keeps giving, but how are they evolving to help brands build bridges to new audiences?
Brand collaborations are the gift that keeps giving, but how are they evolving to help brands build bridges to new audiences?
Lunch: YMS Food Festival
Check out the stalls from London's best street food providers.
Lunch: YMS Food Festival
Check out the stalls from London's best street food providers.
Check out the stalls from London's best street food providers.
Play The Game: How to Level Up Your Brand on Social
This is your ultimate guide to mastering social media and building a winning strategy for success. Join the founders of Antler Social as they reveal their best practices, share creative tactics to engage audiences, and show you how to turn every piece of content into a viral power move. Ready to roll the dice and level up your brand?
Play The Game: How to Level Up Your Brand on Social
Join the founders of Antler Social as they reveal their best practices, share creative tactics to engage audiences, and show you how to turn every piece of content into a viral power move.
Join the founders of Antler Social as they reveal their best practices, share creative tactics to engage audiences, and show you how to turn every piece of content into a viral power move.
How to use Gen ZAlpha lingo and not be cringe
Many of the brands winning today are doing so because they speak to young people in their own language - but how do you get it right and not be cringe?Weird, relatable, unpolished content is a secret weapon — and it’s working. Forget perfect, our panellists on the frontline of social media share how they lean into human, funny, and real content - with language that gets the balance right between brand and audience.
Why we’re excited:
- Michael is Ryanair's former Head of Social and now heads up Frankly, a social media consultancy not afraid to go against the status quo.
- Frankie is spearheading Linklater’s grad recruitment social media strategy. The only magic circle law firm on TikTok, Frankie is helping demystify legal jargon for future young professionals and widening access to opportunities for diverse talent.
- Curry’s has completely changed Gen Z perceptions of the brand, through genuinely engaging content with Gen Z slang leading the way. Ryan shares his behind-the-scenes insights into some of the most viral campaigns of the year.
How to use Gen ZAlpha lingo and not be cringe
Many of the brands winning today are doing so because they speak to young people in their own language - but how do you get it right and not be cringe? Weird, relatable, unpolished content is a secret weapon — and it’s working. Forget perfect, our panellists on the frontline of social media share how they lean into human, funny, and real content - with language that gets the balance right between brand and audience.
Many of the brands winning today are doing so because they speak to young people in their own language - but how do you get it right and not be cringe? Weird, relatable, unpolished content is a secret weapon — and it’s working. Forget perfect, our panellists on the frontline of social media share how they lean into human, funny, and real content - with language that gets the balance right between brand and audience.
Turning TikTok data into cultural insights: how to navigate social data with video social listening
Join Exolyt for a deep dive into the power of TikTok communities. Discover how to analyse video content for more context and nuances and uncover deeper cultural and behavioural insights.
In this session, you’ll explore the intersection of social video listening and cultural intelligence, using Exolyt to identify community-specific trends, including micro-movements and bigger behavioural shifts across popular segments like BookTok, GameTok, and BeautyTok.
The goal of the session is to bridge social data and cultural insights, helping you decode TikTok community-driven trends and apply these findings to create more authentic and impactful strategies.You'll get insights into:
- Why it's important to decode video content to reveal deeper social listening and qualitative insights.
- How advanced analytics enables the detection of key signals and video clusters to identify emerging trends.
- How analysing video content insights helps you better understand your audiences.
- Spotting & understanding TikTok communities and subcultures.
- Using cultural intelligence to underpin strategy and enhance your brand’s marketing approach.
Turning TikTok data into cultural insights: how to navigate social data with video social listening
Join Exolyt for a deep dive into the power of TikTok communities. Discover how to analyse video content for more context and nuances and uncover deeper cultural and behavioural insights. You’ll explore the intersection of social video listening and cultural intelligence, using Exolyt to identify community-specific trends, including micro-movements and bigger behavioural shifts across popular segments like BookTok, GameTok, and BeautyTok.
Join Exolyt for a deep dive into the power of TikTok communities. Discover how to analyse video content for more context and nuances and uncover deeper cultural and behavioural insights. You’ll explore the intersection of social video listening and cultural intelligence, using Exolyt to identify community-specific trends, including micro-movements and bigger behavioural shifts across popular segments like BookTok, GameTok, and BeautyTok.
