Needing no introduction, Stephen Fry is one of the pillars of British comedy, a successful stage and screen actor and a best-selling writer and director. As the opening headliner at #FOM17, Stephen will be interviewed on stage and will explore issues around digital disruption, his love for emerging technologies and how the way in which we live our lives will be fundamentally altered by future technological advancement.

In addition to sharing his thoughts as a digital evangelist, Stephen will also speak about his advocacy for the mental health charity Mind, and the vital work that this organisation undertakes to support people who are experiencing mental health problems.

Stephen will be taking to the headline stage at 9:15am on the 4th of October. To ensure that you have the opportunity to experience what will be a fascinating interview and opening to this year’s Festival, make sure you book your ticket today.

Elsewhere at the Festival…

The lineup at this year’s Festival of Marketing is packed with great speakers and brands. Business icon Jo Malone joins Stephen atop the bill, while marketing heavyweights Mark Ritson and Byron Sharp will go head-to-head in the other headline slot.

At the centre of the Ritson vs. Sharp contest lies the latter’s famous book ‘How Brands Grow’. In one corner brand consultant, academic, agent provocateur and award-winning Marketing Week columnist Mark Ritson will assess the impact of the marketing best-seller and the areas where he believes it still falls short, with Sharp being given the right to respond in person.

Away from the headliners we have speakers from the world’s biggest brands, including Virgin, Unilever, Bentley and JustEat.

So after you’ve browsed the full agenda, make sure to buy your ticket.