Emily Frembgen

Emily Frembgen

A longtime favorite of New York City’s Americana scene, Emily Frembgen returns to SXSW for her third consecutive year as an official artist at Don Giovanni Records.

“Fentanyl,” the first single off Frembgen’s album No Hard Feelings released under Don Giovanni, was hailed by Glide Magazine as “brimming with sharp and twangy guitar and vocals that bring to mind the likes of Lucinda Williams, Laura Cantrell, and Amy Rigby.”

Frembgen spent her childhood bouncing between Colorado and Baltimore, then finally to New York City in 2000. She was shaped musically by both the grittiness of city and by Americana heroes like Kathleen Edwards and Alejandro Escovedo.

In 2021 Frembgen released her debut studio album with producer Hugh Pool at Excello Studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, in 2021. Irreverently titled It’s Me or the Dog, it garnered widespread critical praise, with New York Music Daily naming it “one of the best records of the year” and Glide Magazine calling it “a strong study in writing both melodies and powerful lyrics.”

Her next full length album, Little Stranger, is due out in 2026.

The 13th Floor

Glass Mansions

Art Decade Creatives - Austin Heavy Hitters


Paisley Fields

Paisley Fields writes country music. His songs are tender and authentic, but also pretty good with a joke. They’re mindful of tradition, but deeply informed by his singular background — as a teenage Midwestern church pianist, a Manhattan piano bar survivor, and a touring member of pioneering queer country outfit, Lavender Country. The stories are his, but the feeling they convey — love, loneliness, lust, and so on — are, hopefully, still universal.


David Huckfelt

Booking Agent - US, Booking Agent - UK/Europe, Booking Agent - Worldwide

David Huckfelt is a singer/ lyricist /folk-activist whose poetic sensibilities and songs of no-spiritual-surrender have earned him a cult following in the darker hollows far off the beaten path of the music business’s rushing roar.  An Iowa native and former theology student, Huckfelt attended the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop before dropping hold of academic and theoretical pursuits and turning his attention to songwriting and performing.  With improvisational mastery and a stubborn insistence of remaining in the moment with his audience, Huckfelt’s folk shows have earned him a devoted following from small-town opera houses & theaters to national festival stages like Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Edmonton and Calgary Folk Fests, and the legendary First Avenue mainroom. Sharing stages with artists as diverse as Mavis Staples, Bon Iver, Emmylou Harris, Arcade Fire, Calexico, Gregory Alan Isakov, Iris Dement & more, Huckfelt’s roots run deep as a folk singer steeped in the tradition of performing other artists’ songs.  An early encounter and collaboration with legendary Native American poet John Trudell introduced Huckfelt as friend & ally to an array of Indigenous artists & activists including Keith Secola, Louise Erdrich, Winona LaDuke, Quiltman & more.  He also served as musical director and performer at “Water Is Life” Music + Resistance Festival in Duluth, MN and his songs appear in the new AMC TV series “Dark Winds” produced by Robert Redford & George R.R. Martin.   A founding frontman of Minneapolis indie-folk cult favorites The Pines,
with roots in the same Midwestern soil that produced legendary folk singers like John Prine and Greg Brown, David's new solo work preserves a rugged optimism that blasts through layers of darkness in real time with songs that speak volumes, soft & clear.


Lee Bains

Lee Bains is a songwriter and poet from Birmingham, Alabama, who, with his band The Glory Fires, has released four studio albums of what Rolling Stone calls “Southern gospel punk” since 2012. His most recent album, Old-Time Folks, released by Don Giovanni Records in 2022, explored stories of People’s movements in the Deep South to acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone, The New York Times, NPR, and the Guardian. He has collaborated in live performance and on recordings with artists including Lonnie Holley, Moor Mother, Pussy Riot, Algiers, and Mourning [A] BLKstar. In addition to playing shows around the U.S. and Europe, Lee has published poetry in The New Yorker, and lent his music to support striking coalminers, immigrants’ rights groups, abortion funds, and anti-racism organizations.


bloodsports

Taking over the sweaty New York venues and curbside congregations that came to be
synonymous with the name, Bloodsports is set to release their long awaited debut LP Anything
Can Be A Hammer via brand new New York label Good English Records on October 17th.
Bloodsports has become an undeniable force amidst their latest line up, where members Sam
Murphy (guitar/vox), Jeremy Mock (Guitar), Liv Eriksen (bass/vox) and Scott Hale (drums) find
solace in the capitulation of sonic strain; where angular sedition blends with economical
melodies that lighten the load of the self-destruction that these songs embrace. But as bold as
their landscapes have been prior, Anything Can Be A Hammer finds the band embracing a more
dynamic approach, maturing in their techniques as these songs brim over with subtle fixations –
balancing a steady pace of experimentation and curiosity that linger amongst the rhythmic blows
and befuddling depths that the band confidently explores. Fragile, yet abundant, Bloodsports
leans into that patience that plays to our own interior designs, where Murphy’s lyricism is a
notion of both what we know and what we think we know, as it all comes to the fore when our
obsessions are at large. It’s an album that’s got blood in its veins and a finger on the pulse.


Victoryland

Distribution - Worldwide, Other Artists to Tour With, Booking Agent - US, Booking Agent - UK/Europe, Booking Agent - Worldwide, PR/Publicity Agency

Victoryland is the Brooklyn-based project of musician Julian McCamman. His label-debut, My Heart Is A Room With No Cameras In It, out January 23, 2026 via Good English, is a triumphant, despondent, and ultimately fun experimental pop-rock album. Victoryland started in Philly 2023 with the release of tape, Sprain, which echoed more of what the Philly scene was dishing out: lo-fi, tape-recorded rock with a capital R. It was the collaborative efforts of producer Dan Howard that brought the new vision and sound into full focus.Dan and Julian previously worked on Julian’s now-defunct Texas-to-Philly based band, Blood’s Loving You Backwards LP, a collaborative effort between six bandmates. That experience pushed Julian toward a more personal process of recording, starting with home demos and then bringing them to Dan to shape into songs. This relationship ultimately led Julian to move to NYC.

The sound of the album, recorded between Julian’s Bed Stuy basement and Dan’s Williamsburg studio, is the sound of a bright and beaming collaboration. Landing somewhere between lo-fi and hi-fi production, the songs have the glossiness of a radio-friendly hit mixed with the distortion and rough edges of a home demo. Every song keeps at least one element of the initial recording, while building around the loops and half-songs Julian scrapped together. The lyrics on the record span from humorous self-aware popisms (“‘you and I’ will soon be, used to be ‘us’”) to crushing realities of bitterness(“i’ll never forgive you, that’s how I keep you close”) to abstract imagery (“mothers wave from doorways, in ostinato”), all delivered with such an immediacy and fervor that in the middle of singing along, you wonder if this guy slept much last night.

My Heart wrangles with heavy subject matter (love, disconnection, sexual frustration, emptiness etc.), but the terminal statement of the record is about the cleansing nature of pop music. That, if a song can force you to “bliss out” over a hook or a loop, or even make you dance, it can be the spoonful of sugar to swallow the hard pill with; this is what Victoryland strives to do: package the most exhausting realities of life, love, and the search for connection in a world starved of it, into a fun 2-5 minutes, and for the runtime of Victoryland’s first major statement, you might even feel like you’re not alone.


Nightbus

Nightbus are a brooding, cinematic two-piece (4 members live) blending post-punk, trip-hop, and late-night electronica into something dark, hypnotic and unmistakably their own. Formed in Manchester UK in 2023, their music captures the anxious beauty of city life after hours—dripping in atmosphere - bass-heavy and emotionally raw. With haunting vocals, reverb-soaked guitars, and minimalist beats, they echo the ghosts of The Knife, Portishead, early Cure, Chromatics and the XX, all while carving out a space all their own.

The early demos caught the ears of tastemaker label and magazine So Young, who released two 7"s from the band, one in 2023 and another in 2024 - both selling out with champions at BBC R1 and 6 Music, The Guardian, NME, The Fader, Brooklyn Vegan, The Line Of Best Fit, Dummy, DIY + Dork supporting the singles.

Underground shows followed leading to festival appearances at Left Of The Dial, Blue Dot, Manchester Psychfest and Float Along, headline shows at Supersonic in Paris, Manchester and London and support shows with Rock Action signings Bdrmm across the UK.

Nightbus released their debut album 'Passenger' on Melodic records, October 2025 to critical acclaim.


Stalefish

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

Stalefish is a 6-piece band from Austin, Texas. Fresh off their first two full-length records in 2024 (Stalefish Does America, and It’s All Down Here From Hill) the band refuses to take their foot off the gas.

Stalefish is happy to share their love letter to pop music: a six-song EP titled New Pop Experiments Vol. 1, available now via Happen Twice. The EP's quick yet deliberate recording process lends it a sense of spontaneity and cohesion, capturing the band's hunger, optimism, and adventurous spirit. Known for their ‘90s indie rock style, Stalefish looks to bring their sound into the modern era, embracing their most earwormy ideas.

Songwriter Dalton Hausman was inspired by watching Royel Otis at Austin City Limits when his girlfriend turned to him and said, “You could do this!” This vote of confidence lit a fire underneath Hausman to take a stab at writing a radio hit. The lead single “1000 Books a Day” came directly out of that challenge and kickstarted the project.

Creating New Pop Experiments Vol. 1 was transformative for the band, involving remote collaboration across different cities, digital sharing of ideas, and intense bursts of in-person creativity.

Musically, the recordings offer a ripe sonic landscape complete with strings, horns, synthesizer, and lots of electric guitar. True to the lyrical tradition of the band, the songs are about romantic love, self-love and reassurance, and perhaps most importantly, how to party.

The full EP, New Pop Experiments Vol. 1, is available now via Happen Twice!


Cashier

Brand Partnership, Gear Endorsement, Other Artists to Tour With

On their debut EP ‘The Weight,’ the Lafayette, Louisiana, four-piece reaches full definition, distilling themes of desire, insecurity, and disconnection into five tightly wound, melody-driven songs released by Julia’s War Recordings, the legendary Philly label founded by Doug Dulgarian of TAGABOW. Across the EP, bandleader Kylie Gaspard’s deeply direct vocal delivery cuts through dense riffs, grounding their songs with her gritty, emotional lyrics. Having recently shared stages with genre titans like Dinosaur Jr., Whirr, Nothing, and Narrow Head, Cashier are building a reputation for a massive sound that resonates far beyond their bayou home.