How Silly Birds Took Over TikTok
Get a behind-the-scenes look into how non-profit brand RSPB is leading the way for the environmental sector on TikTok, growing audience engagement with a younger demographic through gold-star storytelling, memes and just the right balance of education and entertainment. Yas Devi who looks after all things TikTok at RSPB will share how they have inspired young people to get involved with nature through the use of absolutely unhinged bird memes.
How Silly Birds Took Over TikTok
Get a behind-the-scenes look into how non-profit brand RSPB is leading the way for the environmental sector on TikTok, growing audience engagement with a younger demographic through gold-star storytelling, memes and just the right balance of education and entertainment.
Get a behind-the-scenes look into how non-profit brand RSPB is leading the way for the environmental sector on TikTok, growing audience engagement with a younger demographic through gold-star storytelling, memes and just the right balance of education and entertainment.
Putting young people at the heart of your organisation: how Selfridges is breaking barriers in luxury retail
Selfridges’ Head of Recruitment and Onboarding Sharlene John joins us for a fireside chat to talk about how to drive inclusion with young people at the heart of your organisation. Demonstrating her passion for creating a diverse and inclusive environment at Selfridges, she will share how the luxury brand is cultivating a culture where all team members can thrive - from the shop floor and up - and what other brands can learn.
Putting young people at the heart of your organisation: how Selfridges is breaking barriers in luxury retail
Selfridges’ Head of Recruitment and Onboarding Sharlene John joins us for a fireside chat to talk about how to drive inclusion with young people at the heart of your organisation.
Selfridges’ Head of Recruitment and Onboarding Sharlene John joins us for a fireside chat to talk about how to drive inclusion with young people at the heart of your organisation.
A keynote from Movember
More info coming soon!
A keynote from Movember
More info coming soon!
More info coming soon!
Entertain, don’t interrupt. Why creating entertainment is your secret marketing sauce
A session from entertainment experts JUNO Studios - more info coming soon.
Entertain, don’t interrupt. Why creating entertainment is your secret marketing sauce
A session from entertainment experts JUNO Studios - more info coming soon.
A session from entertainment experts JUNO Studios - more info coming soon.
The YMS LDN Speak Easy - After Party
The conversations don't stop when the main event wraps up - join the YMS community at Pion's Speak Easy in the networking area. There will be music and entertainment, cocktails and sober curious alternatives where you can mingle with fellow attendees and get ready for day 2.
The YMS LDN Speak Easy - After Party
The conversations don't stop when the main event wraps up - join the YMS community at Pion's Speak Easy in the networking area. There will be music and entertainment, cocktails and sober curious alternatives where you can mingle with fellow attendees and get ready for day 2.
The conversations don't stop when the main event wraps up - join the YMS community at Pion's Speak Easy in the networking area. There will be music and entertainment, cocktails and sober curious alternatives where you can mingle with fellow attendees and get ready for day 2.
Out-of-Home - The OG Influencer
Before social media, Out-of-Home (OOH) was shaping culture, influencing behaviours and making brands famous. From ancient cave paintings and Egyptian Hieroglyphic to modern digital billboards, OOH has always been public, brand-safe and unmissable. It’s the OG influencer - trusted, engaging and built for impact.
Today, OOH is more powerful than ever, combining real-world presence with digital targeting. It amplifies social content, drives engagement, and delivers trust like no other medium.
Join JCDecaux’s GENgage team at YMS to explore how brands can harness OOH to influence consumer behaviour, spark viral moments, and turn digital campaigns into tangible, high-impact experiences.
Out-of-Home - The OG Influencer
Before social media, Out-of-Home (OOH) was shaping culture, influencing behaviours and making brands famous. Join JCDecaux’s GENgage team to explore how brands can harness OOH to influence consumer behaviour, spark viral moments, and turn digital campaigns into tangible, high-impact experiences.
