I thought for a hot second about writing the "here's my thoughts from SXSW upon returning from SXSW" blog - instead, I'm going for the tried and true list of the things I loved (and hated). It's so much more convenient. Besides, haven't you read enough blogs on the many marketing merits of Social Media, the tenets of context in content, the game layer and the 9 million apps vying for the title of "The Foursquare of 2011"? I know I did. On to the list!
NUMBER 6
LOVE this. http://ogilvynotes.com/ Not only a great concept - they brought it to life via some talented illustrators that would turn a given panel into an illustration, bringing the broad concepts of the panel discussion to life visually. Brilliant. Tumblr wins again. Nice work.
HATED the panels, for the most part. It was actually a common theme in discussions throughout interactive. Whether outside a panel, in a bar, at lunch, in a bar or at one of the many co-branded parties, lounges and kiosks - the feeling was that the panels were more than ever talking at the audience without really engaging them and not delivering much beyond common knowledge. I took very little away from those I attended. It was a bummer. I actually sat in a panel about marketing to influencers (apparently a new concept to the 500 or so in attendance) at which the moderator kicked off by asking, "raise your hand if you work in social media"…the entire room did apparently. I left after the first panelist reminded everyone not to forget about those consumers in between the coasts that buy stuff. Yikes.
NUMBER 5
LOVE the people. Last year, I left Austin feeling inspired, energized and entertained, especially by panels like Web Video Thunderdome (were those guys here in 2011?). This year, I left feeling the same but as I mentioned above, not because of the panels, because of the people. It really is the best thing going at SXSW. I can't think of another venue where so many people from so many divergent backgrounds just want to meet, and talk, and drink Shiner (or pitch an app?!). You can't help but meet people in the elevator, out to lunch, in a cab…it was great. My liver hurts but it was well worth it. The people are the conference.
HATED all the apps. The quest to be the Foursquare of 2011 was in full effect. There were apps everywhere, literally. Group Me, Mogwee, Livetap…can the world possibly need, or hope to sustain, this many apps? I would argue no. But, if you say yes, I have an app I'd like to pitch you! There's no better example than Hashable. At dinner someone showed it off as a must have. I don't get it. Why do I need this hash tag aggregator? However, this turned into a great little poll I conducted all week. Can you pitch me Hashable? No one could. Not one person.
TRUE STORY: I shared a cab one day with a fellow on his way to ironically…wait for it, The Hashable Party. Nice guy. We had a great chat that of course ended with my question: can you pitch me Hashable? His response? "Well, yeah (beat) I should be able to because I invested in it. But no. No, I can't". BOOM! Winning. I think I'll passable.
NUMBER 4
LOVE what R/GA did with the many, many platforms being used @ SXSW. They created Social Media Hell. Pretty genius. The seven deadly sins on blast in Austin make a perfect competition for Dante's lovely, lovely inferno. Check it out…who wouldn't want to become the Mayor of Hell?
HATED the new venue format that dispersed the panels all over town, but did so by genre or subject…sort of. It was a little vague and confusing actually and a total bummer that really interesting talks were happening all the way out at the ATT convention center. You really missed the opportunity to see a cross-section of the best of the best within walking distance due to this. I hope SXSW looks into how successful this move to segment was - people seemed pretty put off by it.
NUMBER 3
LOVED the band THE BLACK ANGELS. Caught them at the ETSY party and stayed for the entire show. It's rare to see good music before the music conference gets going - and even then - it's just so rare to stumble upon something like this. Bottom line, I woke up the next morning an bought the LP. Yes, I paid for their music. You should too.
HATED the hours. Man am I old. This is one epic run and it's a marathon, not a sprint. Everyday my disco nap was thwarted by a text or a tweet or that damn Group Me. Hey, Group YOU, buddy!
NUMBER 2
LOVED the Mapquest road trip to Salt Lick. I still feel like I need the non-marketing event Salt Lick BBQ experience, but gosh-dangit…they can cook up some meat! Still perplexed as to why not a single attempt by Mapquest to speak to a captive audience and explain why we should all like their shiny new rebrand and dump Google maps? But, I digress.