Storey Littleton

Other Artists to Tour With, Booking Agent - US, Publishing, Sync/Music Supervisors

Storey Littleton is a songwriter from Woodstock NY. Her first album “At a Diner” is out February 2026 on Don Giovanni Records. Inspired by the likes of Judee Sill, Liz Phair, and Kacey Musgraves, Storey’s feathery vocals blend the melodies of pop with the pang of folk, at once gentle and all-consuming. The album features moments of restraint and rupture: intricate finger-picked melodies give way to electric guitar rumbles and wails alongside the humor, drama and catchiness of 60’s girl group pop. Her other musical projects include fronting the band M0NOGAMY alongside Livia Reiner and Matthew Danger Lippman, and playing guitar and keys for Ida, Lola Kirke, Calder the Destroyer, Luella and The Hedons.


The Tiarras

Brand Partnership, Gear Endorsement, PR/Publicity Agency, Sync/Music Supervisors

Meet The Tiarras: Tori, Sophia, and Tiffany Baltierra, a dynamic trio of multi-faceted artists who effortlessly blend genres and cultural influences to create global music that knows no boundaries. Sisters turned bandmates, The Tiarras have embarked on a journey that defies conventions and embraces sonic exploration. Hailing from a Mexican-American heritage, The Tiarras draw from the rich tapestry of musical diversity that surrounded their upbringing. Their vibrant compositions seamlessly weave together elements of rock, Latin, pop, soul, reggae, and blues, resulting in an eclectic yet refined sound that challenges the very notion of genre. Fueled by a passion for community and inclusivity, The Tiarras' music is a conduit for spreading positive energy and empowering messages. Their tracks, like "Soy Chingona" and "Let Love Free," resonate far and wide, gaining recognition on prestigious platforms including NPR World Cafe, Mitú & Grimy Goods. Committed to releasing more original music that defies expectations and embraces their global influences, their journey is one of breaking boundaries, sparking positive change, and leaving an indelible mark on the music landscape.


Julia Blair

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Julia Blair is known for her ability to strike emotional chords her audiences didn’t realize were waiting to be hit.  Her work lives at the coalescence of laugh-out-loud humor and acute melancholia, and it’s a rare show that doesn’t elicit tears from someone in the crowd.

Praised by Pitchfork for her “smooth country alto”, Under the Radar described her sound as an exploration of the “broader world of chamber pop, soul, and gentle salves of singer/songwriter intimacy.” Graham Hunt has called her a modern-day Carole King. Some people look effortless on stage; Blair somehow pulls off the opposite trick. She doesn’t traffic in effortlessness– she performs with full-body earnestness that sings from the crown of her head down through her toes.

Her new album, All of My Important Things, is out November 7 on Don Giovanni Records, examines our relationship to material possessions through the lenses of childhood memory, a secondhand blanket, and the enduring notion that a lifetime of accumulated shit can never match the wonder of the first little treasures we held as kids.


JOPLYN

JOPLYN

Label Management, Brand Partnership, Gear Endorsement, Other Artists to Tour With, PR/Publicity Agency, Producer/Studio Engineer, Sync/Music Supervisors

JOPLYN is a Berlin-based electronic live act moving between melodic house, techno, and electronica, guided by a distinct voice - both literal and emotional. Writing, producing, and performing exclusively original material, her live shows unfold as immersive experiences where vocals, synths, and improvisation meet intuition and intensity.
Her music has traveled widely through collaborations with artists such as Booka Shade, Röyksopp, Robyn, Damian Lazarus, MK, and Jan Blomqvist, with releases on labels including Defected, Get Physical, Diynamic, Crosstown Rebels, Mobilee, and Watergate Records. In 2022, Pete Tong named her BBC Radio 1’s Future Star.
Beyond the club, JOPLYN’s work reflects a growing curiosity for depth, vulnerability, and transformation. After more than 150 shows worldwide, including Ibiza residencies at Hï Ibiza and WooMoon/Cova Santa and a debut at Coachella’s Yuma Tent, she is opening a new chapter. She is currently working on her fourth studio album, set for release in 2026 on her own label None Of The Above (N.O.T.A.) Berlin, exploring a more expansive and emotionally resonant sound.

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


Forty Feet Tall

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The Braymores

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The Braymores are an Alternative/Folk Rock group hailing from Chicago, IL. The group features members Matt Tilles (Vocals/Guitar), Keegan Melaniphy (Guitar), Russell Oren (Drums), and Connor Kohanzo (Bass). The band released their first EP ‘Talking to Trees’ in late 2023 followed by their debut LP ‘Who You’d Have Been’ in late 2024, receiving considerable underground buzz and cementing their position in the Chicago scene.


Samy Sharif

Label Management, Gear Endorsement, Other Artists to Tour With, Booking Agent - US, Booking Agent - UK/Europe, Booking Agent - Worldwide, Sync/Music Supervisors

Samy Sharif moved to Los Angeles in mid 2023 to launch a solo effort after having spent the prior decade in the Chicago-based Alternative quartet, Bonelang.

In 2024, he released three albums (House of Failure, House of Fix, and House of Bliss) that were then put together and re-released as one large body of work entitled Three Houses.

Samy is a first generation Egyptian/Irish artist; New York born and Chicago raised. He is a published poet, songwriter, and an aspiring writer/director.


EL DUSTY

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

EL DUSTY is a Latin Grammy–nominated DJ and producer from Corpus Christi, Texas, known for blending cumbia roots with modern club sounds like house, hip-hop, and global bass. Through his productions, performances, and events, he bridges Latin culture with contemporary dance floors worldwide while building community through music, parties, and collaborations that push cumbia into the future.


Pär Hagström and Charlatans of Love

Brand Partnership, Other Artists to Tour With, Booking Agent - US, Booking Agent - UK/Europe, Booking Agent - Worldwide

(New album DREAMERS BELIEVERS ILLUSIONISTS PREACHERS out in November 2025)
Pär Hagström has always moved along the outer edges of music – from the first stumbling chords on his family’s pump organ in Huskvarna, through 90s death metal and 70s hard rock, to the innermost heart of gospel. It’s a journey shaped as much by philosophy, literature, and theater as by rock clubs and church halls, eventually arriving at a universe of its own where drama and soulful preaching merge into one.
As a frontman, Hagström is as much a preacher as he is a singer. His voice carries a natural theatrical force – raspy and silky at the same time – with an instinctive readiness to let the music chafe, sweat, and hypnotize. Drawing inspiration from Tom Waits, Led Zeppelin, Mavis Staples and the Blind Boys of Alabama, and together with his band Charlatans of Love, he has in recent years shaped a new musical entity where gospel, soul, psychedelic rock, and funk meet in something as seductive as it is uncompromising.

DREAMERS BELIEVERS ILLUSIONISTS PREACHERS is a continuation of the mini-album The End Again (2024), picking up where the story left off.


Chiara Savasta

Chiara Savasta is a singer-songwriter from Montreal. Born in the suburbs of the city, onto a generation burdened by anxiety and desillusion, Chiara would sit in her room and romanticize her life through songwriting.

This way of escaping her teenage life became the foundation of her first project Summerhood. Released in 2022, Summerhood is Chiara’s own take on the coming-of-age experience, as she herself stumbles into adulthood.

Her new project, brand new girl, brand new machine, captures the universal experience of feeling too much of everything at once, in our early twenties. This new chapter reveals a more grounded and mature soul, gradually finding her footing in the world. It’s through these ups and downs, always chasing the next dream, that Chiara became a brand new girl, like a brand new machine.


Vintage Jay

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

Vintage Jay hailing from off Rundberg Ln in Austin’s gritty, very culturally diverse Northside.  Austin based rapper and DJ has risen up to speak for a section of Austin that has rarely had a voice. Blending tales from the streets with very poignant bars of consciousness and social reform. Vintage Jay was featured on KUTX radio September Artist of the month and KUTX Summer Jam. Making him an official NPR Session artist. The city of Austin has also given Jay his official proclamation date September 12th. From producing cultural and musical events to as well expressing his life through music. Jay has become an individual of many traits, his latest album Still I Rise, speaks of a new age of creativity and musical expression to the ear. His growth in his music is something that appears in every album, and one thing that never changes is that he stays true to himself and the craft. Jay has become a true tastemaker and one of the biggest Latino figures in Austin, TX. To represent the Latino culture with pride and honor is something Jay has done since day 1.


Prissy P

Prissy P is a Bay Area–raised DJ and curator based in Austin, TX. Shaped by Northern California’s cultural diversity, her sound blends R&B, hip hop, reggaeton, Afrobeats, and global rhythms into sets rooted in feeling, movement, and connection.

She is an active presence in Austin’s music scene, DJing across nightlife, corporate events, and large-scale community activations, including athletic and wellness-driven experiences. Her ability to move fluidly between nightlife and daytime environments reflects her range as both a DJ and curator.

Outside the club, Prissy P focuses on music in open-air and daytime settings. Through projects like Picnic Beats and Vitamin R&B, she creates spaces where sunshine, music, and nature come together. As someone who navigates depression and anxiety, outdoor environments paired with music have been deeply grounding, turning personal rituals like beach days and picnics into shared experiences.

Her long-term goal is to become an MLB stadium DJ, specifically for the Los Angeles Dodgers. A lifelong baseball fan, she believes music is the heartbeat of a stadium, shaping energy, emotion, and collective memory.


Neptune XXI

Neptune XXI is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and cultural architect whose work fuses the spiritual with the sonic. Raised in Northeast Washington, D.C., shaped by Southern lineage, and sharpened by Baltimore’s creative edge, she creates at the intersection of healing, futurism, and ancestral memory. A graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University and author of From My Mind’s Eye, she bridges scholarship with soul, weaving language, sound, and movement into transformative experiences.