Before social media, Out-of-Home (OOH) was shaping culture, influencing behaviours and making brands famous. Join JCDecaux’s GENgage team to explore how brands can harness OOH to influence consumer behaviour, spark viral moments, and turn digital campaigns into tangible, high-impact experiences.
Fan culture – reimagining a brand identity to maintain appeal to youth audiences
Youth audiences shape culture. But trends change quickly. Join Lee Molyneaux, Skechers Football European Marketing Manager, Chloe Morgan, Head of She’s A Baller, and Sola Kasali, EA SPORTS FC, Football Partnerships Lead for Northern Europe, to explore how brands can adapt amidst change, and competition.
Moderated by Eni Shabani, Director of the fastest growing football media brand for youth audiences, Rising Ballers, the panel will explore the intersection between virtual (gaming, online and social media) and IRL brand perception.
Leave with insight into how you can better utilise fandom to influence Gen Z and beyond (Gen Alpha) and hear from leading global brands on how they have pivoted to remain culturally relevant.
Why we're excited:
- Lee will share how Skechers disrupted the football boot market and quickly grew brand affinity with next-gen audiences.
- Chloe will share key insights, specific to the women’s game, that can help brands immerse themselves within women’s football culture.
- Sola will share how EA SPORTS FC is continuing to blur the lines between the real and virtual worlds of football and entertainment, through product development, game innovation and football sponsorships.
Fan culture – reimagining a brand identity to maintain appeal to youth audiences
Youth audiences shape culture. But trends change quickly. The fastest growing football media brand for youth audiences, Rising Ballers is joined by Skechers, EA SPORTS FC and She's A Baller to explore how brands can adapt amidst change, discussing the intersection between virtual and IRL brand perception.
Youth audiences shape culture. But trends change quickly. The fastest growing football media brand for youth audiences, Rising Ballers is joined by Skechers, EA SPORTS FC and She's A Baller to explore how brands can adapt amidst change, discussing the intersection between virtual and IRL brand perception.
Student Panel: What's in your wallet?
Hear from Pion’s panel of outspoken students to talk honestly about their spending habits. We’ll cover what encourages them to spend and how they prioritise their spending uncovering different personas - from parent-supported splurgers to work hard, play hard spenders and self-supported, cautious spenders. We’ll quiz them on the brands they love, their use of loyalty and discount schemes, key times of year for spending and what catches their attention when it comes to marketing targeting students.
Student Panel: What's in your wallet?
Hear from Pion’s panel of outspoken students to talk honestly about their spending habits. We’ll cover what encourages them to spend and how they prioritise their spending uncovering different personas - from parent-supported splurgers to work hard, play hard spenders and self-supported, cautious spenders.
Hear from Pion’s panel of outspoken students to talk honestly about their spending habits. We’ll cover what encourages them to spend and how they prioritise their spending uncovering different personas - from parent-supported splurgers to work hard, play hard spenders and self-supported, cautious spenders.
How to revamp student discounts for a new era of content-hungry students
Student discounts aren’t new, but the way that brands are presenting what they can offer is changing. Our panel of brands that students love share their tips and tricks to making a student discount part of their content strategy - from creators and paid social to experiential and in store.
How to revamp student discounts for a new era of content-hungry students
Student discounts aren’t new, but the way that brands are presenting what they can offer is changing. Our panel of brands that students love share their tips and tricks to making a student discount part of their content strategy - from creators and paid social to experiential and in store.
Student discounts aren’t new, but the way that brands are presenting what they can offer is changing. Our panel of brands that students love share their tips and tricks to making a student discount part of their content strategy - from creators and paid social to experiential and in store.
Gen Alpha & What's Coming Next
More info coming soon!
Gen Alpha & What's Coming Next
More info coming soon!
More info coming soon!
Why branding is more vital than ever for universities – a space to think with SMRS
Join our expert brand specialists in this specially crafted lab session, designed to give you the space to explore the challenges and opportunities facing your university's brand. Together, we'll dive into why understanding your brand's connection with your audiences, helps you find your brand voice.
Why branding is more vital than ever for universities – a space to think with SMRS
Join our expert brand specialists in this specially crafted lab session, designed to give you the space to explore the challenges and opportunities facing your university's brand. Together, we'll dive into why understanding your brand's connection with your audiences, helps you find your brand voice.
