4 Sales Upfront 2019

We returned to the Roundhouse in Camden for our 4 Sales Upfront on 5th June, bigger and better than ever.

The 2019 4 Sales Upfront returned on 5th June to London’s iconic Roundhouse, bigger and better than ever before, with over 1200 guests from across the UK advertising industry joining us for our second Summer version of the event. This year also marked our first ever pre-event Upclose, which took place directly before the Upfront, to a select 120-strong audience.

The Upclose aimed to gather the great and good of the media world together to discuss the most important topics facing our industry. Siobhan Kennedy, Business Editor for Channel 4 news, gave us her views on the potential economic impact of what could happen next following Brexit, while Claire Enders of Enders Analysis shared her views on the advertising ecosystem. Creative powerhouse Vicki Maguire, Creative Director of Grey London talked about the ongoing importance of creativity in an increasingly bland, performance-driven world. We also officially revealed the theme for our Diversity in Advertising Award 2019 (more on that below).

At the Upfront, Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon emphasised Channel 4’s contribution to the UK media industry, detailing how operating in 5 offices in the UK by the end of this year reflects the channel’s responsibility to come up with fresh content and reflect Britain in all of its diversity.  Meanwhile, Director of Programmes Ian Katz provided an update on future programming launches, including a couple of very special celebrity-led specials (Gogglebox, Sink or Swim) and a brand-new documentary series looking at all areas of the UK’s criminal justice system that could be the most important TV-watch of the whole year: Justice. 

Chief Commercial Officer Jonathan Allan reminded us that TV is in as rude health as ever, our collaboration projects with ITV and Sky are still key, and in line with the demands of younger viewing habits, announced the investment of millions into All 4. We also announced the brief for our Diversity in Advertising Award, our annual competition which gives £1M of airtime to the winning entrant: this year, the focus is on the representation of the LGBT+ community in advertising.

After the show, it was time to get stuck in! The Roundhouse was transformed into a Channel 4, UKTV and BT Sport playground, with guests given the opportunity to experience programmes like never before:  getting rowdy with pub food and sport in our BT Sport bar, trying out their Channel 4 weather presenting chops amid a real green screen, enjoying some Italian and French delicious delights from the First Dates Hotel Italian villa and Dick and Angel’s Chateau, taking part in our SAS challenge to see if they could qualify with Ant Middleton watching closely, or petting adorable dogs in The Dog House.

Full event photos are available to view and download here.

Help us make next year’s event even better by letting us know your feedback here – with the chance to win a £150 John Lewis giftcard: http://surveys.channel4.co.uk/s/upfront/

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