Praised by The Baltimore Sun for her “rhythmic mastery and profound syntax,” Neptune XXI has been a resonant voice in contemporary art since her debut EP TwentyOne (2018). Her catalog, including HEAL (2023), Medicine Music (2024), and Medicine Music II (2026) reflects her commitment to collective restoration, emotional liberation, and reclaimed joy. On stage, her performances become multisensory experiences blending music, poetry, and hella swag.

She is also Founder of the non-profit, Nu Indigo Nation, cultivating safe, self-sustaining futures for Black people through art, education, and wellness.


Ain TheMachine

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“We have never seen a proposal even remotely similar to that of Ain TheMachine.” — DJ Mag

Ain TheMachine is a Grammy-nominated Brazilian artist based in Berlin whose work reimagines how electronic music is made and performed. Instead of conventional instruments, he creates music live from the body, the voice and everyday objects, working across genres from Brazilian downtempo to Techno. His shows and videos often break the fourth wall, inviting the audience to contribute sounds that become part of the piece.

His unique approach has drawn international attention: he has been featured in one of Beatport’s most viewed and commented posts and has performed at iconic clubs and festivals such as Fusion Festival (Germany), Sisyphos (Berlin), D-EDGE (Brazil) and Suma Han (Turkey). Supported by artists including Purple Disco Machine, Sam Divine and Mano Le Tough, he releases music on his label Mundo Afora Records and on respected imprints such as Black Book.

He has delivered four TEDx talks in three countries, played with Prince’s guitarist Miko Weaver, jammed with Bobby McFerrin, and had his productions remixed by Mad Professor.


ANJA SCHNEIDER

Anja Schneider is a DJ, producer, radio broadcaster, label boss, tireless creative force and mentor. She was recognised in 2021 with the award of an Honour Prize by The Berlin Music Commission for having had “an outstanding impact on the music scene” as recognition for her work supporting fellow artists and cultural institutions.

Anja continues to operate as one of electronic music’s most vital artists, currently focused on multiple projects. Including her 20th anniversary as a professional DJ and producer featuring an array of internationally recognized artists and worldwide gigs. Her 'Club Room' radio show that just crossed the mark of over 300 episodes, the freshly launched 'The Story / Loveparade' podcast  that gained remarkable recognition in the scene and last but not least a new, monthly party series 'PuMp' at Tresor’s little sibling OHM.


Basht.

Label Management, Brand Partnership, Gear Endorsement, Other Artists to Tour With, Booking Agent - US, PR/Publicity Agency, Publishing, Sync/Music Supervisors

"Basht. are an Irish band whose backgrounds collide into something heavy and hungry." - DORK

Following on from a year of supporting Wunderhorse on tour, as well as shows with Been Stellar, Goo Goo Dolls and Deadletter, Basht. have earned their stripes with emphatic live performances. Having propelled themselves up to being one of the hottest rock/alternative acts, whispers of more new music on the horizon leaves many in eager anticipation for 2026.


Spotify for Artists Masterclass

Talia Kraines

Pop Editorial Lead

With a career spanning both sides of the Atlantic, Talia Kraines is a leading voice in pop music programming. As Spotify's US Pop Lead, she's responsible for curating the soundscape for millions of listeners globally and spends her days listening to as many new pop songs as possible. Her journey began in the UK, where she worked in radio production for renowned broadcasters like the BBC, Global, and Bauer, before moving to the US to launch Amazon Music's international expansion. Talia's expertise extends beyond playlists; she's a seasoned DJ with an innate understanding of what moves people on the dance floor and a keen observer of pop culture trends. Oh, and if you ever want to dive deep into a debate about the Spice Girls' impact on modern womanhood? Talia's your girl.

Miller Guth

Lead, Label Partnerships

Miller Guth is Lead, Label Partnerships at Spotify, where he works closely with artists, labels, and distributors to build innovative partnerships that drive discovery and engagement. As part of Spotify’s Music Partnerships team, he creates impactful opportunities for both emerging and established artists, builds long-term relationships with industry partners, and translates Spotify’s platform and products into real value for the music industry. For over five years at Spotify, Miller has led key partnerships and campaigns across North America, spanning breakout artists and global superstars. Previously based in Spotify’s Nashville office, he supported the early growth of artists including Megan Moroney, Zach Bryan, Lainey Wilson, and Jelly Roll through strategic partnerships and artist marketing. Now based in Los Angeles, he's led high-impact album campaigns in support of artists such as sombr, Benson Boone, and Teddy Swims, while expanding his role to lead partnerships for Spotify’s Fresh Finds program across all genres – championing the next generation of independent artists through strategic marketing, advocacy, and education. He is a frequent industry speaker, having led panels at SXSW, Music Biz, Indie Week, and ADE, with an overall focus on modern release strategy and artist development.

Chris Demas

Lead, Commercial Promotion Partnerships

Chris is a tenured leader in music marketing with years of experience partnering across the industry—from major labels and global distributors to independent artists and teams. He has helped shape go-to-market strategies that connect music with fans at scale, grounded in both data and culture. At Spotify, Chris specializes in Native Ad Products, guiding partners on how to use Discovery Mode, Showcase, and Marquee to drive meaningful audience growth and retention. His work sits at the intersection of artistry and strategy, translating platform tools into real-world momentum for releases. Known for a collaborative, artist-first approach, Chris brings a practical, forward-looking perspective on how music marketing continues to evolve.

At Spotify, we’ve been developing tools to help artists and their teams build hype for new music and connect with new fans across the release cycle — from pre-release to release day and beyond — right on the platform where music is streamed. Join the Spotify music team to learn how to best leverage our products — like Countdown Pages, Clips, Music Videos, Marquee, Showcase, and more — across all phases of an artist’s journey.


Climate in Crisis, Health at Risk: Technology as a Lifeline

Ciro Ugarte

Director Department Of Health Emergencies

Dr. Ciro Ugarte is a medical doctor with post graduate studies on Public Health and Emergency Medicine. Dr. Ugarte served as Deputy Director General at the National Institute of Occupational Health and Director General of the Office of National Defense of the Ministry of Health of Peru (1988-1999). During the same period he was the President of the Peruvian Society of Emergency Medicine, Official Representative of Peru to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Member of the National Committee of the Peruvian Red Cross (CRP), consultant for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), and member of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team (UNDAC).

Sophie McClarty

Editor

Sophie McClarty is an accomplished science communicator with a strong foundation in biology, healthcare science and public health, holding a master’s degree in virology. Over the past seven years, she has specialised in making complex scientific topics accessible and engaging. For nearly four years, Sophie has served as an editor at Nature Custom Media, developing and overseeing content on clinical topics ranging from infectious diseases and neurology to immunology. Previously, in her medical writing role, she created conference presentations and medical education materials in areas such as HPV, cystic fibrosis and cancer.

Carlos Nobre

Senior researcher

Senior Climate Scientist at the Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of São Paulo and Co-chair of the Scientific Panel for the Amazon. A globally recognized expert in climate modeling and sustainability, Dr. Nobre has advised the UN and IPCC, and is a leading voice on the intersection of climate change and public health in tropical regions.

Sidney Klajner

President

President of Albert Einstein Hospital, one of Latin America's leading healthcare institutions. A surgeon by training, Dr. Klajner has led major initiatives in digital health, hospital innovation, and climate resilience in healthcare infrastructure. Under his leadership, Einstein has become a reference in integrating technology to improve patient outcomes and system efficiency.

The climate crisis is now a public health emergency. Heatwaves, floods, and droughts are worsening chronic conditions and disrupting healthcare infrastructure. This panel brings together global experts in health, science, and technology to showcase real-world solutions that are strengthening health system resilience—from predictive models using climate and health data to AI tools and digital platforms enabling remote care in vulnerable regions. Technology can be the bridge between collapse and adaptation.

CLIMATE IN CRISIS, HEALTH AT RISK: TECHNOLOGY AS A LIFELINE


Registration (JW Marriott)

Pick up your SXSW Badge or Music Wristband in Griffin Hall of the JW Marriott. Your badge is required in order to attend any sessions, events, or socials.


Registration (Omni Austin Hotel - Downtown)

Pick up your SXSW Badge in the Guadalupe Room of the Omni Downtown. Your badge is required in order to attend any sessions, events, or socials.

REGISTRATION (OMNI AUSTIN HOTEL - DOWNTOWN)


Registration (Downright Austin)

Pick up your SXSW Badge or Music Wristband on the Capitol View Terrace of the Downright Hotel. Your badge is required in order to attend any sessions, events, or socials.


Podcast Movement Evolutions @ SXSW

Join us as we merge Podcast Movement Evolutions with Sounds Profitable’s SXSW presence to create podcasting’s home base at one of the world’s most influential creative festivals. We will be hosting a series of talks, live performances, and networking events throughout the weekend.

More information here: https://evolutions.podcastmovement.com/

Sounds Profitable

Evolutions is Podcast Movement’s spring conference where podcast creators and podcast professionals come together to strengthen their networks, elevate their craft, and stay ahead of industry trends.

Evolutions 2026 is taking a bold new direction. This year, we’re part of the official SXSW lineup in Austin. Join us at SXSW and make The Podcast Movement activation your home base amidst all the exciting buzz and opportunities for connection that SXSW offers.


Experience the Future of Flight

Experience flying in a Cirrus aircraft through Apple Pro Vision goggles and then check out the all new SR Series G7+ aircraft on-site.


SXSW Expo: International Innovations (Free & Open to the Public)

SXSW Expo 2025 - Photo by Melissa Bordeau Mark

Manchester Ballroom

Precision Camera & Video and Fujifilm Presents: Free Professional Headshots

Featuring a powerful mix of established global brands and budding startups, the International Innovations Expo highlights cutting-edge businesses that are pushing boundaries to move the world forward. From groundbreaking concepts to bold new business models, exhibitors are redefining what’s possible across industries around the globe. Join the community that’s driving change on a worldwide scale. The Expo will be free and open to the public on Saturday, March 14.

SXSW EXPO: INTERNATIONAL INNOVATIONS (FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

Beijing ZhongChuan Aumedia Advertising Co., Ltd


Registration (Fairmont Austin)

Pick up your SXSW Badge in the Manchester Ballroom of the Fairmont Austin. Your badge is required in order to attend any sessions, events, or socials.


