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South by Southwest 2011: Top Three Predictions

I’m attending SXSW Interactive once again in March. As in prior years, over the course of five days, I’ll assess the overall themes that garner my attention and then write a summary of the most compelling storyline that emerges.

Based on the buzz leading up to the event, and having reviewed the current schedule of SXSWi Sessions, I can somewhat predict three key theme possibilities:
  1. The previously independent Music, Film and Interactive festivals will continue to converge around common-ground -- as an example, with Transmedia or cross-communication projects becoming more mainstream activities this year. 
  2. The term “User-Generated Content” will likely disappear as a description applied to all low-budget content creators -- it’s inappropriate for the multitude of talented writers, musicians and videographers that produce quality digital media. 
  3. Bloggers that contribute to Content Factories (aka content farms), and the companies that host their material, will be targeted as the latest foe of traditional media -- as mainstream newspapers and trade publications continue their decline.
Last year I wrote about a few of the vendors that provided interesting product/service demos to me at their trade show booth. I intend to do the same again this year, if I’m able to devote the time.

Looking Forward to South by Southwest 2011

If you’re a Session presenter and would like to connect with me at South by Southwest, then please do stop by the press lounge – I’ll be there during most of the breaks between sessions, and also attending some press briefings.

If you’re an author, publicist or book publisher, then do reach out to me before the start of SXSW. I’ll gladly consider reading a review copy of your latest media business-oriented title. FYI, my current reading list includes “Content Rules,” “Tell to Win” and “Enchantment.”

If you’re part of the UKTI “Digital Mission” delegation, welcome to Austin. I will try to find the time to connect with you during your stay. Note, I’ll be coming to the UK in the spring and I’m very interested to meet entrepreneurs that are based in the “East London Tech City” – potentially for a follow-on meeting.

Here are some of my editorials about prior observations at the South by Southwest (SXSW) event in Austin, Texas.
 

SXSW 2010: Free-Market for Earned Media

SXSW Recognizes Multimedia Convergence

SXSW 2007: Digital Storytelling Phenomenon

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