Jeremy Lockhorn, senior vice chairman of artistic applied sciences and innovation, 4As

Three key themes stood out to me: 1.) The return of immersive storytelling; 2.) The creator economy continues to advance, with manufacturers shifting {dollars} from different channels whereas concurrently exploring new fashions and longer-term partnerships to assist mitigate danger; and three.) AI has already began to vary how people (and enterprises) method each day duties. We will be taught from earlier transformative applied sciences just like the intersection of cell and social to assist us forecast the extra profound impacts that AI can have on human evolution.

Dani Mariano, president, Razorfish

[At SXSW], what I’m seeing our shoppers doing is model constructing. Their private manufacturers, being on panels after which the model activations. For me, that is about being the place my shoppers are.

I’m an enormous fan of blockchain, and I believe that a few of the attributes of that know-how enable us to supply tremendous followers possession. Not via inventory, however via advertising to develop into a part of the model and advise the model and create a two-way dialog concerning the model. That’s a distinct sort of loyalty. I wish to transfer us all from buy loyalty via low cost packages to earned loyalty since you love what the model stands for.

Ed Mitzen, co-founder, Enterprise for Good

Model objective was talked about extra this 12 months than in years previous. Corporations that unapologetically ship on model guarantees will succeed. Throughout my time at SXSW, I met with senior leaders throughout the aisle and throughout industries—difficult them to make use of ‘their privilege’ and to affix me in addressing inequities throughout the U.S. We want it now greater than ever.

Graham Nearn, chief model officer, Stanley 1913

SXSW underscored the significance of conversations that drive innovation and cultural change. These immediate us to maneuver from ‘ought to we’ to ‘how we?’ From speaking to motion. We’re demonstrating this via accelerating materialization initiatives—73% of our merchandise now make the most of at the least 90% recycled chrome steel—plus creating progressive partnerships with scaled and like-minded organizations such because the PGA Tour. For Stanley 1913, strolling our discuss have to be our most significant contribution.

Lee Newman, president, GSD&M

This 12 months’s SXSW felt extra intimate—in one of the simplest ways. As a neighborhood, it’s at all times nice to attach and host folks once they come to our hometown. However wanting round, it’s clear manufacturers have a chance to deliver again the buzzworthy activations that when lit up Austin. On the content material entrance, the neatest manufacturers aren’t simply pushing content material or specializing in creators—they’re assembly audiences the place they’re and curating the proper conversations. This have to be the aim for all of us.

Jennifer Risi, founder and president, The Sway Impact

I did see extra hesitation and trepidation from leaders throughout the board in answering questions round DEI this 12 months. I witnessed this firsthand, in one-on-one discussions, at occasions and on the stage. It was a subject nobody wished to the touch. We have to proceed to do the work and keep the course. Think about if extra manufacturers did this in 2025.