South by Southwest brings almost half one million folks to town of Austin, Texas, every spring for its sprawling collection of conferences and festivals. For a lot of advertising professionals, it’s a tentpole occasion on par with CES or Cannes Lions—however providing a distinct viewers and focus.
Whereas CES showcases futuristic tech and serves as a jumpstart to the calendar 12 months, SXSW has a culture-focused element that offers entrepreneurs extra time to community, discover, take heed to music, and meet up with business colleagues.
For companies, it’s nonetheless a client-focused affair—however with an arguably extra enjoyable backdrop than the Las Vegas Strip. It’s additionally forward of Cannes Lions, the place entrepreneurs take the temperature of various business tendencies and decide which predictions made at CES are proving true.
All through the week and after the ultimate day of SXSW on March 15, ADWEEK requested advertising and promoting leaders to share their learnings, takeaways, and common impressions from the 2025 convention and competition. Right here’s what they stated:
Paulie Dery, chief advertising officer, AG1
It’s not the panels, it’s not the events.
It’s not the self promotion or the self pity.
It’s the those who make an incredible SXSW.
And the perfect persons are nonetheless coming to Austin.
Nathan Friedman, co-president and chief advertising officer, Understood.org
I used to be happy to see accessibility efforts like ASL interpreters and closed captioning in Understood.org’s official session. Nonetheless, there’s an untapped alternative to accommodate the one in 5 folks with studying and pondering variations, like ADHD, who may discover occasions like SXSW overwhelming. Sensory-friendly environments, like quiet rooms, and clear wayfinding all through downtown Austin may considerably improve the convention expertise.
Scott Hudler, chief advertising officer, Whataburger
That is the place tendencies occur, the place they originate, nonetheless. Tradition can get formed at [SXSW], and we wish to be part of that. We expect we’re doing it—we expect [the Whataburger Museum of Art] is de facto cool and one thing we would like the world to see and we wish to share. By doing it right here versus simply setting setting it up in a random conference heart in some city, we expect it simply delivers stronger cultural relevance that we will proceed to construct off of.
