Learn the key takeaways from this year's SXSW Interactive conference in Austin, TX. From data to wearables to big brands activations, this recap covers what’s next in the digital space and how you can apply it to your day-to-day work.

1. SXSW Interactive 2014
What’s Hot, What’s Not and What’s Next
Alyssa Gardina
@agardina

2. PART ONE
WHAT’S HOT

3. BIG [BAD?] DATA
The line between relevant and creepy is getting
blurred as personal and location based data are
easily gathered. Platforms and brands need to stay
on the right side of this line.
Big data is ripe for monetization and companies are
looking for new ways to best leverage it while
avoiding consumer backlash.
The legal community is paying close attention.
Think about real data requirements AND protection
before collection.

4. 25% of all #SXSW tweets

5. DIGITAL CURRENCY
As the Internet truly becomes the WORLD wide
web, there is an increasing need for a common
global currency for commerce (real and virtual).

6. Bitcoin, anyone?

7. HARDWARE OVER
SOFTWARE
The popularity of apps decreases
(sorry, Foursquare) and hardware
becomes SXSW’s new darling.
IRL over online experiences – is
this CES or SXSW?

8. Wearable madness

9. 3-D printing for all

10. THINKING BEYOND
PLATFORMS
Don't be limited by existing form factors.
Great content is the key as brands become
builders of experiences.

11. The form factor is the message

12. PART TWO
WHAT’S NOT

13. TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
As SXSW continues to grow, difficulties plague
the conference experience, amplified by
attendees’ complaints on social media.
Struggling to dial in presenters, audio issues, cell
service and infrastructure shortfalls were again
frequent. The rain didn’t help any, either!

14. CONTENT AND
EXPERIENCE OVERLOAD
As more content is created, branded
content needs to go beyond bringing a
good idea to life. It will need to be
increasingly customized and provide
unique experiences to breakthrough.
Insert
YOU
Here

15. WHAT APPS?
Developers are predicting that mobile apps will no
longer exist in 3-5 years. The web browser will catch up
and eventually provide a more powerful user experience
that transcends across mobile operating systems.

16. PART THREE
BRANDS AT SXSW

17. GO BIG OR STAY HOME
Don't bring your brand to Austin unless
you have an authentic way to
breakthrough the noise. Ones that provide
relevant services and experiences have a
head start.

18. Powering up attendees

19. Welcoming our robot overlords

20. Catching a lift

21. 3-D printing the
brand experience

22. PART FOUR
KEY TAKEAWAYS

23. 1. One-to-one is #1
2. Boundaries are blurring
3. Brands will always make a splash
4. If you go, go with a goal

24. @agardina
agardina@webershandwick.com
slides @ webershandwicksouthwest.com