The Brain Science of Getting and Keeping Attention

Event ID: PP1162573

Mon, Mar 16, 2026 | 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Venue: Waterloo Ballroom 3 (Austin Marriott Downtown)

View on Official SXSW

Summary

Attention is everything. It’s the gateway to memory, persuasion, and customer action. But in a hyper-saturated world, even the best content gets ignored. Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Carmen Simon shares surprising findings from her studies of buyers’ brains, revealing what actually captures and sustains attention. This session busts myths ( attention spans aren’t shrinking!) and reveals four types of attention you must master to create effective campaigns. If you're building a brand, selling an idea, or designing a message, don’t just hope your audience is paying attention, design for it.

Contributors

Raw Event JSON

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