Karen Middleton

Board Member at Conscious Advertising Network / Marketing Lecturer University of Portsmouth

Dr. Karen Middleton’s research focuses on inclusive and sustainable advertising, online safety, and the prevention of violence against women and girls. Actively involved with industry bodies, practitioners, and advocacy groups, Karen holds an advisory role with the Conscious Advertising Network. She currently serves as the Athena SWAN Chair for the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth, advancing gender equality in higher education. Her work has been published in respected academic journals such as Marketing Theory and the International Journal of Advertising. In 2023, Karen received the Worshipful Company of Marketors Prize for Outstanding Performance in Marketing, awarded for her PhD thesis on advertising’s institutional role in society.

Conference Day One

1:45 PM Panel Discussion: Woke Brands? Navigating Corporate Social Responsibility & Brand Safety on Social Media

As brands are increasingly called upon to engage in social and political discourse, balancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) with brand safety on social media has become crucial. This session will provide marketing, media, and advertising professionals with strategies to navigate controversial issues, calls to action and potential backlash.

  • Understanding the principles of CSR and their importance in contemporary branding on social media.
  • Strategies for brands to authentically engage with social issues without appearing performative or insincere.
  • Implementing measures to safeguard your brand from association with harmful or inappropriate content.
  • Best practices for crisis management, addressing backlash and maintaining brand integrity during social media crises.
  • Tools and metrics for assessing the effectiveness and impact of your CSR initiatives on social media.

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Karen.

Download The Latest Agenda