NDA has anounced the first speakers its annual Media Pride lunch, which returns on Thursday, 1 October 2026, bringing together advertising and marketing professionals to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community.
Kicking off the event, a panel hosted by NDA Editor-in-Chief Justin Pearse will discuss the biggest opportunities and challenges faced hy the community in our industry.
Speakers include:
Yasmin Benoit, a British model, multi-award-winning asexual activist and researcher.
Described as the “unlikely face of asexuality” by Cosmopolitan Magazine, she started the #ThisIsWhatAsexualLooksLike movement for diverse asexual visibility and representation and co-founded International Asexuality Day (April 6). She was the first asexual person to lead Pride in London in 2024. Last year, she became the first asexual person to win a British LGBT Award.
Claire McAlpine, Intelligence Co-Director, Outvertising.
Throughout her career, Claire has focused on improving representation, challenging stereotypes and centring marginalised voices. She led Inclusive Planning, a transformation programme at WPP Media recognised with the MEFA Business Transformation Award, and was named a Campaign Inspiring Woman for her contribution to making media more inclusive.
Marty Davies. an artist, writer, LGBTQIA+ rights campaigner and cultural architect.
The founder of Trans+ History Week, she is also founder of a creative cultural strategy consultancy helping brands develop cultural confidence and substantively support the LGBTQIA+ community. She was named in Campaign’s A List and the DIVA and Pride Power Lists in 2024 and 2025. She’s also been shortlisted for PPA Columnist of the Year and twice for Media For All’s Changemaker of the Year.
Now in its fourth year, the event takes place at Sticky Mango near Tower Bridge, with partners including Publicis Groupe UK, The Independent, 59A and long-term initiative partner Outvertising.
