Photo from SXSW by Nan Palmero, licensed under Creative Commons
This is my third trip to Austin for this annual interactive get together. I’ve seen the event change over time, specifically in how it answers three big questions.
What’s Next?
I’ve spent the bulk of my career within the digital/social/emerging media world, and all of it inside a PR agency. I’ve watched as the digital marketing world came of age to a point where the Internet is finger-tip accessible at all times to nearly everyone who wants it. I’ve migrated through a time where my team helped clients build their first Web sites, execute their first e-mail marketing campaigns, and understand what search engine optimization. Now we’re at the point where Facebook is an indispensable tool and blogs are de rigeur.
It’s been that constant change, that constant evolution of the digital and social space that keeps me excited about the work I’m lucky to touch for some of the world’s most beloved and iconic brands. They, like me, want to know what’s next.
Is it going to be more digital and social applications of a second screen? We’re already seeing it from major broadcasters, such as NBC and and its Sunday Night Football Extra with live stats and inside information. And just last month, the Oscars Backstage Pass gave movie fans additional content on demand before, during and after the show, from multiple camera angles around the Kodak Theater (and it was only $0.99!). Will it be evolved applications that already have a foot in the door like Foodspotting, an application for food photographic fanatics like myself that debuted at SXSW last year and is coming back in 2011 with a new offering and one million fans? Will it be something totally new, not yet on anyone’s radar because SXSW is their coming out party? Don’t know…but can’t wait to find out.
Who’s Next?
The networking at SXSW is always amazing. If you seek it out, whether in a session or an evening event, you’re in the middle of a pool of people who, like me, love living at the center of a Venn diagram where social and digital and technology collide. Some of the best and most rewarding conversations have turned into relationships that allow Weber Shandwick to provide our clients with better solutions. It’s also helped solidify some fantastic relationships forged before the conference, including with Weber Shandwick leaders who are not often in Chicago. Meeting new people and building stronger personal bonds is a must-do for Austin.
Watching Weber Shandwick Grow Exponentially
It isn’t just SXSW that’s evolving, but our presence here. In 2009, Weber Shandwick only had a handful of attendees at SXSW. It more than doubled last year and we’ve more than doubled it again this year, thanks in part to the opportunity to work with some world-class clients at the event. Our team that’ll be on the ground can be found here if you want to keep up to date on what we’re seeing and saying. It all gets rolling on today
…stay tuned!