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5th December 2025

Marketing and Publicity Conference 2025

09:00 - 18:00
County Hall, Waterloo and Online

M&P CONFERENCE 2025

From Pitch to Purpose

This year’s Marketing & Publicity Conference, fondly known as M&P, took place on Monday 30th June at County Hall, London and online, where the spotlight was firmly on what gets things done in book communications. 

With a dynamic programme themed From Pitch to Purpose, the day featured top-tier speakers including Rebecca Sinclair (Penguin Random House) delivering the keynote, Danny Fontaine (Pitchguy and author of Pitch) sharing practical pitching advice, and Adrienne Adhami offering strategies on smart decision-making.

The agenda included sessions on author tours, social media, representation in comms teams, indie bookseller insights, and case studies for all budgets. Whether you’re a publicist, marketer, or comms lead in publishing, this was the annual event to get inspired, upskill, and connect with peers across the industry. 

 

 

 

Grace Lewis, Head of eventsGrace Lewis, Head of events
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Featured News

Bookseller reveals M&P Line-up

The Bookseller reveals Marketing and Publicity Conference line-up

The theme of the conference, which is celebrating its ninth year, is "Creativity. Community. Continuity". The conference will return both online and in person at County Hall, Waterloo, on 1st July.

Delegates at The M&P Conference advised to own their successes and experiment

Delegates at The M&P Conference advised to own their successes and experiment

Publishing is "weird" with tiny budgets and lean operations, but the result is that campaign teams can own their successes.

FLIP panel discusses the need for work phones and no-blame culture at the M&P Conference

FLIP panel discusses the need for work phones and no-blame culture at the M&P Conference

Literary agent Silé Edwards has discussed how a designated work mobile can help prevent burnout

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Delegate Testimonials

Testimonial 1
This is the most re-energising and refocusing event of the publishing calendar - I always feel reset and motivated by the insights I hear through the day
Testimonial 2
I would recommend The Bookseller's Marketing and Publicity Conference to anyone, regardless of experience level, for insights into what's going on in our industry and creative motivation/inspiration for working on future marketing and publicity campaigns.
Testimonial 3
The marketing and publicity conference is a great way to keep up to date on what’s going on in the industry and to keep yourself inspired and excited about the work we do!

Video

Watch the Making Space for Creativity Panel from M&P 2024

Please note the interactive elements of this panel are now closed. 

