13 April 2017

“It’s not all about Millennials” say speakers at Visual Media Conference

The Visual Media Conference (VMC) returned to the Rose Bowl on 11th April 2017 to delight over 200 individuals in the creative, digital, print and packaging industries, including a few international visitors. As an established event for the region in its 4th year, VMC brought together the region's best to consider the effectiveness of communication channels to a specified audience - from baby boomer to generation A. The main take away from the day was that Millennials are only ONE of the many groups to consider and marketers should remember this when crafting their messages and consider the importance of life stages.

Organised by CDi Yorkshire, a special interest group of the BPIF, the reputation of ‘a network of networks' was certainly maintained with the VMC hosting the teams behind Leeds Digital Festival, Leeds International Festival and the 2023 Leeds City of Culture Bid. The latter who provided a stunning performance from Phoenix Dance Theatre to open the VMC in spectacular style.

The conference was a resounding success with highlights including Rachel Aldighieri from DMA stating that the younger generation DO engage with traditional media and Lyle Rainey and Andrew Pike of HP demonstrating personalisation at its cutest. While Guy Douglass, Parker Williams, campaigned for inclusive packaging design that benefits all and Rob Shaw and David Wood from Jaywing enlightened the audience to the measurement of emotional response and how this can aid marketers. Neil Mayling and Lucie Moss of Jaguar Land Rover, spoke of the company's rich history and their pioneering of new technology for the future. Print Power's Jonathan Tame updated the industry on their success against greenwash campaigns and Louise Scanlan from Royal Mail MarketReach, gave top tips for engaging with customers at different life stages using direct mail.

With HP gifting all attendees with personalised Easter eggs and Jaguar Land Rover showcasing their latest Land Rover Discovery and demonstrating other cars using virtual reality the exhibition area was a hive of activity.

The conference itself would have not been possible without the support of its partners HP, Jaywing and ProCo who helped the VMC to once again raise its game as an event not to be missed. Thanks also go to our supporters Sun Branding Solutions, CPI, Celloglas, Jumpstart, G.F Smith, CyanX, Leeds Business School, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, Smart Directions, DMA, Leeds City Council, Prolific North, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds 2023, UKTI, BOSS federation, Nettl and Print Power.

To view photos from the event go to: visualmediaconference.com/gallery

To register for the VMC 2018 go to: visualmediaconference.com/ticket