Spikes Survival Guide, Part 1: Planning your days

The three stages

That's right, three stages. The main Inspiration stage will be supported at this year’s event by two smaller stages. The Silent Stage, sponsored by Cinime, will host 12 forums delivered as 45-minute practical learning sessions. Be sure to turn up on time to snag a headset. The Discovery Stage will host Tech Talks, seven curated talks showcasing technology that is changing the industry, sponsored by Omnicom Media Group. The stage will also play host to masterclasses from Nick Garrett and Peter Grasse.

The themes

The sessions are divided up into several themes, allowing you to streamline and pick the content you prefer to follow. The main ones this year are Creativity, Technology and Storytelling. (Click here to see the full programme, and then use the pulldown menu to explore specific themes)

The highlights

Not to be missed this year are three key speakers from the broader world of creativity. YouTube opens the event with comedic group AIB, and Mad Men star Christina Hendricks joins McGarry Bowen on the Inspiration Stage on Thursday at 12:05pm. On the first day, the main stage will also host this year’s ‘DDB Presents’, Pulitzer-Prize-winning director and photographer Vincent Laforet at 12:40pm, followed by Grey Group and Aaron Haroon Rashid, CEO of Unicorn Black. The second day of Spikes opens with a keynote from Diageo at 10am on ‘The Art of Blending’. Also, Mondelez is hosting a separate forum with talks and panels around talent, ecommerce, Eastern marketing going big in the West, mobile and programmatic.

Fuel

Stamina is everything at an event like Spikes, but caffeine does help. Re-up at the Havas Café for gourmet coffee with a French-bistro-like experience or turn right and head to Unruly’s corner for what we hear is ‘unconventional’ coffee. If hydration is your aim (particularly the morning after Spikes Nights) look out for the fridges sponsored by SPH. To show friends and family how well you are surviving, stop by Instagram’s ‘zero gravity’ photobooth. Nope, we won’t say more than that about it. 

Staying social