SXSW is Coming to London. So What?

In what ways can the capital’s creative community, local artists and businesses benefit from the festival?

N: SXSW has always embraced the local culture, and welcomed folks from around the world. They're here to experience the best in creativity and innovation through the lens of the host city, ideally activating in partnership with the local artists and businesses.

G: Artists need to be true to themselves and their creativity and not just get involved for ”the exposure”. Brands need to find an authentic connection between themselves and their collaborators in order to deliver a credible and more believable experience.

What advice would you give to brands who may be on the fence about activating at SXSW London?

N: SXSW has a proven track record of success but the barrier to entry in Austin has become too high for some; activating in a satellite city like London is a great way to be at the forefront of something new with the advantage of it coming with the guarantee of something tried-and-true.

G: Getting in at the ground level may feel a bit risky, but the opportunity to be present on day one and help shape the London iteration of SXSW is a compelling proposition and a risk that’s probably worth taking.

Are there any historic SXSW pitfalls that brands should be aware of? What should people avoid?

N: With very, very few exceptions, most brands expect people to be tight on time. I’d strongly recommend having simple, streamlined messaging and easy-to-understand experiences. Brands should also avoid using tech-for-tech's sake, and make sure any tech-driven experience is highly intuitive. People come to SXSW to experience as much as possible, get inspired, capture and share, so keep that in mind.

G: Too many brands put themselves and what they want to say ahead of their audience. To avoid this, it’s vital that they consider what the audience might want from their visit before finding a way to frame their message in a way that aligns with their needs.

Which kinds of brands does the festival best cater to? Do you have to be a tech brand?

N: While tech and entertainment tend to have the biggest presence, this truly is a place for all industries looking to reach a creatively minded, innovation-focused audience.

G: It’s a chance for any brand to tell their innovation story, which opens up the opportunity to many other sectors. I’d also love to see some of the iconic London brands in fashion & entertainment get involved and help put their unique stamp on the festival.

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How can brands cut through the noise and stand out?

N: A sense of discovery is very important. While you're telling a simple and succinct story, the way to keep folks in your space is to create immersive experiences that lead folks on a journey of play and discovery throughout.

G: It’s also worth considering the audience's need state - sometimes it's enough to give a seat to someone who’s been on their feet all day. Much of the potential audience will be following along on other channels - especially if they're waiting to see if it’s worth attending next year, so brands should look to amplify their story effectively to reach them.

SC: Who do you think will be showing up at SXSW London? How can attendees from different industries best prepare to make the most of the event?

N: The biggest audience in attendance are the creative class – corporate professionals in creative fields and industries – and the media. SXSW can be a bit of an industry event as well, so this is an instance where you're really blending B2C and B2B.

G: Don’t expect Austin on year 37 - expect London on day 1. Be curious, try seeing as much as you can, and look for the best in everything rather than ticking boxes and comparing everything to your experience in Texas.

What types of activations are most effective for SXSW? Are there particular formats that appeal more to the festival's audience?

N: For entertainment brands, SXSW creates the perfect opportunity to launch a new show, the latest season, or a new movie premiere. Because of the official on-stage programming, these brands can potentially secure a spot to do a screening and Q&A with talent as well as activate a space. For other brands, showcasing the latest products to hit the market makes a lot of sense, but there's no need for these to show up for the first time ever at SXSW. In the U.S., SXSW typically happens just 8 weeks after CES, so it's pretty typical for big tech announcements to be made at CES and for those same products and services to then show up at SXSW in a much more playful and benefit-driven (vs tech and spec-driven) approach.

G: Launching a product at a time when many others will also be launching products is a double edged sword, sure you might get good physical attendance to your event, but you’ll be competing for wider coverage with many others. If you get involved with the official programming then finding a different POV / securing talent the audience will want to hear from becomes ever more important and avoids your message being lost in a sea of similar presentations.

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