Case Study
Magenta Talks
A live event series that brought the design and technology community together around ideas worth debating.
Magenta Talks grew out of a simple observation: the conversations happening around the publication were as interesting as the publication itself. The series took that energy off the page and into a room, with events built around a single idea, strong speakers, and enough space afterward for open debate.
The challenge
Agency events have a reputation problem. They tend to feel like sales pitches with snacks, and audiences know it. The challenge was creating programming compelling enough that people showed up for the content, not the free drinks — while still giving Huge a meaningful opportunity to put its thinking in front of clients and prospective talent in a context that felt authentic.
The approach
I conceived and produced the series as a direct extension of Magenta's editorial voice: specific, substantive, and genuinely curious. Each event was built around a focused speaker or panel and a central idea, structured more like a live magazine feature than a keynote. Speakers were drawn primarily from Huge's own ranks — a deliberate choice that showcased the depth of thinking inside the agency while keeping the programming credible.
For Valentine's Day, the series rebranded as Magenta Loves, with four events across February that captured the range of what the programming could do. Holden Bale, Huge's VP of Technology, gave a talk on brand trust and loyalty in the age of AI in 2020 — well before the topic became inescapable. Another evening brought in Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, alongside Huge creatives for a deep dive into how color shapes perception across physical spaces, products, and screens. The kind of conversation that sounds niche until you're in the room and realize it applies to everything.
Each event was free, held at Huge's Brooklyn headquarters in Dumbo, and designed to attract a mix of existing clients, prospective clients, and creative talent. The format gave Huge's marketing team a warm, low-pressure way to get the right people in the room.
Results
Magenta Talks created a consistent lead generation opportunity for Huge while building genuine community around the agency. The programming established Huge's internal talent as credible public voices on design, technology, and culture — and gave the publication a physical presence that reinforced what Magenta had always argued: the best agency thinking deserves a wider audience.