The Prius X Parlee (PXP) bike asks the world to consider: “What if the Prius weren’t a car?” Inspired by the Prius philosophy, the PXP is the latest innovation from Toyota and Saatchi LA, as part of Toyota Prius Pr...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Zeinstra, Bob Parlee, Chris Adams, John Watson, Patrick Miller
Synthetic biology aims to re-engineer living cells to sustainably produce fuels, medicines, and materials. With the promise of a new industrial revolution on the horizon, understanding the language of biotechnology will ...
Beginner
Presenters
Christina Agapakis, Daisy Ginsberg, Jason Kelly, Patrick Boyle
In an election year that is as divisive as any in recent memory, a snarky, slightly jaded and unflinching group of funny folk are taking action and making an impact on the political scene. Learn how the internet empowere...
Intermediate
Presenters
Alf LaMont, Carol Hartsell, Greg Proops, Rory Albanese, Sara Benincasa
At SXSW 2011, there were tweets where people were just coming to the realization that not everyone out there has a smart phone or tablet. This panel is designed to demonstrate how those who live and work in communities w...
Beginner
Presenters
Allison Aldridge-Saur, Dean Davis, Dee Davis, Eric Martin
Pottermore. MuggleNet. The Leaky Cauldron. Huge conferences like Infinitus 2010 and LeakyCon 2011. What makes Potter fan communities thrive? Is the success simply due to the size of the fandom, or is there real magic hap...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andrew Sims, Brenda Huettner, Heidi Tandy, Lisa Bunker, Melissa Anelli
Always a much-anticipated part of the festival, the 30-second shorts, or bumpers, that play prior to each film can set the tone for an entire festival. They can build excitement, mood, and become talking points in their ...
Beginner
Presenters
Clay Liford, Geoff Marslett, Joseph Nicolosi, Lauren Wolkstein, Zach Anner
For the first time in history, the majority of people worldwide are living in cities. What does this mean for ecosystems across the planet and how does this change the way we experience the natural world? According to E....
For the first time in history, the majority of people worldwide are living in cities. What does this mean for ecosystems across the planet and how does this change the way we experience the natural world? According to E....
Saman Arbabi will use his signature wit to relate how the satirical TV program challenges the oppressive Iranian regime all the while influencing the direction of the country’s political landscape. The program, “Para...
The “quantified self” trend of tracking and tweaking physical performance is all the rage in Silicon Valley, especially among type-A data geeks and weekend-warriors hoping to gain an athletic edge. But the most inter...
Intermediate
Presenters
Daniel Wetmore, Dave Asprey, Megan Miller, Michael Scanlon
The MIT Media Lab is a place for making connections: connecting peopleand technology, connecting researchers across diverse disciplines, andconnecting the physical and local to the digital and remote. Mostimportantly, th...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andy Bardagjy, Catherine Havasi, Joichi Ito, Yadid Ayzenberg, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye
Wireless Power is not a new technology. Like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, it radically changes the way people are able to live their lives, offering new levels of mobility, convenience, and safety. Just think of all the power a...
Join this fun, interactive core conversation and learn best practices and practical tips for using your social media voice to spark social action in the real world. Whether you care about supporting local schools, raisin...
The MIT Media Lab is a place for making connections: connecting peopleand technology, connecting researchers across diverse disciplines, andconnecting the physical and local to the digital and remote. Mostimportantly, th...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andy Bardagjy, Catherine Havasi, Joichi Ito, Yadid Ayzenberg, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye
You have the vision, you have the product, and you have the funding; it’s your time to make a splash. How do you turn a brilliant vision into a successful reality? Without the proper launch strategy, even the best idea...
Beginner
Presenters
Alex Constantinople, Brandee Barker, Kira Wampler, Margit Wennmachers
You're David, they're Goliath. You're a small company, they are industry giants. You're fast and innovative. They move markets. You just wish they would move those markets in your direction!
How do you close that deal? ...
Advanced
Presenters
Alex Barnett, Jay Lee, Pamela O'Hara, Scott McMullan, Sunir Shah
This panel offers an insider’s guide into the process behind creating customized digital magazine content and configuring it for delivery across multiple mobile devices. Moderated by Next Issue Media CTO, Keith Barrac...
Advanced
Presenters
Chris Wilkes, Joe Simon, Keith Barraclough, Liz Schimel, Perry Solomon
Bringing together top filmmakers, change agents & digital communicators, this panel will share practical tips, tools & tactics for activists, non-profit pros, volunteers & creatives to affect social change th...
Intermediate
Presenters
Dorothy Engelman, Meghan Warby, Rob Dyer, Sherien Barsoum
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom B
5:00PM - 6:00PM
Check out four teams that have combined machines, specialized interactive software and the web to create rich interactive experiences. The result: Raving audiences and media buzz. Breakthrough interactive machines includ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Arundi Venkayya, FK Funderburke, Justin Bayer, Nathan Martin, Patrice Hall
Smokey Bear has been a national icon since 1944 and has had a Twitter icon since 2010. Meet Smokey and the man behind the bear's tweets. While Smokey usually reminds folks that only you can prevent wildfires, in this ses...
Smokey Bear has been a national icon since 1944 and has had a Twitter icon since 2010. Meet Smokey and the man behind the bear's tweets. While Smokey usually reminds folks that only you can prevent wildfires, in this ses...
In an election year that is as divisive as any in recent memory, a snarky, slightly jaded and unflinching group of funny folk are taking action and making an impact on the political scene. Learn how the internet empowere...
Intermediate
Presenters
Alf LaMont, Carol Hartsell, Greg Proops, Rory Albanese, Sara Benincasa
Imagine an app that could cut saturated fat from your diet. Or one that could cure gingivitis. Well, while technology has had a big role in making us more sedentary, it also has the potential to make us better informed, ...
Most startup entrepreneurs, investors and incubators will tell you that two founders are better than one. What they won't tell you is two founders are more likely to try to kill each other - or at least kill their startu...
Beginner
Presenters
Alexandra Cavoulacos, Kathryn Minshew, Orian Marx, Seth Blank, Vivek Sharma
In this panel, we will focus on queer new media art and philosophy that uses and intervenes into the viral to form a radical politics of revolt and utopia. Viral will be engaged with technically, philosophically, artisti...
Quick and effective communication may run afoul of traditional Jewish culture for the “The People of the Book.” Consuming information in 140 characters requires true customization of message. Branding a nonprofit i...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Watts, Brian Block, Jennifer-Joy Bronk, Leisa Holland-Nelson, William Daroff
As designers take on new problems of convergence and ubiquity, we find ourselves facing new challenges. The products we create are accessed through multiple devices, different channels and a wide audience. How do we acco...
Advanced
Presenters
Andrew Crow, Ben Fullerton, Leah Buley, Nate Bolt, Ryan Freitas
Lifestyle media is big business. And in a down economy, DIY culture (sewing, canning, etc.) has seen a trendy resurgence. But the lifestyle industry is rapidly changing. How can you break in? Once in, how do you stay...
Beginner
Presenters
Andrew Wagner, Camille Styles, Grace Bonney, Tolly Moseley
Synthetic biology aims to re-engineer living cells to sustainably produce fuels, medicines, and materials. With the promise of a new industrial revolution on the horizon, understanding the language of biotechnology will ...
Beginner
Presenters
Christina Agapakis, Daisy Ginsberg, Jason Kelly, Patrick Boyle
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
We all have a zillion tasks that need to be done now. Does multitasking help you work more efficiently and productively? Or does it allow you to do lots of things poorly? Is it better to focus on one task at a time and ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Adam Gazzaley, David Meyer, Peter Bregman, Rachel Emma Silverman
Quick and effective communication may run afoul of traditional Jewish culture for the “The People of the Book.” Consuming information in 140 characters requires true customization of message. Branding a nonprofit i...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Watts, Brian Block, Jennifer-Joy Bronk, Leisa Holland-Nelson, William Daroff
As designers take on new problems of convergence and ubiquity, we find ourselves facing new challenges. The products we create are accessed through multiple devices, different channels and a wide audience. How do we acco...
