We are excited to announce that Bloom’s flagship event returns in November as a three day online festival of provocation, up-skilling and coming together to overcome the barriers to success in our industry, celebrating 10 years of Bloom.

BloomFest has always been about challenging the barriers that stand in the way of equality, helping us to unlock our potential, and feeding our souls – and now, in the time of COVID-19, we need this more than ever. BloomFest will give us all a chance to reflect on this period of extreme change, to help us RESET in this new normal and rise stronger than ever.

With 3 days of panels, workshops, fun sessions you can pick and choose, networking opportunities and much more including Bloom’s legendary Booth of Truth. Join like-minded professionals and together we'll focus on resetting ourselves, resetting our boundaries and resetting the industry. We hope both women and men will join in, coming together to bridge the gender divide and push for truly positive change.

See the agenda and book your tickets now! 

All profits from Bloom events go to our charity partner Women's Aid, along with any donations made during the event (a live donation link will be available on each day).

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We want to ensure BloomFest 2020 is inclusive as possible and understand that during COVID-19 your work or personal situation may have changed. It you would like to attend BloomFest 2020 but are currently experiencing financial challenges please get in touch with the Bloom team by emailing bloomorguk@gmail.com.

At Bloom, we'll be championing real voices, so some of the subjects discussed will be sensitive. For support, speak to NABS here.

We’re proud to say we’re DICE certified and recommended!

DAY 1 RESETTING YOURSELF 

PANEL: Locked Out: How has lockdown impacted gender equality in Adland?

Time: 8:30am

We know that the effects of Covid have not been equal. Many people have written about the disproportionate impact e.g. women have overwhelmingly taken on the additional domestic burden during lockdown, have been more susceptible to mental health challenges and redundancies as the economic crisis sweeps across the country.  At the same time, we have seen many men stepping up, enjoying formerly rare quality time with their families, and we’ve witnessed companies accepting that flexible working can work for the majority rather than the minority.  We will host a panel where people share their experiences of lockdown and whether lockdown has been a help or a hindrance to gender equality as we head towards 2021.

Moderated By: Nicky Kemp, Editorial Director, Creative Brief

Speakers include:

• Chloe Siddall, VP of Bloom & Sr. Client Lead at MulllenLowe

• Charlotte Bunyan, Head of Strategy at Cult LDN + Co-Founder at twixt

• Chris Kenna, Founder at Brand Advance

• Steph Matthews, Partnerships Director at Creative Equals

Sponsored by ITV

WORKSHOP TRACK

WORKSHOP 1: The Rebound: How to bounce back from the COVID confidence crisis

Time: 11:30am

Another story is emerging from the pandemic – a crisis of confidence that comes when so many aspects of our working lives are out of the control of any one individual.  However, many groups are being given opportunities without adequate support and are feeling set up to fail.  With many having their jobs radically changed but without support, put on pause, furloughed, and even made redundant, we will run a workshop to help those whose confidence has been knocked.

Workshop Facilitator: Tiwalola Ogunlesi, Coach & Consultant of Hustle Crew

WORKSHOP 2: The Seventeen Point Three Percent: How to overcome the pay gap in the global pandemic

Time: 12:35pm

With the economy crashing around us and organisations in dire financial straits, redundancies abound, pay cuts are replacing pay rises and more people are looking for alternative ways to make a living.  So, it’s no surprise that many of us find ourselves saying that being underpaid is better than not being paid at all.  Evidence shows that women are disproportionately being put on furlough and made redundant, leaving us more financially impacted by COVID than men on the whole.  Now more than ever we need to proactively protect our livelihoods and prevent the progress we have made on closing the pay gap from being reversed. 

But how?  This workshop will guide us to ask for the money we deserve, without compromising our values.

Speaker includes: Rosa Rolo, Commercial Director at Major Players,

Workshop Facilitator: Stefanie Sword – Williams, Founder and Author of F*ck Being Humble

WORKSHOP 3: The New Flex: How to draft your ideal ‘back to the office’ plan

Time: 1:40pm

There has never been a time in our lives when the definition of the ‘workplace’ has changed as profoundly as it has in the last six months. Suddenly, flexible working has moved from being the exception to being the norm; from being associated most often with parents, to being forced upon everyone. This workshop will give you the tools to construct your ideal work style and rhythm, so we can all become the architects of our future workplace. 

