1. Brand Integration of the Day
Roku Streaming Lounge
The streaming lounge is a space where SXSW attendees can take a break
from all the running around and sessions by relaxing on the couch and
watching some streaming shows via Roku. Signage around the lounge
was very SXSW-tailored, such as “There’s no better place to nurse your
hangover.” and “We won’t tell your boss you’re here.”
Insight
This was a great way for people to discover the surprising amount of
content available for streaming on a Roku. They had partnered with FOX
and PBS in particular and were giving away t-shirts and posters from
popular shows. (Watched part of an episode of New Girl and got a t-shirt
with some words of wisdom from Schmidt.)
2013

2. My Awesome Event of the Day
How to be interesting
Jessica Hagy is a former copywriter who uses visuals to tell stories, jokes
and truths. Her presentation today was about how to become more
interesting in 10 simple steps. Highlights included: Go exploring. Share
what u discover. Give it a shot. Hop off the bandwagon. Grow a pair. And
ignore the scolds.
Insight
It’s so easy to get lost in the day-to-day that we can forget to be incredible.
To be curious. To be interesting. Great quote from the session: “Nobody is
normal. Everybody has a slice of weird in their pie chart.”
2013

3. Vibe of the Day: Session Camp Outs
Summary
This year, SXSW has done a good job of organizing very popular events in
one room that are back to back. The downside – people are camping out in
rooms all day long and not networking or experiencing the larger
conference itself.
Insight
We’ve all been there, bring in clients for an all-day session or a half day of
presentations and sit in one room. ALL. DAY. We all benefit from a change
of scenery, from SXSW attendees to clients. So change it up. Allow people to
get up. Change conference rooms. Do jumping jacks. My guess is everyone
will stay more focused.
2013

4. Brand Integration of the Day
BBC
BBC America Roadhouse, an interactive space next to the convention
center, is dedicated to the convergence of British culture and Texas
Americana.
Insight
Taking the overtly American symbol of a mechanical bull and putting their
own British spin by making it an English Bull (dog) is an example how the
BBC is asserting their relevance at this year’s SXSW.
2013

5. Awesome Event of the Day
Brand Fans, the New Brand Marketers
PepsiCo discussed their recent successes in crowdsourcing,
including empowering fans select the Doritos Super Bowl
ads and putting the next flavor of Lay’s potato chips into the
hands of America. While crowdsourcing doesn’t apply to all
brands & categories, there is opportunity across industries
to help consumers express their needs and desires.
Insight
Today’s savvy brands and agencies are social anthropologists
and there are many synergies between consumer research and
crowdsourcing. It isn’t about outsourcing your creative, it’s
about about sourcing authentic ingredients to make a better
final product for your agency, your brand and the consumer.
2013

6. Vibe of the Day
Understand a New Technology’s role in the Bigger Picture
We need to remember that while these new technologies are part of our
everyday lives (e.g. mobile, social media, etc.) they are still in their
infancy. Even the cultural use of technology is quickly evolving - what
was unheard of even two years ago seems to be the norm (e.g. constantly
interacting with your phone during a meeting, anyone?), but it’s still
relatively new and we’re all still trying to figure it out.
Insight
Keeping an eye on these trends and understanding your brand’s relevancy
to them is key. While these new technologies can be big to your business’s
success (e.g. mobile fencing), they should only be one channel of a bigger
communication’s strategy.
2013

7. My Awesome Event of the Day
100 Mistakes from Contributor to Chief Officer
What often makes us succeed in our previous role is exactly what makes
us fail in our next role. These mistakes are so common, they’re almost a
right of passage. Three key lessons anyone can apply to their career:
• As a manager, you need to be transparent with your goals from day one
• As someone reporting to a manager, one needs to manage up by raising
issues before they are brought up
• Listen – isolating yourself from other teams is a recipe for failure
Insight
It’s so simple, but easy to miss. The 100 mistakes identified by Elaine
Wherry, Meebo Co-Founder, are common in every business and at every
level. The ability to learn from superiors, and passion that knowledge to
those behind you can help avoid many common mistakes.
2013