Advanced
Presenters
Andrew Crow, Ben Fullerton, Leah Buley, Nate Bolt, Ryan Freitas
Pottermore. MuggleNet. The Leaky Cauldron. Huge conferences like Infinitus 2010 and LeakyCon 2011. What makes Potter fan communities thrive? Is the success simply due to the size of the fandom, or is there real magic hap...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andrew Sims, Brenda Huettner, Heidi Tandy, Lisa Bunker, Melissa Anelli
Funders vs. Funded... The Rise of Pharma VC's: A discussion with Pharma about their new VC funds. The Funded: A discussion with recently funded health tech startups. This session is sponsored by Edelman....
Beginner
Presenters
Andy Donner, Geoffrey Rutledge, Jen McCabe, Stead Burwell
Get together to meet fellow Austinites who love tech and this beautiful city. If you're from out of town swing by too and meet some great, friendly folks who work for our fair city....
WebGL has brought 3D Graphics to the browser offering a new world of possibilities for visualization and interaction. In this talk, we give you all the information you need to start using WebGL. WebGL has an unfair reput...
Entertainment is a natural need. Anticipation is a human hunger. What’s better than feeling completely catered to, without losing the excitement of surprise? We know what we like and what our interests are, but can’t...
In this panel, we will focus on queer new media art and philosophy that uses and intervenes into the viral to form a radical politics of revolt and utopia. Viral will be engaged with technically, philosophically, artisti...
Most startup entrepreneurs, investors and incubators will tell you that two founders are better than one. What they won't tell you is two founders are more likely to try to kill each other - or at least kill their startu...
Beginner
Presenters
Alexandra Cavoulacos, Kathryn Minshew, Orian Marx, Seth Blank, Vivek Sharma
How do we take social media off laptops and phones and create real-world devices that surprise and delight? First, we take the top Arduino hackers around the globe and give them a brief: make SXSW smile. Then we watch th...
Commerce and content have never been so intertwined. Fashion editors are jumping ship from magazines to join leading e-commerce platforms, while editorial destinations are introducing local deals and e-shops left and rig...
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
How to Remember Anything shows how a radically improved memory can add real value in life and in business and can help build your career. Mark Channon, Actor, Hypnotherapist, BBC Product Manager and author of Teach Yours...
A story can be told in a million different ways and constantly improving technology makes it even more fun for anyone to tell their story in their own unique way.
Brands and individuals equally need to embrace that they...
Intermediate
Presenters
Becky Johns, CC Chapman, Charlie Wollborg, Karl Gude
Why Invest in Health Tech? Education, Inspiration, and Funding Advice for (Social) Health Tech Startups. This session is sponsored by Health 2.0 and Boehringer Ingelheim...
Discover the rules of thumb for finger-friendly design. Touch gestures are sweeping away buttons, menus and windows from mobile devices—and even from the next version of Windows. Find out why those familiar desktop wid...
The internet is a never-ending data source. Through it we are able to monitor visitor activity, study traffic patterns, and use these analytics to help guide users in the directions we want. Usability testing gives us be...
Beginner
Presenters
Jane Leibrock, Laurel Hechanova, Naz Hamid, Phil Coffman, William Couch
It takes a lot of money and effort to get to SXSW. Now that you've made it to Austin for the big event, what are the tips, tricks, and best practices you can use to effectively raise your profile?...
Are you struggling to market your startup? Do you have a great idea, but aren’t sure how to reach your audience and get customers? Even if you have the greatest product, marketing your product may be more difficult t...
You have the vision, you have the product, and you have the funding; it’s your time to make a splash. How do you turn a brilliant vision into a successful reality? Without the proper launch strategy, even the best idea...
Beginner
Presenters
Alex Constantinople, Brandee Barker, Kira Wampler, Margit Wennmachers
An outspoken pioneer in the modern computing era, and best known as the “Father of Visual Basic” and inventor of “personas,” Cooper will share rare insights into the evolution of software and interaction design b...
The internet is a never-ending data source. Through it we are able to monitor visitor activity, study traffic patterns, and use these analytics to help guide users in the directions we want. Usability testing gives us be...
Beginner
Presenters
Jane Leibrock, Laurel Hechanova, Naz Hamid, Phil Coffman, William Couch
As designers take on new problems of convergence and ubiquity, we find ourselves facing new challenges. The products we create are accessed through multiple devices, different channels and a wide audience. How do we acco...
Advanced
Presenters
Andrew Crow, Ben Fullerton, Leah Buley, Nate Bolt, Ryan Freitas
How do we take social media off laptops and phones and create real-world devices that surprise and delight? First, we take the top Arduino hackers around the globe and give them a brief: make SXSW smile. Then we watch th...
Video needs to be accessible too, and both the technology and the legal environment is evolving. Accessible media is already available online at some major media sites and the work done by providers can inform work that...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andrew Kirkpatrick, Craig Cuttner, Glenn Goldstein, Shane Feldman
An outspoken pioneer in the modern computing era, and best known as the “Father of Visual Basic” and inventor of “personas,” Cooper will share rare insights into the evolution of software and interaction design b...
How are public television stations positioning themselves for the future? Are they producers, curators of existing content or simply another model all together? The legacy model of public TV is changing -- quickly. Now,...
Intermediate
Presenters
Angee Simmons, David Neff, Kevin Dando, Kliff Kuehl, Shane Guiter
Quick and effective communication may run afoul of traditional Jewish culture for the “The People of the Book.” Consuming information in 140 characters requires true customization of message. Branding a nonprofit i...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Watts, Brian Block, Jennifer-Joy Bronk, Leisa Holland-Nelson, William Daroff
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
You've updated LinkedIn. Created your about.me profile. Nailed your elevator pitch. Congratulations! You finally landed that elusive interview. Now what? Demand for talent in the tech industry is supposedly at an all-tim...
At SXSW 2011, there were tweets where people were just coming to the realization that not everyone out there has a smart phone or tablet. This panel is designed to demonstrate how those who live and work in communities w...
Beginner
Presenters
Allison Aldridge-Saur, Dean Davis, Dee Davis, Eric Martin
At SXSW 2011, there were tweets where people were just coming to the realization that not everyone out there has a smart phone or tablet. This panel is designed to demonstrate how those who live and work in communities w...
Beginner
Presenters
Allison Aldridge-Saur, Dean Davis, Dee Davis, Eric Martin
The MIT Media Lab is a place for making connections: connecting peopleand technology, connecting researchers across diverse disciplines, andconnecting the physical and local to the digital and remote. Mostimportantly, th...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andy Bardagjy, Catherine Havasi, Joichi Ito, Yadid Ayzenberg, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye
The future of mobile interaction & feedback networks may not be wrapped in a mobile phone interface at all. Let’s talk about what feedback networks and invisible information gathering can mean for mobile experience...
Advanced
Presenters
Fritz Desir, Myriam Joire, Nick Holroyd, Reno Marioni
Passion for social issues has been an American ideal from the start. For hundreds of years, foundations and nonprofit organizations have been forming groups to provide support, comfort, and solutions to some of the worl...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Wallis, Dave Dobbins, Kesah Schmitt, Mark Himmelsbach, Scott Orn
Funders vs. Funded... The Rise of Pharma VC's: A discussion with Pharma about their new VC funds. The Funded: A discussion with recently funded health tech startups. This session is sponsored by Edelman....
Beginner
Presenters
Andy Donner, Geoffrey Rutledge, Jen McCabe, Stead Burwell
Bringing together top filmmakers, change agents & digital communicators, this panel will share practical tips, tools & tactics for activists, non-profit pros, volunteers & creatives to affect social change th...
Intermediate
Presenters
Dorothy Engelman, Meghan Warby, Rob Dyer, Sherien Barsoum
If the conscious mind--the part you consider you--is just the tip of the iceberg in the brain, what is all the rest doing? Neuroscientist David Eagleman, author of the New York Times bestseller Incognito: The Secret Liv...
Bringing together top filmmakers, change agents & digital communicators, this panel will share practical tips, tools & tactics for activists, non-profit pros, volunteers & creatives to affect social change th...
Intermediate
Presenters
Dorothy Engelman, Meghan Warby, Rob Dyer, Sherien Barsoum
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Bob Vila remains a household name, 32 years after the premiere of his first TV series, “This Old House.” Many consider him the father of reality television. How does digital video contribute to the strength of his b...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Vila, Gretchen Grant, Joseph Epstein, Stefanie Lemcke, Steven Masur
Organizations are spending time and money to become more sustainable but they are not leveraging new software and web technologies to maximize their positive environmental impact. This panel will discuss three ways techn...
