A few SXSW panels…
Instead of discussing an article this week, I’ll be doing a quick summary of a few of the panels I attended during SXSW. Sadly, I could not fully immerse myself during Interactive because I was working, but luckily I was able to take a break during a few shifts and attend a few. Here are some key things that I learned.
-Top Chef: How Transmedia is Changing TV: Besides the obvious (I love Top Chef), I attended this panel to learn about how the television channel, Bravo, is using different platforms to change television. With the inclusion of a new webseries titled “Last Chance Kitchen,” contestants are given the chance to get back in the show in a secret contest separate from the competition. On top of this, Top Chef has been engaging their fans using social media and “Twitter battles.” Last Chance Kitchen has been a total success, as it attracts around 25 percent of their total audience that saw that night’s episode. (The new LCK episode goes live right after the new episode broadcasts). The only concern, in terms of transmedia and Bravo as expressed by Lisa Hsia, is that social media analytics are not up to par and need to improve.
-Coding the Next Chapter of American History: Jennifer Pahlka presented this keynote speech. To be quite honest, I only attended because the following panel was Anthony Bourdain’s and I wanted a nice front row seat. I came out enlightened and excited for the future of the United States through apps. That sounds strange, eh? But it’s not. Pahlka’s keynote speech dives into her company “Code for America.” Deriving it’s name, and finding inspiration, from Teach for America, Code for America finds geeks from all over the country that are interested in working for the government. They help develop apps that better serve our community. One example is an app that was created by a fellow called “Adopt a Fire Hydrant.” During the winter, Bostonian residents adopt a fire hydrant to make sure that it isn’t covered in snow. This app helps organize and locate fire hydrants that are not adopted and find out who is. The point of the key note was to energize the audience that even geeks can get involved in the government and the best way to actually do something is to get involved as a citizen.
These are just brief summaries of two of the panels I attended. SX was really fun and I learned quite a bit (and watched wonderful films as well!). Volunteering definitely put a hamper on my ability to fully experience SX, but it’s okay as I loved volunteering. I can’t wait until next year!
