The emPOWER Breakfast Launches the emPOWERMENt Series with Barny Wright

The emPOWER Breakfast, the celebrated networking initiative for creative industry professionals, announced last week that Barny Wright, co-founder of No.8, will be the inaugural speaker for its ground breaking new emPOWERMENt series. Barny's talk titled 'A Clear Vision: How Sobriety Launched My Leadership Journey' on April 2nd, 2025, will be hosted at Ogilvy's prestigious Sea Containers headquarters in London.

The emPOWERMENt series represents a significant expansion of the emPOWER community, which has previously focused on supporting women in advertising and film production. This new initiative aims to create an open forum where men can engage in meaningful conversations about mental health, emotional wellbeing, and professional challenges in a supportive environment.

In this ground breaking session, Wright will share his personal experience with addiction, navigating challenging situations while maintaining sobriety, and how this journey has profoundly informed his leadership approach. The candid conversation with emPOWER founder Athene Parker promises to be an insightful exploration of vulnerability and resilience in professional settings.

"Through building a strong community for women in the creative industries, we recognised the critical need to create a similar space for men," said Athene. "The emPOWERMENt series will address topics that are too often missing in professional settings for men and in some cases anywhere. Barny's willingness to share his sobriety journey represents exactly the kind of authentic conversation we hope to foster."

While this inaugural event is invitation-only, emPOWER is offering two seats through a special creativity challenge. Interested professionals can contact emPOWER directly for details on how to participate.

The event refreshments are directly sponsored by the brilliant Snapper Films and Bite Collective. While Ogilvy hosts the space and the event has been organised by the amazing team and Gold Sponsors New Commercial Arts. We have some very creative input in the sponsorship refreshments branding, which is being created by the wonderful Mark Denton. This piece of artwork will be auctioned at a later date to provide funds for Steve Ackroyd's Cancer treatment fund that his wife Francesca Barnes has tirelessly been organising, with treatment already having extended his life.

The emPOWER initiative is made possible through the support of an impressive roster of industry sponsors, with New Commercial Arts and Peach serving as Gold Sponsor. Silver Sponsors include Factory Studios Ltd, SIREN Music Supervision, All Of Us Here, Cabin Editing Company, The Bourne Consultancy, NM Productions, Lemonade Reps, and Vocal Point. Bronze Sponsors include the Advertising Producers Association (APA), Nomad, and newly announced BBH London, with photography provided by 45 Music Supervision.

The emPOWER podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, is produced in partnership with String and Tins and serves as an additional resource for industry professionals seeking inspiration and guidance.

Organisations interested in sponsorship opportunities for future events or individuals wishing to join the emPOWER mailing list can contact here.