Video needs to be accessible too, and both the technology and the legal environment is evolving. Accessible media is already available online at some major media sites and the work done by providers can inform work that...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andrew Kirkpatrick, Craig Cuttner, Glenn Goldstein, Shane Feldman
Drawing upon a wealth of leading research, neuroscience, case-studies and personal experience from his new book - Uncertainty: Turning Fear & Doubt Into Fuel for Brilliance - Fields reveals a set of environmental ch...
There's nothing like the thrill of a new relationship, and a rising generation of star talent likes the rush a new job brings. In today’s workplace everyone is an entrepreneur and employee/employer relationships are sw...
Smokey Bear has been a national icon since 1944 and has had a Twitter icon since 2010. Meet Smokey and the man behind the bear's tweets. While Smokey usually reminds folks that only you can prevent wildfires, in this ses...
Equity is the main driver of employee compensation at start-ups, yet a lot of the terminology and machinations around how to manage stock is shrouded in mystery. This session will explore how employees can maximize the r...
In the summer of 2011, New Me, the first technology accelerator focused on African American's was launched. The inaugural class was covered by the CNN documentary "Black in America" along with an exploration of...
Beginner
Presenters
Hajj Flemings, Hank Williams, Jason Samuels, Soledad O'Brien, Wayne Sutton
Social media companions and multiscreen viewing experiences are now as synonymous with premiere, primetime television as your living room couch. However, what does all this multitasking and social engagement mean for the...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Helms, David Jones, Ellen Stone, Susie Fogelson, Tara O'Donnell
It takes a lot of money and effort to get to SXSW. Now that you've made it to Austin for the big event, what are the tips, tricks, and best practices you can use to effectively raise your profile?...
As designers take on new problems of convergence and ubiquity, we find ourselves facing new challenges. The products we create are accessed through multiple devices, different channels and a wide audience. How do we acco...
Advanced
Presenters
Andrew Crow, Ben Fullerton, Leah Buley, Nate Bolt, Ryan Freitas
Imagine an app that could cut saturated fat from your diet. Or one that could cure gingivitis. Well, while technology has had a big role in making us more sedentary, it also has the potential to make us better informed, ...
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
As designers take on new problems of convergence and ubiquity, we find ourselves facing new challenges. The products we create are accessed through multiple devices, different channels and a wide audience. How do we acco...
Advanced
Presenters
Andrew Crow, Ben Fullerton, Leah Buley, Nate Bolt, Ryan Freitas
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom B
5:00PM - 6:00PM
Check out four teams that have combined machines, specialized interactive software and the web to create rich interactive experiences. The result: Raving audiences and media buzz. Breakthrough interactive machines includ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Arundi Venkayya, FK Funderburke, Justin Bayer, Nathan Martin, Patrice Hall
The combination of mobile + social + local is a powerful, yet misunderstood, communication channel. When people hear about it, they often conjure up a “Minority Report” world where companies track their every move to...
Intermediate
Presenters
Chris Messina, Jeff Rohrs, Matt Galligan, Scott Kveton
Entertainment is a natural need. Anticipation is a human hunger. What’s better than feeling completely catered to, without losing the excitement of surprise? We know what we like and what our interests are, but can’t...
WebGL has brought 3D Graphics to the browser offering a new world of possibilities for visualization and interaction. In this talk, we give you all the information you need to start using WebGL. WebGL has an unfair reput...
Movember is a global movement committed to raising awareness and funds for critical men’s health issues. Over the last seven years, Movember has grown from a handful of friends in Australia to the largest non-governmen...
We all have a zillion tasks that need to be done now. Does multitasking help you work more efficiently and productively? Or does it allow you to do lots of things poorly? Is it better to focus on one task at a time and ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Adam Gazzaley, David Meyer, Peter Bregman, Rachel Emma Silverman
People want to confess who they are to someone, anyone. And they want to discover who they are through that dialogue. Bonding occurs through disclosure and empathetic acceptance of that disclosure, as a result of confess...
Synthetic biology aims to re-engineer living cells to sustainably produce fuels, medicines, and materials. With the promise of a new industrial revolution on the horizon, understanding the language of biotechnology will ...
Beginner
Presenters
Christina Agapakis, Daisy Ginsberg, Jason Kelly, Patrick Boyle
"Black Twitter" has captured the imagination of the online world. In 2010, a Pew Research Study highlighted trends demonstrating Twitter usage was disproportionately Black and female. Next, journalists for Slat...
Video needs to be accessible too, and both the technology and the legal environment is evolving. Accessible media is already available online at some major media sites and the work done by providers can inform work that...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andrew Kirkpatrick, Craig Cuttner, Glenn Goldstein, Shane Feldman
Bing Gordon knows how to spread magic dust: Look anywhere from Amazon to Zynga. A master of disruption, he's blessed with 20/20 vision into all things gaming and social. Go beyond the buzzwords as the former Electronic A...
Get together with other bootstrap experts for an hour of brainstorming, idea-buidling, networking, friend-making and career-enhancement. Or, attend this Meet Up to learn more about this segment of the industry -- or if y...
Commerce and content have never been so intertwined. Fashion editors are jumping ship from magazines to join leading e-commerce platforms, while editorial destinations are introducing local deals and e-shops left and rig...
Storytelling is one of the most powerful forms of communication you have as an entrepreneur to assist you in starting a company, recruiting employees, raising capital, securing clients and getting press. Stories are univ...
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Bob Vila remains a household name, 32 years after the premiere of his first TV series, “This Old House.” Many consider him the father of reality television. How does digital video contribute to the strength of his b...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Vila, Gretchen Grant, Joseph Epstein, Stefanie Lemcke, Steven Masur
Higher education isn't known for early adoption of innovation. As an industry, it tends to lag behind. This has been generally true of social media implementation as well. And yet some institutions have been successful a...
A story can be told in a million different ways and constantly improving technology makes it even more fun for anyone to tell their story in their own unique way.
Brands and individuals equally need to embrace that they...
Intermediate
Presenters
Becky Johns, CC Chapman, Charlie Wollborg, Karl Gude
How are public television stations positioning themselves for the future? Are they producers, curators of existing content or simply another model all together? The legacy model of public TV is changing -- quickly. Now,...
Intermediate
Presenters
Angee Simmons, David Neff, Kevin Dando, Kliff Kuehl, Shane Guiter
Vic Gundotra will participate in a fireside chat with Guy Kawasaki to discuss the Google+ project. Vic will share how the product has grown since the initial launch, some of the lessons learned and the challenges the Goo...
Why Invest in Health Tech? Education, Inspiration, and Funding Advice for (Social) Health Tech Startups. This session is sponsored by Health 2.0 and Boehringer Ingelheim...
Luck favors the prepared. Build it and they will come. Pithy statements like these are recited on the belief that it takes movement to start action. Shortly before the “It Gets Better” campaign took off on Faceboo...
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom B
5:00PM - 6:00PM
Check out four teams that have combined machines, specialized interactive software and the web to create rich interactive experiences. The result: Raving audiences and media buzz. Breakthrough interactive machines includ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Arundi Venkayya, FK Funderburke, Justin Bayer, Nathan Martin, Patrice Hall
The internet is a never-ending data source. Through it we are able to monitor visitor activity, study traffic patterns, and use these analytics to help guide users in the directions we want. Usability testing gives us be...
Beginner
Presenters
Jane Leibrock, Laurel Hechanova, Naz Hamid, Phil Coffman, William Couch
Are you a newcomer to the on-site SXSW Interactive community? If so, maybe you are overwhelmed (don't worry, being overwhelmed is a feature not a flaw). But attending the "SXSW Newbie Meet Up" is a great way to...
Technology startups are beginning to focus on traditional, regulated industries that until now haven’t seen many startup entrants. But taking on archaic, multi-billion-dollar industries isn’t easy. Startups face a va...
Intermediate
Presenters
Adam Oliveri, Aza Raskin, Jessica Scorpio, Matt Harris, Shamir Karkal
In an election year that is as divisive as any in recent memory, a snarky, slightly jaded and unflinching group of funny folk are taking action and making an impact on the political scene. Learn how the internet empowere...
