The Energy Evolution of Data Centers

David Porter

Vice President Electrification & Sustainable Energy Strategy

David Porter provides executive oversight and leadership to the teams responsible for EPRI's research, development, and demonstration of electrification and customer solutions, sustainability and ecosystem stewardship, and environmental health and safety. He joined EPRI in July 2009 as a Senior Account Executive and most recently was Director U.S. Accounts where he led both the U.S. and government account teams dedicated to the technology needs of major electric industry clients and select Federal and State governmental entities, respectively.

With more than 30 years of experience, Porter has worked across a variety of utility operations including power marketing, transmission, distribution, energy efficiency, customer programs and sustainability.

Briana Kobor

Head of Energy Market Innovation

A driving force in the transition to a decarbonized energy future, Kobor heads Energy Market Innovation at Google, spearheading the development of cutting-edge products and frameworks designed to accelerate the decarbonization of electricity systems to support Google's global operations. Her experience includes 8 years in private regulatory consulting practice and 5 years in the non-profit sector.

With a deep understanding of the intricacies of energy policy and regulation, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. She skillfully navigates the ever-evolving energy landscape, crafting strategic solutions that not only meet Google's energy needs but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy future for all.

Room 201-202

Rewriting the Rules of Business: A Guide to Purpose & Profit

The Geography of Prosperity: A New Map for Resilient Cities

Saving Monarchs With Machine Learning and Computer Vision

Where Climate Science Meets Industry Innovation

How the Ocean Twilight Zone Regulates Our Climate

The rapid pace of data center development is testing the ability of utilities to keep pace while providing the steady 24/7 power to businesses and consumers. What if AI data centers could evolve beyond passive electricity users and provide power back to the grid, bolstering grid reliability, resilience, and affordability for all consumers? An EPRI-led effort aims to demonstrate the technologies, policies, and tools to make data center flexibility a reality in different markets. Learn more about data center flexibility in a fireside chat with EPRI and Google.


Tour Support 2.0: How Mental Health is Reshaping Live Music

Wyatt Flores

Singer/Songwriter

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Wyatt Flores is having a breakout year with his debut album Welcome to the Plains (Island Records), produced by Beau Bedford. The Oklahoma-born Mexican-American artist has performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, NPR’s Tiny Desk, and Austin City Limits, and was named to Rolling Stone’s “Future of Music” list. Known for his electric live shows, Flores recently released Live at Cain’s Ballroom and continues touring worldwide.

William Dyer

Artist Manager

William Dyer is an artist manager and creative strategist based in Nashville. As founder of Resonant Management, he guides the career of breakout country artist Wyatt Flores, overseeing creative direction, touring, and brand development. Dyer specializes in building sustainable, values-driven artist ecosystems that balance art, commerce, and authenticity.

Tiffany Kerns

SVP of Industry Relations

As SVP of Industry Relations & Philanthropy for the Country Music Association and Executive Director of the CMA Foundation, Tiffany Kerns drives CMA’s efforts to strengthen and evolve the Country Music industry through connection, innovation, and purpose. She oversees membership, international relations, awards, and philanthropy, advancing programs like the Women’s Leadership Academy and national music education investments. A five-time Billboard Country Power Player, she champions an inclusive, forward-thinking future for Country Music.

Chayim Newman

Co-Founder

Dr. Chayim Newman is the co-founder of Amber Health, the music industry's only full-service mental health and wellness provider. Dr. Newman holds his PhD in Clinical Psychology. His private practice, specializing in clinical care for artists, touring crew, and other industry members, focuses on the use of a variety of therapeutic modalities (ACT, CBT, Mindfulness, traditional psychotherapy) in the treatment of psychological and emotional issues. Having been involved in the music industry for over two decades, as a touring performer, event producer, and artist liaison, Dr. Newman possesses a first-hand understanding of its unique challenges and stresses.

Capitol Ballroom E

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

From Streams to Strategy: The Label Services Evolution

Rock’s Biggest Promoter on the Future of Festivals

Music Nostalgia: The Secret Weapon in Modern Advertising

The Playbook: Viral Hits to Loyal Fandoms

The road can be a tough place, and especially for young artists early in their careers. In 2025, the Country Music Association made a major investment to sustain industry-focused mental health organizations with Amber Health delivering those resources directly to emerging artists on the road. This panel shares the story behind that collaboration—how rising country star Wyatt Flores, his manager William Dyer, CMA’s Tiffany Kerns and Dr. Chayim Newman of Amber Health joined forces to reimagine tour support and pioneer a new, replicable model for artist care in country music.

TOUR SUPPORT 2.0: HOW MENTAL HEALTH IS RESHAPING LIVE MUSIC


The Creative Industry Meet Up

Aisling Conlon

International Director for UK Advertising

As International Trade Director at UK Advertising Exports Group, I lead programmes supporting UK companies on their global growth journey, working closely with the Department for International Trade on UK House to facilitate trade missions in markets like the USA, Europe, India, Brazil, and China. With 20+ years in advertising including senior roles at the UK's Advertising Association, IPA and IAPI Ireland. I bring deep industry insight and a passion for connecting creative communities worldwide. I’ve hosted and spoken at SXSW, Cannes Lions, and Advertising Week Europe, driving conversations that foster collaboration and innovation across borders.

Back by popular demand, the Creative Industry Meet Up returns to SXSW. Ready to tap into the creative pulse of a global industry? While the UK is home to one of the world’s most vibrant creator economies, the real value comes from exchanging ideas across borders from the US, UK, and beyond. This meetup connects innovators, brand leaders, and founders worldwide. No pitches, no panels, just real conversations shaping the future of creativity together.

Brand & Marketing track sponsored by Youtube


Gen Z Professionals Meet Up

Geno Schellenberger

Co-Founder & CEO

Geno Schellenberger is the CEO and Host of Breaking and Entering Media, a platform helping aspiring advertisers, marketing executives, and creative professionals thrive in the industry. Launched in 2020, Breaking and Entering has grown into one of the top five advertising podcasts globally, with over 150,000 listens. Named Young Advertiser of the Year by Campaign US Magazine and featured on Ad Age’s 23 Gen-Zers to Know list in 2024, Geno also lectures in the advertising department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He continues to lead Breaking and Entering Media in bridging gaps between agencies, brands, and talent.

Damaryan Benton

Founder

Damaryan Benton is a powerhouse in public relations and community building. As the founder of The PR Habitat, he has built a growing digital-first community that empowers Gen Z PR and communications professionals to reshape the industry. In 2025, he was named to PRWeek’s Pride in PR list as part of its first-ever Gen Z class. Damaryan’s transparency about his early career experiences has helped him foster a community of over 30,000 followers, cementing his place as one of the leading young voices advancing the future of PR.

Room 408

Convene, Collaborate, & Cultivate Connection: Moms Meet Up

As Gen Z enters the workforce during a time of cultural, technological, and workplace change, the need for career-building spaces that reflect our realities has never been more urgent. The lines between brand, communications, and content continue to blur. Gen Z professionals are being asked to think holistically across platforms, communities, and culture, often without clear mentorship or support. This session will spotlight how we, as young professionals, can build meaningful careers and elevate the standard for inclusive, cross-disciplinary brand storytelling in the process.


From Viral to Viable: Building IP as a Creator

Harry Hambley

Creator, Founder

Ketnipz is the brainchild of artist Harry Hambley, known for creating tender, offbeat comics starring his iconic character “Bean.” His work blends humor and vulnerability to explore themes of connection, identity, and emotional honesty. With a global following, Ketnipz has become a cultural touchstone for a generation navigating life online.

Anna-Laura Sullivan

Creator, Founder

Originally from Nebraska and now based in Brooklyn, Anna-Laura Sullivan is a watercolor comic artist whose work finds magic in the mundane and celebrates presence. Her gentle, childlike aesthetic evokes relearning and quiet joy, earning her a following of over half a million and features in The New York Times and Forbes. Her comics, often viewed by millions, have been shared by figures like Lil Nas X and Daniel Kwan. In 2024, she was honored by the Museum for the U.N.’s Culture for Impact list. She also hosts workshops and runs a web store featuring prints and apparel.

Danny Casale

Creator, Founder

Danny Casale, known online as Coolman Coffeedan, is an artist and storyteller whose surreal, intentionally “bad” animations carry unexpectedly profound messages. Through his signature blend of humor, absurdity, and empathy, he creates work that resonates deeply in an overstimulated digital world. His immersive installations and exhibitions have brought his characters to life in cities around the globe, offering a space for joy, reflection, and connection.

Christian Brantley

Creator, Founder

Christian Brantley is the creator behind CircleToonsHD, a fast-paced, wildly irreverent animation channel that satirizes gaming culture with sharp wit and a lo-fi visual style. Known for turning MS Paint simplicity into storytelling gold, his cartoons dive into the absurdity of video games, fandom, and internet life. With a loyal online following and an expanding creative universe—including his original tabletop game “Fool’s Blade”—Christian continues to push humor into new formats.

Waller Ballroom A

Texas High School Shorts Screening & Q&A

From Who to What to You: The Weird AI-Infused Future of the Creator Economy

Big Ideas, Tiny Budgets: How Creativity Wins

How do you turn a quick video into a globally recognized brand? Four standout creators share how they used platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to launch lasting IP. They’ll break down their creative processes, growing loyal communities, launching physical products like books and games, and keeping creative control from viral moment to full-fledged brand.

FROM VIRAL TO VIABLE: BUILDING IP AS A CREATOR

Creator Economy track sponsored by Yamaha


Better Leadership Starts with Understanding the Stressed Brain

Megan Holmes, PhD

Center on Trauma and Adversity, Case Western Reserve University

Professor

Dr. Megan R. Holmes is a social scientist, speaker, and tenured professor who helps leaders harness the science of stress to create high-performing, human-centered workplaces. As the developer of the Integrated Well-Being Leadership framework, she translates neuroscience into practical tools that reduce stress, build trust, and support sustainable performance. A national expert in trauma-informed leadership and organizational well-being, Dr. Holmes works with executives across sectors to lead with more clarity, connection, and impact. She is also the author of Fearless & Focused, a creativity-based leadership tool for women.

Salon B

Innovating in Science & Tech When Budgets are Tight

How To Meaningfully Connect in a World That Has Gone to Sh*t

It's a Whole Thing: Gen Z Work Relationships in the Age of AI

Forget Recruiting. Design Your Own Workforce.

We will have wasted $96 billion on wellness programs, and stress is still killing productivity. Why? Because most initiatives miss the one thing that matters: how stress hijacks the brain. You don’t need another meditation app. You need to understand what happens in the brain under pressure and what great leaders can do about it. This session introduces Integrated Well-Being Leadership, a science-based approach that helps leaders reduce friction, build clarity, and create workplaces where people can actually think, connect, and perform.