Speakers include:

• Laura Braithwaite, Co-Founder of Liberty Hive

• Emma Gardner, Co-founder at Born Equal Consults

• Nathalie Shirley, Senior HRBP at Twitter

Workshop Facilitator: Roxanne Hobbs, Founder at Hobbs Consultancy

Sponsored by Group M

CAREER MOT COACHING WORKSHOP: The Reboot: How to give your career an MOT

Time: 3:30pm

RESET FOR GREATER FULFILMENT

Have you lost direction and drive in your career? Do you wonder why some days you feel more satisfied than others? Love the idea being your best self at work, playing to your strengths at work and in life?  Have you lost your ‘zing’ during lockdown and are seeking inspiration?

If you are looking for a reset, then this workshop is for you.

During this workshop, you will: 

• Identify your unique personal values and why they matter

• Determine the things you’re great at and love doing at work

• Consider the value you bring to your work and organisation 

• Create next steps to continue growing through work during uncertain times 

A great opportunity to share thoughts and reflections with like-minded women in a safe and supportive environment. 

Please bring along a pen and paper.

Bloom coaches: Fiona Cameron, Mary Langan, and Joanna Ketley

FUN SESSION: Dance Cardio

Time: 5:00pm

Designed to get your heart pumping and endorphins flowing, this 45 minute session of non-stop dancing to a mix of banging tunes is sure to put a smile on your face. No dance experience necessary, just be prepared to shake your stuff, throw some shapes and have some FUN! All children/ family members are welcomed to join in as well.

Host: Claudia Addison Newland, Founder of The Shred Squad 

NETWORKING

Time: 5:45pm

DAY 2 RESETTING YOUR BOUNDARIES  

PANEL: Listen Up: The rise of empathetic leadership

Time: 8:30am

All around the country we have seen companies adapting to the strange new world we are living in – from flexible working to virtual socials to regular mental health check-ins.  Empathy has become an important currency in leadership – but it is at odds with the practices of some of the world’s most successful business and political leaders, where kindness seems to be dismissed as weakness.  Showing vulnerability and our whole selves at work is encouraged on the one hand, but being overly emotional is discouraged. 

Where do the boundaries lie? This session will allow a variety of industry leaders to discuss what successful leadership looks like as we look ahead to 2021, drawing on their own personal experiences.

Moderated by: Sophia Durrani, Co-Head of Strategy at Bloom and Freelance Strategy Consultant

Speakers include:

• Shannie Mears, Co-Founder & Head of Talent at The Elephant Room

• Lotte Jeffs, Author, Journalist and Podcaster

• Josh Graff, UK Country Manager, Vice President Marketing at LinkedIn

• Natalie Bell, Managing Director of MG OMD

Sponsored by LinkedIn

WORKSHOP TRACK

WORKSHOP 1: Be the change, not the victim: How to overcome workplace bullying and foster personal & cultural change

Time: 11:30am

Sue Higgs’ article in which she discussed her experience of bullying elicited a powerful response. It has now become clear that this behaviour is endemic across our industry. This session will explore how we can manage and overcome workplace bullying, reframe our thinking, overcome the perception of, or experience of, shame, and rise stronger than before. You will also have the opportunity to share experiences and collaborate to look at how we might change the industry rules of engagement to create psychologically safe working environments for all. 

Speakers include:

• Sue Higgs, Creative Director, Freelance

• Christina Clark, Founder at Work Culturati

• Leila Travis, Client Strategy & Planning Controller at ITV

WORKSHOP 2: The power of no: How to create boundaries and balance in an always on industry

Time: 12:35pm

Lockdown has caused workplace burn out as our work has encroached upon our homes. At the same time, minority colleagues are feeling the pressure to provide guidance through the political and societal turmoil following the fall out from BLM.  It seems as though trying to have it all and please everyone, many of us are often guilty of taking on too much and this can impact both our mental and physical health, as well as relationships.  Much of this is rooted in the fear that saying no makes us look disagreeable, disloyal, or weak.  While it’s important to support teams, it’s equally important to know our limits in order to be more efficient and effective. 

This session is designed to give us the tools and techniques to explore our boundaries and feel confident saying no.

Workshop facilitator: Madeline McQueen, Founder at Your Confidence Coach

WORKSHOP 3: The Alpha vs the Omega Leader: How to channel your own leadership energy rather than mimicking others

Time: 1:40pm

We all develop our own leadership style over time, shaped by the leaders we are led by, by the energy we embody and by the mentors we look to as we rise.  People at the top often describe the pressure to be alpha, to fit the mould of existing leaders and the difficulty of charting their own path to leadership. It’s easy to copy what has come before, but much more rewarding to tune into what is right for you. 

This workshop will explore your innate leadership style, regardless of where you are in your career, challenge your assumptions about what makes a good leader and help you channel your energy into being the best leader you can be, whether you manage one person or 1000.