Intermediate
Presenters
Alf LaMont, Carol Hartsell, Greg Proops, Rory Albanese, Sara Benincasa
The MIT Media Lab is a place for making connections: connecting peopleand technology, connecting researchers across diverse disciplines, andconnecting the physical and local to the digital and remote. Mostimportantly, th...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andy Bardagjy, Catherine Havasi, Joichi Ito, Yadid Ayzenberg, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
The internet is a never-ending data source. Through it we are able to monitor visitor activity, study traffic patterns, and use these analytics to help guide users in the directions we want. Usability testing gives us be...
Beginner
Presenters
Jane Leibrock, Laurel Hechanova, Naz Hamid, Phil Coffman, William Couch
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
How do I get around Austin? When should I arrive to get into my movie? Which panels are must-see? How can I be sure to hit the best parties? From navigating Austin to finding the best eats to networking and maximizing s...
Beginner
Presenters
Basil Tsiokos, George Rush, Jette Kernion, Joel Heller, Agnes Varnum
Social media companions and multiscreen viewing experiences are now as synonymous with premiere, primetime television as your living room couch. However, what does all this multitasking and social engagement mean for the...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Helms, David Jones, Ellen Stone, Susie Fogelson, Tara O'Donnell
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
For creatives in today's workplace, it sometimes feels like the mandate is "make it brilliant, or start working on your resume." At the same time, creativity often seems like some mystical, elusive force that ...
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
Passion for social issues has been an American ideal from the start. For hundreds of years, foundations and nonprofit organizations have been forming groups to provide support, comfort, and solutions to some of the worl...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Wallis, Dave Dobbins, Kesah Schmitt, Mark Himmelsbach, Scott Orn
"You're fired."
"The test results are positive."
"We're out of beer."
Change happens - how you handle it is up to you. Improv can help. In past SXSW workshops, we've explored how the less...
"You're fired."
"The test results are positive."
"We're out of beer."
Change happens - how you handle it is up to you. Improv can help. In past SXSW workshops, we've explored how the less...
Quick and effective communication may run afoul of traditional Jewish culture for the “The People of the Book.” Consuming information in 140 characters requires true customization of message. Branding a nonprofit i...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Watts, Brian Block, Jennifer-Joy Bronk, Leisa Holland-Nelson, William Daroff
The future of mobile interaction & feedback networks may not be wrapped in a mobile phone interface at all. Let’s talk about what feedback networks and invisible information gathering can mean for mobile experience...
Advanced
Presenters
Fritz Desir, Myriam Joire, Nick Holroyd, Reno Marioni
Congratulations: you've been acquired! First comes an initial high from the money and the attention.
Often company acquisitions that seem like a great idea result in disappointment, a mass exodus, the technology being t...
Pottermore. MuggleNet. The Leaky Cauldron. Huge conferences like Infinitus 2010 and LeakyCon 2011. What makes Potter fan communities thrive? Is the success simply due to the size of the fandom, or is there real magic hap...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andrew Sims, Brenda Huettner, Heidi Tandy, Lisa Bunker, Melissa Anelli
In the wake of the Japan tsunami disaster derived from one of Japan’s largest earthquakes in record history, over 52.6 million viewers tuned into Ustream to watch the catastrophe in real-time. Viewers around the world ...
Human or Machine? Who really knows what videos you're going to like best? Online video curation is in a heated battle between algorithmic curation and human, editorial selection. Let's settle this debate once and for al...
Human or Machine? Who really knows what videos you're going to like best? Online video curation is in a heated battle between algorithmic curation and human, editorial selection. Let's settle this debate once and for al...
The MIT Media Lab is a place for making connections: connecting peopleand technology, connecting researchers across diverse disciplines, andconnecting the physical and local to the digital and remote. Mostimportantly, th...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andy Bardagjy, Catherine Havasi, Joichi Ito, Yadid Ayzenberg, Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye
A story can be told in a million different ways and constantly improving technology makes it even more fun for anyone to tell their story in their own unique way.
Brands and individuals equally need to embrace that they...
Intermediate
Presenters
Becky Johns, CC Chapman, Charlie Wollborg, Karl Gude
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Consumers don’t believe marketing. We believe our experiences. Our friends’ experiences. Even complete strangers’ experiences. In an always-on, social media-enabled world, consumer experiences – and consumers’ ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bobby Johns, Britton Upham, Henri Mazza, Rick Wittenbraker, Valerie Petrusson
What kind of future do you want to live in? What excites or concerns you about the future? Intel Futurist Brian David Johnson poses these questions as part of The Tomorrow Project, an initiative to investigate not only t...
Brands today exist in multiple mediums, defined by multiple voices. The media brands inhabit is iterative, with no beginning, no end, and little permanency. In that context, adherence to a big idea and endless repetition...
Advanced
Presenters
Greg Johnson, Marc Shillum, Robin Lanahan, Walter Werzowa
The future of mobile interaction & feedback networks may not be wrapped in a mobile phone interface at all. Let’s talk about what feedback networks and invisible information gathering can mean for mobile experience...
Advanced
Presenters
Fritz Desir, Myriam Joire, Nick Holroyd, Reno Marioni
Social media companions and multiscreen viewing experiences are now as synonymous with premiere, primetime television as your living room couch. However, what does all this multitasking and social engagement mean for the...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Helms, David Jones, Ellen Stone, Susie Fogelson, Tara O'Donnell
Technology startups are beginning to focus on traditional, regulated industries that until now haven’t seen many startup entrants. But taking on archaic, multi-billion-dollar industries isn’t easy. Startups face a va...
Intermediate
Presenters
Adam Oliveri, Aza Raskin, Jessica Scorpio, Matt Harris, Shamir Karkal
Vic Gundotra will participate in a fireside chat with Guy Kawasaki to discuss the Google+ project. Vic will share how the product has grown since the initial launch, some of the lessons learned and the challenges the Goo...
Commerce and content have never been so intertwined. Fashion editors are jumping ship from magazines to join leading e-commerce platforms, while editorial destinations are introducing local deals and e-shops left and rig...
Synthetic biology aims to re-engineer living cells to sustainably produce fuels, medicines, and materials. With the promise of a new industrial revolution on the horizon, understanding the language of biotechnology will ...
Beginner
Presenters
Christina Agapakis, Daisy Ginsberg, Jason Kelly, Patrick Boyle
How do I get around Austin? When should I arrive to get into my movie? Which panels are must-see? How can I be sure to hit the best parties? From navigating Austin to finding the best eats to networking and maximizing s...
Beginner
Presenters
Basil Tsiokos, George Rush, Jette Kernion, Joel Heller, Agnes Varnum
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
Understanding why social media works the way it does can be traced back to origins well before The Cluetrain Manifesto. I'll take a look into anthropology and the concepts of communal sharing, authority ranking, equality...
Video needs to be accessible too, and both the technology and the legal environment is evolving. Accessible media is already available online at some major media sites and the work done by providers can inform work that...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andrew Kirkpatrick, Craig Cuttner, Glenn Goldstein, Shane Feldman
Join this fun, interactive core conversation and learn best practices and practical tips for using your social media voice to spark social action in the real world. Whether you care about supporting local schools, raisin...
Movember is a global movement committed to raising awareness and funds for critical men’s health issues. Over the last seven years, Movember has grown from a handful of friends in Australia to the largest non-governmen...
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
5:00PM - 6:00PM
A hands-on crowd experience of leading edge technologies, this panel seeks to define what the key factors of making new technology work in a promotional marketing program or experiential state. And believe it or not, it...
How are public television stations positioning themselves for the future? Are they producers, curators of existing content or simply another model all together? The legacy model of public TV is changing -- quickly. Now,...
Intermediate
Presenters
Angee Simmons, David Neff, Kevin Dando, Kliff Kuehl, Shane Guiter
Saman Arbabi will use his signature wit to relate how the satirical TV program challenges the oppressive Iranian regime all the while influencing the direction of the country’s political landscape. The program, “Para...
The combination of mobile + social + local is a powerful, yet misunderstood, communication channel. When people hear about it, they often conjure up a “Minority Report” world where companies track their every move to...
Intermediate
Presenters
Chris Messina, Jeff Rohrs, Matt Galligan, Scott Kveton
In an election year that is as divisive as any in recent memory, a snarky, slightly jaded and unflinching group of funny folk are taking action and making an impact on the political scene. Learn how the internet empowere...