BETTER LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH UNDERSTANDING THE STRESSED BRAIN

Workplace track sponsored by University of Cincinnati


When AI Shops for You

Roger Zhu

Partner

Roger Zhu is a leader in Bain’s AI, Insights & Solutions, Financial Services, and Healthcare practices with 15+ years of consulting experience. He advises clients on AI strategy, data governance, use case prioritization, operating model design, and value realization. His work spans enterprise strategy, M&A, and international expansion, particularly in fintech and payments. Roger also leads AI upskilling across Bain as the Americas AI Champion and heads Asians at Bain in the Boston office. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Dartmouth College.

Cheryl Guerin

EVP, Global Brand Strategy and Innovation

Cheryl Guerin is EVP of Global Brand Strategy & Innovation at Mastercard and a member of its Management Committee. She leads the brand’s global marketing, including the award-winning Priceless campaign. Cheryl launched innovations like True Name® (Cannes Lion Grand Prix winner), the Strivers Initiative for small businesses, Priceless Cities, and Stand Up To Cancer, which has helped yield seven FDA-approved drugs. She’s held multiple senior roles across marketing, products, and services. A former ad exec, she serves on boards including the Ad Club of NY and Ronald McDonald House NYC. Cheryl has earned recognition from Brand Innovators, Yahoo Finance, and Women in Payments.

Heather Stuckey

VP, NA Enterprise Transformation

Heather Stuckey is a consumer-first marketing executive who has built and scaled crave-worthy brands across categories, from Snickers, Skittles, and Neutrogena to UNICEF and H&R Block. Her expertise spans strategy through execution, combining bold storytelling with data-driven decision-making. With a background in both startup and established environments, Heather drives growth through integrated marketing, innovation, and fit-for-platform content that turns consumers into loyal fans.

Caroline Giegerich

VP, AI

Caroline Giegerich is VP, AI at the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), where she leads efforts to shape how artificial intelligence is adopted and scaled across the advertising ecosystem. With over 20 years of experience in strategy, innovation, and marketing at companies like Warner Music Group, HBO, Showtime, and Smashbox Cosmetics, Caroline blends deep strategic insights, emerging technology and storytelling to drive business impact. She’s led pioneering work in AR, AI-generated creative, sports R&D, and fan engagement tech, and has advised brands across media, entertainment, beauty, and consumer goods. A speaker at TEDx, SXSW, and Advertising Week, she’s been recognized in 2024 as a Marketer that Matters and by Brand Innovators with the Women in Marketing Industry Innovator award.

Waterloo Ballroom 4-6

The B Word: How to Get Creative with Marketing Budget

Meet Gen Alpha: Defying Predictions & Rewiring Marketing

Launching the Ultimate, Research-Driven Creative Power Playbook

Pride Preview '26: Marketers, LGBTQ+ & Where We Go From Here

Weird FTW: What Happens When Brands Zig While Others Zag

As AI agents begin to discover, recommend, and even purchase on behalf of consumers, the traditional path to purchase is being upended. This session explores the rise of agentic commerce and how it’s reshaping the consumer journey, from search and consideration to checkout. We’ll examine the infrastructure enabling these agents, the implications for brand visibility and trust, and how marketers, platforms, and technologists must adapt to stay relevant when AI shops for us.


Tradwives, Throuples, Trends: What Modern Love Means for Ads

Natalia Davila

Head of Strategy, US

Natalia Davila is the Head of Strategy, US at GUT. Throughout career, she has led thinking on award-winning creative campaigns, brand positioning, and product innovation across the US, LatAm, and global for top brands across categories, including KraftHeinz, DoorDash, ABI, Apple, Toyota, Porsche, Volkswagen, BMW Group, Bacardí, Molson Coors, Lavazza, letgo, Varo Bank, among others. Natalia brings a multidisciplinary mind to the table: She studied fine art and chemistry in undergrad and sees strategy as equal parts science and soul. She’s a proud Miamian, a mentor, and advocate for inclusive storytelling. She’s shaping the next generation of marketers by modeling what it means to lead with empathy, intuition, and curiosity.

Waterloo Ballroom 3

Hsu Untied: Beyond Numbers: Decision-Making in the Math Classroom

The Learning Geeks: How to Think When Machines Think Faster

Chalk & Gavel: Navigating the Tides of an Education Law Sea Change

Beyond Voting: Defending Truth in Education: AI, Equity, & Power

Forget Moments Marketing: Welcome to Worldbuilding

We are obsessed with romantic love. But relationship dynamics in America are changing and other forms of love—from platonic to filial to digital—are taking priority in our lives. These loves aren't secondary, they shape our identities and steer our decisions. There's a reckoning that romantic love can't and shouldn't fulfill all your needs. In a culture where gender roles, dating trends, and intimacy are being renegotiated in real time, how should brands respond?

TRADWIVES, THROUPLES, TRENDS: WHAT MODERN LOVE MEANS FOR ADS


10 Truths About Technology That Are Shaping Your Life

Marcel Nobre

Founder & CEO BetaLab

Marcel Nobre is a Brazilian researcher, professor, and TEDx speaker specializing in innovation, artificial intelligence, future trends, and education. He is the founder and CEO of BetaLab, an edtech that designs highly customized learning experiences for major multinational companies. Marcel teaches at HSM/Singularity, StartSe, and FIA Business School, and mentors startups through ACE Startups, supporting over 50 projects across industries. With an MBA from FIA/USP and certifications in AI, Futures Literacy, Innovation, Metaverse, Neuroscience, and Mentoring, he transforms complexity into engaging, actionable strategies for the future.

Room 412

Agents vs Managers: When are you ready to be signed and by who?

The Price of Influence: Why Undefined Value Kills Trust

Tackling the “snakes” undermining digital rights

Come Play at Grief Camp: Healing with Story & Community

Every day, invisible systems shape your decisions, desires, attention, and identity, often without your awareness. This session uncovers 10 hidden truths about how algorithms, AI models, and digital platforms subtly reprogram human behavior. Through real-world examples and sharp analysis, this talk explores how technology influences us psychologically and culturally, and what we can do to remain conscious, critical, and truly in control.

10 TRUTHS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY THAT ARE SHAPING YOUR LIFE


Moderate Consumption is the New Cool

Carla Buzasi

President and CEO

After 15 years as an award-winning editor and journalist, Carla moved to the world of trend forecasting in 2014 and leads our global business. Before WGSN, Carla was the founding editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post UK, and an editorial director for the global brand. She has also held roles at Marie Claire, Glamour and Vogue.com, as well as contributing to The Guardian, and sitting on the advisory board for The Telegraph Media Group.

Renata Vichi

Kopenhagen e Chocolates Brasil Cacau (Grupo CRM)

Advisor and Entrepreneur

Renata Vichi is one of Brazil’s leading references in entrepreneurship. An executive, board member, and keynote speaker, she has built a career marked by strategic vision, strong execution capability, and consistent discipline over more than 30 years—beginning in her teenage years.

Throughout this journey, she has led iconic brands in Brazilian retail, serving as CEO of Kopenhagen and founding Brasil Cacau. She spearheaded the expansion of Grupo CRM, taking the business to billion-revenue scale. She also served as an executive and CEO of a company controlled by a private equity fund, with a strong focus on governance, value creation, financial discipline, and strategic execution. She led high-impact decisions and complex processes of growth, professionalization, and succession, consolidating her reputation as one of the country’s most respected voices on leadership, strategy, branding, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth.

She also played a key role in the entry and consolidation of Lindt in Brazil, contributing to the adaptation of the specialized retail model in the country and leading the rollout of more than 55 stores between 2014 and 2020.

Her career includes leadership of billion-dollar operations, a central role in family succession processes, close collaboration with investment funds, and strategic experience in a multinational environment with Nestlé—along with the execution of the largest deal ever completed in the segment in Brazil. She is recognized for building, strengthening, and rejuvenating century-old brands, always with strong emotional connection and high market value, and for her active presence as a leading female voice in the business world.

Among her highlights are a case study presented at Harvard on the expansion and consolidation of Grupo CRM, her featured role in the series Incansável aired on Meu Sucesso, authorship of the book Chocolate nas Veias, and her confirmed participation as a judge on the program Rota Fácil in February 2026.

Guilherme Martins

CMO

Guilherme is a senior marketing executive who believes brands can shape culture, inspire progress, and leave legacies. With 20+ years in Marketing, Sales, and Trade Marketing, he blends vision with culture-led, long-term value to drive brand transformations and turnarounds. Curious and trend-aware, he unites creativity and performance. He has worked at Whirlpool, Natura, General Mills, and Diageo, contributing to product innovation, digital transformation, brand storytelling, societal impact initiatives, and acquisitions, always consumer-centric. He leads by empowering authentic, diverse, high-performing teams. He is Renata’s husband and father of Bernardo, Joaquim, and Stella; six months of parental leave in Brazil deepened his commitment to inclusive workplaces and gender equality.

Salon E

Turning Up the Heat: Climate Content That Clicks

Growing Intelligence: Youth, AI, and the Future of Ag

Mall Rats Reborn: How Hot Topic is Using Entertainment to Revitalise Retail

Culture Under Fire: Storytelling for Public Power

How to Win Friends and Overthrow Systems

In an era of overstimulation and abundance, how can brands position themselves between pleasure and responsibility? This panel brings together leaders from beverages and food to discuss how moderation can become more than a corporate message — a cultural movement. From alcohol to sugar, the conversation explores how industries are reshaping narratives of enjoyment without excess.


AI in Entertainment: Navigating IP, Ethics & Opportunity

Alex Haskell

Alex Haskell is General Counsel and Head of Global Affairs at ElevenLabs, a leading generative AI company specializing in advanced voice and audio technology used across media, entertainment, gaming, publishing, education, and enterprise applications. In this role, he oversees global legal, regulatory, and public policy strategy as ElevenLabs scales its platform and works with creators, developers, and businesses navigating the legal and ethical implications of AI-generated content. Prior to ElevenLabs, Alex served in senior legal and policy roles in the White House and U.S. Senate, advising on complex legislative and regulatory issues, and earlier practiced law at a major U.S. firm. His background at the intersection of government, law, and cutting-edge AI innovation makes him a sought-after voice on AI governance, IP, content authenticity, and responsible deployment of emerging technologies.

Romy Horn

General Counsel

Romy Horn is General Counsel at Real Chemistry, a global health innovation company using AI, data, and creative communications to help life sciences and healthcare organizations navigate an increasingly digital world. She leads Real Chemistry’s global legal strategy, advising on data privacy, intellectual property, digital marketing, and regulatory risk at the intersection of technology and healthcare. Previously, Romy served as General Counsel at 360i, bringing deep experience in emerging tech, media, and advertising law. She is a trusted advisor to executive teams and a thoughtful voice on how innovation and regulation can evolve together.

