SXSW 2024

AI Takes Center Stage as Creators, Gen Alpha, and XR Share Some of the Spotlight

Report by Sky Canaves  | Mar 26, 2024
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Executive Summary
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary
AI led among the top trending themes at SXSW 2024
AI dominated the conference portion of this year’s event
The creator economy shows no signs of slowing down
Brand marketers are putting community at the forefront to build long-term value
Gen Alpha will exert a major influence on spending
Spatial computing is the new metaverse, but with better use cases
Insider Intelligence Interviews
Sources
Media Gallery
About This Report
Brands and marketers have an increasingly prominent presence at the annual technology, arts, and culture festival in Austin, Texas, which this year took place from March 8 to 16. We break down the key topics that drew the most attention from attendees.
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Brand Marketing
US
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
AI led among the top trending themes at SXSW 2024
AI dominated the conference portion of this year’s event
The creator economy shows no signs of slowing down
Brand marketers are putting community at the forefront to build long-term value
Gen Alpha will exert a major influence on spending
Spatial computing is the new metaverse, but with better use cases
Insider Intelligence Interviews
Sources
Media Gallery

The annual festival in Austin, Texas, has expanded far beyond its roots in music and film. The impact of new technologies such as generative AI (genAI) on brands and marketing was a major theme this year, as a wave of rapid developments reverberate across industries.

Key Question: What were the most relevant trends for brands and marketers at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2024?

AI Applications Holding the Most Promise According to US Retail CEOs vs. Managers
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Key Stat: Retail CEOs and management teams are most aligned in identifying genAI for personalized marketing and recommendation engines as a promising application of AI technology, at 46% and 50%, respectively, per First Insight.

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    Table of Contents

    1. Executive Summary
    2. AI led among the top trending themes at SXSW 2024
    3. AI dominated the conference portion of this year’s event
    4. The creator economy shows no signs of slowing down
    1. Brand marketers are putting community at the forefront to build long-term value
    2. Gen Alpha will exert a major influence on spending
    3. Spatial computing is the new metaverse, but with better use cases
    4. Insider Intelligence Interviews
    1. Sources
    2. Media Gallery

    Charts in This Report

    AI Applications Holding the Most Promise According to US Retail CEOs vs. ManagersFrequency With Which US Teens Use Select Social Media Platforms, Oct 2023 (% of respondents in each group)
    Connected Device Adoption Among US Children, 2024 (% of internet users)AR/VR Headset Shipments Worldwide, by Type, 2023 & 2027 (millions)

    Interviewed for This Report

    Roxy Young
    Reddit
    Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer
    Interviewed March 9, 2024

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    authors

    Sky Canaves

    Contributors

    Suzy Davidkhanian
    Principal Analyst, Retail & Ecommerce