Intermediate
Presenters
Alf LaMont, Carol Hartsell, Greg Proops, Rory Albanese, Sara Benincasa
Brands today exist in multiple mediums, defined by multiple voices. The media brands inhabit is iterative, with no beginning, no end, and little permanency. In that context, adherence to a big idea and endless repetition...
Advanced
Presenters
Greg Johnson, Marc Shillum, Robin Lanahan, Walter Werzowa
You're David, they're Goliath. You're a small company, they are industry giants. You're fast and innovative. They move markets. You just wish they would move those markets in your direction!
How do you close that deal? ...
Advanced
Presenters
Alex Barnett, Jay Lee, Pamela O'Hara, Scott McMullan, Sunir Shah
Dinner parties are the ultimate social experience that no digital technology will ever replicate. You sit face-to-face with others, sharing an experience that uses all five of your senses. It's the original social networ...
The internet is a never-ending data source. Through it we are able to monitor visitor activity, study traffic patterns, and use these analytics to help guide users in the directions we want. Usability testing gives us be...
Beginner
Presenters
Jane Leibrock, Laurel Hechanova, Naz Hamid, Phil Coffman, William Couch
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Bob Vila remains a household name, 32 years after the premiere of his first TV series, “This Old House.” Many consider him the father of reality television. How does digital video contribute to the strength of his b...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Vila, Gretchen Grant, Joseph Epstein, Stefanie Lemcke, Steven Masur
So you’ve developed a loyal consumer-base and built a strong foundation for your business. Now what? Thrillist’s evolving business model has been making headlines: by “mingling content and commerce” (New York Tim...
Always a much-anticipated part of the festival, the 30-second shorts, or bumpers, that play prior to each film can set the tone for an entire festival. They can build excitement, mood, and become talking points in their ...
Beginner
Presenters
Clay Liford, Geoff Marslett, Joseph Nicolosi, Lauren Wolkstein, Zach Anner
The future of mobile interaction & feedback networks may not be wrapped in a mobile phone interface at all. Let’s talk about what feedback networks and invisible information gathering can mean for mobile experience...
Advanced
Presenters
Fritz Desir, Myriam Joire, Nick Holroyd, Reno Marioni
Always a much-anticipated part of the festival, the 30-second shorts, or bumpers, that play prior to each film can set the tone for an entire festival. They can build excitement, mood, and become talking points in their ...
Beginner
Presenters
Clay Liford, Geoff Marslett, Joseph Nicolosi, Lauren Wolkstein, Zach Anner
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
At SXSW 2011, there were tweets where people were just coming to the realization that not everyone out there has a smart phone or tablet. This panel is designed to demonstrate how those who live and work in communities w...
Beginner
Presenters
Allison Aldridge-Saur, Dean Davis, Dee Davis, Eric Martin
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom B
5:00PM - 6:00PM
Check out four teams that have combined machines, specialized interactive software and the web to create rich interactive experiences. The result: Raving audiences and media buzz. Breakthrough interactive machines includ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Arundi Venkayya, FK Funderburke, Justin Bayer, Nathan Martin, Patrice Hall
People want to confess who they are to someone, anyone. And they want to discover who they are through that dialogue. Bonding occurs through disclosure and empathetic acceptance of that disclosure, as a result of confess...
Most startup entrepreneurs, investors and incubators will tell you that two founders are better than one. What they won't tell you is two founders are more likely to try to kill each other - or at least kill their startu...
Beginner
Presenters
Alexandra Cavoulacos, Kathryn Minshew, Orian Marx, Seth Blank, Vivek Sharma
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Bob Vila remains a household name, 32 years after the premiere of his first TV series, “This Old House.” Many consider him the father of reality television. How does digital video contribute to the strength of his b...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Vila, Gretchen Grant, Joseph Epstein, Stefanie Lemcke, Steven Masur
Higher education isn't known for early adoption of innovation. As an industry, it tends to lag behind. This has been generally true of social media implementation as well. And yet some institutions have been successful a...
Commerce and content have never been so intertwined. Fashion editors are jumping ship from magazines to join leading e-commerce platforms, while editorial destinations are introducing local deals and e-shops left and rig...
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Consumers don’t believe marketing. We believe our experiences. Our friends’ experiences. Even complete strangers’ experiences. In an always-on, social media-enabled world, consumer experiences – and consumers’ ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bobby Johns, Britton Upham, Henri Mazza, Rick Wittenbraker, Valerie Petrusson
Funders vs. Funded... The Rise of Pharma VC's: A discussion with Pharma about their new VC funds. The Funded: A discussion with recently funded health tech startups. This session is sponsored by Edelman....
Beginner
Presenters
Andy Donner, Geoffrey Rutledge, Jen McCabe, Stead Burwell
This panel is about the many ways in which modern internet adoption and use mirrors the development of agrarian sharecropping in the South following the Civil War- whereby African Americans provided massive amounts of l...
In 2009, a mild traumatic brain injury changed the way that game designer Jane McGonigal thought about everything -- literally. She spent a year recovering -- struggling to think clearly, be physically active, and find a...
Applying lessons learned from running a small consulting company to working in a large corporation. We don't all work for small, sexy startups. The majority of us work for large, sometimes soulless corporations that oper...
You're David, they're Goliath. You're a small company, they are industry giants. You're fast and innovative. They move markets. You just wish they would move those markets in your direction!
How do you close that deal? ...
Advanced
Presenters
Alex Barnett, Jay Lee, Pamela O'Hara, Scott McMullan, Sunir Shah
The combination of mobile + social + local is a powerful, yet misunderstood, communication channel. When people hear about it, they often conjure up a “Minority Report” world where companies track their every move to...
Intermediate
Presenters
Chris Messina, Jeff Rohrs, Matt Galligan, Scott Kveton
We all have a zillion tasks that need to be done now. Does multitasking help you work more efficiently and productively? Or does it allow you to do lots of things poorly? Is it better to focus on one task at a time and ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Adam Gazzaley, David Meyer, Peter Bregman, Rachel Emma Silverman
You built a product. It's amazing, brilliant, even earth-shattering. You know it, your team knows it, your mom knows it. So why doesn't anyone else seem to get it? The answer may be that you haven't told them the right s...
The “quantified self” trend of tracking and tweaking physical performance is all the rage in Silicon Valley, especially among type-A data geeks and weekend-warriors hoping to gain an athletic edge. But the most inter...
Intermediate
Presenters
Daniel Wetmore, Dave Asprey, Megan Miller, Michael Scanlon
The Prius X Parlee (PXP) bike asks the world to consider: “What if the Prius weren’t a car?” Inspired by the Prius philosophy, the PXP is the latest innovation from Toyota and Saatchi LA, as part of Toyota Prius Pr...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Zeinstra, Bob Parlee, Chris Adams, John Watson, Patrick Miller
Most startup entrepreneurs, investors and incubators will tell you that two founders are better than one. What they won't tell you is two founders are more likely to try to kill each other - or at least kill their startu...
Beginner
Presenters
Alexandra Cavoulacos, Kathryn Minshew, Orian Marx, Seth Blank, Vivek Sharma
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
The 90’s introduced people to the wonders of dial-up internet, screen names, and the pursuit of digital romance. The only problem was, we never really knew who was on the other end of the screen. Today, there’s a hig...
Formula One racing represents the pinnacle of motorsport where every intricate detail contributes to the overall success of the car and the team. Safety features, tire design and even organization of pit crews have a far...
Moments of joy... moments of happiness... moments of gratitude. These are all moments that describe our lives. It is very easy to mistake these as only moments that happen in real life. One fundamental key part of how t...
Lifestyle media is big business. And in a down economy, DIY culture (sewing, canning, etc.) has seen a trendy resurgence. But the lifestyle industry is rapidly changing. How can you break in? Once in, how do you stay...
Beginner
Presenters
Andrew Wagner, Camille Styles, Grace Bonney, Tolly Moseley
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
Green is allegedly the new black. If that’s true, why does it seem so many people are confounded by their own energy use? (Who among us can say with any certainty how many kWh our flat screen TVs use? And what is a ...
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
When it comes to shaping video content for target audiences, how real-time can we get? Dynamic iMedia allows digital agencies to track who's watching what content, where they're watching it, and for how long. But how can...
Advanced
Presenters
Bryan Mochizuki, John Havens, Mark Hillman, Matt Naylor, Sally Daub
How are public television stations positioning themselves for the future? Are they producers, curators of existing content or simply another model all together? The legacy model of public TV is changing -- quickly. Now,...
