SocialLab
Event Details
16 April, 2026
6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Barrio, Shoreditch London
SocialLab is back!
SocialLab is a meetup for people who work in social. Think less corporate waffle, more real talk, plus cocktails and genuinely good conversation.
Join us at Barrio, Shoreditch for an evening of talks from inspiring speakers, fresh ideas, and informal networking that doesn’t feel awkward. Whether you’re agency-side, brand-side, or somewhere in between, this is a space to learn, connect, and feel part of a community.
What to expect
- Cocktails, relaxed vibes, and friendly, like-minded people
- Insightful talks from people doing the work right now
- Honest conversations about what’s actually working (and what isn’t)
Your host: Ellie Wilbraham, Social & Content Manager
As a specialist in social media marketing and paid social media advertising, Ellie runs the social accounts for a variety of clients, as well as handling Wagada Digital’s own social media management. With a deep understanding of the power of social media and how to best use each platform to our advantage, Ellie uses her knowledge and expertise to create social media strategies that deliver on brand visibility, audience engagement and conversions, bringing a solid return on investment to our clients.
Speakers
Ellie McGuigan, Paid Social Manager at Cancer Research
Paid social keeps changing the rules, targeting keeps shrinking, and the industry keeps saying ‘creative is the new targeting’, but… what does that actually mean?
Ellie’s going to break down:
- How focusing on quality, difference, and impact helps your work go further, without churning out endless ads
- How paid social algorithms really respond to creative
- Why blending in quietly kills performance
Rachel Nielsen, Lead Creative Strategist at Twirl
Brands and agencies keep hearing about user-generated content, but what actually counts as UGC, and how does it fit alongside the channels you already run?
Rachel’s going to break down:
- What to measure, what to ignore, and real examples of what works, and what doesn’t
- What UGC really is, and how it differs from influencer marketing
- Where UGC fits across paid, organic, and owned channels, and where it usually does not
- How to find creators who genuinely match your brand, including what to look for beyond follower count
- How usage rights actually work, and how to avoid the common mistakes that limit performance
Prudence Bond, Senior Digital Marketer at Wagada Digital
Search isn’t just Google anymore – we’re in a “search everywhere” era where people look for answers across social platforms and forums like Reddit are now actively shaping AI answers.
Pru’s going to break down:
- Insights into social media as a search engine
- The rise of discussion platforms like Reddit
- How to optimise social media content for AI search
Harry Foyle, Founder of TSA Global
More info to come, keep an eye out 👀