Join our expert brand specialists in this specially crafted lab session, designed to give you the space to explore the challenges and opportunities facing your university's brand. Together, we'll dive into why understanding your brand's connection with your audiences, helps you find your brand voice.
Building confidence with Girlguiding: what young girls' lives are like today
Girlguiding dig into the results of their Girls' Attitudes Survey and discuss what young girls' lives are like today - from online harms, through to what builds their confidence. More info coming soon!
Building confidence with Girlguiding: what young girls' lives are like today
Girlguiding dig into the results of their Girls' Attitudes Survey and discuss what young girls' lives are like today - from online harms, through to what builds their confidence.
Girlguiding dig into the results of their Girls' Attitudes Survey and discuss what young girls' lives are like today - from online harms, through to what builds their confidence.
Dialling up a better phone: Kids have their say
In 2024, HMD investigated a global parental dilemma: smartphones are putting kids at risk, and over half of parents regret handing them over. Now, the conversation evolves. HMD went straight to the source—kids. By listening to what they want, alongside their parents' concerns, the Better Phone Project has uncovered a vision for a device that kids love and parents trust.
Join Lars Silberbauer, HMD’s CMO, as he unpacks insights from direct conversations with young people and parents, blending data and stories to reveal what balance in a digital world truly looks like—and how bold design can create phones that empower the next generation.
Dialling up a better phone: Kids have their say
Join Lars Silberbauer, HMD’s CMO, as he unpacks one of the biggest global talking points: how smartphones are putting kids at risk. Blending the data and stories behind HMD's Better Phone Project, Lars reveals what balance in a digital world truly looks like—and how bold design can create phones that empower the next generation.
Join Lars Silberbauer, HMD’s CMO, as he unpacks one of the biggest global talking points: how smartphones are putting kids at risk. Blending the data and stories behind HMD's Better Phone Project, Lars reveals what balance in a digital world truly looks like—and how bold design can create phones that empower the next generation.
Building a brand with purpose for Alphas (and their parents)
Prepare for another generational shift - there's a new kid on the block in Alpha. It’s loud, opinionated, and you probably don't understand it. Hear from our panel of marketing experts at brands that kids love on how they are approaching advertising to the next wave of young consumers and their parents.
Discover what purchasing influence they have in their household and how they are balancing tactics and messaging in a way that is both responsible and engaging.
Building a brand with purpose for Alphas (and their parents)
Gen Alpha are loud, opinionated, and you probably don't understand them. Hear from our panel of marketing experts at brands that kids love on how they are approaching advertising to the next wave of young consumers and their parents.
Gen Alpha are loud, opinionated, and you probably don't understand them. Hear from our panel of marketing experts at brands that kids love on how they are approaching advertising to the next wave of young consumers and their parents.
Redefining the influence of tech for Gen Alpha: Listening to the next generation
Today’s kids are digital natives, but even they know something’s broken. HMD’s latest research reveals what young people themselves want from technology —and how this aligns with parents' fears and hopes.
This panel brings together Lars Silberbauer (HMD), youth advocates, educators, and digital wellbeing experts to decode these findings and explore the next frontier of tech design. How do we reduce screen addiction without alienating kids? Can tech products make young people feel safer instead of more vulnerable?
Join the discussion to learn how listening, bold moves, and cross-generational collaboration are shaping a new kind of technology—one that puts young minds first.
Redefining the influence of tech for Gen Alpha: Listening to the next generation
Today’s kids are digital natives, but even they know something’s broken. This panel brings together tech creators, youth advocates and digital wellbeing experts to explore the next frontier of tech design. Learn how listening, bold moves, and cross-generational collaboration are shaping a new kind of technology—one that puts young minds first.
Today’s kids are digital natives, but even they know something’s broken. This panel brings together tech creators, youth advocates and digital wellbeing experts to explore the next frontier of tech design. Learn how listening, bold moves, and cross-generational collaboration are shaping a new kind of technology—one that puts young minds first.