Intermediate
Presenters
Angee Simmons, David Neff, Kevin Dando, Kliff Kuehl, Shane Guiter
Are you struggling to market your startup? Do you have a great idea, but aren’t sure how to reach your audience and get customers? Even if you have the greatest product, marketing your product may be more difficult t...
Always a much-anticipated part of the festival, the 30-second shorts, or bumpers, that play prior to each film can set the tone for an entire festival. They can build excitement, mood, and become talking points in their ...
Beginner
Presenters
Clay Liford, Geoff Marslett, Joseph Nicolosi, Lauren Wolkstein, Zach Anner
RFPs are like online dating. The WORST KIND of online dating. Imagine an online dating experience where all users have uniform information provided, one picture (and there's no telling how old it is...), a host of clinic...
In the summer of 2011, New Me, the first technology accelerator focused on African American's was launched. The inaugural class was covered by the CNN documentary "Black in America" along with an exploration of...
Beginner
Presenters
Hajj Flemings, Hank Williams, Jason Samuels, Soledad O'Brien, Wayne Sutton
Social media companions and multiscreen viewing experiences are now as synonymous with premiere, primetime television as your living room couch. However, what does all this multitasking and social engagement mean for the...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Helms, David Jones, Ellen Stone, Susie Fogelson, Tara O'Donnell
You're David, they're Goliath. You're a small company, they are industry giants. You're fast and innovative. They move markets. You just wish they would move those markets in your direction!
How do you close that deal? ...
Advanced
Presenters
Alex Barnett, Jay Lee, Pamela O'Hara, Scott McMullan, Sunir Shah
Technology startups are beginning to focus on traditional, regulated industries that until now haven’t seen many startup entrants. But taking on archaic, multi-billion-dollar industries isn’t easy. Startups face a va...
Intermediate
Presenters
Adam Oliveri, Aza Raskin, Jessica Scorpio, Matt Harris, Shamir Karkal
Moments of joy... moments of happiness... moments of gratitude. These are all moments that describe our lives. It is very easy to mistake these as only moments that happen in real life. One fundamental key part of how t...
Passion for social issues has been an American ideal from the start. For hundreds of years, foundations and nonprofit organizations have been forming groups to provide support, comfort, and solutions to some of the worl...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Wallis, Dave Dobbins, Kesah Schmitt, Mark Himmelsbach, Scott Orn
The Prius X Parlee (PXP) bike asks the world to consider: “What if the Prius weren’t a car?” Inspired by the Prius philosophy, the PXP is the latest innovation from Toyota and Saatchi LA, as part of Toyota Prius Pr...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Zeinstra, Bob Parlee, Chris Adams, John Watson, Patrick Miller
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Consumers don’t believe marketing. We believe our experiences. Our friends’ experiences. Even complete strangers’ experiences. In an always-on, social media-enabled world, consumer experiences – and consumers’ ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bobby Johns, Britton Upham, Henri Mazza, Rick Wittenbraker, Valerie Petrusson
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
5:00PM - 6:00PM
A hands-on crowd experience of leading edge technologies, this panel seeks to define what the key factors of making new technology work in a promotional marketing program or experiential state. And believe it or not, it...
Who gives a crap that you spoke at South By Southwest? It only counts if you crush it. We created the Cranky Talk Workshops a couple of years ago in a dedicated effort to eradicate mediocre conference presentations and n...
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
5:00PM - 6:00PM
A hands-on crowd experience of leading edge technologies, this panel seeks to define what the key factors of making new technology work in a promotional marketing program or experiential state. And believe it or not, it...
Show Me The Money: Where to get funding and what are they interested in? Presentations by VC's, Health Incubators (e.g. Blueprint Health and Startup Health), and other funders. This session is sponsored by Edelman....
Beginner
Presenters
Brad Weinberg, John Pugh, Michele Polz, Unity Stoakes
In an election year that is as divisive as any in recent memory, a snarky, slightly jaded and unflinching group of funny folk are taking action and making an impact on the political scene. Learn how the internet empowere...
Intermediate
Presenters
Alf LaMont, Carol Hartsell, Greg Proops, Rory Albanese, Sara Benincasa
Show Me The Money: Where to get funding and what are they interested in? Presentations by VC's, Health Incubators (e.g. Blueprint Health and Startup Health), and other funders. This session is sponsored by Edelman....
Beginner
Presenters
Brad Weinberg, John Pugh, Michele Polz, Unity Stoakes
People want to confess who they are to someone, anyone. And they want to discover who they are through that dialogue. Bonding occurs through disclosure and empathetic acceptance of that disclosure, as a result of confess...
Technology startups are beginning to focus on traditional, regulated industries that until now haven’t seen many startup entrants. But taking on archaic, multi-billion-dollar industries isn’t easy. Startups face a va...
Intermediate
Presenters
Adam Oliveri, Aza Raskin, Jessica Scorpio, Matt Harris, Shamir Karkal
Join Shift & Reset author, Brian Reich, for this live podcast kicking off the discussion about the big themes of the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival. Brian will talk with some of SXSW's hottest speakers about the bes...
The Lean Startup debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list. This talk draws on stories and insights from the book, explaining the new science of entrepreneurship. Most startups fail. But many of those failure...
RFPs are like online dating. The WORST KIND of online dating. Imagine an online dating experience where all users have uniform information provided, one picture (and there's no telling how old it is...), a host of clinic...
More and more products and services are designed around motivating users and incentivizing change. Products and services in finance, health and the environment, among other areas, are increasingly designed around influen...
The combination of mobile + social + local is a powerful, yet misunderstood, communication channel. When people hear about it, they often conjure up a “Minority Report” world where companies track their every move to...
Intermediate
Presenters
Chris Messina, Jeff Rohrs, Matt Galligan, Scott Kveton
Everybody talks about the “cloud” as if it is a digital savior. A beautiful white fluffy (free) cloud on a blue-sky day. Sounds nice, huh? But what if it’s a storm cloud? Today – there is a mad rush to move pictu...
It has become an article of faith that the United States and Europe are declining powers, that power is transferring from West to East, and from North to South. In truth, the far more powerful and important dynamic is th...
How do I get around Austin? When should I arrive to get into my movie? Which panels are must-see? How can I be sure to hit the best parties? From navigating Austin to finding the best eats to networking and maximizing s...
Beginner
Presenters
Basil Tsiokos, George Rush, Jette Kernion, Joel Heller, Agnes Varnum
Funders vs. Funded... The Rise of Pharma VC's: A discussion with Pharma about their new VC funds. The Funded: A discussion with recently funded health tech startups. This session is sponsored by Edelman....
Beginner
Presenters
Andy Donner, Geoffrey Rutledge, Jen McCabe, Stead Burwell
In the summer of 2011, New Me, the first technology accelerator focused on African American's was launched. The inaugural class was covered by the CNN documentary "Black in America" along with an exploration of...
Beginner
Presenters
Hajj Flemings, Hank Williams, Jason Samuels, Soledad O'Brien, Wayne Sutton
It takes a lot of money and effort to get to SXSW. Now that you've made it to Austin for the big event, what are the tips, tricks, and best practices you can use to effectively raise your profile?...
This session is geared towards UX designers, strategists, and developers who are interested in or currently working in the mobile design/development and mobile marketing segment. Wearing many hats over the past 15 years,...
Werewolf, a variation of the Mafia game, is spreading like wildfire in the tech social circles. We've hosted overnight games in secret in the past at SXSW, but this time, we want to get more people involved. The game is ...
Has your creative engine stalled out? Don’t worry; you’re in good company. Everyone needs a creative tune-up from time-to-time and this is where you’ll get the tools for the job. Artist/designer Noah Scalin, author...
The “quantified self” trend of tracking and tweaking physical performance is all the rage in Silicon Valley, especially among type-A data geeks and weekend-warriors hoping to gain an athletic edge. But the most inter...
Intermediate
Presenters
Daniel Wetmore, Dave Asprey, Megan Miller, Michael Scanlon
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
This panel offers an insider’s guide into the process behind creating customized digital magazine content and configuring it for delivery across multiple mobile devices. Moderated by Next Issue Media CTO, Keith Barrac...
