Finding Inspiration at SXSW 2023

We’ve all heard about the amazing creative and tech party that is South By Southwest (SXSW) deep in the heart of Texas. Every year is different, but for our teams, SXSW is still one of our favorite places to be inspired.

From provoking panels to happy hours that never seem to end, we hit the streets of Austin to find out what’s emerging in the world of technology and culture. Each year, brands from all over the world come to SXSW to showcase their latest products and services, and to engage with attendees in unique and memorable ways.

As experiential marketers, these brand activations are what we look forward to exploring each year. And we love finding brands who take a thoughtful story and bring it to life through a seamless, strategic experience.

These were five of our favorites.

The LUSH House

LUSH is no longer spending time or money on social media so they can focus on doing more good in the world. The brand is dedicated to more ethical consumerism and product creation and that message was at the heart of their experience.

The space was lively, interactive and most of all: fun.

This no waste experience gave visitors an opportunity to make their own bath bombs and face wash, while allowing people to take deeper dives through seamless digital extensions and artificial intelligence.

Already familiar with the products on a broad level, this activation made us even bigger fans.

The Lodge: A Paramount+ Experience

To promote the range of shows on the streaming service, the Lodge brought a variety of them to life via mini activations within a venue on Austin’s bustling Rainey Street. From cocktails at the Yellowstone 1923 Speakeasy to hopping on the couch with Beavis and Butthead, we took a fun journey through the Paramount+ universe.

Each of the activations had specific tie ins to a Paramount+ show and visitors were encouraged to explore with a “Ski Pass”.

After a couple of drinks with Star Trek’s Picard, one of us might have gotten a tattoo with Inkmaster…

Porsche X Collaboration Unseen

Talk about making a statement.

Back for another year, Porsche had a massive buildout with a large space entirely wrapped and branded.

It’s always nice hopping in an old, classic Porsche, but the flawlessly executed activation heightened the experience. The space was beautifully designed with lounge areas on the exterior, and activations, speaker panels, and cars to explore on the inside..

Slack HQ

The brand brought their digital solutions to life through physical, immersive activations that allowed visitors to explore those solutions in person. They showed how their products help build some of the best teams in the world and even let us create unique channels based on what we want to accomplish.

What made an even bigger mark, though, was their message about helping formerly incarcerated individuals find work and succeed in tech. People want to do business with brands that care, and Slack is one of those brands.

Slack’s mission is to make work simpler, more pleasant and more productive, and so was this engaging experience.

The EXPERIENCE by Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies was back in Austin again with the EXPERIENCE focused on driving progress in the communities where we live and work. Using the iconic ACL Live as a backdrop, this two day activation delivered impactful content around the ideas of building a sustainable future, emerging technology, digital equity and more.

Live music and an exciting opening night celebration rounded out the event on Willie Nelson Boulevard.

Our team at InVision loves helping activate brands in strategically-led, creatively driven ways at SXSW and beyond. For experiential marketers seeking to create a unique brand experience, contact your InVision account representative or info@iv.com to learn more.

Finding Inspiration at SXSW 2023

03.29.23