Onwards 2026

eight&four's annual Onwards conference returns with renewed momentum, sharper trend tracking & inspired creativity to shape the year ahead.

About this Event

At eight&four we like to build F2F spaces where marketers can learn fast. Our busy events programme blends two flagship, full-day conferences - Onwards and Pitchfest - with Foresight, our bi-monthly intimate salon series for senior marketers.

Each event is built for clarity and momentum: clear eyed views on trends, nuanced thinking, and honest case studies - no hype, just tools you can use the next day.

Onwards is our annual January conference – which sets the agenda for the year to come. It is future focused, bold, and built to spark ideas and action.

From the launch of new ideas to high-energy sessions on resilience, collaboration and innovation, Onwards is where we come together to shape the year ahead.

Agenda


🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:20 PM
Keynote: Building a Data-Led Marketing Ecosystem in 2026
Host: Amy McCulloch, eight&four Co-Founder

Info: Against a backdrop of shifting spend (digital now dominates 4 in 5 pounds) and renewed scrutiny on marketing effectiveness, we unpack the most recent AA/WARC spend forecasts, IPA/WARC effectiveness research and emerging media shifts. This session outlines how to build a resilient, integrated marketing ecosystem in 2026 — combining data, cross-channel layout, and long-term effectiveness planning.

🕑: 02:20 PM - 02:40 PM
Nurturing Better Client/Agency Relationships in 2026
Host: Liam Batch, Client Partner Director at eight&four

Info: In 2025 eight&four undertook a wide-ranging agency strategy services review – interviewing over 20 CMO’s & Marketing leaders globally to understand their hopes & challenges ahead of 2026. Lee Nelson, VP of Marketing at DHL E-Commerce, joins us to give her view of the marketing ecosystem in 2026, and how she fosters positive agency relationships to help her deliver.

🕑: 02:40 PM - 03:05 PM
Expanding your Content Ecosystem for 2026
Host: Sophie Hodges, Client Partner Director at eight&four

Info: As search intent fragments across search engines, social and LLM’s - how do you ensure you’ve appropriately mapped your content strategy to be everywhere your consumers are, and that you’re creating content that is going to be found and wanted? This session will walk through a global content strategy project we’ve recently completed for a global brand – to deliver against that very challenge. Come to understand the playbook approach to this type of project, the inherent challenges within it, and the enormous opportunities of totally owning your category’s discovery spaces online.

🕑: 03:05 PM - 03:30 PM
The Rise of Creators in 2026
Host: Chloe Singleton, Performance Director at eight&four

Info: Creators are reshaping attention, digital stars are entering the mainstream, and niche influencer hooks are the new currency. We unpack what’s changed, how to plan for 2026, and give practical lessons and success stories from 2025 alongside our platform partner Twitch, and a special guest brand.

🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Coffee and Networking Break

🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Social in 2026 - The Six Key Trends you Need to Know

Info: Six quickfire talks on the biggest shifts shaping next year’s social landscape – covering audience insight tools, new paid social formats and best in class data visualisation.

🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Interactive Client Workshop
Host: Julius Judah, Creative Strategy Director at eight&four

Info: A rapid, facilitated workshop where clients map 2026 trends to their brand challenges. Hands-on, practical, and designed to spark new thinking.

🕑: 05:30 PM - 05:40 PM
Wrap Up and What's Next

Info: Reflection, quick commitments, next steps - closing Onwards 2026.

🕑: 05:40 PM - 08:00 PM
Drinks and Networking

Info: Please stay to enjoy our hospitality and chat to the team and your fellow brand marketeers in our private bar.

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