Advanced
Presenters
Chris Wilkes, Joe Simon, Keith Barraclough, Liz Schimel, Perry Solomon
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
Passion for social issues has been an American ideal from the start. For hundreds of years, foundations and nonprofit organizations have been forming groups to provide support, comfort, and solutions to some of the worl...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Wallis, Dave Dobbins, Kesah Schmitt, Mark Himmelsbach, Scott Orn
Nobody likes waiting in line, whether for a party or an exclusive beta invite, unless they can skip it or be the “cool kid” who doles out invites to friends. RockMelt tested this theory when their browser initially l...
An outspoken pioneer in the modern computing era, and best known as the “Father of Visual Basic” and inventor of “personas,” Cooper will share rare insights into the evolution of software and interaction design b...
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
Technology startups are beginning to focus on traditional, regulated industries that until now haven’t seen many startup entrants. But taking on archaic, multi-billion-dollar industries isn’t easy. Startups face a va...
Intermediate
Presenters
Adam Oliveri, Aza Raskin, Jessica Scorpio, Matt Harris, Shamir Karkal
The rules have changed. The traditional PR model—sticking closely to a preset script and campaign timeline—no longer works the way it used to. Public discourse now moves so fast and so dynamically that all it takes ...
Nobody likes waiting in line, whether for a party or an exclusive beta invite, unless they can skip it or be the “cool kid” who doles out invites to friends. RockMelt tested this theory when their browser initially l...
This'll be my best presentation on small houses, ever! I'll show why maintaining a diminutive footprint is the surest green thing you can do if you're building a new house. I'll reveal why American laws prohibiting small...
You're David, they're Goliath. You're a small company, they are industry giants. You're fast and innovative. They move markets. You just wish they would move those markets in your direction!
How do you close that deal? ...
Advanced
Presenters
Alex Barnett, Jay Lee, Pamela O'Hara, Scott McMullan, Sunir Shah
At a moment of mass media disruption, public radio is kicking ass. Its broadcast audience is growing while others shrink; it rules the podcast charts on iTunes and pushes out awesome mobile apps for shows like This Ameri...
Most startup entrepreneurs, investors and incubators will tell you that two founders are better than one. What they won't tell you is two founders are more likely to try to kill each other - or at least kill their startu...
Beginner
Presenters
Alexandra Cavoulacos, Kathryn Minshew, Orian Marx, Seth Blank, Vivek Sharma
Commerce and content have never been so intertwined. Fashion editors are jumping ship from magazines to join leading e-commerce platforms, while editorial destinations are introducing local deals and e-shops left and rig...
Brands today exist in multiple mediums, defined by multiple voices. The media brands inhabit is iterative, with no beginning, no end, and little permanency. In that context, adherence to a big idea and endless repetition...
Advanced
Presenters
Greg Johnson, Marc Shillum, Robin Lanahan, Walter Werzowa
We all have a zillion tasks that need to be done now. Does multitasking help you work more efficiently and productively? Or does it allow you to do lots of things poorly? Is it better to focus on one task at a time and ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Adam Gazzaley, David Meyer, Peter Bregman, Rachel Emma Silverman
Location-based technology has played a significant role in the recent expansion and growth of social media. That role is set to further explode in the coming years. As the leading all-male mobile location-based social ne...
How are public television stations positioning themselves for the future? Are they producers, curators of existing content or simply another model all together? The legacy model of public TV is changing -- quickly. Now,...
Intermediate
Presenters
Angee Simmons, David Neff, Kevin Dando, Kliff Kuehl, Shane Guiter
This panel offers an insider’s guide into the process behind creating customized digital magazine content and configuring it for delivery across multiple mobile devices. Moderated by Next Issue Media CTO, Keith Barrac...
Advanced
Presenters
Chris Wilkes, Joe Simon, Keith Barraclough, Liz Schimel, Perry Solomon
Pottermore. MuggleNet. The Leaky Cauldron. Huge conferences like Infinitus 2010 and LeakyCon 2011. What makes Potter fan communities thrive? Is the success simply due to the size of the fandom, or is there real magic hap...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andrew Sims, Brenda Huettner, Heidi Tandy, Lisa Bunker, Melissa Anelli
Applying lessons learned from running a small consulting company to working in a large corporation. We don't all work for small, sexy startups. The majority of us work for large, sometimes soulless corporations that oper...
People want to confess who they are to someone, anyone. And they want to discover who they are through that dialogue. Bonding occurs through disclosure and empathetic acceptance of that disclosure, as a result of confess...
This panel offers an insider’s guide into the process behind creating customized digital magazine content and configuring it for delivery across multiple mobile devices. Moderated by Next Issue Media CTO, Keith Barrac...
Advanced
Presenters
Chris Wilkes, Joe Simon, Keith Barraclough, Liz Schimel, Perry Solomon
RFPs are like online dating. The WORST KIND of online dating. Imagine an online dating experience where all users have uniform information provided, one picture (and there's no telling how old it is...), a host of clinic...
This is a “come as you are” session meant to accommodate mixed levels of experience with minimal need for special equipment or previous experience (read: no mats or yoga clothing required.) Special emphasis is placed...
Show Me The Money: Where to get funding and what are they interested in? Presentations by VC's, Health Incubators (e.g. Blueprint Health and Startup Health), and other funders. This session is sponsored by Edelman....
Beginner
Presenters
Brad Weinberg, John Pugh, Michele Polz, Unity Stoakes
Bing Gordon knows how to spread magic dust: Look anywhere from Amazon to Zynga. A master of disruption, he's blessed with 20/20 vision into all things gaming and social. Go beyond the buzzwords as the former Electronic A...
Social media companions and multiscreen viewing experiences are now as synonymous with premiere, primetime television as your living room couch. However, what does all this multitasking and social engagement mean for the...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Helms, David Jones, Ellen Stone, Susie Fogelson, Tara O'Donnell
Lifestyle media is big business. And in a down economy, DIY culture (sewing, canning, etc.) has seen a trendy resurgence. But the lifestyle industry is rapidly changing. How can you break in? Once in, how do you stay...
Beginner
Presenters
Andrew Wagner, Camille Styles, Grace Bonney, Tolly Moseley
Why Invest in Health Tech? Education, Inspiration, and Funding Advice for (Social) Health Tech Startups. This session is sponsored by Health 2.0 and Boehringer Ingelheim...
In the summer of 2011, New Me, the first technology accelerator focused on African American's was launched. The inaugural class was covered by the CNN documentary "Black in America" along with an exploration of...
Beginner
Presenters
Hajj Flemings, Hank Williams, Jason Samuels, Soledad O'Brien, Wayne Sutton
Congratulations: you've been acquired! First comes an initial high from the money and the attention.
Often company acquisitions that seem like a great idea result in disappointment, a mass exodus, the technology being t...
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
Pottermore. MuggleNet. The Leaky Cauldron. Huge conferences like Infinitus 2010 and LeakyCon 2011. What makes Potter fan communities thrive? Is the success simply due to the size of the fandom, or is there real magic hap...
Intermediate
Presenters
Andrew Sims, Brenda Huettner, Heidi Tandy, Lisa Bunker, Melissa Anelli
The continuing global economic and political crisis should be the wakeup call to the world. We need to rethink and rebuild many of the organizations and institutions that have served us well for decades, even centuries,...
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
Mobile social networking apps continue to grow in popularity, a trend that gives emerging technology companies a unique chance to partner with entertainment channels to provide audiences with an enhanced, personalized ex...
Intermediate
Presenters
Jared Hecht, Kimber Myers, Mike Scogin, Paul Chang, Tom Thai
Green is allegedly the new black. If that’s true, why does it seem so many people are confounded by their own energy use? (Who among us can say with any certainty how many kWh our flat screen TVs use? And what is a ...
Wireless Power is not a new technology. Like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, it radically changes the way people are able to live their lives, offering new levels of mobility, convenience, and safety. Just think of all the power a...
What is an Electric Health Record (EHR)? In the HITECH Act, the Federal Government both answered the question and rendered it moot. They created a new term, "meaningful use." An EHR is that which can achieve me...
How do I get around Austin? When should I arrive to get into my movie? Which panels are must-see? How can I be sure to hit the best parties? From navigating Austin to finding the best eats to networking and maximizing s...
