The Performance Marketing Awards returns in just under one month, marking the ceremony’s 10th year of celebrating innovation and excellence within the performance marketing industry.

Hosted in association with Bing Ads at the decorous Grosvenor House Hotel, this year’s event will see companies pitted against each other across 29 hotly-contested categories, vying to become the next “ones to watch” for the remainder of the year.

But while the Awards are a hotbed of competition, they never fail to entertain, in part thanks to a string of hosts which hit the mark year in, year out.

Stepping up to the plate this year is Canadian comedian, writer and actress Katherine Ryan.

Perhaps best known for her broad appearances on the panel show circuit – ‘Mock the Week’, ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ and ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ to name the usual suspects – Ryan has achieved a lot in a relatively new career which has earned her prizes of her own, including the prestigious Nivea Funny Women Award.

‘Outrageous remarks’

This swift flight to notoriety has also earned her mainstream TV roles in sitcoms including Channel 4’s ‘Campus’, BBC Two’s ‘Episodes’ and ‘Don’t Sit in the Front Row’ with Jack Dee.

Attendees shouldn’t expect Ryan to hold back on some of the antics that have granted her a reputation for pop cultural observations and “occasionally outrageous, bitchy remarks”, which her agent assures are tempered by a “unique, endearing charm”.

Ryan falls into the PMA tradition of handing the host microphone to a comedian. Last year funnyman and human soundbox Beardyman wowed the audience with his unbelievable sonic talent, with years preceding including the likes of Josh Widdicombe, Michael McIntyre, Rufus Hound and Kevin Bridges.

If you’d like to be a part of the industry’s leading award show on its 10th anniversary, spaces and tables are now limited but can still be purchased here.

With the shortlist announced, voting for the the Industry Choice of Partner and Hotshot Rising Star categories remain open until April 8.

For a taste of what’s in store from the Performance Marketing Awards’ 2016 host, watch Katherine Ryan perform Live at the Apollo below.