FQ Lounge™ @ SXSW

Please join us in the FQ Lounge™ @ SXSW.

https://events.thefemalequotient.com/sxsw26

The Female Quotient

The FQ Lounge™ is where visionaries from every corner of creativity and business come together. Where breakthroughs happen not in isolation, but in the beautiful chaos of collision. Where culture is not just consumed. It's made. The most powerful innovations happen at the intersection. Let's stop watching and start building. Let's be the impact. Together.


Coffee Break, Cabu Style

Experience the latte reimagined! <br>
While most lattes use dairy or alt milks (yawn); Cabu blends cold brew coffee with the creamy part of the cacao bean for a velvety smooth mouthfeel and subtle notes of chocolate. Taste the difference; caffeinate creatively.


Ireland House where innovation and creativity collide. Join us to connect with our people, our culture and our partners around the world
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https://www.ireland.ie/en/sxsw/
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Ireland House

Ireland House returns to SXSW as a hub for Irish innovation, creativity, and connection. Join us on 13-14 March and see what Ireland House is bringing to SXSW.

Ireland House at SXSW is a collaboration between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, and Screen Ireland.


The Odoo Lounge

Swing by the Odoo Lounge at SXSW to recharge, kick up your feet, and get some work done. For a chance to win a prize, visit the Odoo Lounge and see how Odoo makes companies better, one app at a time.


Featured Session: Amy Webb Launches 2026 Emerging Tech Trend Report

Amy Webb

CEO

World-renowned futurist and founder and CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group, Amy Webb possesses master-level knowledge and insights on the potential futures for the industries critical to keeping the world moving during this unparalleled period of disruption in business and society. Webb is a sought-after advisor to Fortune 100 companies and provides strategic foresight on the emerging tech and trends that will turn industries on their heads and transform every aspect of our lives. Together with her colleagues, she identifies threats, white spaces and opportunities early enough for action. She was honored as one of the BBC’s 100 Women of 2020, and was just ranked #4 on the Thinkers50 list of the 50 most influential management thinkers globally.

Forget hype cycles. The real story of 2026 is bigger, stranger, and closer than you imagine. At SXSW, futurist Amy Webb, CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group and professor at NYU Stern, will take you on a mind-bending exploration of the forces reshaping business, culture, and society. With her signature wit and data-driven approach, Amy will decode the emerging technologies that demand your attention and reveal scenarios that challenge how we think about the future. If you’ve joined Amy’s packed sessions in past years, you know to expect startling insights, big shifts in perspective, and ideas you’ll be talking about long after the session ends. This year, though, there’s a twist you won’t see coming—one that could change the way we track, understand, and act on trends forever. The theme is Creative Destruction. While there's no official dress code for the session, we do recommend you wear black.

FEATURED SESSION: AMY WEBB LAUNCHES 2026 EMERGING TECH TREND REPORT


Flatstock

Flatstock 2025 - Photo by Lauren Lindley

Looking for the perfect centerpiece for your gallery wall, a concert poster of your favorite artist, or your favorite Texas-themed memorabilia? Look no further than Flatstock! This eclectic art market continues to capture the spirit of music mementos while also highlighting unique collectibles. Flatstock provides an ongoing series of opportunities to admire artwork in person and to meet the artists who created it. This Expo is free and open to the public.


Valeo Tech Drive-in

The car is no longer just a vehicle, it's where the future of tech starts.

At the Valeo Tech Drive-In, we’re transforming the journey into a high-stakes arena. Experience the machine-learning-powered Valeo Racer, gaze-tracking Panovision head up display, and e-Chromic lenses that sync to the road’s pulse. We’re even exporting automotive thermal DNA to cool the AI revolution in global data centers. From hyper-personalized lighting to the cloud edge,, witness the vehicle become the world’s most immersive, high-performance tech frontier.


SÃO PAULO HOUSE 2026 - WE ARE BORDERLESS

Organized by the Government of the State of São Paulo, through the Secretariat of Culture, Creative Economy and Creative Industries, in partnership with InvestSP, the investment promotion agency linked to the Secretariat for Economic Development, with support from the City of São Paulo.

Welcome to São Paulo House, a borderless hub where the world meets São Paulo, now.

Across four days at SXSW, the house brings together global content, meaningful encounters, live music
and immersive experiences in one vibrant space on Congress Avenue. By day, ideas and exchanges
shape conversations. By night, shows and performances transform the house into a cultural hotspot.

Explore creativity, innovation, and culture, shaping what’s next from the energy of now.

Please find more information here: https://saopaulohouse.com/

SAO PAULO HOUSE 2026 - WE ARE BORDERLESS


Realtor.com Open House

A central hub for real estate, housing, and technology. Designed to connect the industry’s biggest ideas under one roof.


Superhuman Suite at Antone’s: The Future Is All You

Superhuman makes its SXSW debut with a three-day takeover of Antone’s. Check out the immersive Epochs of Communication, along with panels, keynotes, comedy, and live music!

11:15am - 12:00pm: Show Up as You: Authentic Expression in the AI Era

12:45pm - 1:30pm: Behind the Screen: How Superhuman Teaches AI to Understand You

2:15pm - 3:15pm: From Cave Paintings to Code: How Tools Have Shaped Human Expression

4:00pm - 5:00pm: The Writers Room LIVE

8:30pm - 9:45pm: Quinn XCII

SUPERHUMAN SUITE AT ANTONE?S: THE FUTURE IS ALL YOU

Superhuman

Superhuman (formerly Grammarly) is an AI productivity platform on a mission to unlock the superhuman potential in everyone. Its products include Grammarly’s writing assistance, Coda’s collaborative workspaces, Mail’s inbox management and Go, a proactive AI assistant that understands context and delivers help automatically. Founded in 2009, Superhuman empowers 40+ million people, 50,000 organizations and 3,000 educational institutions worldwide to eliminate busywork and focus on what matters.


YAMAHA CREATOR PASS STUDIO

Waller Ballroom B

AI’s Rise, Talent’s Fall: Fixing the Skills Deficit

Empowering Students for the Jobs of Tomorrow

Cracking Higher Ed: Why Startups Miss the Mark

Reigniting STEM Interest: A 7,700-Student Study

Startup Lessons from the Baby-Sitters Club

A new creative experience is making its SXSW debut. Hands-on music and audio tools. Real-time creation. Designed for creators of all levels. No watching from the sidelines — just jump in and make something.

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.

Breaking the Sound Barrier: Making Creativity Accessible to All


Your Data Isn't Ready - Your Business Can Be with Agentic AI

Accenture

Reinventing Customer Experience for What's Next

When Innovation Meets Competition: The New Era of Global Sports

Crafting a Culture of Experimentation & Innovation

Featuring: Jimmy Priestas, CMT AI and Data Lead, Americas, Accenture
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AI moved past the novelty phase. The leaders winning now are wiring it into how work gets done—end‑to‑end—with humans in the lead and AI agents executing and orchestrating. Join us at SXSW for an inside‑out look at how to move from pilots to enterprise‑scale outcomes: faster time‑to‑insight across decisions, redesigned workflows that release 20–40% capacity, and a data foundation that powers secure, cross‑functional impact. We’ll unpack what actually scales—operating models, skills, and governance—not just tools. You’ll see a live multi‑agent demo tackling a real business process, hear client‑tested patterns to modernize data without rip‑and‑replace, and learn how to balance digital sovereignty with global innovation. Walk away with a practical roadmap you can apply Monday morning: the 90‑day moves, the 12‑month reinvention arcs, and the metrics that belong on your P&L—so AI funds growth instead of just cutting cost.
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YOUR DATA ISN'T READY - YOUR BUSINESS CAN BE WITH AGENTIC AI

Accenture is a leading solutions and services company that helps the world’s leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of technology to create value at speed. Our purpose is to deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity.


Tennessee House - Chattanooga in the Daytime

Electric Shuffle

Tennessee House - Knoxville & Oak Ridge in the A.M.

Tennessee House - Meet Memphis on Sunday evening

The Tennessee House showcases what's happening in tech, innovation, and culture across the Volunteer State. Be there for 3 days of bold thinking, eye-opening connections, and unforgettable fun.

We're spotlighting Chattanooga from 10am to 3pm. CHATT & chill with game-changing startups in quantum computing and sustainable mobility, and discover why the Scenic City is such an impactful place to build and grow a company.

Doors open at 10am
** Limited-edition swag, bites, and drinks all day **

TENNESSEE HOUSE - CHATTANOOGA IN THE DAYTIME


hālo haus

4th St Closure (between Congress & Colorado)

hālo haus is a 4 day gathering centered on beauty, wellness, and longevity. Hosted on a full street closure in downtown Austin, the program blends fireside chats, leading voices, experiential activations, and recovery-focused offerings within an open, discovery-driven format. hālo haus brings together founders, creators, clinicians, and cultural leaders to explore how self-care and performance are evolving alongside culture.


Featured Session: Why Saying Yes to the Unthinkable Works

Raja Rajamannar

Chief Marketing And Communications Officer

Over the past decade, Raja Rajamannar has transformed Mastercard into one of the world’s most valuable brands. At the helm of the iconic Priceless platform, he and his team are on the cutting edge of experiential, multisensory marketing programs that embrace emerging technologies.

A Wall Street Journal-bestselling author, Raja is a frequent speaker and media commentator. His book, “Quantum Marketing: Mastering the New Marketing Mindset for Tomorrow’s Consumers,” has become a touchstone for marketing leaders and academics around the world, and is now available in 13 languages. Additionally, Raja hosts a Bloomberg Original series titled “Quantum Marketing,” delving into the future of marketing in an era of rapidly emerging technologies.

Recently inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame, Advertising Hall of Fame and Forbes’ Most Influential CMOs Hall of Fame, Raja has been recognized as one of Insider’s Most Innovative CMOs six times. He was also named Advertising Person of the Year by The AD Club of New York, WFA Global Marketer of the Year, Adweek’s Brand Genius, Billboard’s Top Branding Power Player and Fashion Group International’s Tech and Brand Innovation Award recipient. He has also been honored by Creative Spirit as a Champion of Disability Inclusion among many other recognitions.

