The International Franchise Show 2025 was a key date in the calendar for activ Marketing—and it didn’t disappoint. Held at ExCeL London, this year’s show was packed with energy, ambition, and countless conversations with people exploring their next move in business.

For us, it was a fantastic opportunity to meet face-to-face with aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build a future in marketing—and to show them how the activ franchise model makes that possible.

The Stand Was Buzzing from the Start

From freelancers exploring new options to corporate professionals ready for a career change, we spoke to a huge variety of visitors over the two-day event. The common thread? They wanted more freedom, more support, and a model that actually works.

activ stood out because we offer exactly that—a proven path to running a successful marketing agency, without the stress of starting from scratch.

Katie Bullon on Stage: Sharing the activ Story

Our CEO, Katie Bullon, played an important role at this year’s event—not just at the stand, but also as part of the speaker line-up.

In her keynote session, Katie shared how she went from working as a self-employed marketer to leading a national franchise brand. She talked honestly about the realities of building a business solo, and why activ was created to solve those very challenges for others.

She also featured on a panel of franchise experts, discussing trends in franchising, the rise of online-first business models, and how activ is shaping a new kind of opportunity for modern entrepreneurs.

“We created activ to give people the freedom to run their own business, but with everything they need to feel supported and confident from day one,” Katie explained.
“There’s a better way—and we’re proud to be leading the change.”

What Potential Franchisees Are Looking For

Our time at the show gave us great insight into what today’s entrepreneurs really want—and how activ ticks those boxes:

✅ Support from day one, not just a brand name
✅ Clear, ready-to-go marketing plans and tools
✅ A business model that works solo or scales up
✅ Flexibility to work from anywhere
✅ A genuine community of like-minded professionals

Visitors told us they were surprised (and excited) to discover a marketing franchise that felt modern, approachable, and proven. Whether they were just starting out or already working in marketing, activ felt like the missing link.

The Big Takeaway?

One thing was clear: people are ready for something different.

We had dozens of conversations that reinforced the value of being visible, transparent, and relatable. People want to join something real—and activ is exactly that.

This wasn’t just a tick-box event for us. It was a reminder that there are so many people out there looking for exactly what we offer—and our job is to keep showing up and showing them the way.