Event

Wednesday 16 October | 12:00 - 17:30 | Manchester

SocialMinds LIVE 2004-2044: Future Casting Social's Next 20

In 2004, a little-known website called TheFacebook was born. Fast forward 20 years and social has changed the meaning of how brands and advertisers connect with people – forever.

It’s redefined marketing, shattered old-school advertising, and transformed the way we think, buy, and engage. Social isn’t just a platform anymore – it’s a full-blown ecosystem. 


This October, SocialMinds is returning to Manchester to break down what exactly the past two decades have meant for marketers. We’re taking over the iconic Ducie Street Warehouse to dig deep into social media’s past, present, and future, as the sharpest minds in the game reveal their insights, tips and predictions on everything from the birth of online community networks to the rapid growth of social as a news source and search engine.

Join us as we take a trip down memory lane, break down how AI will change our industry forever, and explore the explosion of social commerce. Expect bold predictions, unfiltered discussions, and a look into what the next 20 years will hold for your brand.

Date:

Wednesday 16 October

Time:

12:00 - 17:30 plus afterparty 'til late

City:

Manchester

Location:

Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP

And this time, do more than just listen.

Find out the platform trends and features shaping the future in the cinema room, or join us on air as for the first time, as we record the SocialMinds podcast live with an audience. Elsewhere, you’ll get to create something incredible with a SocialMinds Live first: a workshop exclusively hosted by Reddit, featuring an AMA session and of course, some huge prizes up for grabs.

Each space will host panels, keynotes, and hands-on sessions designed to challenge your thinking and leave you ready for the next big shift in social.

This isn’t your average conference. It’s a front-row seat to social’s future.

Registrations for SocialMinds Live are now closed

Secure your seat to find out:

Secure your seat to find out:

Expect to hear from

Missed our last event? Watch the recap

Meet the speakers

Scott Frankham

Head of Social Media, Greene King

Imogen Beri

Social Media Lead, John Lewis & Partners

John Thornton

Senior Creative, Surreal

Hannah Walker

Head of Mid-Market, UK, Reddit

Natalie O'Leary

Presenter, Radio 1 & Influencer

Dave Morrissey

Head of Lifestyle Retail & Ecommerce, TikTok

Abbie Green

Senior Growth Marketer, Monzo

Claire Hoang

Vice President, ITV Studios Social Media

Amie Caswell

Head of Brand, Lick

Liam Hopton

Agency Partner, Meta

Jacqueline Genser

Fashion Lead, TikTok Shop

Jacinta Faul

Chief Executive Officer, SocialChain

Ric Hayes

Group Strategy Director, SocialChain

Hannah Baker

Chief Marketing Officer, SocialChain

Jonathan Trimble

Founder, And Rising and Advisor to the Board, SocialChain

Hannah Kimuyu

Managing Director, Brave Bison Performance

Matt Garbutt

Director of AI & Creative, Brave Bison

Eve Young

Creator & Podcast Host, SocialChain

Gareth Harrison

Senior Strategist, SocialChain

Chelsea Noronha

Strategist, SocialChain

Amelia Wollaston

Head of Influencer, SocialChain

The Lineup

12:00 – 13:15

Welcome Lunch

with SocialChain

Arrive from midday and join us for a light lunch and some drinks before our CEO Jacinta Faul opens the event.

13:30 – 14:00

The Brand Panel

with ITV Studios, Monzo, Surreal & Lick

Get insider info from senior marketers who consistently deliver results for some of the most exciting brands on social.

14:10 – 14:40

SocialChain’s Next Chapter

with SocialChain CEO Jacinta Faul

Sit down with our new CEO to find out what she’s learnt from the past decade leading the charge in the digital era, plus her future ambitions for the original social agency.

15:30 – 16:00

Forecasting the Future Feed​

with Reddit, TikTok, Meta & LinkedIn

Prepare for the next decade as social platforms’ senior leaders reveal the evolving trends and features shaping the future for marketers. You heard it here first.

16:10 – 16:40

From Scroll to Sale: The Future Customer Journey

with Brave Bison Performance and TikTok Shop

Explore how social’s dominance as a search and commerce platform is transforming marketing strategies – and how you can stay one step ahead.

12:00 – 13:15

Welcome Lunch

with SocialChain

Arrive from midday and join us for a light lunch and some drinks before our CEO Jacinta Faul opens the event.

13:30 – 14:00

Leveraging Local on Social

with Scott Frankham, Greene King

It’s called ‘heading to the local’ for a reason. Find out how to balance global brand building with leveraging local communities on social with Scott Frankham, head of social media for the UK’s leading pub retailer and brewer Greene King.

14:10 – 14:40

How AI Solves Actual Problems for Marketers

with Matt Garbutt, Ric Hayes & Chelsea Noronha

You didn’t think we’d host an event about the future of social without mentioning AI, did you? Our director of AI and creative Matt Garbutt is joined by our strategy team to uncover the practical applications of AI for marketers.

15:30 – 16:00

How Do You Reinvent a 160-year-old Heritage Brand for Social?

with Imogen Beri, John Lewis

Find out how heritage brand John Lewis is reviving its 160-year-old tagline for social, and with it, a brand new cohort of shoppers, with social media lead Imogen Beri.

16:10 – 16:40

Fireside Chat: Creator Special

with Natalie O'Leary, BBC Radio 1

Join our head of influencer Amelia in conversation with Natalie O’Leary, BBC Radio 1 host, podcaster and creator for some real talk on how brands can navigate the thriving creator economy.

13:30 – 14:30 & 15:30 – 16:30

The Subreddit Showdown: Where Search Meets Social

with Reddit

Unlock the full potential of Reddit for your brand in this engaging and interactive session. The Subreddit Showdown will take you on a journey through Reddit’s 20-year evolution, showcasing how the platform is shaping the future of social search. Discover how Reddit’s unique blend of search and community-driven recommendations can help your brand connect with customers, from niche communities to a broader scale, driving meaningful engagement and growth.

After the showdown, join us for an exclusive AMA session with our Reddit platform experts. This is your chance to explore bespoke opportunities for your brand and gain valuable insights into how Reddit can help you achieve your marketing goals. Oh, and of course, there will be prizes!

Spaces are limited. Register below to join us

Gallery of previous events