Nick Breen

Partner

Nick is a partner in Reed Smith’s Entertainment and Media Industry Group. He focuses on digital media, music, blockchain and NFTs, advertising, and video games. Nick advises clients on a range of regulatory, commercial, and copyright matters. In particular, Nick has extensive experience in the music business and helps clients navigate the increasingly complex world of international rights acquisition, exploitation, and licensing. Nick also advises advertisers, agencies, and brands on a range of copyright, clearance, and general commercial matters. Nick is a member of Reed Smith’s LGBTQ+ network, PRISM, and serves on Reed Smith’s environmental committee.

Gerard Donovan

Partner

Gerard is an IP litigator and counselor in Reed Smith’s IP and Emerging Technologies groups. With a background in computer engineering, he focuses on advising and representing clients involved with cutting edge technologies. Gerard has extensive experience developing intellectual property strategies, representing clients in complex IP disputes, and counseling on protecting and maximizing the value of intellectual property. Counseling innovative companies, from start-ups to mature companies, Gerard helps develop and align IP strategies and business objectives. His experience spans various IP domains, including patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and branding. Gerard’s practice primarily focuses on IP relating to cybersecurity technologies, and artificial intelligence.

Topaz Ballroom 1-3

AI Safety & Trust: Building Responsible Media Tech

Is Brand Dead? The Brand Leader’s Playbook for the AI Era

Capturing Chaos: A Q&A with the DP & CLT of The Pitt

The De-brief: Rethinking the Brand–Creator Relationship

Future of Loyalty: Gen Z and Gen Alpha will shape a new era

Explore how generative and agentic AI are transforming entertainment and media, from content creation to distribution.  This session will unpack the legal, ethical, and business challenges—especially around IP, fair use, and talent rights—while highlighting new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

AI IN ENTERTAINMENT: NAVIGATING IP, ETHICS & OPPORTUNITY


From Podcasts to Radio: Unlocking Scaled Audio with Modern Attribution

Lindsay Shaw

Director, Offline Marketing Practice

Lindsay Piper Shaw is a marketing leader with over a decade of experience scaling growth through offline channels. She has overseen hundreds of millions in media investment across podcasts, streaming, radio, and other offline formats, building performance-driven campaigns that deliver measurable, incremental business impact. Throughout her career, Lindsay has partnered with a wide range of companies—from high-growth disruptors like Lyft, Calm, and quip to household names including McDonald’s and P&G—to deliver measurable performance and long-term brand impact. As Director of the Offline Practice at Right Side Up, Lindsay leads at the intersection of strategy, systems, and execution—building the frameworks, teams, and processes that define what modern offline marketing looks like.

Steve Politziner

President

Steve Politziner, a Lehigh University graduate, is President of Good Karma Brands (GKB) and has helped shape the company since its early days. Over nearly 30 years, he has played a key role in growing GKB from a small group of stations into a multi-platform sports media company reaching fans across radio, streaming, podcasts, video, social, and live events. Steve has led teams across sales, content, marketing, and operations — and spent a decade on-air — giving him a practical understanding of both audience and advertiser needs (fans and partners in GKB lingo). Today, he helps guide GKB’s long-standing and evolving partnership with ESPN as well as other strategic partners, while championing a culture centered on teammate growth and measured success with brands and agencies.

David De Rosa

Head of Paid Media

Matt Drengler

Head of Partnerships

Matt began his career as an electrical engineer specializing in sound, vibration, and robotics, and later earned an MBA from The Ohio State University with a focus on Marketing and Consumer Insights. He’s held roles spanning engineering and growth, including positions at General Electric and Staples. Matt brings a rare blend of technical rigor and go-to-market leadership. Today, Matt is Head of Partnerships at Podscribe, where he helps brands, agencies, and publishers unlock trustworthy, transparent measurement and attribution across the audio ecosystem.

Waller Ballroom F

Chasing the Truth: How Stories We Tell Spark Cultural Change

Cassettes & Cults: Making The Red Weather Podcast

Power Shift: How Podcasters are Monetizing on Their Terms

Radio ad measurement has advanced far beyond traditional metrics, following the path podcasting paved first. As pixel-based attribution reshaped marketer expectations, offline audio is getting a fresh look. This panel explores how radio measurement is becoming smarter, more connected, and more accountable. Leaders from Podscribe, Right Side Up, Gusto, and ESPN will share how context, attention, and cross-platform signals are redefining success—and what marketers need to know to navigate today’s audio landscape.

FROM PODCASTS TO RADIO: UNLOCKING SCALED AUDIO WITH MODERN ATTRIBUTION


Breaking the Sound Barrier: Making Creativity Accessible to All

Jared Jermaine

Artist/Producer/Creator

Jarred Jermaine is a digital creator, entrepreneur, and media personality known for building viral content across multiple platforms, reaching millions of followers worldwide.
Amassing over 16 million followers across his platforms, he merges music, pop culture, nostalgia, and engaging storytelling to create a distinctive digital presence centered on entertainment and music discovery. Through his content, Jarred helps audiences learn about songs by highlighting samples, uncovering musical connections, and making music knowledge accessible and fun.

Taylor Felt

Artist

The rebellious nature of Taylor Felt is woven into the DNA of her music. Her unapologetic lyrics

are embedded into every song she writes, while the production lays the foundation for

everything from electrifying anthems to sentimental songbook moments from the heart. She

recently released “MOVE A LITTLE”, a dance‑driven pop record that marks the first release from

her upcoming EP later this year, garnering editorial supporting. Her debut EP, “Dead Flowers”,

exceeded 250K Spotify streams in its first month and Taylor has organically grown a highly

engaged audience of 3.2M+ followers across platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram,

Snapchat and Twitch.

In 2020, she was recognized for her efforts and was selected as an official TikTok Ambassador,

the only music artist chosen, and attended the Grammys on behalf of the brand. Taylor was also

the co‑writer and featured artist alongside Jaden Smith in the title track of, “Life In A Year”, film

starring Jaden Smith and Cara Delevingne. As well as recently performed the National Anthem

for the NFL San Francisco 49ers this past December where she delivered powerful highs and

sultry lows that took listeners on an emotional journey.

Her second EP, still unannounced, is flourishing with lush production, big melodies, and

cohesive storytelling that you can dance and heal to. A lifelong vocalist with a clear creative

direction and a desire to empower, Taylor Felt is destined to be a generational artist.

Scott Yusuke Sugino

President & CEO

Scott Yusuke Sugino, President & CEO of Yamaha Music Innovations,
is a passionate innovator dedicated to driving creativity and culture.
He recently launched new subscription business platform for creators called Yamaha Creator Pass to break the sound barrier and unlock next gen of creators
also Yamaha’s $50 million CVC fund, creating a global platform to accelerate startup growth in the music industry.

With over 15 years of experience in Yamaha, Scott brings a unique blend of
technical expertise, strategic insight, and a global perspective.
His background spans Corporate management, B2B and B2C sales, digital marketing,
venture capital, business development, and a Japanese hip-hop artist.

Gregg Lehrman

CEO

Gregg Lehrman is the founder and CEO of Output, a global leader in music creation software. Launched in 2013, Output’s software is used by hitmakers such as Billie Eilish, Beyonce, Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, Skrillex and Justin Timberlake and scores including Stranger Things, Game of Thrones and Westworld. Output is a 5x Inc5000 fastest growing company winner.

Gregg is also an ASCAP award-winning producer and composer, with original music featured on Saturday Night Live, The Super Bowl, Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart, League of Legends, and trailers including Avatar, Noah, The Avengers & Inglorious Basterds among others.

Lehrman is a vocal advocate of music creation, speaking at conferences and universities including SXSW, ASCAP, UCLA and Cornell among others.

Waller Ballroom C

From TikTok to Toolbelt: Preparing Gen Z for Work

Higher Ed's Losing Global Talent & the Bill Is Coming Due

It Takes a Region: Cybersecurity Pathways in Rural Alabama

Rethinking Discovery Algorithms for the Creator Economy

Creators face a growing “sound barrier”: a fragmented ecosystem of tools, platforms, and services that often makes creating feel more complicated than it should be. What should be intuitive and fluid can become complex, costly, and disconnected.

This panel explores what a more unified, creator-first space for music and podcast creation could look like that meets creators where they are in the journey. Whether its beginners  or more experienced creators refining their craft, we’ll explore more streamlined solutions for music and podcasts that support creators at every stage.

BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER: MAKING CREATIVITY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

Yamaha

For over a century, Yamaha has empowered creators, giving artists the tools to compose, perform, and redefine culture. Our legacy technology has helped shape the music that moves the world and now Yamaha is supporting the next phase of innovation across music, media, and audio. Yamaha is inspiring creators to “Make Waves” with their ideas and art - backing founders who are building the tools, platforms and experiences that empower a new generation of innovators. Stop by our immersive Sound Box from March 12-15 and join our panel on March 13 at 11:30am, both at the Austin Marriott Downtown, where we’ll explore breaking the sound barrier and opening up more streamlined paths to audio creation.


Poh Si Teng

Poh Si Teng is the producer of the Oscar-nominated "St. Louis Superman" and Emmy award-winning EP of Patrice: The Movie. She is a former creative exec for ABC/Disney, former doc commissioner for Al Jazeera English, former IDA grants director, and former New York Times journalist. American Doctor marks her debut as a feature documentary director.

Alamo Lamar 9

Your Attention Please

Health/Disability/Illness
Politics
Technology
Social Issue

Time and Water

Archival Materials Courtesy of Andri Snær Magnason

American Doctor is a vérité non-fiction film following three prominent physicians–Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian—friends who couldn’t be more different but are bound by the shared oath to heal. Dr. Thaer Ahmad is measured, Dr. Mark Perlmutter is blunt, and Dr. Feroze Sidhwa is steeped in scholarship. Filmed in unfolding, on-the-ground scenes, the story follows them from a Gazan hospital under siege, to the halls of Congress. Together they fight to keep a promise to their Palestinian colleagues and patients, which is to continue the struggle where it matters most: the United States.

American Doctor

When three American doctors–Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian–enter Gaza to save lives, they find themselves caught between medicine and politics, risking everything to expose the truth.

United States of America
Denmark
Malaysia
Qatar

Simon Kilmurry
Hamza Ali
Rasha Mansouri
Hassan Elmasry
Poh Si Teng
Rami Elghandour
Andreas Dalsgaard
Mehdi Hasan
Juan Pablo Raymond
Kiran Alvi

Ibrahim Al Otla
Chris Renteria
Arthur Nazaryan
Poh Si Teng
Ramzy Haddad

Dr. Thaer Ahmad, Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, Dr. Mark Perlmutter

Co-Producer: Mohammed Sawwaf, Co-Producer: Kasper Lykke Schultz


Eric Goode

Eric Goode is an American entrepreneur, conservationist, and Emmy-nominated filmmaker. He is the founder of the Turtle Conservancy, a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting wildlands, turtles and tortoises, and other threatened species for the benefit of biodiversity and humanity.