NUMBER 1
NUMBER 6
LOVE this. http://ogilvynotes.com/ Not only a great concept - they brought it to life via some talented illustrators that would turn a given panel into an illustration, bringing the broad concepts of the panel discussion to life visually. Brilliant. Tumblr wins again. Nice work.
HATED the panels, for the most part. It was actually a common theme in discussions throughout interactive. Whether outside a panel, in a bar, at lunch, in a bar or at one of the many co-branded parties, lounges and kiosks - the feeling was that the panels were more than ever talking at the audience without really engaging them and not delivering much beyond common knowledge. I took very little away from those I attended. It was a bummer. I actually sat in a panel about marketing to influencers (apparently a new concept to the 500 or so in attendance) at which the moderator kicked off by asking, "raise your hand if you work in social media"…the entire room did apparently. I left after the first panelist reminded everyone not to forget about those consumers in between the coasts that buy stuff. Yikes.
NUMBER 5
LOVE the people. Last year, I left Austin feeling inspired, energized and entertained, especially by panels like Web Video Thunderdome (were those guys here in 2011?). This year, I left feeling the same but as I mentioned above, not because of the panels, because of the people. It really is the best thing going at SXSW. I can't think of another venue where so many people from so many divergent backgrounds just want to meet, and talk, and drink Shiner (or pitch an app?!). You can't help but meet people in the elevator, out to lunch, in a cab…it was great. My liver hurts but it was well worth it. The people are the conference.
HATED all the apps. The quest to be the Foursquare of 2011 was in full effect. There were apps everywhere, literally. Group Me, Mogwee, Livetap…can the world possibly need, or hope to sustain, this many apps? I would argue no. But, if you say yes, I have an app I'd like to pitch you! There's no better example than Hashable. At dinner someone showed it off as a must have. I don't get it. Why do I need this hash tag aggregator? However, this turned into a great little poll I conducted all week. Can you pitch me Hashable? No one could. Not one person.
TRUE STORY: I shared a cab one day with a fellow on his way to ironically…wait for it, The Hashable Party. Nice guy. We had a great chat that of course ended with my question: can you pitch me Hashable? His response? "Well, yeah (beat) I should be able to because I invested in it. But no. No, I can't". BOOM! Winning. I think I'll passable.
NUMBER 4
LOVE what R/GA did with the many, many platforms being used @ SXSW. They created Social Media Hell. Pretty genius. The seven deadly sins on blast in Austin make a perfect competition for Dante's lovely, lovely inferno. Check it out…who wouldn't want to become the Mayor of Hell?
HATED the new venue format that dispersed the panels all over town, but did so by genre or subject…sort of. It was a little vague and confusing actually and a total bummer that really interesting talks were happening all the way out at the ATT convention center. You really missed the opportunity to see a cross-section of the best of the best within walking distance due to this. I hope SXSW looks into how successful this move to segment was - people seemed pretty put off by it.
NUMBER 3
LOVED the band THE BLACK ANGELS. Caught them at the ETSY party and stayed for the entire show. It's rare to see good music before the music conference gets going - and even then - it's just so rare to stumble upon something like this. Bottom line, I woke up the next morning an bought the LP. Yes, I paid for their music. You should too.
HATED the hours. Man am I old. This is one epic run and it's a marathon, not a sprint. Everyday my disco nap was thwarted by a text or a tweet or that damn Group Me. Hey, Group YOU, buddy!
NUMBER 2
LOVED the Mapquest road trip to Salt Lick. I still feel like I need the non-marketing event Salt Lick BBQ experience, but gosh-dangit…they can cook up some meat! Still perplexed as to why not a single attempt by Mapquest to speak to a captive audience and explain why we should all like their shiny new rebrand and dump Google maps? But, I digress.
NUMBER 1
I <3 The Social Media Clubhouse. Of all the great panels not chosen for SXSW 2011, they picked mine! The panel, 99 Questions and Viral Ain't One of Them, was a great opportunity to discuss the work we did on The Coca-Cola Happiness Machine - and we were live on twitter to boot! I thank SMC for the hospitality. Even though it was off the beaten path in Austin, it was worth the trip. It's really a genius idea that I hope they do bigger and better next year. I would do it again in a heartbeat. If you dig it, share it. Thanks SMCH6!
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