He sits on the boards of the Association of National Advertisers, The Ad Council and Yale School of Management Consumer Insights Council. He serves on the board of PPL Corporation and is also on not-for-profit boards including Bon Secours Mercy Health, New York City Ballet and Cintrifuse. He also held the position of President of the World Federation of Advertisers for six years.

Salon 6-8

Featured Session: A Conversation With Spotify's New Co-CEO About The Past, Present And Future Of Delivering Creativity To The World

Featured Session: Shaping Brand Relevance for a New Generation

Featured Session: A Waste of Time with Larry David and Jeff Schaffer

Featured Session: Albuquerque Aftermath: From Breaking Bad to Pluribus with Rhea Seehorn, Vince Gilligan, and Key Creatives

Featured Session: The Culture Layer of Financial Markets

We’re conditioned to play it safe—but what if the wild, unpolished ideas are actually the smartest bets? In this talk, you'll hear real stories of bold ideas that went from "no way" to "how did they do that?" It's a rallying cry for creators and leaders to stop self-editing, embrace bold thinking, and protect the unthinkable—because that’s where the magic (and real impact) happens.

FEATURED SESSION: WHY SAYING YES TO THE UNTHINKABLE WORKS

Brand & Marketing track sponsored by Youtube


Is Search Totally F**ked? What Do We Do Now?

Robert Kurtz

Business Outcomes Partner

Robert Kurtz is a Business Outcomes Partner at Basis, where he serves as a senior strategist within the company’s strategy center of excellence team, Strategic Business Outcomes. With 19 years of experience in the digital media industry, Robert specializes in translating complex digital trends into actionable business growth. His expertise spans media and investment strategy, consumer insights, and performance marketing, with a deep mastery of the Paid Search landscape across Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.

In his current role, Robert partners with brands to develop data-driven media recommendations and strategic narratives that navigate the complexities of the modern digital ecosystem. He is a recognized thought leader in the advertising space; his commentary on emerging trends, ranging from AI-driven automation to the monetization strategies of platforms like OpenAI, has been featured in prominent industry publications including Digiday, Marketing Now, and MediaPost.

Noor Naseer

VP, Media Innovations + Technology

Noor Naseer is a recognized thought leader in media innovation and client education at the adtech software company Basis Technologies. She hosts industry podcast AdTech Unfiltered and is a sought-after keynote speaker, panelist, and presenter on topics including AI, streaming TV, automation, audio, responsible media, and more.
Her expertise has been featured in outlets such as Adweek, MediaPost, and Advertising Week, and she has spoken at major industry events hosted by organizations including the 4A’s, SXSW, Gartner, the American Marketing Association, and the American Advertising Federation. Beyond her work in adtech, Noor also leads Basis Conversations, a company-wide program fostering inclusive dialogue and understanding.

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’re wired to search. With billions of search queries per day, marketers have long known where and how to find their audiences.Now with the rise of generative engines and AI, the search landscape is facing its biggest upheaval in decades. Traditional search, long the backbone of digital strategy, is being rapidly replaced by generative engine optimization (GEO), fragmented user journeys, and new discovery ecosystems. This session will highlight immediate threats to legacy approaches and inspire strategies for brands, marketers, and advertisers to reclaim visibility and influence.

IS SEARCH TOTALLY F**KED? WHAT DO WE DO NOW?


Couture Cognition: How Fashion Shapes Our Brains

Heather Collins, PhD

Cognitive Neuroscientist, Innovation curator, Peak Performance Expert

Dr. Heather Collins is a keynote speaker and Cognitive Neuroscientist, Ph.D., from Charleston, South Carolina, who transforms brain science into practical tools for leadership, innovation, and human performance in the age of AI. Her 2024 SXSW presentation and three energetic TEDx talks reveal how to turn brain science research into real-world action. She has 50+ prestigious academic journal publications, such as the New England Journal of Medicine and PNAS, and MRI brain research projects ranging from Alzheimer’s Disease to changes in NASA astronauts’ brains. Dr. Collins shows leaders and organizations how to rewire their thinking, harness brain-based strategies, and transform attention, memory, and curiosity into powerful tools for innovation, growth, and peak performance.

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

What if fashion could rewire your brain? Neuroscientist Dr. Heather Collins discusses Neurostyle: How shoes and clothing activate memory, mood, and neural storytelling—boosting focus, emotional resonance, and curiosity. From color-triggered cognition to texture-based associations, fashion activates neural empathy through shared aesthetic choices. Discover how style shapes brain states and how professionals—from designers to technologists—can harness fashion’s cognitive power to craft more inclusive, immersive, and high-performing environments, from runways to boardrooms.

COUTURE COGNITION: HOW FASHION SHAPES OUR BRAINS


SXSW Pitch-Intelligent Systems, Robotics, & Multisensory Technology

Tipatat Chennavasin

General Partner

Ryan Wang

Founding Partner

ANIL JOSHI

Managing Partner

Amy LaMeyer

Managing Partner

Amy LaMeyer strategically advises and invests in groundbreaking ventures at the intersection of XR, AI, and music technology. Her work goes beyond capital—she actively mentors founders and cultivates a community of innovators in spatial computing. As a board member of the XR Guild and XR Women, Amy is dedicated to reshaping the immersive tech landscape through ethics, diversity, and female leadership.

As Managing Partner at the WXR Fund, she supports a portfolio of startups across sectors including retail, healthcare, training, remote work, real estate, and education. Before focusing on emerging tech, Amy spent over 15 years accelerating growth at Akamai Technologies, driving scale through M&A, strategic partnerships, and engineering leadership.

She is also an angel investor and advisor to early-stage music and metaverse companies including Tribe XR, LeoAR, and Infinite Album. Amy authored the “Sound and AR” chapter in Charlie Fink’s book Convergence: How the World Will Be Painted With Data, and regularly speaks on emerging technologies, diversity, and venture at events including SXSW, The Economist, AWE, Singularity University, and TechCrunch Disrupt.

Jesse Martinez

Founder + CEO

Salon FGH

SXSW Pitch-Healthcare, AssistiveTech & BioTech

SXSW Pitch-Sustainability, AgTech & Food

SXSW Pitch-Smart Cities, Transportation, Manufacturing & Logistics

SXSW Pitch-Smart Data, Security, and FinTech

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 Saturday, March 14, 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.

Intelligent Systems, Robotics, & Multisensory Technology isTechnologies that enhance the way people connect, communicate, and share unique life experiences with those around them in a digital ecosystem. These technologies may be related to machine-simulated intelligence, consciousness, ease, speech, the Internet of Things and smart devices, or a machine's ability to perform, anticipate, and streamline tasks without human assistance. These startups seek to address a wide variety of issues and may include Web5 and decentralized applications, wearables, blockchain technology, multi-sensory incorporation, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), Super Apps, generative AI, AI chips, autonomous systems, human-robot interaction, Robotic Process Automation, Natural Language Processing, and more.

Winner of the Intelligent Systems, Robotics & MultisensoryTechnologies will be announced at the Award Ceremony, Saturday, March 14th at 6:30pm.

SXSW PITCH-INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, ROBOTICS, & MULTISENSORY TECHNOLOGY


Missionary Misfits: Why Not Belonging Makes You Build Better

Steve Vassallo

General Partner

Steve Vassallo, General Partner at Foundation Capital, leads investments at the intersection of design, technology, and business. With 80+ startup investments, including Stripe and Sunrun, his portfolio spans enterprise, fintech, frontier tech, and crypto. Starting as a design engineer at IDEO, Steve later ran engineering and product at successful startups. He holds 77 patents and numerous design awards. His book, "The Way to Design," encapsulates his design philosophy. Steve also writes for Forbes about product, tech, and startups. Educated at WPI (BS) and Stanford (MS, MBA), Steve balances work with family life in Silicon Valley.

Jorn van Dijk

Founder, CEO

Founder of Framer. Investor at Festina. Designer at heart.

Salon C

Launch with 0 Investors: A Playbook for Crowdfunding in 2026

How to Raise $$$ From Angel Groups: What We Really Look For

The Next Five Years of Private Markets: What Founders Can’t Afford to Miss

Reinvention Not Repetition: Shifting the Innovation Mindset

The best companies come from founders who don't quite fit in. Steve Vassallo (Foundation Capital, former IDEO designer) calls them "missionary misfits,” founders who weave different disciplines together instead of mining one vertical. He believes these cross-domain builders create the most transformative companies. Steve will sit down with Framer co-founder, Jorn van Dijk, whose misfit position helped him and his co-founder spot the dysfunction between design and development, and create a company now worth $2B. Learn why being an outsider might be the ultimate competitive advantage.

MISSIONARY MISFITS: WHY NOT BELONGING MAKES YOU BUILD BETTER


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

Amy Gallo

Author

Amy Gallo is a workplace expert who writes and speaks about interpersonal dynamics, difficult conversations, feedback, effective communication, and gender at work.

Gallo is the best-selling author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict. Getting Along was a finalist for the Next Big Idea Club, long-listed for several nonfiction book prizes, and named a Book of the Month by the Financial Times. She has written hundreds of articles for Harvard Business Review, where she is a contributing editor. Her writing has been collected in numerous books on feedback, emotional intelligence, and managing others.

For six years, Amy co-hosted HBR’s award-winning Women at Work podcast, which examined the struggles and successes of women in the workplace.

Gallo has delivered keynotes and workshops at hundreds of companies and conferences. Plus, she is frequently sought out by media outlets for her perspective on workplace dynamics, conflict, and difficult conversations. Her advice has been featured in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Fast Company, Marketplace, Bloomberg Business, and NPR. She has been a guest on numerous podcasts and radio shows including Ten Percent Happier, HBR’s Ideacast, Hello Monday, WNYC, the BBC, and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).

She has taught at Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of both Brown and Yale University.

Salon 1-4

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

Featured Session: A Conversation with The All-American Rejects

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

Featured Session: The Internet After Search

SXSW Community Service Awards Recognition: Vision Maker Media

Let's be honest: many managers would rather eat glass than tell you why you really didn't get the promotion, assignment, raise, or bonus. But their avoidance is creating a bigger problem - when leaders dodge difficult conversations, they create a vacuum where perceptions of unfairness flourish. Workplace expert Amy Gallo reveals how the inability (or unwillingness) to have hard conversations is eroding trust in organizations. You'll learn what transparency really looks like, how to demand the feedback you deserve, and why meritocracy is impossible without managers who can handle the heat.