State Theatre

The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist

Courtesy of Focus Features © 2025 Focus Features, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Walk into any zoo in America and you’ll see the legacy of a billion dollar criminal enterprise that spanned six continents over 50 years. Director Eric Goode ("Tiger King," "Chimp Crazy") follows his first love, reptiles, into the dark underworld of exotic animal smuggling. He begins with the industry’s legendary founders, Hank Molt and Tommy Crutchfield, who sold some of the world’s rarest reptiles to America’s biggest zoos. After an epic smuggling trip goes wrong, Hank lands in prison, clearing the way for Tommy to monopolize the industry. But when Hank gets out, his bitterness over Tommy’s success prompts a gruesome revenge that will change the reptile world forever.

Monsters of God

A group of reptile fanatics builds a global smuggling empire, while a scrappy team of animal cops risks everything to stop them.

Jeremy McBride
Eric Goode
Josh Safdie
Ronnie Bronstein
Eli Bush
Harry Go
Emily Osborne
Nicole Stott
Kevin Turen
Nancy Abraham
Lisa Heller
Tina Nguyen

Tom Petersen
James Liu
Callie Barlow
Lissa Rivera
Charles Divak
Adrienne Gits
Daniel Johnson

Ryan Nethery
Chris Messina
Benji Lanpher
Gabe Mayhan

Mark Morgan ACE
Adrienne Gits ACE
Charles Divak ACE
Daniel Johnson
Lee Rosch
Kevin Klauber ACE
Kate Hackett ACE
Darrin Roberts
Benjamin Kast ACE
Doug Abel ACE

Archival Producer: Stephanie Bencin, Archival Producer: Isabel Van Wie, Archival Producer: Corinne Marquardt, Archival Producer: David Ciley, Consulting Producer: Bryan Christy, Consulting Producer: Bruce Weissgold, Post Production Supervisor: Alex Exline, Lead Assistant Editor: Ronnie Rios


Radium Dolls

Label Management, Brand Partnership, Distribution - US, Distribution - Worldwide, Other Artists to Tour With, Booking Agent - UK/Europe, PR/Publicity Agency, Sync/Music Supervisors

Radium Dolls are a four-piece powerhouse from Brisbane/Meanjin, known for explosive live shows, razor-sharp lyricism, and a swaggering sound packed with punch, confidence, and grit. Blending ferocity, humour, and introspection, they’ve carved out a distinct place in Australia’s modern rock landscape—raw, fearless, and unapologetically their own.
Their debut album Legal Speed dropped in March 2024, earning national airplay, critical acclaim, and a QLD Album of the Year nomination. Singles like ‘CIA’, ‘Wandering Eye’, and ‘NAA’ quickly became fan favourites, launching a packed East Coast tour capped off with a sold-out hometown show at Brisbane’s iconic venue, The Zoo. They followed it up with the Man Scout single tour in November—further fuelling their reputation for unmissable, high-octane performances.
Now, fresh off their biggest run yet, the Scorching Heat headline tour saw them sell out all shows and play to their largest crowds to date. With new music on the horizon and international ambitions in sight, Radium Dolls are charging into their next chapter—poised to push Australian rock into bold new territory.

Radio Day Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard


SXSW Innovation Clubhouse

Innovation Clubhouse

Vibrating Music Hammocks

Parker Hertzberger - Multisensory sound installations

The historic Brazos Hall is the official Innovation Clubhouse for 2026. It's the perfect place to connect with attendees looking to gain insights and inspiration from like-minded conference-goers. Each day the Innovation Clubhouse will host meetups and networking events as well as activations.


SXSW Film & TV Clubhouse

The Film & TV Clubhouse is located at 800 Congress Ave, just steps away from the Paramount Theatre, where some of the most exciting screenings of the Festival are set to premiere. It will serve as the home base for the film community to gather, discuss, and network. Each day the Film & TV Clubhouse will host meetups and networking events as well as activations.


SXSW Music Clubhouse

Music Clubhouse

Artist Demo Listening Session (Pop) Part 1 Presented by Discovr Radio

The Music Clubhouse is located at The Downright Austin. Perfect for networking and industry connections, the Clubhouse will also feature live performances at Radio Day Stage and mentor sessions. It’s also the perfect spot to access most of our music venues by foot or a quick rideshare. Each day the Music Clubhouse will host meetups and networking events as well as activations


Invincible VS Arcade Pop Up

Invincible VS, a new 3x3 tag fighter launching on April 30, 2026, is appearing at SXSW with an exclusive arcade pop up featuring a roster of 10 playable characters including a new unannounced fan favorite fighter. Free swag and giveaways will be available for all who come to play the most epic and bloody fight in the universe, with a special gift for fans who pre-order the game onsite or show proof of preorder.

Invincible

Invincible VS is a brutal superhero 3v3 tag fighting game set in the Invincible universe, where you can battle to the death as a team of fan-favorite characters in iconic locations.
Invincible VS is rated M for Mature. Must 17 or older to play.


High Score Game Arcade presents the Worldwide Tic-Tac-Toe Championship

The Worldwide Tic Tac Toe Championship comes to its final, high-stakes moment at SXSW. After months of play across cities and communities around the world, this activation marks the culmination of a global tournament—bringing finalists, fans, and curious passersby together for live competition, spectacle, and celebration. Simple rules, universal appeal, and unexpected intensity converge in one last showdown where strategy, speed, and bragging rights are decided in real time.

More information here: highscoregamearcade.com

HIGH SCORE GAME ARCADE PRESENTS THE WORLDWIDE TIC-TAC-TOE CHAMPIONSHIP


Paramount+ The Lodge

The Paramount+ Lodge returns with the ultimate fan experience, offering an unforgettable and immersive journey that lets guests engage with hit content, iconic franchises and live championship sports. Back for its fourth consecutive year, the Lodge takes over Clive Bar on Austin’s Rainey Street, transporting fans and new audiences into the worlds of their favorite series and sports on Paramount+.


AI that Ships: A Tech Lunch on Moving from Policy to Pilot

Speakeasy

German DeepTech and AI Innovation Unleashed: Day 1 at German Haus

Future in Focus: Meet Germany’s Top AI Startups

Innovation for Everyone: Day 2 at German Haus

MediaTech Morning: Breakfast, Networking & Beyond Screens – MediaTech as the New Infrastructure

Join us at the German Haus to explore the intersection of Generative AI, ethical data leadership, and global innovation. Our stage conversation bridges the gap between visionary tech and real-world impact, sparking high-level insights and international collaboration. Afterward, enjoy a vibrant networking lunch featuring excellent food and curated beats—a relaxed space designed to turn inspired ideas into lasting connections.
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https://www.german-haus.com
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AI THAT SHIPS: A TECH LUNCH ON MOVING FROM POLICY TO PILOT

German Haus

The GERMAN HAUS is the main venue of the joint German presentation at SXSW and it features a
variety of curated networking events, roundtables, presentations, and music performances, creating a unique environment for professional exchange, international networking, and the discovery of new creative partnerships.

GERMAN HAUS AT SXSW 2026
March 12 – 16, 2026
SPEAKEASY, 412 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701

Speakeasy, 412 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701

Berlin House: Party, Pitches & Perspectives - Day 3 at German Haus


Vibrating Music Hammocks

The Music Hammock transforms its fabric into a speaker, resonating your body with the frequencies of the music so you feel as if you’re lying inside a sound system.
In our fast-paced society, we often disconnect from our bodies. This installation offers a full-body listening experience, shifting your attention from mental chatter into physical awareness. Experience sound not only through your ears, but through your entire body.
<p>
https://www.parkerhertzberger.nl/portfolio-collections/my-portfolio/project-title-6
<p>


runo plum

Brand Partnership, Gear Endorsement, Other Artists to Tour With, Publishing, Sync/Music Supervisors

patching, the intimate debut LP from Minneapolis-based singer and songwriter runo plum, gracefully captures the contraction, expansion and release of an intense period of emotional repair, in soft-edged, radiating indie rock. The record’s unbridled sincerity isn’t anything new for runo plum, who’s been writing and quietly sharing bedroom dispatches of her intricate folk for a half-decade. During the pandemic years, she steadily caught the ears of a widening circle of listeners and began independently releasing a series of singles and EPs, all while cutting her teeth on the live side supporting Searows, Angel Olsen and Hovvdy.


XOT Energy House

Downright Hotel - Creekside Room & Outdoor Patio

XOT Energy House lands at the SXSW Artist Lounge as a dynamic space built to fuel creativity. This experience invites artists and attendees to recharge with XOT Energy while connecting through music, culture, and movement. Blending vibrant fruits and high-energy moments, the XOT Energy House becomes a hub for discovery, expression, and inspiration throughout SXSW.


Redbreast Unhidden Box Office

The Redbreast Unhidden Box Office lands in Austin this SXSW, from March 12–14 on Congress Avenue, across from the iconic Paramount Theatre, celebrating exceptional Irish whiskey and cinema. Collect your ticket from our Redbreast concierges for an exclusive Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey tasting and enjoy the chance to win prizes.

Attendees must be over 21. On-site registration required.

Redbreast

Redbreast Unhidden: Unearthing films worth talking about.

Discovering Redbreast is a revelation. That thrill of unearthing a hidden gem isn’t limited to whiskey bars – it lives wherever curious minds search for their next great find. That spirit brings us to the SXSW Film & TV Festival 2026 and year two of Redbreast Unhidden, our platform championing bold, original storytelling in film.

We’ve partnered with Irish actor Andrew Scott to spotlight exceptional talent in the Narrative Short competition and share it with the world. The must-see films of the category will be highlighted as our Redbreast Unhidden Selects, with one filmmaker receiving the prestigious Redbreast Unhidden Award at the SXSW Film & TV Awards on March 18th.

Join us March 15th at the Redbreast Unhidden Showcase for screenings of our selected films. You’re also invited to discover the Redbreast Unhidden Bar, tucked away in a secret Austin location from March 13th–14th, and attend an exclusive on-stage conversation between Andrew Scott and Deadline at the Omni Hotel on March 13th. And if that wasn’t enough, visit our surprise pop-up on Congress Avenue from March 12th–14th and experience our acclaimed Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey firsthand. For full details, scroll down or visit our website.


Beth Harrington

Beth Harrington is an Emmy-winning Grammy-nominated indie filmmaker whose work explores American history, music and culture. Her films have premiered at scores of festivals here and abroad including multiple times at SXSW. She’s also worked with public television stations WGBH in Boston and OPB-Portland creating shows for local and national air.

Alamo Lamar 3

I Got Bombed at Harvey's

Biography
Crime
Documentary
Drama
Thriller

I Got Bombed at Harvey's (aka 1,000 Pounds of Dynamite)

In 1979, David Greenberger, a recent art school grad became activities director at a Boston nursing home. David began interviewing the residents, rejecting pat questions with the unexpected: "Which do you prefer – coffee or meat?," “What is embarrassment?,” and “How close can you get to a penguin?” The result was The Duplex Planet, an early ‘zine characterized by humor, warmth and sincerity. Today David’s work takes the form of spoken word shows and recordings. Beyond the Duplex Planet explores notions of aging and its intersection with art and community. It’s also a slightly ironic look at the life of an artist devoted to documenting the elderly who is himself in his senior years.

