Big Ideas & Bold Predictions

This time around, we had two incredible speakers who gave us plenty to think about. First up was Gareth Evans, Group MD of Cogent Group, who shared his take on the eight marketing trends that could shape the year ahead. With an eye on shifting consumer behaviours, emerging technologies, and the ever-evolving digital landscape, Gareth’s talk sparked plenty of debate (and maybe even a few strategy tweaks in real time). He covered everything from AI-driven personalisation to the increasing importance of sustainability in branding, encouraging attendees to think critically about how these trends might impact their own marketing approaches.

Following Gareth’s talk, we took a deep dive into the psychology of consumer decision-making with Juliane Beard, Director of Research at Mindlab. Her session, “Brains, Biases, and Brand Loyalty: A Research-Driven Guide to Consumer Resonance Across All Touchpoints,” explored how unconscious biases shape purchasing decisions and what that means for marketers. She broke down how neuroscience and psychology intersect with marketing, highlighting the ways emotions, familiarity, and cognitive shortcuts influence customer choices. Juliane’s insights not only challenged conventional marketing wisdom but also provided practical strategies for brands looking to build stronger emotional connections with their audiences.

Throughout the evening, the conversation extended beyond the talks. Attendees engaged in lively discussions, debating the future of marketing, sharing their own experiences, and exploring new collaboration opportunities. It was a reminder that some of the best ideas often come from these moments of organic networking - when creative minds bounce ideas off each other in a relaxed and inspiring setting.

A huge thank you to Gareth and Juliane for delivering such inspiring sessions, and to all our guests for making the evening so dynamic. If you’re in the marketing industry and want to be part of future Marketeer events, get in touch with our team.