Call for contributions: Agency Owners & Leaders 2026

Leading your business through change

Challenging markets often create the greatest opportunities for new thinking, reinvention and growth.

Every year, owners, CEOs and managing directors from across the insight sector come together at the exclusive MRS Agency Owners & Leaders Conference to openly discuss the challenges shaping the future of agency businesses, share experiences and explore new approaches to building successful, resilient organisations. We're inviting you to contribute.

We want to hear the human stories behind today's insight leaders. We're looking for honest, practical and inspiring stories from agency owners and senior leaders who are navigating change, driving growth and shaping the future of their businesses. Tell us about the decisions you've made, the risks you've taken, the lessons you've learned and the results you've achieved.

In addition, if you’d like to suggest or host a panel session or practical round table discussion that will address a current or upcoming strategic, commercial, operational or cultural challenge, please let us know.

Topics could include (but are not limited to):

• AI adoption, organisational redesign and building a future-ready agency
• Rethinking business models and achieving strategic shifts
• Redefining and refreshing commercial offers
• Extending client relationships and unlocking new growth opportunities
• Becoming more consultative and expanding influence beyond insight teams
• Developing and retaining the next generation of insight leaders
• Meeting clients’ evolving expectations of AI-enabled insight partners
• Developing strategic partnerships and new routes to market
• Creating brand clarity and differentiation in an increasingly competitive landscape
• Stories of agency growth, expansion and transformation that others can learn from
• Personal leadership journeys and examples of resilience during periods of change and uncertainty

Above all, we're looking for candid experiences, practical lessons and fresh thinking that will help agency leaders navigate today's challenges and build stronger businesses for tomorrow.

If you'd like to share your experiences with fellow agency leaders, we'd welcome proposals for presentations, case studies, panel discussions or peer-led roundtable sessions.

Alternatively, if you’d like to suggest a renowned insight leader for us to approach, please let us know.

Please submit your proposals and idea via our online form by the 8 July.

**Our exclusive leadership events are only open to owners, C-level executives and managing directors from insight agencies**