Beyond The Duplex Planet

In 1979, artist David Greenberger's talks with senior citizens become a word-of-mouth hit 'zine, "The Duplex Planet." Four decades on, now a senior himself, he has much to tell us about the nature of art, conversation and growing old.

David Greenberger, Penn Jillette, Louie Perez, Ed Ruscha, Michael Stipe, Norabelle Greenberger, Rae Greenhart, Tyson Rogers


Adult DVD

Brand Partnership, Gear Endorsement, Other Artists to Tour With, Booking Agent - US

Adult DVD, the Leeds based six piece have become known for their relentless output of euphoric hooks and grooves along with a relentless touring schedule that has taken them to Glastonbury, Greenman, End Of The Road and several European festivals this Summer.
Formed by vocalist Harry Hanson and synth-player Greg Lonsdale, the project quickly expanded to a full band with Danny Blackburn (guitar/synth), Jake Williams (synth), Jonathan Newell (drums), and George Manson (bass). From the outset, their tongue-in-cheek lyrics, pulsating electronics, big choruses and unique production style (their releases are all self-produced) set them apart from the indie-rock landscape.
Few songs capture the chaotic fun of Adult DVD more than their first release ‘Bill Murray’ - now a firm fan favourite and sing along moment at every festival set. First ‘proper’ single ‘Do Something’ from their 'Next Day Shipping' EP earned a spot on the BBC 6 Music B-list and support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing and Radio X. Subsequent single ‘Because I Like It’ also landed onto the 6 Music B-list, and accompanying live performance from the BBC’s 6 Music festival.
Adult DVD’s live shows are fast becoming legendary. From sold-out hometown headline gigs at Brudenell Social Club and Belgrave Music Hall (2 in the round shows in one day) to storming sets at The Great Escape, Deer Shed Festival, and Live at Leeds, their performances are high-energy and unmissable.
Whether tapping into their love for chorus-centric indie or the influence of acid house floor fillers, DJing, or remixing their musical contemporaries their core appeal remains consistent: undeniable humour, bold danceable instrumentals and instantly memorable songwriting."


Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Music Festival

Sips & Sounds festival wristband required for entry; RSVP to claim your spot.

Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Music Festival is a two-day music celebration that takes place every March at Auditorium Shores in the heart of Austin, Texas. Get ready for unforgettable performances from Christina Aguilera, Calvin Harris, Foster The People, and more among the city’s iconic skyline, plus refreshing Coca-Cola beverages and a curated selection of local food and drink to enjoy all weekend long. Visit https://www.sipssoundsfest.com/ for schedule and festival information.

Access is limited to the first 1,000 SXSW Platinum badge holders to reserve for a wristband. You will receive a confirmation email if your reservation has been awarded. Bring a photo ID to claim your wristband at will call at Auditorium Shores (800 W Riverside Dr., Austin, TX 78704). Box office hours can be found here: https://support.sipssoundsfest.com/hc/en-us/articles/23564754662548-Where-is-the-box-office-What-are-the-hours


Emmett Malloy

Half of the directing duo The Malloys, has helmed major sports campaigns for Nike, ESPN, Apple, Google, and the NBA. A Grammy winner for The Big Easy Express and DGA-nominated director, he also made Netflix’s "BIGGIE: I Got a Story to Tell." Malloy co-founded Brushfire Records with Jack Johnson, pioneering eco-conscious music production.

An intimate look into Jack Johnson’s evolution from surfer to filmmaker to world-renowned musician. The documentary traces how his early years making surf films with close friends became a foundation for a much broader creative life, capturing moments in and out of the water that later surfaced in his songwriting. Blending rare footage from those formative surf films and Johnson's personal and family archives with present-day reflections, the film weaves together how lived experience, friendship, and exploration shaped the sound and stories behind the music.

Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC

This intimate documentary traces Johnson’s evolution from surfer to filmmaker to world-renowned musician. Rare archives and present-day reflections reveal how lived experience, friendship, & exploration shaped the sound & stories behind the music.

Jack Johnson, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Gerry Lopez, Ben Harper, G. Love, John Florence, Tamayo Perry, Kim Johnson


Sara Robin

Sara Robin is a German filmmaker, telling stories at the intersection of documentary and science-fiction. Her sci-fi script SWITCH, a dark comedy about virtual relationships, won the 2023 HollyShorts screenwriting contest. Alongside her independent work, Sara directs and produces commercials for clients including Lego, Jordan, and Lululemon.

Alamo Lamar 7

Ugly Cry

Health/Disability/Illness
The Arts/Theater
Women

My Brother's Killer

LGBTQ
Sex
Social Issues
Mature/Adult
Social Issue

Small Town Boys: The Murder of Billy London

A new generation of parents, teens, and reformers are fighting back against Big Tech’s agenda to define the future of human connection. From Kristin, a mother pursuing legislative reform after losing her son, to Trisha, a young programmer building technology to stop cyberbullying, the film reveals how deeply the attention economy is reshaping us.

Blending intimate human stories with insights from leading experts in tech reform and digital wellbeing, "Your Attention Please" asks some of the most urgent questions of our time: Can we reclaim our autonomy? Can technology be redesigned to serve humanity? And what does a healthier relationship with the digital world look like for us and our kids?

Your Attention Please

English, Dutch; Flemish, Italian, Spanish; Castilian

A quiet revolution is underway: As AI reshapes every part of our lives, ordinary people are pushing back against addictive tech. "Your Attention Please" asks whether we are willing to reclaim autonomy and human connection before it’s too late.

Joni Siani
Winston MacDonald
Abulrahman Khawj
David Graves
Ziyad Alghamdi
Elizabeth Gilcreast
Alysse Houliston

Kristin Bride, Trisha Prabhu, The Offline Club, Kevin McCaskill, Tristan Harris, Cal Newport, Vivek Murthy, Sherry Turkle, Frances Haugen, Laura Marquez-Garrett


Narrative Short Program 1

Rollins Theatre at the Long Center

Cornbread Mafia

Addiction/Recovery
Legal
Senior/Aging
Social Issue

Action
Biography
Comedy
Crime
Documentary

African American
Books/Literary
Celebrity

Phoenix Jones: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Superhero

Exceptional storytelling that captivates, surprises, and excites.

Narrative Short Program 1

Catalan; Valencian, English, Mandarin, Spanish; Castilian

Vomit

Wildcard addict on the run from trouble shows up bloodied and battered at the door of his home health aide ex-girlfriend, turning both their lives upside down in this super dark comedy about love, death, drugs, and ferrets.

Gender Studies

When a trans college student learns the girl she idolizes is sleeping with their teaching assistant, she takes drastic steps to emulate her.

Talk Me

In a world where words replace intimacy, a local outsider in a Spanish village must choose between a loveless marriage and the promise of true connection with a kindred stranger.

Best Friends with the Devil

Lola searches for her missing best friend with the help of a stranger who may know more than he’s letting on.

Supper

A lonely man’s obsession with an online mukbang livestreamer leads to a tense confrontation with an unsuspecting dinner guest.

Stairs

A woman's life unravels after she becomes addicted to throwing herself down flights of stairs.

Visitors

A young woman in the throes of early pregnancy starts to question her own reality when strange things begin to happen to the people closest to her.

Gender Studies

Maisie, a trans college student, is obsessed with her classmate Rachel. She studies her every day, slowly learning how to be a girl from Rachel’s perfectly feminine makeup and wardrobe. When Maisie realizes Rachel is sleeping with their teaching assistant, a grad student named Aaron, she puts what she’s observed to the test, and tries to seduce Aaron. But is girlhood everything she hoped it’d be?

Jake Junkins, Fannie Massarsky, Austin Cassel

Costume Designer: Andy Reiff, Intimacy Coordinator: DaiAwen Cynfamau

Vomit

Aja and Lior were once junkie lovers (and parents of a beloved pet ferret), but they've since split up. Aja is newly sober and getting her shit together, working hard as a live-in home health aide for a dying old man. Lior, on the other hand, has doubled-down on an escalating run towards trouble. Tonight their worlds will collide again in explosive fashion. Who will leave with their life? Better yet, who will leave with the ferret?

Finn Macmillan
Brendan McHugh
Jon Yusupov
Cecile Winckler
Zak Williams

Lindsey Normington, Roi Cydulkin, Michael Buscemi, Timothy Dundin, Charlie Bodt, Charlie Nisan, Jenn Nisan, Eddie & Mooch

Casting: Scotty Anderson, Mia Quinn, Trainer (Ferret): Gloria Winship, Haley Deecken, Colorist: Mikey Pehanich, Costume Designer: Jon Yusupov

Supper

"Supper" is a character-driven thriller that explores themes of identity, loneliness, voyeurism, and the unsettling intimacy between obsession and connection. The film follows Aleena, a Black woman who struggles with her racial identity and how it fits in the world around her. When an obsessive man, Ivan, confronts her in her home, she is forced into a terrifying hostage situation. Supper examines the blurred boundaries between performance, consumption, and the need to be seen.

Jayme Lawson, Sam Straley, Mia Sydney, Jos Fox, Fritzie, Zoe Dondero

Colorist: Zack Chalmers, Consulting Producer: Alexander Stegmaier, Unit Production Manager: Cristobal Solorzano, Production Coordinator: Colin Sevely-Ortiz, 1st Assistant Director: Javier Galaviz

Best Friends with the Devil

When Lola’s best friend goes missing, she refuses to wait around for the authorities. Determined to uncover the truth, she throws herself into a relentless search across Los Angeles. Along the way, she meets David, a stranger who claims to have seen her friend just before she vanished. Desperate for answers, Lola decides to trust him—but the deeper they dig, the murkier the trail becomes.

April S. Chang
Vicki Syal
Sarah Whelden and Kelly Wilcox

Ellyn Jameson, Hugo De Sousa, Kailee McGee

Sound: Paul Cornett, Make-up and hair: Kelly Wilcox, Gaffer: Greyfaen Eastland, Key Grip: Oliver King, First Assistant Camera: Nichole Ruiz, Tait Keller, First Assistant Director: Sharmila Ray, Production Assistant: Vi Nguyen, Colorist: Darren Hartman, CSI

Talk Me

Catalan; Valencian, Mandarin, Spanish; Castilian with English Subtitles

In a world where casual sex is routine and genuine conversation is taboo, Pedro, a mixed-race outsider trapped in a passionless marriage, secretly escapes through music. When he meets Kira, another outsider who shares his yearning for true intimacy, they begin a risky conversational affair.

