2025 Event Highlights

2026 Event overview

New Gen Trends in Marketing and Technology Conference, Part 5, will be held at The Venue in Melrose Arch on Tuesday, 26 May.

The conference will spotlight some of the brightest minds in digital, along with prominent winners from last year's New Generation Social & Digital Media Awards, who, between them, received over 40 awards. Participants will have the opportunity to gain insights from visionary leaders, who will share their success narratives and reveal the strategies, tools, technologies, and innovative thinking that contributed to some of the most impactful campaigns of 2025. This event aims to equip marketers with an abundance of resources and the confidence to enhance their go-to-market strategies for 2026 and 2027. Attendees can expect invigorating, relevant content, with access to international trends influencing overseas markets, equipping them with the essential tools to navigate today's contemporary marketing landscape effectively.

Featuring nine keynote speakers and two panel discussions, each panel will feature a distinguished array of panelists and a few surprise panel guests.

In a world where our ecosystem is ever-evolving, we are poised to embrace the remarkable potential of AI this year, engaging in deeper discussions about the strides we've made, the strategies we've crafted, and the transformative results achievable through its wise application. Significant changes emerge to leverage human intelligence and technology to drive innovative marketing and creative transformations that are culturally relevant.

2026 Speakers & Topics

  • Tamryn Taylor Unilever

    Tamryn Taylor, Head of Marketing: Demand Generation: Beauty Well-Being & Personal Care at Unilever SA

    TOPIC: TBC
    Read more
  • MONDRE

    Mondre Bremner, Senior Manager: Digital & Social Channels Marketing at Nedbank

    TOPIC: TBC
    Read more
  • Carni

    Carni Wilkens, Chief Growth Officer at dentsu SSA

    TOPIC: TBC
    Read more
  • Bridget

    Bridget Harpur, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen Group South Africa

    Panel Discussion Member
    Read more
  • Darren

    Darren Morris, Chief Executive Officer at Lucky Hustle

    TOPIC: Death of The Traditional Agency
    Read more
  • Clare

    Clare Trafankowska, Executive Head of Media and Digital Marketing at FNB

    TOPIC: TBC
    Read more
  • Ray Langa

    Ray Langa – Group CEO, Leagas Delaney South Africa

    TOPIC: TBC
    Read more
  • Sydney

    Sydney Rheeder, Creative Innovation Lead at TBWA \ SA part of Omnicom Advertising Group (OAG)

    TOPIC: Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES takouts) - Joint Session
    Read more
  • Olivia

    Olivia Matterson, Head of Innovation at TBWA \ SA part of Omnicom Advertising Group (OAG)

    TOPIC: Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES takouts) - Joint Session
    Read more
  • Capture jon

    Master of Ceremonies - Jon Gericke, Owner, Pint Size Media, and SAfm Radio Presenter

    Read more

Key Topic Takeaways

What to expect! 

  • Develop Actionable Strategies to Leverage AI as a Competitive Advantage, and a Clear Vision of How-To Future-Proof Your Marketing Approaches in this Transformative Era.

  • The Hybrid Model: Success Lies in Combining the Agility and Brand Expertise of Internal Teams with the Scalability and Specialisation of Agency Partners.

  • Collaboration is Key: Aligning Internal and External Resources Creates Synergy that Drives Impactful Campaigns.

  • Navigating the Chaos of Marketing Trends with AI-Powered Clarity.

  • Future-Readiness: Build a Team Culture that Embraces Innovation and Adaptability to Thrive in the Ever-Evolving Digital Landscape.

  • Explore the intersection of human ingenuity and AI-driven efficiency, as we delve into human storytelling, and where it fits into an AI-first world?

  • The Creator Economy 2.0: Navigating The Next Big Shifts in Brand Partnerships

  • How AI is Strengthening Customer Relationships by Offering Deeper Insights while Maintaining Authenticity and Trust.

  • Using technologies like GenAI to Enhance Customer Engagement and Help Companies Stand Out.

  • Understanding AI-Powered Targeting and Content Generation Tools, AI Interfaces, and Evolving Engagement Patterns.

  • Navigating Ethical Considerations and Balancing Automation with Human Creativity.

  • The Power of Social PR, and What This Means For You!

  • From Overwhelm to Opportunity: How Brands Can Embrace AI in Personalisation.

  • Embracing Innovative Platforms and Building Dynamic Communities.

  • Decoding the Disconnect: Why Great Ideas Stay Ideas in Marketing Personalisation.