Beginner
Presenters
Basil Tsiokos, George Rush, Jette Kernion, Joel Heller, Agnes Varnum
Dinner parties are the ultimate social experience that no digital technology will ever replicate. You sit face-to-face with others, sharing an experience that uses all five of your senses. It's the original social networ...
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Consumers don’t believe marketing. We believe our experiences. Our friends’ experiences. Even complete strangers’ experiences. In an always-on, social media-enabled world, consumer experiences – and consumers’ ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bobby Johns, Britton Upham, Henri Mazza, Rick Wittenbraker, Valerie Petrusson
How do I get around Austin? When should I arrive to get into my movie? Which panels are must-see? How can I be sure to hit the best parties? From navigating Austin to finding the best eats to networking and maximizing s...
Beginner
Presenters
Basil Tsiokos, George Rush, Jette Kernion, Joel Heller, Agnes Varnum
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom B
5:00PM - 6:00PM
Check out four teams that have combined machines, specialized interactive software and the web to create rich interactive experiences. The result: Raving audiences and media buzz. Breakthrough interactive machines includ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Arundi Venkayya, FK Funderburke, Justin Bayer, Nathan Martin, Patrice Hall
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Bob Vila remains a household name, 32 years after the premiere of his first TV series, “This Old House.” Many consider him the father of reality television. How does digital video contribute to the strength of his b...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Vila, Gretchen Grant, Joseph Epstein, Stefanie Lemcke, Steven Masur
Nobody likes waiting in line, whether for a party or an exclusive beta invite, unless they can skip it or be the “cool kid” who doles out invites to friends. RockMelt tested this theory when their browser initially l...
Lifestyle media is big business. And in a down economy, DIY culture (sewing, canning, etc.) has seen a trendy resurgence. But the lifestyle industry is rapidly changing. How can you break in? Once in, how do you stay...
Beginner
Presenters
Andrew Wagner, Camille Styles, Grace Bonney, Tolly Moseley
You've updated LinkedIn. Created your about.me profile. Nailed your elevator pitch. Congratulations! You finally landed that elusive interview. Now what? Demand for talent in the tech industry is supposedly at an all-tim...
Passion for social issues has been an American ideal from the start. For hundreds of years, foundations and nonprofit organizations have been forming groups to provide support, comfort, and solutions to some of the worl...
Intermediate
Presenters
Colin Wallis, Dave Dobbins, Kesah Schmitt, Mark Himmelsbach, Scott Orn
You have the vision, you have the product, and you have the funding; it’s your time to make a splash. How do you turn a brilliant vision into a successful reality? Without the proper launch strategy, even the best idea...
Beginner
Presenters
Alex Constantinople, Brandee Barker, Kira Wampler, Margit Wennmachers
Bringing together top filmmakers, change agents & digital communicators, this panel will share practical tips, tools & tactics for activists, non-profit pros, volunteers & creatives to affect social change th...
Intermediate
Presenters
Dorothy Engelman, Meghan Warby, Rob Dyer, Sherien Barsoum
With responsive design designers need to rethink the process they go through to work with clients and developers to create successful visual designs. Rather than creating traditional comps, style tiles are a deliverable ...
The Prius X Parlee (PXP) bike asks the world to consider: “What if the Prius weren’t a car?” Inspired by the Prius philosophy, the PXP is the latest innovation from Toyota and Saatchi LA, as part of Toyota Prius Pr...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Zeinstra, Bob Parlee, Chris Adams, John Watson, Patrick Miller
Quick and effective communication may run afoul of traditional Jewish culture for the “The People of the Book.” Consuming information in 140 characters requires true customization of message. Branding a nonprofit i...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Watts, Brian Block, Jennifer-Joy Bronk, Leisa Holland-Nelson, William Daroff
World food systems hang in a balance--the latest tech only hints at what’s coming. Consider the future of social tools with us, using a seafood lens. DNA testing, barcode scanning, big data and ubiquitous computing mea...
World food systems hang in a balance--the latest tech only hints at what’s coming. Consider the future of social tools with us, using a seafood lens. DNA testing, barcode scanning, big data and ubiquitous computing mea...
Show Me The Money: Where to get funding and what are they interested in? Presentations by VC's, Health Incubators (e.g. Blueprint Health and Startup Health), and other funders. This session is sponsored by Edelman....
Beginner
Presenters
Brad Weinberg, John Pugh, Michele Polz, Unity Stoakes
You have the vision, you have the product, and you have the funding; it’s your time to make a splash. How do you turn a brilliant vision into a successful reality? Without the proper launch strategy, even the best idea...
Beginner
Presenters
Alex Constantinople, Brandee Barker, Kira Wampler, Margit Wennmachers
Brands today exist in multiple mediums, defined by multiple voices. The media brands inhabit is iterative, with no beginning, no end, and little permanency. In that context, adherence to a big idea and endless repetition...
Advanced
Presenters
Greg Johnson, Marc Shillum, Robin Lanahan, Walter Werzowa
The “quantified self” trend of tracking and tweaking physical performance is all the rage in Silicon Valley, especially among type-A data geeks and weekend-warriors hoping to gain an athletic edge. But the most inter...
Intermediate
Presenters
Daniel Wetmore, Dave Asprey, Megan Miller, Michael Scanlon
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom B
3:30PM - 4:30PM
What if agencies and marketers created products and services, not just ads? And what if they made these things for themselves, not just for clients? They do. But tackling things like product design, creating new business...
This panel offers an insider’s guide into the process behind creating customized digital magazine content and configuring it for delivery across multiple mobile devices. Moderated by Next Issue Media CTO, Keith Barrac...
Advanced
Presenters
Chris Wilkes, Joe Simon, Keith Barraclough, Liz Schimel, Perry Solomon
In the summer of 2011, New Me, the first technology accelerator focused on African American's was launched. The inaugural class was covered by the CNN documentary "Black in America" along with an exploration of...
Beginner
Presenters
Hajj Flemings, Hank Williams, Jason Samuels, Soledad O'Brien, Wayne Sutton
Who gives a crap that you spoke at South By Southwest? It only counts if you crush it. We created the Cranky Talk Workshops a couple of years ago in a dedicated effort to eradicate mediocre conference presentations and n...
Communities of color are never a homogeneous or monolithic group. So developing an ethnically diverse community will require more than focusing on statistics such as income and education levels. Knowing where to find com...
InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Capital Ballroom A
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Consumers don’t believe marketing. We believe our experiences. Our friends’ experiences. Even complete strangers’ experiences. In an always-on, social media-enabled world, consumer experiences – and consumers’ ...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bobby Johns, Britton Upham, Henri Mazza, Rick Wittenbraker, Valerie Petrusson
Always a much-anticipated part of the festival, the 30-second shorts, or bumpers, that play prior to each film can set the tone for an entire festival. They can build excitement, mood, and become talking points in their ...
Beginner
Presenters
Clay Liford, Geoff Marslett, Joseph Nicolosi, Lauren Wolkstein, Zach Anner
A story can be told in a million different ways and constantly improving technology makes it even more fun for anyone to tell their story in their own unique way.
Brands and individuals equally need to embrace that they...
Intermediate
Presenters
Becky Johns, CC Chapman, Charlie Wollborg, Karl Gude
Moments of joy... moments of happiness... moments of gratitude. These are all moments that describe our lives. It is very easy to mistake these as only moments that happen in real life. One fundamental key part of how t...
A new addition to SXSW Interactive 2012, Mentor Sessions enable less-established new media professionals to gain seven minutes of direct one-on-one career-related council from a more established / more experienced new me...
In this panel, we will focus on queer new media art and philosophy that uses and intervenes into the viral to form a radical politics of revolt and utopia. Viral will be engaged with technically, philosophically, artisti...
The Prius X Parlee (PXP) bike asks the world to consider: “What if the Prius weren’t a car?” Inspired by the Prius philosophy, the PXP is the latest innovation from Toyota and Saatchi LA, as part of Toyota Prius Pr...
Intermediate
Presenters
Bob Zeinstra, Bob Parlee, Chris Adams, John Watson, Patrick Miller
Human or Machine? Who really knows what videos you're going to like best? Online video curation is in a heated battle between algorithmic curation and human, editorial selection. Let's settle this debate once and for al...
Human or Machine? Who really knows what videos you're going to like best? Online video curation is in a heated battle between algorithmic curation and human, editorial selection. Let's settle this debate once and for al...