FEATURED SESSION: WHY WORK FEELS SO UNFAIR AND HOW HARD CONVERSATIONS HELP

Workplace track sponsored by University of Cincinnati


Mentor Session: Sun Yi (Night Owls and Night Owl Nation)

Sun Yi

Founder/Entrepreneur/Mentor/Forbes Agency Council Member

Sun Yi is an Entrepreneur, Storyteller, Personal Branding Strategist, Mentor, Podcaster, TEDx Speaker, and Public Speaker. He is also the founder of Night Owls, an award-winning digital agency trusted by Fortune 500 companies and renowned personal brands, including Mel Robbins, Jay Shetty, Marc Randolph, and Gabby Bernstein. With over 20 years of experience in digital branding, Sun has helped brands grow from near-zero revenue to over $1 billion. His notable achievements have also been featured on Forbes Agency Council.
A passionate educator, Sun has taught over 32,500 students through his highly-rated Domestika course, The Art of Storytelling for Freelancers and Creators. In 2022, he launched Night Owl Nation, a global community of entrepreneurs and creators dedicated to practicing and mastering the art of storytelling together.
Sun also hosts the Authentic As Fck Podcast*, featuring candid conversations with entrepreneurs and creators, including Ryan Serhant, Brendan Kane, James Altucher, and many others. His commitment to excellence extends to his role as a juror for AIVA, where he oversees the Communicator, Davey, and W3 Awards, as well as being a member of IADAS, presenting prestigious honors such as the Webby, Lovie, and Anthem Awards. In 2024, Sun was recognized as Instagram x ManyChat’s Most Community-Focused Creator, an award celebrating visionary leaders making meaningful connections online.

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 Entrepreneurship, Storytelling, Marketing/Advertising/PR, Content Strategy/Production.

MENTOR SESSION: SUN YI (NIGHT OWLS AND NIGHT OWL NATION)


Mentor Session: Melissa Konstantas (Paul Street)

Melissa Konstantas

Head of Influencer & Creator Partnerships

I’m a strategist, educator, and advocate for the power of influence, helping brands and creators connect in ways that are culturally relevant, relationship-driven, and built to last.

With over seven years of experience in influencer marketing, I’ve led creator strategy for global brands like adidas, The Campbell's Company, and Prime Video. Currently, I lead the influencer division at Paul Street, guiding strategy and helping clients unlock the full potential of influencer partnerships.

I also founded Sundae Morning Social, a resource and online hub designed to help entrepreneurs, creators, and founders build personal brands. Born from my deep roots in influencer culture, I’ve seen first-hand how personal brands create impact. Sundae Morning Social turns those insights into tools for digital leaders.

Whether I’m developing strategy, forecasting trends, or sharing insights on LinkedIn, I’m committed to helping others better understand—and better leverage—the evolving creator economy.

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

MENTOR SESSION: MELISSA KONSTANTAS (PAUL STREET)

Creator Economy track sponsored by Yamaha


Mentor Session: Flavia Nestrovski (Roupateca)

Flávia Nestrovski

Co-Founder/CEO

Co-founder and former CEO of Roupateca, Brazil’s first shared wardrobe initiative. Currently a business and strategic partnerships consultant working with Zest (communication agency), LOOP (music agency), IMO Insights (research and insights), and Nômade Code (people, process and innovation engineering). Startup Track Mentor at SXSW.

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

MENTOR SESSION: FLAVIA NESTROVSKI (ROUPATECA)


Mentor Session: Tom Myers (V2R Ventures)

Tom Myers

Founder & Principal

Tom is an accomplished entrepreneur and angel investor with over two decades of success building organizations from the ground up and with multiple successful exits. He holds strong expertise in:

► Strategy
► Operations
► Change Management
► Go-To-Market
► Business Development
► Growth Strategies
► Team Building
► Capital Raising

Tom founded V2R Ventures in 2004 to help startups and small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with capital, mentoring, fractional CXO, and advisory services.

Tom is industry agnostic, and tries to focus on historically under-served business owners (e.g. female, minority, LGBTQ+, veterans, rural, immigrant, differently abled, etc.). That is, anyone who, for whatever reason, has been overlooked by institutional investors.

When Tom’s not working, you can find him watching or playing sports (especially soccer), in the kitchen striving to improve his paella recipe, or listening to and playing all different genres of music.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship, Fintech, Funding.

MENTOR SESSION: TOM MYERS (V2R VENTURES)


Mentor Session: Paul "IX" Kemppainen (SISU)

Paul "IX" Kemppainen

Founder/CEO

Paul ""IX"" Kemppainen - who often goes by the military call signs 'K9' or '9' (based on his last name) - is an outlier in the security space whose breadth and depth of experience are unmatched: he was a Naval Officer, Secret Service Agent, Staff Officer with the CIA (focused on terrorism), he oversaw security and intelligence for the National Park Service (safeguarding our nation's monuments and icons), and he spent nearly a decade building a comprehensive security program from scratch for Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX.

These days IX owns a high-end, award winning security services firm in Las Vegas, Nevada called SISU that protects game changers and the breakthroughs they build.  Clients range from stealth startups to some of the highest profile people and organizations on planet earth.  SISU is separately spearheading a transformative initiative to accelerate AI/robotics adoption in the security domain.

IX separately owns an upstart company called NoRTH that helps everyday people get after what they want by leaning into fear and risk.  Everything we want in life is on the other side of both.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning.

MENTOR SESSION: PAUL "IX" KEMPPAINEN (SISU)


Epitome of Innovation: Long-Term Creator Partnerships

Jasmine Pak

Creator

Jasmine was a full-time producer at BuzzFeed for 5 years where she created food and travel content on Tasty and Bring Me. She’s now an independent creator with a passion for showcasing different cultures, recipes from her upbringing, highlighting small businesses, BIPOC-owned businesses, female-owned businesses, and advocating for her AAPI community. She’s a true foodie who knows all of the must-haves, whether it be taste tests, delicious recipes, or food tours around the world.

Carmela Luzzi

Senior Brand Director

Carmela Luzzi is a seasoned brand leader with 20 years of experience connecting brands with audiences through emotional storytelling. As the Sr. Brand Director for Viator, a Tripadvisor company, Carmela is responsible for overseeing all digital media touchpoints to ensure customers know and love the brand. Under her leadership, Viator launched its first national marketing campaign (and several more since!) to increase recognition and drive deeper connections with consumers. She leverages creativity, innovation, and cultural insights to energize a brand offering over 300,000 unforgettable travel experiences to millions globally.

Previously, as VP of Marketing at VICE Media Group, Carmela led brand marketing for all lines of business, producing several award-winning campaigns, including Emmy, Webby, and Ad Age recognitions. Her career also includes roles at Paramount Global, where she supported major events such as the MTV VMAs and VH1's Divas, and at Ampersand (formerly NCC Media), where she spearheaded national digital marketing efforts.

In addition to her professional work, Carmela serves on the Board of Directors for The United Theater, a cultural arts center in her hometown, where she actively contributes to the community.

Jenny Penich

President, North America

Jenny Penich is Influencer’s President of North America, leading the company’s operations in the United States to accelerate growth, deliver best in class client services on a global scale, and move the marketing industry forward by humanizing brands. She brings more than 20 years of experience in operations, revenue, and digital media across commercial roles, most recently as Influencer’s first SVP of North America during which she launched Influencer’s business in the United States, leading companywide strategy to drive revenue growth with agencies, brands and social platforms. Jenny became President of North America in April 2024.

In this role, Jenny is doubling down on the full potential of Influencer’s human-first approach to marketing through the company’s unparalleled expertise in creating authentic connections between brands and creators. Leveraging her operational expertise, Jenny has stood up a culture committed to unlocking innovation, creativity and cultural insights to create human-first relationships between creators and brands. An impact-driven leader, Jenny is admired for her unmatched ability to transform industries and deliver tangible results.

Jenny joined Influencer in 2023 from VICE Media where she served as the SVP of Commercial for North America, overseeing and optimizing revenue, operations and strategic partnerships for its digital publishing business. She has a long, successful track record in publishing, which also includes leadership roles at Refinery29 and Time Inc.

Jenny has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Indiana University. She is a member of She Runs It and is an auxiliary board member for Barrington Youth & Family Services, a community-based, nonprofit social service agency.

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

From Viral to Viable: Building IP as a Creator

In the digital age, creator relationships based on trust and long-term investment are the ultimate innovation. These relationships not only empower creators as content engines but as culture-shaping collaborators who drive full-funnel results. Learn how real influence begins when creators start in the strategy room and long-term partnerships are not only established but fostered.

EPITOME OF INNOVATION: LONG-TERM CREATOR PARTNERSHIPS


PanelPicker Evaluators Meet Up #1

Dillon Wells

Embedded Software Engineer

I’m an embedded software engineer that has a focus in platform development and a passion for making stuff!
I’m a skilled C developer with experience in board bringing-up, OS development with Yocto, the Linux kernel, and U-boot

Cassandra Kuhn

Sales Operations

Brazos

More Analog, Less Noise Please: City Builders Meet Up

Understanding Crypto: Conversations for the Curious Meet Up

OPEN TO SXSW PANELPICKER EVALUATORS ONLY! Come meet your fellow SXSW PanelPicker Evaluators! This is your opportunity to network and chat with other professionals in our SXSW community who shape our Conference each year.


The Audacity of Joyosity™: The Surprising ROI of Joy

Jenn Whitmer

CEO & Founder

When work feels like a slog, communication breaks down, and culture starts to crack, Jenn Whitmer helps leaders restore what’s actually missing: joy.

International keynote speaker, Enneagram specialist, podcast host, and author, Jenn equips leaders and teams through her signature approach, JoyosityTM. You solve conflict, communicate effectively, and create people-first cultures that actually get results: higher engagement, increased efficiency, and a place people want to stay. (and yes, that usually means laughter).