Featured SpeakersView All


Marketing & Publicity Conference Sponsors and Partners 2025View All


Featured Speakers


Adrienne Adhami

Adrienne Adhami

Author, wellbeing coach & brand advisor
Danny Fontaine

Danny Fontaine

Author & host of the Pitch Masters Podcast
Sabah Khan

Sabah Khan

Publicity director, adult
Simon & Schuster UK
Chrissy Ryan

Chrissy Ryan

Founder
BookBar
Rebecca Sinclair

Rebecca Sinclair

Chief brand officer
Penguin Random House UK

All Speakers


Adrienne Adhami

Adrienne Adhami

Author, wellbeing coach & brand advisor
Nancy Adimora

Nancy Adimora

Founder
OtherStories
James Atkinson

James Atkinson

Senior brand manager
DK
Alison Barrow

Alison Barrow

PR director
Transworld, Penguin Random House
Lois Bray

Lois Bray

Corporate communications director
Pan Macmillan
Amanda Coleman

Amanda Coleman

Director
Amanda Coleman Communications
Sasha Cox

Sasha Cox

Head of UK sales
Canongate Books
Hattie Crisell

Hattie Crisell

Writer
Stuart Evers

Stuart Evers

Director
NetGalley UK
Danny Fontaine

Danny Fontaine

Author & host of the Pitch Masters Podcast
Katie Fraser

Katie Fraser

Staff writer & Chair of the New Adult Book Prize
The Bookseller
Rosie Grant

Rosie Grant

Marketing executive
Cornerstone, Penguin Random House
Sabah Khan

Sabah Khan

Publicity director, adult
Simon & Schuster UK
Naomi Mantin

Naomi Mantin

Head of publicity
4th Estate
Liv Marsden

Liv Marsden

Head of marketing
4th Estate & William Collins
Stephanie Melrose

Stephanie Melrose

Director of commercial publicity
Little, Brown
Eve Wersocki-Morris

Eve Wersocki-Morris

Director
EWM PR
Mia Oakley

Mia Oakley

Marketing manager
Bloomsbury
Jonny O'Brien

Jonny O'Brien

copywriter
Simon & Schuster
Duro Oye

Duro Oye

CEO & founder
2020 Levels
Vicky Palmer

Vicky Palmer

Creative & marketing director
Hodder & Stoughton
Fiona Razvi

Fiona Razvi

Festival director and CEO
Wimbledon BookFest
Lucy Richardson

Lucy Richardson

Publicity director
Bonnier Books UK
Rebecca Roberts

Rebecca Roberts

Founder & director
Night Owl Books
Gemma Rostill

Gemma Rostill

Lead marketing strategist
BookMachine Creative Agency
Pru Rowlandson

Pru Rowlandson

Campaigns & publicity director
Granta
Chrissy Ryan

Chrissy Ryan

Founder
BookBar
Helen Schnabel

Helen Schnabel

Central events co-ordinator
Waterstones
Alice Shortland

Alice Shortland

Marketing director
Canongate
Rebecca Sinclair

Rebecca Sinclair

Chief brand officer
Penguin Random House UK
Sam Soar

Sam Soar

Content creator
Philip Stone

Philip Stone

Head of publisher account management
NielsenIQ BookData
Jasper Sutcliffe

Jasper Sutcliffe

Head of business development
Bookshop.org
Amanda Truman

Amanda Truman

Owner
Truman Books
Laura Vile

Laura Vile

Deputy marketing director
Little, Brown
Vicki Watson

Vicki Watson

Marketing director
HarperFiction
Emma Whittle

Emma Whittle

Programming strategic lead
The Times & Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival

Marketing & Publicity Conference Sponsors and Partners 2025


borough press
HQ Stories
NielsenIQ BookData
Publishers' Publicity Circle

About

Find out key information about the 2025 Marketing & Publicity Conference.

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What is M&P?

The Bookseller’s annual Marketing & Publicity Conference, fondly known as M&P, is a one day conference for marketing and publicity professionals throughout the publishing industry. Consisting of talks, panels and surgeries on everything from brands to bookshops, events to AI. Industry experts from the world of books and outside the industry gather to share their expertise and opinions on the sector’s most pressing topics.

Who is M&P for?

Whether you are just starting out in publishing or a director at a big five publisher, M&P offers unique and tailored training for all marketing and publicity professionals working across the book trade. From campaigns assistants, marketing executives to publicity directors and head of comms - M&P is the place to be for everyone working in comms roles. 

You'll leave feeling re-energised and refocused, equipped with actionable takeaways to create smarter campaigns. 

When is M&P?

M&P 2025 will be held at County Hall, London on Monday 30th June. The conference is also livestreamed online for those who are not able to attend in person. All ticket holders will receive on demand access to the conference talks and panels for three months post event to enjoy at your leisure. 

Why should I attend?

M&P is the only conference which is especially curated for marketing and publicity professionals within publishing. It creates an exclusive space to share ideas and create solutions for the industry’s most pressing topics from new markets to media, audience expectations to AI.

By taking just one day away from your desk, you will forge new connections and deepen existing bonds with colleagues spanning the sector thanks to our networking breaks and drinks reception. 

Gain insights from leading industry experts through expertly curated panels, case studies and talks and participate in Q&As to specifically enhance your skills and empower you to apply new strategies effectively.

M&P’s purpose is to support and empower marketers and publicists so that after the conference you leave empowered with actionable tools to improve your work.

Our Indie Scheme

At The Bookseller, we recognise the vital role that independent voices, such as small press, charities, festivals, libraries and booksellers, play in shaping our industry. That’s why we offer an exclusive discounted rate available to small press and independent organisations working in comms roles.

In addition, we work with the Bookseller’s Association and The Reading Agency to help booksellers and librarians take a day away to contribute their unique findings to the conference.  

We value the work independent companies do and believe their attendance at the conference is vital because they:

  • Lead with Passion 
    Creating meaningful, high-quality campaigns. We want to amplify their work through smarter marketing and publicity strategies.

  • Utilise Cost-Effective, Impactful Marketing
    Leaner budgets encourage a more strategic and creative approach. At M&P, delegates learn practical, results-driven tactics to maximise efforts without breaking the bank.

  • Help Shape Industry Trends
    With innovative grassroots approaches their insights are crucial to the broader conversation of pushing the industry forward.

  • Deserve Access to the Best Publicity Tools & Insights
    At a smaller company employees wear many hats, so we want to ensure they have access to cutting-edge marketing techniques, digital strategies, and PR insights to level the playing field. 


To discuss an indie rate please contact events@thebookseller.com

Interested in becoming a sponsor?

Support marketing & publicity throughout the book trade by sponsoring M&P.

Our media pack is available to browse here.

If you're interested in becoming a sponsor please get in touch.

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Gallery

Photos from The Bookseller Marketing & Publicity Conference 2024

Photo credit: David Monteith-Hodge

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Events and Tickets

Get exclusive access to event news, early bird tickets, shortlist announcements and speaker reveals from The Bookseller events.