Joecar Hanna
María Belén Poncio
Patricia Picazo
Mai Batalla
Lina Badenes
Ana Camacho

Melanie Smith, Joecar Hanna, Carlos Gorbe, Albert Carbó

Visitors

Jared Ian Goldman
Sara Kasen
Neil Champagne
Veronica Diaferia
Sara Eolin
Karen Yarkin
Burt Yarkin

Zola Elgart Glassman
Sabina Friedman-Seitz
Gilana Lobel
Sarah Yarkin

Sarah Yarkin, Will Hochman, Maria Dizzia, Danny Burstein, Jon Bass, Mia Vallet, Sabina Friedman- Seitz

Co-Producer: Ivano Pulito, Choreography: Sarah Elgart, Costume Designer: Maggie Kimball

Stairs

Ally, newly engaged and struggling to connect with her fiancé, develops a fetish for falling down stairs. What starts as a small fixation soon evolves into a full blown obsession, resulting in her throwing herself down large staircases to achieve orgasm. As her addiction becomes stronger, Ally's body breaks and she descends further into madness.

Betsey Brown, Will Duncan, Will Janowitz, Sarah Schneider

Prosthetics Makeup Artist: Izzi Galindo, Stunt Performer: Brogan Adams


Gus Baldwin

Flatstock Stage @ Austin Marriott Downtown (Moontower Hall)


Featured Session: 5 Non-Obvious Secrets of Human Connection (For Love & Profit)

Rohit Bhargava

Founder & Chief Trend Curator

Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. He is the 3-time WSJ bestselling author of ten books on marketing, innovation, trends and the future including his #1 bestseller Non-Obvious Megatrends. Rohit has been invited as a “non-boring” keynote speaker to events in 32 countries. He is a frequent contributor writing about non-obvious ideas for Inc, Entrepreneur and GQ magazines and is an adjunct professor of storytelling at Georgetown University. On a personal note, he loves the Olympics, actively hates cauliflower and is a proud dad of boys.

Hilton Grand Ballroom (Salon HJK)

Featured Session: Moonshots that Move the Needle

SXSW Community Service Awards Recognition: The Bell

Featured Session: Strategy in the Times of Chaos: Imagining Futures of Education

Featured Session: How to Support Resilient Youth in an AI World

What will it take to win the future? We’re suffocated by noise, minimized by algorithms, and living in fear of being replaced by technology. The cocoon of technology is making us lose touch with the messy, irreplaceable spark of real connection. In this provocative featured session, SXSW favorite Rohit Bhargava reveals five counterintuitive secrets from his most recent trend research about how we bond, trust, and remain indispensable in the modern world. The people who understand people always win. If you believe this, then this session is your key to becoming one of them.

FEATURED SESSION: 5 NON-OBVIOUS SECRETS OF HUMAN CONNECTION (FOR LOVE & PROFIT)


7 Lies People Tell Today (& the Brain Science to Beat Them)

Nancy Harhut

Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer

Nancy’s clients regularly beat their benchmarks & controls. She’s helped generate $68 million in incremental revenue for Nationwide, establish 7 controls for the GM Card, and create one of H&R Block’s most successful campaigns. She’s an Online Marketing Institute Top 40 Digital Strategist, Hatch Top 100 Creative Influencer, and multiple International ECHO Award winner.

A sought-after, top-ranked speaker, Nancy’s shared her passion with audiences in London, Sydney, Madrid, Moscow and all over the US. Known for her interesting & actionable insights that focus on improving marketing through brain science, she’s psyched her session attendees tweet things like: “@nharhut one of my favorite sessions at SXSW! Thanks for all the valuable gems you shared with us today. Incredible presentation!”

Waterloo Ballroom 3

Hsu Untied: Beyond Numbers: Decision-Making in the Math Classroom

The Learning Geeks: How to Think When Machines Think Faster

Chalk & Gavel: Navigating the Tides of an Education Law Sea Change

Beyond Voting: Defending Truth in Education: AI, Equity, & Power

Forget Moments Marketing: Welcome to Worldbuilding

To separate yourself from AI slop and connect with customers, you need authentic, relevant messages.But customers say things about how they behave & what they want that just aren’t true. And their insistence compromises your marketing. Discover 7 current, common lies customers tell, plus the brain science backed ways to counteract them. Jammed with proven research and in-market examples, this session reveals exactly how to avoid messaging landmines at a time when what you say and how you say it makes all the difference. Don’t do what people claim they want. Do what science shows will work.

7 LIES PEOPLE TELL TODAY (& THE BRAIN SCIENCE TO BEAT THEM)


Featured Session: A Conversation with The All-American Rejects

Tyson Ritter

Lead Singer

Tyson Ritter is the frontman and co-founder of The All-American Rejects, bringing his unmistakable voice and charisma to hits like Dirty Little Secret, Move Along, and Gives You Hell. Beyond his role as lead singer and bassist, Ritter has also built a career as a songwriter, actor, and producer, continuing to push creative boundaries on and off the stage.

Chris Gaylor

Drummer

Chris Gaylor, Oklahoma native, drummer, rejects, falconry.

Nick Wheeler

Lead Guitar

Nickolas Wheeler is the co-founder, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter of The All-American Rejects, the multi-platinum band behind hits like Gives You Hell, Move Along, and Dirty Little Secret. With over 5 million albums sold worldwide, Wheeler has spent more than two decades shaping the band’s sound and legacy, while also working as a Nashville-based producer and songwriter.

Mike Kennerty

Guitarist

Mike Kennerty is best known as the rhythm guitarist for The All-American Rejects, joining the band in 2002 and contributing to their chart-topping run that produced hits like Move Along and Gives You Hell. Beyond touring the world with the multi-platinum group, Kennerty has built a reputation as a producer in the punk and rock scenes, working with acts including Screeching Weasel, Masked Intruder, and Red City Radio. When he’s not on stage, he can be found in his Oklahoma studio or digging through vinyl bins as a self-proclaimed “record nerd.”

Salon 1-4

Featured Session: Multiplayer Futures: Co-Creating a Vision of SXSW 2030 (live!)

Featured Session: Enough with the Bullsh*T: BuzzFeed Founder Shares His Plan to Make the Internet Fun Again

Featured Session: Why Work Feels So Unfair and How Hard Conversations Help

Featured Session: The Internet After Search

SXSW Community Service Awards Recognition: Vision Maker Media

For their first-ever SXSW appearance, The All-American Rejects will share how their sold-out House Party Tour reimagined live music by performing in backyards, skateparks and unique spaces for fans and artists. Once a staple of the major label system, the band is now fully independent—writing, recording, and releasing on their own terms. In this session, they’ll explore how artists can break into touring without gatekeepers and build community-driven experiences outside traditional venues.

American Sign Language
Open captioned
Closed captioned

FEATURED SESSION: A CONVERSATION WITH THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS


Meet Gen Alpha: Defying Predictions & Rewiring Marketing

Kevin Babcock

Head of Creative Partnerships

Kevin joined Google in 2016 to drive strategic partnerships between Brand and Google - centered on Creative Effectiveness, AI, and the Creator Economy. Kevin and his team help drive brand marketing objectives by leveraging insights, trends, ideas, best practices and measurement to drive high performing work for Google’s biggest clients, ie. the world's largest advertisers.

Prior to Google, Kevin spent 15 years working at top tier creative agencies like McCann, BBDO and Digitas, responsible for brands that have ranged from the big and complex like General Motors and McDonalds, to global stalwarts like MolsonCoors and Hilton, to challenger brands like Sprint and Sears.  Bridging the silos between Creative and Media remains one of Kevin’s biggest professional passions.

Dani Mariano

CEO

A dynamic business leader, Dani Mariano has spent the past decade driving transformative results for Razorfish clients while propelling the momentum of the agency in the marketplace. She is committed to discovering how Razorfish can help brands build relationships in this new digital age through valuable consumer touchpoints, and how to keep companies at the forefront of the latest technology advancements to future-proof them for what’s to come, including Generation Alpha. She empowers the agency’s team members to seek opportunities for growth that will prepare them to be the next generation of agency leadership. Under Mariano’s watch, Razorfish has received “Most Innovative Agency” recognition from Campaign US in 2024 and 2025. She was also named a member of the ADWEEK 50 list in 2025.

Jason Mander

jason@gwi.com

Jason serves as Chief Insight Officer at GWI, where he oversees the insights strategy behind one of the largest global consumer insights platforms, spanning 50+ markets and representing the views of 3 billion people. With deep expertise in generational behavior, digital culture, and consumer psychology, he translates complex data into strategic narratives. Jason is a leading voice on how emerging cohorts shape technology, media, and marketing. He has spoken at events worldwide and advises brands on building relevance through human-centered insight, not assumptions.

Waterloo Ballroom 4-6

The B Word: How to Get Creative with Marketing Budget

Launching the Ultimate, Research-Driven Creative Power Playbook

Pride Preview '26: Marketers, LGBTQ+ & Where We Go From Here

Weird FTW: What Happens When Brands Zig While Others Zag

Think that Gen Alpha are just mini Gen Zs in waiting? Think again. Drawing on new global research among more than 80,000 Gen Alphas, this session will unpack the digital behaviors, subcultures, and emotional drivers set to shape the next era of brand connection. What does loyalty mean to a generation raised on creator culture, co-creation and digital experimentation? How are concepts such as trust and value evolving?  We’ll explore how cultural nuance, parenting, and technology shape their worldview, and how brands can build trust through ethical, insight-led engagement.

MEET GEN ALPHA: DEFYING PREDICTIONS & REWIRING MARKETING


So, Everyone Has a Podcast. Should They?

Bryan Barletta

Partner / Founder

Bryan Barletta is President of Podcast Movement and Founder of Sounds Profitable, the global trade association for the business of podcasting with over 200 partners and growing. With 16+ years in advertising and tech, including leadership roles at Megaphone and Claritas, he’s known for sharp insights, an approachable style, and a passion for transparency. Bryan launched the world’s first shakeable ad in 2009 and pioneered Podcasting at SXSW - Sound Summit in 2024, connecting major platforms, creators, and celebrities. He’s dedicated to making podcasting more accessible, measurable, and profitable.

Harry Morton

CEO

Harry is the Founder of Lower Street, an award-winning, global podcast agency for brands. From Fortune 500 companies to early stage startups, they launch shows that matter to audiences who care. Since 2016, Lower Street has worked with brands like Fidelity, Pepsi, BCG, and Adobe. He’s currently working on his first book, on the subject of how podcasting can be the best content marketing tool to humanize your brand in a world of AI. Harry lives in the UK with his wife, 2 kids, and a cow called Eliza.

Nadine Robinson

Co-Founder, COO

Nadine Robinson is the Co-Founder of Podcast Nation, a creator-first podcast network built on custom partnerships, sustainable growth strategies, and an omnichannel approach to advertising. At Podcast Nation, Nadine has been instrumental in working alongside creators on standout shows including The Telepathy Tapes and Sorry We’re Cyrus, while fostering collaborations that put creators at the center. With a background spanning media, talent development, and brand strategy, Nadine focuses on building innovative opportunities for creators and partners alike, driving both creative freedom and long-term success.