Workshop facilitator: Deena Gornick, Coach

Sponsored by DoubleVerify

CAREER MOT COACHING WORKSHOP: The Reboot: How to give your career an MOT

Time: 3:30pm

PLAN. DON’T PANIC.

We all want to feel like we’re heading in the right direction, putting our time and efforts into areas that bring us the most satisfaction and happiness. This year, progress has been harder and slower than we may have liked. 

A career reset will look different for everyone and resetting doesn’t necessarily mean changing everything. So, whether you’re looking to re-align your career direction or looking to change roles entirely, this mini workshop will help you get clear on where you want to get to, then start to create a plan to make it happen.

During this workshop, you will:  

• Get clear on what you do and don’t want in your career 

• Create a career goal that is exciting AND realistic

• Start to build an action plan that will help you make the change

• Feel a sense of achievement, control and progress

A great opportunity to share thoughts and reflections with like-minded women in a safe and supportive environment. 

Please bring along a pen and paper.

Bloom coaches: Fiona Cameron, Mary Langan, and Joanna Ketley

A LITTLE BIT OF FUN: Let’s Get Physical with Disco Yoga

Time: 5:00pm

Time for a break.  All too often between work encroaching on our free time, exercise is something that gets abandoned.  But exercise is not only good for our bodies but it’s good for the soul. Join us for 30 mins of energetic fun and a bit of twerking for good measure!

Workshop host: Joy Dean, Founder of Hoop, Hustle and Flow & Head of Strategic Partnerships at Invibes

NETWORKING

Time: 5:30pm

DAY 3 RESETTING THE INDUSTRY

PANEL: Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: Ditching virtue signals to become an active ally

Time: 8:30am

There has been an outpouring of support for Black Lives Matter after the events of George Floyd’s death and an awakening to racial harassment and inequality in the workplace in the last few months.  But we know that this show of online activism is not the extent of the support we can and should provide. We are in danger of repeating the mistakes made in 2017 following #MeToo. And, at the risk of this moment in history becoming another opportunity for virtue signalling we really must do more.  Being an ally in the workplace isn’t passive, it requires action and it isn’t about being comfortable. We need to challenge ourselves, our behaviours, and the behaviour of those around us now and long after this media storm. 

We will be discussing how you can become a true ally to those around you, and sharing some uncomfortable truths that we all need to hear.

Moderated by: Dinah Williams, Co-Founder of Bloom in Colour & Client Director at In Diverse Company

Speakers include:

• Sophie Williams, Author & Activist at Millennial Black

• Amy Walker, Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator at GroupM

• Leng Montgomery, Diversity & Inclusion Partner at ASOS

• Susan “Spark” Park, Head of Global Gaming Ads, Product Marketing at Facebook

Sponsored by PubMatic

TALK: "The Bleedin’ Truth - From Periods to Menopause, how to bring our ‘whole body’ to work"

Time: 10:00am

It starts early in our careers, hiding tampons up our sleeves on the way to the office loo, smirking through period pains, disguising gynaecologist appointments to our colleagues as ‘dental exams’ and denying the biological clock is ticking at all in conversations with our managers.  Periods, STDs, fertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, child birth, menopause.  As we move through our careers, our bodies require our focus at various times, sometimes more, sometimes less - but always silently impacting who we are and how we operate at work.  So rarely do we talk honestly about how this silent suffering deepens the divide between men and women at work, pushing that glass ceiling just a tad closer.   This panel aims to lift the lid on this silence, uncovering the truth of bringing our ‘whole body’ to work, normalising the topics we cringe to mention.  Because in truth we find support, in truth we find change.

Moderated by:

• Jaden Grant, Adtech Solutions Consultant at IPONWEB

• Jacqueline Lynch, Deputy Head of Project Management at Adam & Eve/DDB

Speakers include:

• Landy Slattery, Creative Director & Co-Chair of 4Women at Channel 4

• Helen O'Neill, Lecturer at UCL & CEO at Hertility

• Richard Sullivan, Senior Account Director at LinkedIn

• Anneka Vestey, Head of Production at Contented Group & Bloom member

WORKSHOP TRACK

WORKSHOP 1: The Conversation - How to spot and combat micro-aggressions to build true inclusivity 

Time: 11:30am

Ever been described as bossy or aggressive instead of assertive?  Emotional rather than passionate?  Picky as opposed to decisive?  Or have you used any of these terms to describe someone else?  Every day, seemingly ‘innocent’ language can have negative gendered, racial and discriminatory impact on those we interact with. It’s time to recognise, call out, and reframe the way we speak in a more positive way to create a better, kinder environment for all.