Lunch: YMS Food Festival - Day 2
Check out the stalls from London's best street food providers.
Lunch: YMS Food Festival - Day 2
Check out the stalls from London's best street food providers.
Check out the stalls from London's best street food providers.
Next-Gen Adventures: How Contiki Is Redefining Youth Travel
Join Contiki’s Brand Marketing Director Rachel Storey and CMO Lottie Norman for a candid discussion on the future of youth travel. In this 25-minute session, they’ll discuss the strategy behind Contiki’s brand positioning, grounded in fresh insights about what young people truly want from travel in 2025 and beyond.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the youth travel specialists are supporting young adults’ evolving expectations around wellbeing, mental health, and social connection in a post-pandemic world. You’ll also hear about Contiki’s innovative new product developments, from sober-curious trips to run clubs, all tailored to Gen Z’s evolving values and lifestyles. Stay tuned for the open Q&A, and be prepared to walk away with data-driven insights on how brands can adapt to meet the ever-changing demands of young travellers.
Next-Gen Adventures: How Contiki Is Redefining Youth Travel
Join Contiki for a candid discussion on the strategy behind Contiki’s brand positioning and what young people truly want from travel in 2025. You'll get data-driven insights on how brands can adapt to meet the ever-changing demands of young travellers.
Join Contiki for a candid discussion on the strategy behind Contiki’s brand positioning and what young people truly want from travel in 2025. You'll get data-driven insights on how brands can adapt to meet the ever-changing demands of young travellers.
The evolving discovery commerce landscape and what brands need to know - a fireside chat with TikTok Shop
Pion sit down for a fireside chat with Nora Zukauskaite, Integrated Marketing Director UK for TikTok Shop, digging into the strategies for creating more engaging, personalised shopping experiences to drive loyalty and growth amongst Gen Zalpha audiences. Nora will share insights behind a great live shopping experience for brands and customers, how brands are winning on TikTok Shop - and how you can improve your performance marketing strategies.
The evolving discovery commerce landscape and what brands need to know - a fireside chat with TikTok Shop
Pion sit down for a fireside chat with Nora Zukauskaite, Integrated Marketing Director UK for TikTok Shop, digging into the strategies for creating more engaging, personalised shopping experiences to drive loyalty and growth amongst Gen Zalpha audiences.
Pion sit down for a fireside chat with Nora Zukauskaite, Integrated Marketing Director UK for TikTok Shop, digging into the strategies for creating more engaging, personalised shopping experiences to drive loyalty and growth amongst Gen Zalpha audiences.
User behaviour and how brands are bridging the in-store vs digital divide to win loyalty
Join Pion’s performance marketing themed panel discussing how brands are driving footfall in store whilst also addressing the changing online shopping habits of Gen Zalpha. Spoiler alert: tech is shaping the future of retail, but the brands that are winning are those blending digital and in-store. This is your not to miss session on all things loyalty, optimisation and the challenges and opportunities for performance focused marketers.
User behaviour and how brands are bridging the in-store vs digital divide to win loyalty
Join Pion’s performance marketing themed panel discussing how brands are driving footfall in store whilst also addressing the changing online shopping habits of Gen Zalpha. This is your not to miss session on all things loyalty, optimisation and the challenges and opportunities for performance focused marketers.
Join Pion’s performance marketing themed panel discussing how brands are driving footfall in store whilst also addressing the changing online shopping habits of Gen Zalpha. This is your not to miss session on all things loyalty, optimisation and the challenges and opportunities for performance focused marketers.
Gen Zalpha: Ask Us Anything
Join us for an interactive session with a panel of candid young individuals from Gen Zalpha, hosted by Pion's Alexandra Haider. 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. The floor is yours!
Gen Zalpha: Ask Us Anything
Join us for an interactive session with a panel of candid young individuals from Gen Zalpha. This live session offers a unique opportunity to seek the unfiltered opinions of young people on a wide range of topics. The floor is yours!
Join us for an interactive session with a panel of candid young individuals from Gen Zalpha. This live session offers a unique opportunity to seek the unfiltered opinions of young people on a wide range of topics. The floor is yours!
