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| ©2012-2013 SXSW Inc |
NOTE: I did not have any of the 3 Access Badges purchased for entry into the festival. So, this is all based on how I navigated through walk-ins or complementary entries. If you have the time, investing in a Platinum Badge (valid for all events) is going to cost up to $1500, but will be worth it so as long as one can manage an organized schedule.
This was my first year as an attendee and I chose to avail it as best as I could. Starting with the ATX Startup Crawl - as a preamble to what was to follow the week ahead - I decided to check out the brightest in the world of Startups, as well as established names.
Anyone can tell you that Cloud Computing, Social Media Marketing and Task Management are buzzing these days. Move over Silicon Valley, there's a new player in town. A few notable names - well, in my opinion, at least:
INTERACTIVE
- Cloud Computing
- Rackspace They were the official sponsor of this year's ATX Startup Crawl, which was incredibly busy and spread out over 7-8 locations. Growing with a number of solid hosting solutions - doesn't hurt that they're based in Central Texas either, YEEHAW!
- Salesforce.com They made their mark with the Cloud Lounge in a prime downtown location where participants recharged and reconnected. Its successful acquisitions (such as Manymoon) is opening it up to social networking and task management solutions more aggressively.
- Spanning Based right here in Austin, they offer data storage, protection and backup. The fact that they partnered with a FAB local food cart, ChiLantro BBQ, made this stop more sumptuous! Did I mention they're hiring?
- Social Media / Marketing
- Twitter Did you know that Twitter's immense success can be attributed to its 2007 presence at SXSW? Apparently it "owned" the floor that year.
- Mass Relevance These guys had 2 lounges booked for their presence - good music, snacks, drinks and a pretty involved team. I noticed these guys were conducting casual interviews throughout. They specialize in helping brands and agencies connect better with social media and advertising campaigns. Definitely smelled like success to me.
- Mashable Your one stop shop for all things social media - a compilation of the Facebooks, Twitters, Blogs, News etc of the world. Essentially gives you the 411 on what the fuss is about these days.
- VICE Media Global youth media company - digital channels, TV studios, magazine covering your current events. Their main Viceland stage was right across the Austin Convention Center, which one could not miss.
- Gigya Presenting this year's Gigya Grill Breakfast and Panel Discussions at Copa Bar & Grill, the space was jam packed with social media enthusiasts. I've learned that it never hurts to ask. The friendly Gigya team was open to us walking up and requesting to check out the event, all access! Live DJ, complimentary drinks and appetizers were just a few attractions. Industry leaders from top brands and media agencies were here to share and discuss the latest in this weekend-long event.
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| Grumpy Cat at Mashable House #MashSXSW |
- Task Management
- TaskRabbit Need some work done, but can't handle it all in a day? Silly wabbit, easy tricks for kids (well, for all!)
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| TaskRabbit wagon |
- Evernote Because elephants never forget!
- mobi They offer resource management, planning, scheduling solutions... You get the jist. They set up their booth on a rooftop floor and had some neat partner products on display. Decent presence and great views of the city = win.
- MEMES
Andy Warhol got nothing on the Internet obsession with memes. From Business Cat, Success Kid to the Socially Awkward Penguins (I don't mean just the techies) and other iPop Art… They all made an appearance at various events. No, really. Participants actually waited in line to meet the furry sensation that is Grumpy Cat! Who'da thunk it?
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| Business Cat with Fizza Arshad |
ALSO NOTE: Dell, 3M, Doritos, Samsung, AT&T, Microsoft and such giants were heavy contenders in the overall success of SXSW. I have to wonder why Apple chooses not to bite into the annual mélange. Hoping to see some bushels of the big fruit next year!
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| Live Graffiti at #WindowsStudio #Microsoft |
FILM
Terror, horror and a fascination with the dark side - an era of everything 50 plus Shades of Grey. Unfortunately, I was not able to check out many of the entries, but got an idea from other attendees and blogs. Highlights, that is...
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| SXSW Film Festival at the Austin Convention Center |
I grazed through the Austin Convention Center to find private film screenings and events. Note to self: invest in a Film Badge next year! The likes of James Franco with Disney star breakouts Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens also made appearances at the premiere of Spring Breakers. Rumour has it the following films made quite an impression:
- An Unreal Dream: The Michael Morton Story Wrongful accusations and punishments are worse than letting the guilty roam free. After being imprisoned for his wife's murder, a true light is shed on the grim despairs of the innocent. Documentary Spotlight, Audience winner.
