(2023- 2025)
ESA Breakfast Manchester: 2025
Think Local, Act Global – The Rise of Community Sponsorship, bold.
I spoke as a panelist at ESA’s first Manchester event, which explored how major organisations use brand partnerships to create purposeful, community-driven impact. Moderated by ESA Chair Sophie Morris, the discussion featured leaders from Co-op and Oak View Group sharing insights on the new Co-op Live venue, alongside Liverpool FC Foundation CEO Matt Parish.
Representing Ear To The Ground, I contributed to the session by showcasing our work on SNIPES’ bold, community-first collaboration with Paris Saint-Germain FC. The event highlighted how authentic partnerships can drive cultural relevance and meaningful social value.
Adidas Originals Creator Network North (OCNN) : 2025
I was selected as one of 20 emerging creatives, chosen from over 300 applicants, for the inaugural adidas Originals Creator Network North, a six-month development programme delivered in partnership with Factory International. The programme supports underrepresented young creatives across Manchester by offering industry mentorship, masterclasses, networking, and hands-on creative briefs
As part of the cohort, I contributed to Running in Motion, a public exhibition at Aviva Studios that explored running culture and the concept of speed through four creative works: PULSE, Do Not Go Gentle, Unsung Heroes, and Three Stories, Three Stripes. Through audio-visual installations, storytelling, and interactive design, we reimagined what it means to move fast, drawing inspiration from Manchester’s communities and adidas’ iconic Adizero shoe. The showcase marked the culmination of the programme and highlighted the creative vision and collaboration of the first-ever OCN North cohort
IPA Speaker’s Cup Winner: 2023
In 2023, I represented my agency in the IPA Speaker’s Cup — a national competition designed to revive the lost art of persuasive presenting. The challenge is simple but brutal: deliver a powerful, two-minute speech without PowerPoint, on a topic that matters to the advertising industry.
Founded to counteract our dependence on decks and slides, the competition celebrates presenters who can command a room with clarity, conviction, and heart. Each agency puts forward one entrant, who is then trained by presentation coach Graham Singleton before competing live in front of industry judges including Creative Salon's Claire Beale.
Ten finalists took to the stage to speak on issues shaping the industry, from AI and diversity to burnout, pay gaps, and sustainability.
I won the 2023 competition with a speech that judges described as “utterly persuasive,” delivered with “star quality” and “faultless presence and body language.”
As the winner, I received:
— The engraved Speaker’s Cup
— £300
— A half-day presentation masterclass for my agency from Make Yourself
Most importantly, the experience sharpened how I communicate ideas and was a great experience for me.