Jeff Umbro

Founder/CEO

Jeff Umbro is the founder and CEO of The Podglomerate, the award-winning company which produces, distributes, and monetizes podcasts. The Podglomerate is a boot-strapped organization which now works with more than 70 podcasts and more than 30 million monthly podcast downloads. Jeff has written for and been quoted in Bloomberg, Morning Brew, Adweek, Quartz, Hot Pod, Paste, The Daily Dot, and more. Prior to launching The Podglomerate, Jeff had his hands in audience growth and business development for companies like Product Hunt, Serial Box, VotePlz, Talkshow, and Goldberg McDuffie Communications.

Waller Ballroom C

From TikTok to Toolbelt: Preparing Gen Z for Work

Higher Ed's Losing Global Talent & the Bill Is Coming Due

It Takes a Region: Cybersecurity Pathways in Rural Alabama

Rethinking Discovery Algorithms for the Creator Economy

With more than 4 million indexed podcasts worldwide, it feels like everyone has a podcast… but should they? Join our panel of audio industry experts for a provocative conversation on the low barrier to entry vs. the high bar for success in podcasting. Hear direct insights on how to break through, when to pass on (or bet on) the right talent, and what it actually takes to make, market, and monetize your show for sustainable success.

SO, EVERYONE HAS A PODCAST. SHOULD THEY?


SXSW Pitch-Smart Cities, Transportation, Manufacturing & Logistics

Heath Butler

Partner

Heath Butler is a venture investor, serial entrepreneur, and seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience as a transformational leader and board member, possessing a proven ability to help companies define vision, execute strategy, and deliver accelerated business impact.  Heath is a partner at Mercury Fund, an early-stage VC firm focused on disruptive tech startups outside of Silicon Valley, and Houston’s most prominent VC firm with over $800M AUM.  As an operationally focused VC firm, Mercury Fund partners with first-time and seasoned entrepreneurs who seek the support, assets, and talent of its extensive network. At Mercury Fund, Heath invests in B2B software companies utilizing AI/ML and blockchain technologies.

Outside of Mercury, Heath is an active angel investor, mentors in innovation communities throughout Middle-America, hosts a quarterly “How to Start a Startup” session at The Ion, and blogs @StartupHeat. He is passionate about educating, empowering, and enabling entrepreneurs, and co-founded two organizations focused on closing the innovation, job, and wealth gaps in urban communities across the country – the Innovation Center for Urban Entrepreneurship (iCUE), a non-profit, designed to diversify the capital stack within the innovation ecosystem and Urban Capital Network (UCN), an investment platform designed to reduce the racial wealth gap. Heath also supports numerous non-profits through board service, including as a Board Director for The Collectiv Sports Foundation and as a Board Director for Lemonade Day.

Brian Dixon

Managing Partner

Dawn Olivieri

Actress & Entrepreneur

Jessica Robinson

Co-Founder & Partner

Lisa Burton

Investor & VP

Salon FGH

SXSW Pitch-Healthcare, AssistiveTech & BioTech

SXSW Pitch-Sustainability, AgTech & Food

SXSW Pitch-Smart Data, Security, and FinTech

SXSW Pitch-Intelligent Systems, Robotics, & Multisensory Technology

The SXSW Pitch provides a platform for early-stage technology startups to present their groundbreaking products and services to a panel of distinguished industry experts, influential media professionals, and leading venture capitalists and angel investors.

On Friday, March 13, five innovative companies will take the stage in Salon FGH at the JW Marriott, showcasing their ideas, innovations, and entrepreneurial vision before a live audience and judging panel. Come be inspired by the next generation of tech innovators shaping the future.

Smart Cities, Transportation, Manufacturing & LogisticsTechnologies that create and advance smart cities, enhance transportation systems, modernize manufacturing, transform logistics, and strengthen government infrastructure and civic operations. These innovations improve urban environments, mobility, industrial automation, global supply chains, and the travel and tourism industry. Applications include real estate development, infrastructure, utilities, public works, security, population data, government and civic services, digital service delivery, transparency, and urban planning and design. This category also encompasses advancements in transportation, such as autonomous vehicles, automotive improvements, ridesharing, multi-modal mobility, product delivery, and logistics optimization. In manufacturing, it highlights Industry 4.0 innovations like IoT-enabled production, 3D printing, robotics, metamaterials, predictive maintenance, digital twins, augmented construction, omnichannel management, and AI-driven industrial automation. Supply chain and logistics technologies focus on automation in warehouses, last-mile delivery, inventory management, and AI-powered demand forecasting.

Winner of the Smart Cities, Transportation, Manufacturing & Logistics Technologies will be announced at the Award Ceremony, Saturday, March 14th at 6:30pm.

SXSW PITCH-SMART CITIES, TRANSPORTATION, MANUFACTURING & LOGISTICS


From Streams to Strategy: The Label Services Evolution

Matthew Aure

General Manager

Matthew Aure is GM of Bright Antenna Records, a respected independent label based in Mill Valley, CA. With a career deeply rooted in the music industry, Matt blends strategic leadership, creative vision, and a genuine passion for artist development. He began his career in tour marketing and artist management, working at Old Friends Records and Fearless Records. Since then, he has played a key role in scaling the Bright Antenna’s roster, budget, and shaping its artist- and fan-focused strategies.

Amanda McNelis

Director, Streaming

Amanda is a digital music strategist with 10+ years of experience transforming data into discovery
and artists into global brands. Currently handling Amazon Music in the US with BMG, Amanda
has driven major playlist placements, amplified streaming growth, and built campaigns for
breakthrough and established talent. Passionate about storytelling through sound, Amanda
merges analytics and artistry to create moments that connect fans and fuel careers.

Andrew Hove

Director, Label Services

After nearly a decade in the music industry, Andrew Hove has worked across management, label,
and distribution capacities. Now leading UnitedMasters newly created Label Services division,
Andrew signs and develops independent labels, integrating them into the UM framework.

Victoria Tsigonis

Senior Marketing Services Director - Americas

With over 15 years of industry experience, Victoria Tsigonis has held senior executive roles at
Island Records UK, BMG, Shelter Music Group, and now FUGA, overseeing the marketing teams
across North and South America. A specialist in artist development, global marketing, DSP
strategy, and creative direction, she has played a pivotal role in orchestrating projects that have
topped charts, secured prime playlist placements, and delivered innovative marketing campaigns.

Capitol Ballroom E

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Tour Support 2.0: How Mental Health is Reshaping Live Music

Rock’s Biggest Promoter on the Future of Festivals

Music Nostalgia: The Secret Weapon in Modern Advertising

The Playbook: Viral Hits to Loyal Fandoms

In today’s evolving music landscape, the right partnership can be a game-changer. This panel will explore how modern label services companies are going above and beyond to provide marketing muscle, data insights, creative support, and funding to help artists and labels scale - whether they’re building from the ground up or already operating at a global level. Join industry leaders as they unpack what makes an effective distribution partnership, the evolving expectations on both sides, and how true collaboration can amplify impact in today’s independent era.

FROM STREAMS TO STRATEGY: THE LABEL SERVICES EVOLUTION


Mentor Session: Darlene Fiske (The Fiske Group, Strategic PR and Brand Influence)

Darlene Fiske

The Fiske Group: Public Relations and Marketing Strategies

Founder

With more than 20 years of experience public relations and marketing, Darlene Fiske helps businesses manage their reputation through strategic storytelling via her PR and Branding Agency, The Fiske Group – an award-winning Austin based communications firm. Prior to starting The Fiske Group, she was the Director of Sales & Marketing at Lake Austin Spa Resort where she was responsible for sales and marketing efforts targeting the top 1% of affluent consumers in the United States.

A thoughtful and precise wordsmith and stealth networker, she's been referred to as the ""Unicorn PR Gal"" by the press and her clients have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Vogue, Travel + Leisure and more. Fiske is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Journalism in public relations.

Room 400-402

Mentor Session: Ali Tager (National Cryptocurrency Association)

Mentor Session: Aniesia Williams (dreambloc)

Mentor Session: Avantika Bagri (Centana Growth Partners)

Mentor Session: Brittan Heller (Stanford Law School)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Storytelling, Marketing/Advertising/PR, Business Development.

MENTOR SESSION: DARLENE FISKE (THE FISKE GROUP, STRATEGIC PR AND BRAND INFLUENCE)


Mentor Session: Kat Rector (Zoho)

Kat Rector

Strategic Alliances Manager

Kat Rector is a passionate and results-driven professional with a knack for developing and executing impactful personal branding and career strategies, strategic partnerships, and company-wide process improvements. She currently holds the positions of Marketing Director, Strategic IT Engagement Manager, and leader of market community engagement, focusing on business growth and generating new business. Additionally, Kat is actively involved in the tech industry, sitting on three tech industry boards in Austin, underscoring her commitment to innovation and industry advancement. Kat also holds an a-PHR certification, which enhances her career coaching, personal brand mentoring, and process improvement skills.

Kat’s career is marked by her dedication to continuous improvement and her strategic approach to solving complex business challenges. As a Marketing Director, she oversees comprehensive strategies that drive brand awareness and customer engagement. Her past work as a Social Media Director showcased her talent for creating engaging and effective campaigns to make brands stand out, which she has carried into her current role, enhancing brand presence and converting presence to tangible ROI.

In addition to her marketing expertise, Kat excels in running large territories and breaking business in new markets. Her business development efforts focus on the community and providing value-add relationships, enabling her to build strong connections and drive significant growth. Kat’s strategic mindset and results-oriented approach have been instrumental in launching successful rebranding initiatives and educating the market on new service offerings, ensuring  her organization remains competitive and relevant.

Kat’s passion for mentoring and coaching is another hallmark of her career. She has extensive experience guiding individuals and teams toward achieving their personal and professional goals by providing tailored advice and support to help clients reach their full potential. Her work includes coaching C-level executives on creating personal brands and portfolios, ensuring they present their best selves to stakeholders and the market.

As a dynamic and engaging speaker, Kat has delivered numerous presentations and workshops to a wide range of audiences. Her ability to connect with her audience and convey complex concepts clearly and compellingly has earned her a high NPS rating among audiences. Kat’s presentations are known for their practical insights, actionable takeaways, and inspirational messages, leaving audiences motivated and equipped to achieve their goals.

Kat’s collaborative approach and commitment to excellence have earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor, connector, and leader. She is known for her ability to foster a positive and inclusive work environment, where team members feel valued and empowered to contribute their best. Her passion for driving results and helping others achieve their goals is evident in everything she does. Whether developing strategic plans, mentoring professionals, or delivering inspiring presentations, Kat is committed to making a positive impact and driving success in the local community and with her clients.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Future of Work, Business Development.