- The Crash Reel Documenting the Olympic and snowboarding rivalry between Kevin Pearce and Shaun White, this film is about determining how much risk is too much. Powerful, energetic and realistic. Festival Favorites win.
- Downloaded Napster and downloading history revealed; Sean Parker and all those involved in the revolution.
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| Trademark of Napster, 1999-2001 |
- The East The film is about a private intelligence firm agent given an assignment to infiltrate an anarchist group. It does star Ellen Page, by the way. Fan. Audience Award winner, Documentary Spotlight.
- Good Ol' Freda Documentary by Ryan Lewis about The Beatles' Freda Kelly, a trusted friend and secretary.
- Kiss of the Damned Girl meets boy. They fall in love. Enter girl's sister who threatens their love story. Oh, girls are vampires. Audience prize for Excellence in Poster Design and winner of the Grand Jury Prize.
- The Punk Syndrome Follows Finnish punk rock band, Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät, whose members are all learning disabled - living with autism and Down syndrome. Critics claim it to be, "funny, edgy, and very human feature." Do not miss this one! SXGlobal winner.
- The Short Game Follows the lives 7-year old golf competitors. Audience Award winner, Documentary Feature.
- Short Term 12 Overcoming the troubling world and its anxieties. This film looks at the lives of two young adults working at a foster-care facility. It was a wild success, winning Grand Jury and Audience awards.
- Touba Based in central Senegal, the holy city of Mouridism. This documentary takes a deeper look in to the pilgrimage rituals of Sufi Muslims.
- Zero Charisma A fantasy gamer finds his real-time life spinning wildly out of control as estranged family members come across his path. Narrative Spotlight winner.
Film enthusiasts, mark this on your calendars for next year. Plenty of networking opportunities with casting crews, actors and investors. This would be the perfect place for Hamza Haq to make his mark!
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| Actor Hamza Haq |
MUSIC
Austin being THE Music Capital of North America (dare I say, world?) had a LOT happening for audiophiles. From up and coming bands to multi-platinum artists, you couldn't pass through Downtown without the ringing of thousands of sound bites from every corner. Pop, funk, electric, country are just a few to name. Have to say I was a tad relieved to hear Dubstep not taking over the music scene like previous years.
- Dave Grohl (of Nirvana and Foo Fighters) was the prime keynote speaker with his captivating and emotional address:
- Justin Timberlake dazzled on stage with MySpace in his Suit & Tie
- Samsung brought in the still-reigning Prince along with A Tribe Called Quest
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| Left: Justin Timberlake. Right: Prince at La Zona Rosa Photo Courtesy: ©2005-2013 ACESHOWBIZ.com |
- Perez Hilton, for the 6th year, BROUGHT it with his philanthropic "One Night in Austin." Raising $53,000 for VH1 Save The Music Foundation, he brought Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Thrift Shoppin' with the surprise reunion of Fall Out Boy. Capital Cities? You're "Safe and Sound" by me! Did I mention I was within arms reach of Zac Efron, by the way? Starstruck.
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| Top: Capital Cities, Photo Courtesy: PerezHilton.com Bottom: Fall Out Boy at Perez Hilton's #OneNightInAustin |
SXSWedu Seeks to drive meaningful conversation and collaboration around promising practices and tools for improved learning.
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| SXSWedu Bill Gates keynote. Photo Courtesy: Inc.com, 2013 |
SXSW Eco Features innovative solutions taking us beyond sustainability. Coming up this October 7-9 2013 at the Austin Convention Center. Book now, don't miss it!
SXSW V2V Offers innovators and entrepreneurs across all creative industries a space to learn the skills, make the connections and find the inspiration to take their ideas and talents to the next level. Taking place this year at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Great speakers, great networking opportunities and big competitions. Great location, too!
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| Of course, Canadian representation at Canada House on 6th Street! |
There you have it. I don't know how else I can prove SXSW is the best two weeks you'll get your hands on!
Twiddling thumbs in anticipation for next year's lineup, bring it on!
Well-executed! Thought about journalism yet?
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