2026 Ticket fees: All Prices (excl. VAT)

To Book Tickets Email stephen@newgenawards.co.za
To Book Tickets Email stephen@newgenawards.co.za

2026 Ticket sales open soon. For queries, email stephen@newgenawards.co.za  

  • Standard Ticket Fees - R3,250 per ticket.
  • Purchase 5 or more tickets and receive a 10% discount.
  • The ticket price includes amazing content, all-day refreshments, delicious breakfast and afternoon snacks, a full buffet lunch, and full-day parking.
  • Tertiary Institutions: Lecturers and Staff - R1,500 per ticket.
  • Student Rate: R1,200 per ticket.
  • NO ONLINE TICKET SALES OR PAYMENTS - Payment Method: Standard EFT

We will send an invoice after you confirm the final ticket numbers. Full payment is required before attending the event. (Credit cards not accepted). Refunds will not be issued for any fees related to this event.

Who should attend?
Who should attend?

This event is essential for professionals in Marketing, Creative Sectors, and Technology, from the Corporate, Agency, and Public sectors. The Conference is designed for those who aspire to broaden their perspectives and enhance their knowledge and skill sets to remain one step ahead within their industries.

Previous attendees include - Brand Managers, Marketing Directors, Marketing Heads, Directors of AI, VP's of Marketing, Business Dev Managers, Public Relations Managers, Corporate Comms Managers, Customer Experience Heads, e-commerce leads, Social Media Managers, Digital Marketing Managers, Heads of Digital, Creative Directors, Business Professionals, MDs, CEOs, and BUDs, Content Creators, Chief Strategists, Story Tellers, Product and Category Managers, Transformation teams, Developers, Chief Technology Officers, IT Managers, Influencers, UX/UI Designers, Innovation Leads, Chief Growth Officers, Tech Fanatics, and more...

Testimonials

  • As a Digital Content Curator passionate about social media and the future of content, we took away valuable insights from the conference that have helped shape our marketing approach.

    - Kgabo Karabo Maila, Digital Content Curator, Instinctif Partners Africa

  • I had the pleasure of attending the #NewGenTrends in Marketing conference today, which highlighted the evolving dynamics of our industry. From AI's influence on marketing to the ever-changing landscape of media and client/agency relationships, the sessions provided great insights into where our field is headed.
    A big thanks to Stephen Paxton for orchestrating such an event.

    - Rachelle Sadie, Integrated Account Director. The Brave Group

  • Congratulations on your recent #NewGenTrends in Marketing conference. The industry has been buzzing with feedback on what a first-class industry event it was (again) 🙏 Onwards and upwards

    - Tracy Jones, Founder & MD of Dialogue

  • At Leagas Delaney South Africa, we believe that Everything Matters. From the smallest creative detail to the boldest strategic vision. That’s why we are proud to support the New Gen Conference once again. As a tech-driven, insight-led agency group, we see this platform as an essential space where innovation, creativity, and digital transformation converge to shape the future of our industry. It aligns with our core values of challenging convention, driving meaningful impact, and elevating African creativity onto the global stage. We’re excited to be part of the conversation and to collaborate with the brightest minds pushing our industry and our continent forward.

    - Ray Langa, Group CEO: South Africa, Leagas Delaney - 2024 & 2025 Event Sponsor

  • The #NewGenTrends conference was so amazing, with so many important lessons learned about how to approach marketing and branding. From using awe and wonder in your thinking to using AI for content creation and encouraging #UGC. Finally, keeping concepts such as behavioral science and customer experience top of mind in our analysis of marketing data (to aid that strategic thinking and planning) 🤓

    - Nombulelo Bridgette Mini-Matsio, Digital Marketing, Volkswagen Group Africa

  • Powerful session #newgentrends In Marketing Conference. Desh Govender, TikTok. I could listen to you all day! Thank you Stephen Paxton on a fantastic day.

    - Caley May, Group Marketing Manager, Abcon Group

  • What an insightful day spent at the New Gen Marketing Conference yesterday. Thanks to Stephen Paxton and all the speakers for the very inspiring food for thought.

    - Gabi Goldstein, Chief Marketing Officer, Student Village

  • The audience: leading minds across agency & brand
    What an incredible session at the NewGenTrends in marketing conference with my co-host Raymond Langa 👏🏾
    Thank you for the warm welcome, and the amazing feedback on the day! 

    - Desh Govender, Head TikTok Brand Marketing Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Thought-provoking content and inspiration from Gareth Cliff. Well done Stephen Paxton for putting together a fantastic day.

    - David Pugh, Head of Studio at The Studio X, RCL Foods.

Event Sponsors & Media Partners

  • WM2024
  • Mmlogo