Mentor Session: Chase Neely (Leverage Brands
Chase Neely PC)

Chase Neely

Attorney & Entrepreneur

Chase Neely is the Co-Founder and President of Chase Neely, PC. Chase is an intellectual property attorney who helps grammy award winning songwriters, producers, New York Times bestselling authors, and other creative professionals at the intersection between their business and their art. Chase has founded 3 companies. He started his own law firm in 2012. Then, in 2016, Chase founded Kirkwood Business Management, Inc., a tax strategy and preparation firm for creative professionals, which he sold in 2019. Chase graduated from Baylor University School of Law in 2011 after 27 months in law school. Recently, Chase acquired TMBTQ Law, a Trademark law firm out of Denver, CO, bringing a broader ability at his firm to help creators and inventors protect their IP.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Marketing/Advertising/PR.

MENTOR SESSION: CHASE NEELY (LEVERAGE BRANDS
CHASE NEELY PC)


Mentor Session: Amy Patterson (Urban Arts)

Amy Patterson

Chief Program Officer

Dr. Amy Patterson is Chief Program Officer at nonprofit Urban Arts, bridging education and the game industry through arts + tech programs for students and teachers. At UA, she leads $8M in federal research initiatives focused on computer science and game design education, and she explores how digital innovation expands opportunity. As a Lead Judge for GEE Games for Learning, she evaluates educational games for excellence. With 15+ years of experience in educational program development, Amy specializes in creating inclusive pathways that prepare students for purpose-driven careers in creative technology. She partners with Unity, NBCU, and Google to ensure students gain real-world skills and connections. Amy believes the future of work is deeply connected to the art of play. Ask her about her favorite student games - or how arts and tech shape tomorrow's workforce!

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Nonprofits, Future of Work, Funding.

MENTOR SESSION: AMY PATTERSON (URBAN ARTS)


Mentor Session: Tami Kesselman (Next Gen Success LLC)

Tami Kesselman

Founder/Chief Strategist

"A Harvard-educated strategist and former Bain consultant, Tami coaches clients on solutions at the nexus of wealth creation and impact stewardship, aligning business success, internal happiness and crafting an enduring legacy. Adi Ignatius, Editor-in-Chief of Harvard Business Review said it best: “Many people tout their frameworks on impact, but Tami Kesselman is the real deal. Tami is one of the top minds in thinking about how to strike the right balance between financial success and impact results.”

A pioneer and thought leader on impact investing & impact philanthropy, her clients include post-liquidity founders & allocators from some of the world's largest family offices. Known for her ability to rapidly identify risk in business models and help clients connect the dots to fix problems before they affect the bottom line, she regularly works with founders to prepare them for successful seed and Series A rounds and lectures at Harvard and at investor conferences globally. She is a judge for multiple global business plan competitions and a pitch coach for Harvard Business School’s New Venture Competition. "

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Business Development, Content Strategy/Production, Entrepreneurship, Funding, Nonprofits, Storytelling, Sustainability.

MENTOR SESSION: TAMI KESSELMAN (NEXT GEN SUCCESS LLC)


Mentor Session: Esteban Contreras (Fleetio)

Esteban Contreras

VP of Product

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Product Management/Development, Marketing/Advertising/PR, Storytelling.

MENTOR SESSION: ESTEBAN CONTRERAS (FLEETIO)


Mentor Session: Gabriela Gironas (Wasserman/Cool Shit, Cool People)

Gabriela Gironas

Founder

Gabriela Gironas (they/them) is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a leading voice at the intersection of music, technology, and the creator economy. The child of Bolivian immigrants, Gironas has spent over a decade championing empathy-led partnerships and building platforms for underrepresented creators to thrive. Their career spans brands like YouTube, Reddit, Fender, Human Re-Source, and Q&A, as well as mission-driven organizations like Keychange U.S. They currently serve as Senior Director of Creator Strategy at Wasserman and Founder of Cool Shit, Cool People, a creative agency focused on elevating the next wave of talent and technology.

At Wasserman, Gironas leads creator strategy for global brands including Google Play, Samsung, and Taco Bell, developing scalable frameworks that help brands identify, activate, and collaborate with creators across platforms. Their work blends talent development, data-driven storytelling, and culture-first strategy to drive measurable impact. This builds on a decade of launching fan campaigns and artist careers—from crafting re-release strategies for Julia Michaels to growing ANGEL22’s following from zero to 10 million. From BTS billboards in Times Square to redefining K-pop rollouts, Gironas has helped shape the careers of Lauv, Jensen McRae, Madilyn Bailey, Moses Sumney, and Jada Kingdom.

A respected leader in advocacy and governance, Gironas serves as Governor of the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles Chapter, At-Large Member of the LA County Governance Reform Task Force, and Global Chair of Diversity, Inclusion & Community at Women In Music. They also sit on the boards of Industry In Spanglish and Keychange U.S. A frequent speaker at SXSW, Reeperbahn, and Music Biz, Gironas continues to shape the future of inclusive leadership across music, tech, and culture—with creativity, empathy, and conviction.

Mentor Session: Arnaecia Alridge (Methix)

Mentor Session: Isabella Uknis (Universal Music Publishing Group)

Tannehill

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Mentor Session: Lauren Apolito (The Harry Fox Agency/Rumblefish )

Mentor Session: Max Christensen (Crunchy Frog/Crunchy Tunes)

Mentor Session: Noel Morrison (SiriusXM/Pandora)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Contracts & Agreements, Distribution, Emerging Technologies, Marketing/PR, Management, Women in Music.

MENTOR SESSION: GABRIELA GIRONAS (WASSERMAN/COOL SHIT, COOL PEOPLE)


Mentor Session: Lindsay Bailey (LBLC | Lindsay Bailey Law PLLC)

Lindsay Bailey

Principal Attorney

Lindsay Bailey is a cross-border entertainment lawyer based in Austin and Vancouver, working at the intersection of music, art, and technology.
She advises artists, songwriters, labels, music-tech companies, and creative founders on the legal and business realities of today’s music industry. Her work spans recording, publishing, and distribution deals; licensing and brand partnerships; intellectual property strategy; and navigating emerging technologies shaping how music is created, monetized, and preserved. Lindsay is also deeply engaged in legacy planning for artists and estates, helping creators protect and future-proof their catalogs in an increasingly digital ecosystem.
Lindsay works with clients at every stage of their careers—from emerging artists and early-stage startups to established creators, cultural institutions, and the investors who back them. She built her cross-border practice to help music and creative businesses scale across the U.S. and Canada, offering practical, strategic guidance that aligns legal structure with creative and commercial goals.
Her background includes formal training in art history at the University of British Columbia and extensive leadership in arts governance. From 2015 to 2021, she served on the board of the B.C. Arts Council, overseeing a $45 million annual grant budget. She currently serves on the Council of the Texas Entertainment and Sports Law Section, is Past Chair of the Austin Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Section, and sits on multiple arts and music-focused boards and advisory boards.
A member of the Recording Academy (Texas Chapter), Lindsay regularly speaks at industry conferences, including SXSW, Music Biz, and AmericanaFest, and serves as a juror for major music and arts awards.
At SXSW 2026, Lindsay offers mentor sessions for artists and music-industry professionals seeking clear, actionable guidance on deals, rights, strategy, and building sustainable creative careers.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in IP & Copyright, Music Tech, Startups.

MENTOR SESSION: LINDSAY BAILEY (LBLC | LINDSAY BAILEY LAW PLLC)


Legal Mentor Session: Fabio de Sa Cesnik (CQS FV Law Firm)

Fabio De Sa Cesnik

Founder Partner

Founding partner at CQS/FV Law Firm. Graduated in Law and Legal Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). Vice-president of Institutional Relations in Brazil California Chamber of Commerce (BCCC). Specialist in Culture, Media, and Entertainment. Since 2010, he has been in a row tanked in Chambers and Partners as a specialist lawyer in Media and Entertainment. Ex-chairman of IASP’s Media and Entertainment and member of OAB-SP Rights to the Arts Commission. He is the author of the books “Globalização da Cultura” and “Guia do Incentivo à Cultura” (Editora Manole). He is co-author “Projetos Culturais: Elaboração, Administração, Aspectos Legais e Busca de Patrocínio” (Editora Escrituras). Lawyer licensed in Brazil and Portugal. Member of the California BAR as a Foreign Legal Consultant.

Liberty

Agents & Managers Mentor Session: Olivia Mascheroni (Verve Talent & Literary Agency)

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: RJ Millard (Obscured Pictures)

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Traci Hanlon (Cinergy Entertainment)

Programming Mentor Session: CC Hutten (TED Conferences)

Programming Mentor Session: Jim Brunzell (Sound Unseen)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Legal, Doc Filmmakers, Narrative Filmmakers.

LEGAL MENTOR SESSION: FABIO DE SA CESNIK (CQS FV LAW FIRM)

Film & TV track sponsored by Crunchyroll


Mentor Session: Jeremy Gruber (Friends at Work)

Jeremy Gruber

Jeremy Gruber is the Head of Artist Marketing & Digital Strategy at Friends At Work, representing artists including John Legend and Charlie Puth among many others. Jeremy has spent over a decade working with artists at all levels helping them grow their brand and businesses by bringing together traditional marketing with the latest technology. After graduating with a Music Industry degree from USC, Jeremy started his career helping to manage the wine label, public speaking and corporate career of Mick Fleetwood at Sabre Entertainment. He then ran digital for 10th Street Entertainment and Eleven Seven Music working with bands including Mötley Crüe, Papa Roach, and Blondie. In 2010, he joined Concord Music Group helping to establish the direct to consumer team and build the digital marketing & strategy department where he worked with legends like Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, and James Taylor. Jeremy also served as an adjunct professor in the USC Music Industry program and is a noted guest speaker at several colleges, universities, and the Grammy Summer Camp.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/PR, Management, Music Tech.

MENTOR SESSION: JEREMY GRUBER (FRIENDS AT WORK)


Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Jenny Bloom (Bloomerang PR)

Jenny Bloom

Founder

Jenny Bloom is a veteran communications strategist and founder of Bloomerang PR, a boutique agency shaping how creative storytellers, immersive experiences, and consumer brands show up in culture. She’s led countless film and festival campaigns across SXSW, Sundance, Tribeca, and beyond, partnering with companies across the industry to amplify bold voices. With nearly 20 years experience, she is known for her sharp instincts, real-talk strategy, and ability to position creatives where art and audience meet.

Executive Room

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Lisa Trifone (Bright Iris Film Co.)

Publicity and Marketing Mentor Session: Maddy Bilder (26 Keys Productions)

Programming Mentor Session: Boram Park (Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival)

Programming Mentor Session: Haojie Huang (Kaohsiung Film Festival)

Programming Mentor Session: Joseph Litzinger (Interesting.Media)

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Publicity & Marketing.

PUBLICITY AND MARKETING MENTOR SESSION: JENNY BLOOM (BLOOMERANG PR)