Zócalo Recommends: SXSW Interactive
If your situation is anything like ours is this year, it’s just a matter of days before you’re faced with the proverbial beast that is SXSW. Based in Austin, TX with the majority of events being held at the Austin Convention Center, each week’s schedule is jam-packed and ready to bombard attendees with a plethora of great conferences, parties and panels showcasing the latest in interactive technologies, music and film. To cut through the educational chaos, we have decided to jot down just a few events we have our ‘agency eye’ on, starting with the very first week: Interactive.
Interactive: March 9-13, 2012
Friday, March 9 3:30PM – 4:30PM
Can Growing a Mustache Change the world?
Why we like it: Movember is a stellar example of a cause that’s a force to reckon with. What better example of WOM at its best than leveraging social support to create a meaningful movement? Plus – mustaches are awesome!
Hashtags: #sxsw #Movember
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Friday, March 9 5:00PM – 6:00PM
The Fashion Fog: Redefining Content and Commerce
Why we like it: It’s interesting to see the connection between content and commerce. The fashion industry has undoubtedly been an innovator in a space where there’s a keen understanding of the social nuances behind shopping, communicating, sharing experiences, and giving recommendations.
Hashtags: #sxsw #fashionfog
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Saturday, March 10 9:30AM -10:30AM
Integrating Brands into Social Television
Why we like it: Simultaneous media usage is now a societal norm. This should be a great panel full of insights on one particular relationship we all know very well: social media and TV.
Hashtags: #sxsw #socialTV
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Sunday, March 11 11:00AM -12:00PM
Are we killing social with social?
Why we like it: Understanding social outside of social networks is a key factor towards understanding word of mouth (WOM) and the role it plays in our lives. This event seems to hit that conceptual nail on the head. Don’t miss it.
Hashtags: #sxsw #killsoc
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Tuesday, March 13 9:30AM -10:30AM
Epic Battle: Creativity vs. Discipline in Social
Why we like it: Creativity can take on different meanings across situations. We think it’s important to ask: What does creativity mean in social; What does it mean online and offline? , And, What does creativity mean to different industries and individuals? If we can all better understand the answers to those questions, then we can all have our creative ‘moment in the sun.’
Hashtags: #sxsw #EpicBattle (the hashtag is epic battle – need we say more?)
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Tuesday, March 13 11:00AM -12:00PM
Pinterest Explained: Q&A with Co-Founder Ben Silbermann
Why we like it: Boasting its new-found title as one of the fastest growing social media services, best to learn from the Pinterest man himself how brands can and should use the social photo-sharing site.
Hashtags: #sxsw #pinterest
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Tuesday, March 13 3:30PM – 4:30PM
Misuse the Internet and Make People Love You
Why we like it: Truly meaningful connections and WOM success stories can come out of conversational imperfections that most often lead straight to the best example of online culture.
Hashtags: #sxsw #misuse
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Tuesday, March 13 3:30PM – 4:30PM
Digital Debauchery with Anthony Bourdain
Why we like it: Event description: “Nothing is off limits.” Sums up our industry quite nicely, don’t you think?
Hashtags: #sxsw #Bourdain
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Lastly, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to know what the difference is between Karaoke and Tech Karaoke? Kick off the first night of interactive week right with Tech Karaoke at The Stage on Sixth from 8:00PM – 2:00AM.
This list is in no way the totality of our recommendations, merely just a sample of events that caught our eye. Keep a look out for similar posts to this one regarding music and film weeks at SXSW.
If time won’t permit, (or if claustrophobia is your thing) and you will not be attending SXSW this year, don’t worry. Follow us @ZocaloGroup, here on our blog and on Facebook for exclusive event recaps, posts full of top trends and insights from Zócalo team members on location.
If you attend any of our recommended events, tell us what you thought and share what you’ve learned with us. We can’t wait to hear all about it!
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