Jenn holds a Master of Arts in communication and culture from Webster University, certifications in leadership and theology, and music education. She harbors a not-so-secret dream for her life to be a musical. Based in St. Louis with her husband, four kids, and one surly cat.

With years of experience working with thousands of leaders—from startups to Fortune 500s—Jenn brings both depth and delight to every stage and team she serves so the change she inspires sticks.

Salon A

The Creative Power of Letting Go: Why Quitting Can Be Your Biggest Breakthrough

Charmageddon: Robots That Steal Hearts and Jobs

Shortchanged: Gen Z, the Economy, and Brands

SWIFTYNOMICS: How Women Mastermind and Redefine Our Economy

Depletion and disengagement are everywhere. Leaders are in crisis—decision-fatigued, over-optimized, and white-knuckling their way through the week. AI,  efficiency, and metrics aren’t the answers.

Joy is.

Jenn Whitmer, leadership and culture expert, reveals through stories and research how joy drives performance and profit. You'll learn what joy is, why it works at work, and how to use the Joy Ratio to create sustainable results without grinding harder, toxic positivity, or lowering the bar.

AUDACITY OF JOYOSITY?: THE SURPRISING ROI OF JOY


The Creator Growth Blueprint: How Small Audiences Become Real Businesses

Tyler Denk

CEO / Co-Founder

Tyler is the co-founder and CEO of beehiiv, the platform built for newsletters. He was previously the second employee at Morning Brew, leading the product, engineering, and growth teams up through the acquisition by Business Insider. He also was a Product Lead at YouTube prior to launching beehiiv.

beehiiv is the operating system for the content economy. It powers tens of thousands of the top newsletters in the world, home to superstars like Arnold Schwarzenegger, independent journalists like Oliver Darcy, and media organizations like TIME Magazine and Newsweek.

Codie Sanchez

CEO / Founder

Founder and CEO of Contrarian Thinking, one of the fastest-growing financial media businesses, whose mission is to create 1 million business owners. She is also the founder of Contrarian Thinking Capital, a venture capital firm focused on investing in the next generation of technology for small businesses.

Codie authored the NY Times bestselling book, Main Street Millionaire, which teaches Americans how to buy and build small businesses.

She previously held leadership positions at First Trust, State Street, Goldman Sachs and Vanguard. She also began her career as a journalist where she won the JFK award and Howard Buffett Foundation grant for covering human trafficking, and border conflicts.

She has a masters from Georgetown University, from ESADE and Fundação Getúlio Vargas, and a B.A. from Arizona State University.

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

Every breakout creator starts the same way: with a small but engaged audience. But turning early traction into predictable income is where most creators get stuck. In this fireside chat, two operators who have helped thousands of creators -- and built their own businesses from scratch -- go deep on what actually drives sustainable growth in 2026.

Through a candid, tactical conversation, Tyler Denk and Codie Sanchez will unpack:
1. How early-stage creators identify and keep their highest-value audience.
2. What separates creators who break out from those who stall.
3. The first revenue streams that create real momentum.
4. The systems and workflows that compound growth over time.
5. The most common traps new creators fall into — and how to avoid them.

Attendees will leave with a clear, actionable blueprint for turning a small audience into a meaningful, durable creator business.

CREATOR GROWTH BLUEPRINT: HOW SMALL AUDIENCES BECOME REAL BUSINESSES


Mentor Session: Scarlett Kim (Center for Unclassifiable Technologies & Experiences)

Scarlett Kim

Executive Creative Producer

Scarlett Kim is a director and producer innovating the intersection of live experiences and immersive media. A polymath, Scarlett creates participatory experiences that reimagine liveness, drawing from theatre, XR, game, and ritual. Scarlett is Executive Creative Producer of Center for Unclassifiable Technologies & Experiences (C.U.T.E.); Co-Founder of Independent XR Distribution Coalition at MIT Open Doc Lab; and Co-Founder of Worlds in Play. Scarlett serves on the board of Los Angeles Performance Practice, is a member of The Kilroys, and mentors for NEW INC. Recently, she was Director of Innovation & Strategy of Oregon Shakespeare Festival, interdisciplinary fellow at Royal Shakespeare Company, and visiting artist at Stanford.

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 XR, Nonprofits, Storytelling.

MENTOR SESSION: SCARLETT KIM (CENTER FOR UNCLASSIFIABLE TECHNOLOGIES & EXPERIENCES)


Mentor Session: Eugene Yao (Dopamine Mastery)

Eugene Yao

Creator / Founder

Eugene Yao is the founder of Dopamine Mastery and the creator behind @adhdfounder, with over 2 million followers. He’s also the founder of eVouch and co-creator of Huddle, a virtual coworking space for creators. After burning out building startups, Eugene was diagnosed with ADHD, an experience that led him to develop practical, dopamine-friendly productivity hacks for neurodivergent minds. His content and online challenges focus helping people discover real tools to beat procrastination, build routines, and get things done when traditional advice fails.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Content Strategy/Production, Entrepreneurship.

MENTOR SESSION: EUGENE YAO (DOPAMINE MASTERY)


Mentor Session: Jovelle Tamayo (The Marshall Project)

Jovelle Tamayo

Documentary Photographer And Visuals Editor

Jovelle Tamayo is a documentary photographer and a multimedia editor at The Marshall Project, where she works with photojournalists, illustrators and other visual storytellers to report on prisons, police, courts, and the people who are harmed by the criminal justice system. Tamayo’s work appears in The Guardian UK/US, The New York Times, The Washington Post, TIME magazine, California Sunday Magazine and High Country News, among many others. They are also a media educator for undergraduate college students at the University of Washington, and youth with Reel Grrls, Coyote Central, Northwest Film Forum, Seattle International Film Festival, The Everyday Projects and Rain City Rock Camp.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Journalism, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Art.

MENTOR SESSION: JOVELLE TAMAYO (THE MARSHALL PROJECT)


Mexico Amplified: How Música Mexicana is Reshaping Global Music

Julio Orozco

Host and Journalist

Julio Orozco is a host and journalist from Guadalajara, Mexico. His passion for music, communication, and entertainment has led him to explore new digital dialogue formats, positioning him as a key figure in bringing regional Mexican music to contemporary audiences.

Through a strong journalistic vision and a strategic approach to digital content, he has become the official host of the No. 1 podcast in Spotify Mexico within the Music category. He has also participated as a speaker at major industry events such as Ad Week Mexico 2023, further solidifying his presence as a relevant voice within the music and media landscape

Lalo Rojas

Director

Based in Mexico City, Lalo Rojas is the director of Caballeros, a platform dedicated to the comprehensive development of projects focused on music and youth culture. Sometimes a booking agency, sometimes a promoter of shows and parties, and sometimes even an agency that helps connect brands with artists,

Caballeros' primary focus is to break down geographical barriers and build strong connections between different markets within the Latin American scene.

Noel Seoane

Festival Promoter

Noel Seoane is a Mexican concert and festival promoter with over 20 years of experience in the Latin music industry. At OCESA, she is part of the leadership teams behind ARRE, Resuena Dos Equis, Dale Mixx, and Coca-Cola Flow Fest—festivals that represent the rising wave of Música Mexicana and Latin urban genres. Her background includes work in record labels, indie venues, counterculture media, and experiential marketing.
She has also played a key role in shaping the current boom of Mexico’s music scene and in turning local audiences into global conversations. From genre crossovers to Spanish-language headliners and the rise of music-driven tourism in Mexico, her work offers insight into how the country is becoming a new center of gravity for Latin and global talent alike.

Macarena Gonzalez

Live talent coordinator / promoter

Macarena González has over six years of experience coordinating Live Acts for concerts and music festivals at Apodaca Group. She loves turning ideas into real, unforgettable moments, working on 300+ shows a year and more than 10 festivals across Mexico. Her work focuses on bringing together different music genres, helping position Mexico and its cities as top entertainment destinations. She also enjoys building strong relationships with artists, agents, and business affairs teams, while keeping internal processes and paperwork to ensure seamless execution at every level.

Capitol Ballroom FGH

Global Stage @ Downright Austin Backyard

Syncrets to Success: Conversation With Music Supervisors

Streaming, Shorts & AI: Where Are Your Royalties Going?

How to Get the Job: Building a Career in Music

Over the past few years, the Mexican music scene has undergone a powerful transformation—from a local ecosystem to a global force. This conversation explores how genres are crossing borders, why Spanish and Regional Mexicano have gained global prominence, and how Mexican festivals are attracting international artists and audiences. It will also examine the rise of music-driven tourism and Mexico’s growing influence as a global reference point for music, culture, and live entertainment.

MEXICO AMPLIFIED: HOW MUSICA MEXICANA IS RESHAPING GLOBAL MUSIC


SIMULCAST: Amy Webb Launches 2026 Emerging Tech Trend Report

Room 203-204

XR Immersive Filmmaking & The Future of Entertainment

From Data to Decisions: Lives, Livelihoods, and the Planet

Portraits Beyond the Frame: Jonathan Yeo & Spectacles

Beta Testing a City: Startups, Sidewalks & Robotics

Artificial Imagination and The Fiction After Cinema

This is a live broadcast of the session happening in the Hilton Austin Salon HJK. Forget hype cycles. The real story of 2026 is bigger, stranger, and closer than you imagine. At SXSW, futurist Amy Webb, CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group and professor at NYU Stern, will take you on a mind-bending exploration of the forces reshaping business, culture, and society. With her signature wit and data-driven approach, Amy will decode the emerging technologies that demand your attention and reveal scenarios that challenge how we think about the future. If you’ve joined Amy’s packed sessions in past years, you know to expect startling insights, big shifts in perspective, and ideas you’ll be talking about long after the session ends. This year, though, there’s a twist you won’t see coming—one that could change the way we track, understand, and act on trends forever. The theme is Creative Destruction. While there's no official dress code for the session, we do recommend you wear black.