Workshop facilitator: Derin Bamgbelu, Learning and Development Professional at Group M

Speakers include: Elizabeth Anyaegbuna, Co-Founder of Bloom in Colour & Co-Founder at Sixteenbynine & Co-Founder at Black Corner

Sponsored by MiQ

WORKSHOP 2: The Forgotten Majority: How to use radical candour to bridge the gender divide & become an ally to men at work

Time: 12:35pm

There is no doubt that the #metoo movement and the rise of industry initiatives have had a powerful effect on galvanising women and finally shining a light on the issues that impact women. But have we considered the specific issues that impact the ‘modern’ man?  2020 has brought new pressures for us all, many of which have hit men very hard.  The stats speak for themselves - 38% of men feel lockdown has had a negative effect on their mental health.  31% of men feel more anxious during lockdown. And there has been a 47% increase in calls to male suicide prevention charity CALM’s helpline since March.  What is needed more than ever is understanding between us. This workshop, in partnership with the Book of Man, will dive into the learnings we’ve had from Bloom’s Exchange programme to help facilitate radically candid conversations between men and women, with a focus today on women building a deeper understanding of the true challenges facing men in 2020, which will in turn, move us closer to equality in our industry.

Speakers include:

• Mark Sandford, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at Book of Man

• Marc Thomas, Managing Director - Northern Europe, Taboola

• Dom Joseph, CEO at Captify

• James Appleby, Managing Director at PHD

Workshop facilitator:

• Shiv Brunwin, Head of Ally Engagement at Bloom, People Director at MullenLowe

• Victoria Brooks, Co-Founder of The Exchange, VP of Bloom 2019, & Strategy Consultant

WORKSHOP 3: The One and Only - How to find your way when you are the only one in the room

Time: 1:40pm

Under pressure to perform. On guard. Isolated. Under more scrutiny. When you’re the ONLY person from an underrepresented group in the room, your workplace experience can be a world away from the majority.  At the same time, more often than not, “onlys'' aren't seen as the individuals that they are, they are seen as THE representative, spokesperson and example for a particular, often very broad group. Their performance can feel like a litmus test for what their group is capable of - and this is enormous pressure for anyone to feel.  In this workshop, we want to explore how “onlys'' can turn their experiences into a more positive one.  We will learn how to relieve this unnecessary pressure, feel more confident, and understand how to challenge the tokenism around us.

Speakers include: Sulaiman Khan, Founder & Chief Purpose Officer at This Ability

Workshop facilitator: Collette Philip, Founder at Brand by Me & Bloom Member

Sponsored by Magnite

FIRESIDE CHATS: She inspires me: How to find your personal board and role models

Time: 5:00pm

Successful leaders often talk about having the support of men and women across many aspects of their lives, but many of us don’t know where to begin to find these personal cheerleaders.  “Networking” can fill some of us with fear - especially for those of us new to this world or from minority backgrounds.  This session will focus on how to build a network - from a smaller inner circle - your personal board - to a wider network to help you thrive in a corporate world - to supporting and nurturing others along the way. 

Moderated by: Lucy Cutter, Bloom COO & Activation Director at Kinetic

Speakers include:

• Sally Keane, Bloom 2020 President & Head of Sales at LinkedIn

• Steph Matthews, Partnerships Director at Creative Equals & Bloom 2019 President

• Gina Hood, Senior Account Director at Snap & Bloom 2018 President

• Emily Philp, Founder of Flex Events & Bloom 2016 President

• Bronac McNeill, Owner at Bronac McNeill Photography & Film and Founder Bloom Member

THE BOOTH OF TRUTH LIVE

Time: 5:30pm

Join us for BloomFest Booth of Truth Live, we will share some of the real ‘confessions’ from The Booth of Truth and discuss the issues they raise inviting participants to share their stories and actions too. We will have a networking breakout to discuss the impact on lockdown on equality and creating actions to drive positive industry change and close with what really matters to us now in 2020 and what we most want to see change for the future. As the final session of The Reset, you will meet other attendees from the industry in an interactive session designed to turn real voices into action. We encourage everyone to share, reflect, and discuss what should change in our industry in the next ten years, what we should prioritise and setting ourselves some actionable next steps to accelerate change.

Moderated by: Zara Bryson, Strategy & Innovation Director & Co-Head of Strategy, Bloom

Speakers include:

• Victoria Brooks, Co-Founder of The Exchange, VP of Bloom 2019, & Strategy Consultant

• Collette Philip, Founder at Brand by Me & Bloom Member

• Mark Sandford, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at Book of Man

NETWORKING

Time: 6:00pm

Thank you to our sponsors