The Course

Tuesday 13th October 2026
ITV Yorkshire, Leeds
Supported by ITV

After three hugely successful events in London and Manchester, The Dodds Legacy Programme comes to Leeds for its fourth event.

Since launching earlier this year, the programme has become one of the UK’s most exciting initiatives for aspiring and early-career marketers. Every event has been oversubscribed, participant feedback has been outstanding, and a growing number of attendees have already gone on to secure roles in agencies, brands and marketing teams across the industry.

Built in memory of Mike and Clare Dodds, the programme exists to help talented people develop the confidence, communication skills and industry connections that can unlock their potential.

If you’re passionate about marketing but sometimes doubt yourself…

If you have ideas but lack the confidence to put them forward…

If you’re trying to break into the industry or take the next step early in your marketing career…

This day is for you.

Hosted by ITV Yorkshire Leeds

What You’ll Experience

This isn’t an event where you simply sit and listen.

It’s an immersive day designed to help you develop the confidence, communication skills and industry understanding that employers are looking for.

You’ll hear from some of marketing’s most respected practitioners, meet like-minded people facing the same challenges, and leave with practical tools you can use immediately.

Building Confidence with Composure Media

Jason Spencer

A Jason Spencer a leader at ITV has enjoyed an outstanding career in marketing and communications and has been instrumental in making this event possible through ITV’s generous support.

Jason will share his career journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his advice for anyone looking to build a successful career in one of the world’s most creative industries.

Sam Rainey

Founder of Got The T-Shirt and a highly respected former agency leader, Sam Rainey has built his career helping agencies, brands and marketing professionals succeed.

Having spent many years leading teams within the agency world, Sam now brings that experience to the recruitment market, helping businesses find exceptional talent while supporting marketers at every stage of their careers.

Sam has a unique perspective on what employers are really looking for, the skills that make candidates stand out, and how confidence, attitude and curiosity often matter just as much as experience.

His session will offer honest, practical advice on building a successful career, making yourself memorable, and navigating today’s evolving marketing industry with confidence.

Guest Speaker – Ritchie Mehta

Founder of the School of Marketing and author of the acclaimed book Climb, Ritchie Mehta is one of the UK’s leading advocates for developing the next generation of marketing talent.

Having helped thousands of aspiring marketers through mentoring, education and career coaching, Ritchie brings a unique perspective on what employers are really looking for and how young professionals can build confidence while navigating the early stages of their careers.

His engaging and energetic session will explore practical ways to develop your career, overcome self-doubt and create opportunities for yourself in a rapidly changing marketing landscape.

Mentoring and Industry Connections

As with previous sessions, mentoring remains a central part of the Dodds Legacy experience.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet and speak with experienced industry professionals over lunch and informal discussions throughout the day.

These conversations often lead to ongoing mentoring relationships — providing guidance, encouragement and practical advice long after the event itself.

Why The Dodds Legacy Exists

Many talented young professionals feel a sense of stagnation or self-doubt early in their careers.

They see others progressing quickly and begin to question their own abilities, often holding back from opportunities or conversations where they could thrive.

The Dodds Legacy exists to change that.

The programme was created to help aspiring marketers build confidence, access guidance and connect with people who want to help them succeed — just as Mike and Clare Dodds did throughout their lives.

If you’re early in your career and feel you could benefit from a boost in confidence, encouragement and practical advice, this programme is designed for you.

Who Should Apply?

We’re looking for people with curiosity, ambition and potential—not polished professionals.

You might be:

• A university student or recent graduate.
• Looking to start a career in marketing, advertising or communications.
• Early in your marketing career and wanting to accelerate your development.
• Changing careers and looking for the confidence to make the move.
• Someone who knows they have potential but sometimes struggles to believe it themselves.

You don’t need to have all the answers.

You don’t need years of experience.

We’re far more interested in attitude than CVs.

What We’re Looking For

Places are limited, so we’ll select applicants who demonstrate:

• Genuine curiosity about marketing, creativity and ideas.
• A desire to learn from others.
• Openness to challenge themselves.
• A willingness to contribute to the day.
• A belief that greater confidence could help unlock their potential.

The programme isn’t about finding the most accomplished applicants.

It’s about finding people who are ready to grow.

Why Confidence?

Talent is rarely the thing that holds people back.

Confidence is.

Over the last three events we’ve seen participants who arrived quietly questioning whether they belonged leave with new friendships, industry contacts, mentors and, most importantly, belief in themselves.

Since attending, a number of participants have gone on to secure roles within agencies, brands and marketing teams across the UK. Others have told us they finally found the confidence to apply for opportunities they previously believed were beyond their reach.

That’s exactly why The Dodds Legacy exists.

Supported by ITV

We’re delighted that ITV is hosting this event at the iconic Yorkshire Television home to the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale, providing a unique setting for a day dedicated to creativity, communication and confidence.

Applications

Places are free but limited.

If you believe this experience could help you take the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.

Tell us about yourself, why marketing interests you, and what greater confidence would allow you to do next.

We don’t expect perfection.

We’re looking for potential.

Applications close at the end of September and successful applicants will be informed.