GES@

GES EXPERIENCES SXSW 2016

Nine of our GES team members set out in Austin, TX, to explore how brands are finding new and unique ways to stand out at SXSW. This is a visual summary of the activations they experienced.

AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER (ACC)Arriving at SXSW to pick up the registration badges, our first visual experience was plastic wrapped columns with poster graffiti.

SHOW FLOOR - STANDOUT TECH Amazing start-up companies and technology can be found from around the world. Most are still in development and many inventors are looking for VC and corporate angels.

DESIGN A HOUSE USING LEGOSFLASH

NO FLASH

ACTIVATION - CITY TRANSFORMATION Nearly all the activations around the city of Austin change the landscape—from completely cladding an existing structure, to building a pop-up experience from scratch in a parking lot. Brands that went the extra mile to physically personify their brand personality were well rewarded at SXSW.

ACTIVATION - INTERACTIVESHands-on engagement, sensory stimulation and leveraging social media to the hilt were key components in creating memorable moments from a giant Ferris wheel to an interactive LED floor/ceiling mirror.

ACTIVATION - IBM COGNITIVE STUDIOIBM gathered your personal tastes, lifestyle and interests at the check-in (which led to a personalized experience) when you used the RFID wristband at various locations. Including the Watson table, which analyzed your social media activity to match you with other people in the room.

ACTIVATION - INTERPLAY/DELOITTE.DIGITALDeloitte created an inside and outside environment where people could just play and hang out. From live music to interactive sound rooms to musical swings. Creating great experiences drew in the crowds

ACTIVATION - AMERICAN GREETINGS American Greetings went totally old school with analog and created a huge buzz by going against the high-tech push from all the other experiences at SXSW.

ACTIVATION - KRUSH COLLECTIVE Total mashup of low-tech and high-tech. Krush played with your senses and created an experience tunnel with a full-on LED ceiling + VR flight simulator (and bar) which surprised and delighted all.

ACTIVATION - MCDONALD'S “M Loft” was a great place to take a break. From VR experiences to customizing your own quarter pounder—McDonald's created a cool, loungy place to hang out and taste all of their yummy treats.

ACTIVATION - KEEPIN’ AUSTIN WEIRD