- Channel 4, ITV and Sky’s inspirational event returns in March 2019
- Following the success of the first Festival, it is moving to a bigger set in Sherwood Forest
- The Festival will showcase commercial TV’s cultural influence and power as a business partner for brands
After the success of the inaugural Big TV Festival earlier this year, Channel 4, ITV and Sky are joining forces again to bring to life the power of TV advertising for the brand builders of tomorrow.
Co-produced with Thinkbox, The Big TV Festival 2019 will take place from 7-8 March on a bespoke set created in Sherwood Forest, Nottingham – a new venue that enables the broadcasters to increase the number of attendees from 150 to over 200 to cater for the interest generated by the first Festival.
The return of The Big TV Festival follows a year of unprecedented collaboration between the UK’s commercial broadcasters, marked by the first Festival in February; the launch of ‘Broadcaster VOD: The Bigger Picture’ in April, joint research which demonstrated BVOD’s premium status in the video world; and a series of joint events with agencies and advertisers.
On stage at the 2019 Festival will be a host of advertising and media’s most entertaining and inspirational speakers drawn from all sides of commercial TV – producers, writers, media and creative agencies, and advertisers. The line-up will be revealed in the new year.
The Festival is a unique chance to explore, network and celebrate all that TV can do. It will examine trends in TV viewing and production; look at the latest insights into advertising effectiveness, trust and brand safety; show how TV advertising is a force for social and economic good; and showcase the rapidly evolving technological and data-driven advancements that are helping to make TV an even more valuable business partner for brands. There will also be live entertainment.
Media agencies and advertisers are being invited to nominate members of their teams to attend the exclusive two-day event and immerse themselves in the world of commercial TV. Over 200 planners and marketers from across the UK’s media agencies and major advertisers will see how TV is transforming itself for the future.
Jonathan Allan, Chief Commercial Officer, Channel 4: "It is vital that the TV industry works together to show key decision makers in client and agency organisations how brilliant TV is. So we're thrilled to be back to build on the success of this year's Big TV Festival, working with Thinkbox and other UK broadcasters to demonstrate the creativity and innovation that's going on in TV."
Kelly Williams, Managing Director, Commercial, ITV: “"The first Big TV Festival was a huge success and I'm excited that we're growing and building on that success in 2019. We know that TV has the ability to grow brands and deliver real results for business partners, and working with Channel 4, Sky and Thinkbox we can share the power of TV with the next generation of commercial decision makers.”
John Litster, Managing Director, Sky Media: “TV continues to unite for the benefit of the industry and is keen to build on the success of The Big TV Festival earlier this year. The gathering will help the younger generation of advertisers and media agencies better understand the position of trust, creativity and advertising effectiveness TV still holds for engaging UK households.”
Kerry Chilvers, Brands Director, Direct Line: "TV is a huge part of our successful marketing approach at Direct Line Group, so the Big TV Festival was fantastic opportunity for our team to immerse themselves in the channel, understand its potential and be inspired. The sessions - touching on everything from best in class creativity to media effectiveness - really made them think about how we can push TV to its limits as we transform our brands. A great event for learning and inspiration. Highly recommend!"
Helen McRae, UK CEO and Chair of Western Europe, Mindshare: “Like all amazing festivals, The Big TV Festival brought together all the best of what TV is and what it can do for brands. It was crazy, collaborative and considered. The whole agency is looking forward to the next iteration!”
Lindsey Clay, Chief Executive, Thinkbox: “The first Festival went even better than we had hoped. It was so well received that we had to do it again – but bigger. It is great to see the commercial TV industry working together so successfully.”
2018’s inaugural Big TV Festival was held in Blackwood Forest and co-hosted by TV stars Scarlett Moffatt and Jaime Laing. Speakers included OglivyOne’s Rory Sutherland, Now’s Kate Waters, Lloyd’s Ros King, GiffGaff’s Abi Pearl, Discovery’s Adam Zuckerman, Leo Burnett’s Chaka Sobhani, AMV BBDO’s Rosie Arnold – plus Channel 4’s Jonathan Allan, ITV’s Kelly Williams, and Sky’s John Litster shared the stage to discuss TV’s future.