Full-service creative event agency DRPG held its eighth BigTalk
event, welcoming 150 clients and industry professionals to its Midlands studio complex.
A roster of notable speakers joined the opening panel,
including Ryan Curtis-Johnson, chief communications officer from The Valuable
500, Sam Wilson, managing director of Syntiro Associates, Toby Bassford, managing
director from Tillon and Spencer Holt, chief executive and people officer from
Merlin Entertainments. They discussed everything from sustainability and
accessibility to reward and recognition.
This year BigTalk was 'powered' by DRPG Labs, a concept in
which the studios were transformed into laboratories for workshops that
addressed key topics such as artificial intelligence, storytelling, behavioural
change and leadership, offering practical insights and takeaways through debates and interactive sessions.
DRPG CEO Dale Parmenter said: "BigTalk 2024 was a pivotal moment for us, showcasing the future of
communication and the innovative spirit that drives DRPG. Our aim was to create
insightful discussions, and it was rewarding to see such meaningful engagement
from all participants. Passion is alight in the creative industry right now and
we’re pleased to offer our clients a seat at the forefront."
Later, guests enjoyed a dinner created by chef Graham
Brooks, featuring local produce and drinks where 96 per cent of the menu’s
ingredients were produced and sourced in Worcestershire.
The event finished with a recognition ceremony, celebrating
achievements in communication, from the agency directly to its clients. This
segment awarded global projects and collaborations made over the past year that
have shaped communications technically, behaviourally or through best use of
specific channels. To fit the theme, bespoke trophies were constructed by 3D
printed recycled filament and repurposed wooden bases for the winners to take
home.
Antonia Voss, head of EMEA & APAC events at Blackstone, said: "I knew there’d be innovation, but I didn’t expect it to be at this level. The
creativity and the energy have just been phenomenal. Seeing colleagues of yours
rapping to Vanilla Ice along with cutting edge AI is probably something I
wasn’t expecting. So many key takeaways, creative strategies and a lot of AI
innovation."