SIMULCAST: AMY WEBB LAUNCHES 2026 EMERGING TECH TREND REPORT


Salon D

Who’s Funding the Future—and Who’s Getting Left Out

Thrive or Survive: Why Creativity is the Key to an AI-Future

The Story of Stories—The Million Year History of Storytelling

Skills You’ll Need To Succeed in the Post-AI Age

Through the Noise: The State of Science Storytelling


Brand Strategy Workshop for Emerging Tech Companies

Samantha Wolfe

NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

NYU Adjunct Professor

Samantha G. Wolfe is an emerging tech strategic consultant focused on accelerating the growth of the newest products and services. Sam has the unique ability to explain the most complicated, cutting-edge innovations in a way that inspires and resonates across industries and functions, with everyone from undergraduate students to seasoned executives. She is a frequent speaker, judge, and host at industry events, an author of influential book publications, a member of the World Economic Forum, as well as an NYU Adjunct Professor.

Rio Grande Ballroom 2

Pitching to Angels 101: Think Like an Investor

Play to Build: Prosocial AI for Human Connection

Own Your Sh*t (and Your IP): The Creator CEO Playbook

Prompt to Publish - AI Tools for the Modern Content Creator

From Monk to Manager: Zen Lessons for Loving Your Work

This workshop is focused on the strategic brand positioning of your innovative company and cutting-edge technology. We will be firmly situated on the market side of product-market fit. We will start by investigating your target market(s) and then your competitive set. Then we will work together to articulate the qualities of your company and technology that are differentiated and valuable to your next investor or client. All with the goal of helping your company to stand out in an unprecedented time of innovation.

BRAND STRATEGY WORKSHOP FOR EMERGING TECH COMPANIES


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

Graham Nolan

Co-Chair, Storytelling and Partnerships

Graham is an NYC-based public relations, reputation management and communications consultant — empowered by 24+ years of experience advancing meaningful brand conversations. His roles have included brand manager, lead strategist, creative thought leader, mentor, fighter for inclusion and disruptor who’s willing to address what’s not working – so we can get to building what will work, now. He recently supported the global team at Wasserman, with strong focus on their Brands + Properties business, creative agency brand Laundry Service and women-focused expertise The Collective – including its academic Think Tank. Other current/recent clients include Ubisoft, Unsplash, Lupine Creative and more.

As a co-founder of Do the WeRQ, Graham helps tell the platform's story and connect the movement to partners who embrace the value of queer creativity. The mission of Do the WeRQ is simple: increase queer creativity, representation and share of voice in the advertising industry. The organization brings people across the industry together to foster connections, share experiences and collaborate on cultural transformations that support the LGBTQ+ community both in front of, and behind the scenes, 365-days-a-year. Because only when queer marketing talent is inspired, mobilized and celebrated – by brands and marketing leaders – will queer cultural creativity translate into meaningful business solutions.

His speaking appearances include placement on stages/platforms like SXSW, Advertising Week, Brand Innovators, the 3% Conference, Fishbowl Live, Unleashed LGBTQ+, New York Comic Con, The ANA Virtual Diversity Fair, and more. Graham also has experience as a stand-up comedian, writer and storyteller who has performed at Second City's Skybox Theater, the Gotham Comedy Club, UCBeast, The People's Improv Theater and more.

Meghan Bartley

Senior Director of Agencies, Brands, and Engagement

Since August 2021, Meghan Bartley has led GLAAD’s advertising vertical as Senior Director of Agencies, Brands & Engagement. In this capacity, she drives strategic partnerships with agencies and brands to elevate LGBTQ inclusion in advertising and media, and oversees GLAAD’s Advertising Visibility Index and Visibility Project. Meghan brings over a decade of experience in account management, client services, and marketing strategy, particularly in live entertainment productions and venues. She has also worked as a consultant for public affairs firms and political campaigns, informing her approach to inclusive storytelling and corporate advocacy.

Mark Pasetsky

Founder, CEO

As CEO and principal strategist at Mark Allen & Co., Mark leads a team that advises chief executives at leading global brands, creative companies, publishers, AI leaders, purpose-driven organizations, consumer products and enterprising startups. The firm’s roster includes household names like Accenture Interactive, AARP, Acceleration Community of Companies, ADWEEK, BBH USA, GUT, Hill Holliday, Madwell, SS+K, Buick, GMC, Exiger, MTV, Samsung, VH1, W Hotels and many more.

R. Kurt Osenlund

Head of PrideNOW

R. Kurt Osenlund is a multifaceted, award-winning media professional with 20 years of editorial and PR experience – specifically in culture, advocacy and arts. In his current role at Mark Allen & Co., he provides cultural and creative counsel across the PR firm’s client roster, leads its Los Angeles office and oversees day-to-day account operations for a variety of Mark Allen & Co. accounts. These include creative companies ranging from major media brands and marketing agencies to production studios and tech leaders. He also leads Mark Allen & Co.’s PrideNOW offering, a specialized PR consulting service for brands and marketers looking to build connections with the LGBTQ+ community.

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

Weird FTW: What Happens When Brands Zig While Others Zag

GLAAD, Do The Werq, and PrideNOW (three of the most prominent LGBTQ+ names in marketing and media) present a Pride 2026 forecast for marketers, featuring GLAAD and Do the Werq's expansive new data. Presented by PrideNOW, this first-ever meeting comes in the wake of the most challenging year for LGBTQ+ marketing since the 1990s. Will brands be ready to come out of hiding and support this community again? Why should they? How has the cultural climate shifted? Armed with fresh numbers and new info about LGBTQ+ spending power (current: $4.7 trillion), these experts will break down how to proceed.

PRIDE PREVIEW '26: MARKETERS, LGBTQ+ & WHERE WE GO FROM HERE


Filmmakers to Creators: Crowdfunding & Community Masterclass

Justin Giddings

Justin began his career as an actor with appearances on Shameless, Nashville, Pretty Little Liars, and General Hospital before making the leap into writing and directing. His first two short films toured the global festival circuit, screening at more than 100 festivals, winning multiple awards, and landing distribution and development deals with Gaiam TV and Gunpowder & Sky. In 2020, his short screenplay The Peregrine won the Slamdance Screenplay Competition.

Most recently, he completed post-production on his first feature film starring Alfred Molina. Justin is also widely known as “the Kickstarter Guy,” the leading crowdfunding coach for filmmakers. An official Kickstarter Expert and Forbes Business Coach, he has helped more than 350 filmmakers raise over $11 million with a 97% success rate. He also teaches with Film Independent and CineCircle and is the founder of Greenlight Yourself, an educational company dedicated to equipping filmmakers with market-tested techniques on crowdfunding, fundraising, networking, and film festivals. www.greenlightyourself.com

John Trefry

Executive Producer

John Trefry is an award-winning producer, creative executive, and founder of 4WT Media—a premium content studio operating at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and scale. He has produced original series for NBCUniversal and Paramount, led creative campaigns for Netflix, Google, and ZipRecruiter, and his films have premiered at SXSW, Tribeca, and Raindance. His work features talent including Tatiana Maslany, Joe Keery, and Maika Monroe, and has reached global audiences via platforms like HBO. A frequent speaker at SXSW, NYU, and Kickstarter, John is a recognized voice on crowdfunding, creator-led campaigns, and hybrid distribution models that empower filmmakers to build sustainable, audience-driven careers.

Guadalupe

What We’re Unlearning on Supporting Education Systems

Shaping Education in a Culture x Tech World

Independent Film Publicity: How to Earn Media Attention

What happens when filmmakers stop pitching to gatekeepers and start building their own audiences? They become creators—turning fans into financiers and evangelists. In this hands‑on workshop you'll dissect two campaigns that blew past their goals. You'll see the exact blueprint: pre-launch email lists, social teasers, personal stories, assembling a volunteer team, and designing a campaign video and page with eye-popping visuals. Leave with tactical takeaways you can apply to your projects immediately to build your strategy, craft your narrative, and turn backers into lifelong fans.

FILMMAKERS TO CREATORS: CROWDFUNDING & COMMUNITY MASTERCLASS

Film & TV track sponsored by Crunchyroll


The New Lab Partner: AI and Future Scientific Discovery

Jessie Thomas

Senior Technical Program Manager

Jessie Thomas is an engaging speaker and technology strategist with a career spanning academia, gaming, and technology.  As a Senior Technical Program Manager for the Allen Institute, she partners with leadership to strategize and implement broad organizational technology initiatives. Her current focus is advancing AI/ML capabilities to accelerate scientific discoveries. She's a passionate teammate, always ready to collaborate and achieve great outcomes.

Dona Sarkar

Chief Troublemaker - Copilot and AI Extensibility

Dona Sarkar is the Chief Troublemaker of Microsoft's Copilot and AI Extensibility Program, running 100 experiments to enable global users to leverage AI with their own data for business and life-changing utility. Beyond her core role, she's a sought-after speaker for corporate leaders, a business coach specializing in sustainable side-hustling, and a multi-published fiction author.

Chantel Prat

Professor of Psychology

Chantel Prat is a professor at the University of Washington with appointments in the departments of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Linguistics; with affiliations at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, the Center for Neurotechnology, and the Institute for Neuroengineering. She is a recipient of the Tom Trabasso Young Investigator Award from the Society for Text and Discourse and a Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institutes of Health. Prat also speaks internationally at events like the World Science Festival. She is featured in the documentary film I Am Human.

Abhe Rajagopal

Senior AI Research Scientist

Abhe Rajagopal, PhD is an AI scientist cracking open neural networks to discover how they learn. He’s found that even large AI models use surprisingly simple rules that control how they make decisions (like what to say next). By unmasking and demystifying the hidden grammar within AI models, he is re-building how we develop biological models to understand and treat diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, and aging. Abhe is Senior AI Scientist at the Allen Institute (Seattle, WA) and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Francisco.

Salon D

Designing the Future of Human Performance

The Companies Building and Automating Space's Superhighway

What AI Agents Are Doing While You're Not Watching

Humanoid Robots Are Clocking In: Meet Who’s Putting Them To Work

The Masters: A Digital Experience Unlike Any Other

AI is quickly becoming an active thinking partner, completely changing scientific discovery. That means, potentially faster cures, new drug uses, and insights to combat viruses. But it sparks key philosophical questions: Who owns AI-generated insight? How do we validate it? Are we more innovative or dependent? Join experts to explore AI's role in surfacing new questions, defining co-discovery, and navigating its risks/rewards for human health. A critical conversation on AI's radical impact on discovery.

NEW LAB PARTNER: AI AND FUTURE SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY