Sparrow at SXSW: Day 3 Emerging tech trends and Jules Lund on TikTok addiction

Posted on 16 March 2022

Plus Lizzo Live: ‘She owned the stage and captivated the full house with her realness, talent, empathy’

Late last week Mediaweek’s Greg “Sparrow” Graham flew to the US to head to the return of an in-person South by Southwest (SXSW) conference.

Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and also festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture. The event dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals

Sparrow at SXSW: Day 3

At SXSW you really are spoilt for choice, so many diverse options from 15 tracks with over 1,400+ sessions spread across interactive, film and music. It would be very easy to get FOMO however you have to plan specific sessions that educate and inspire you. Then throw caution to the wind and check out some unknown selections that will surprise and delight you.

I started day three with a session titled Sports and the arts in Web3: Ownership for athletes and musicians. Insightful session on how sports talent and artists can grow their brands and followers locally and globally. Great perspectives from a talent agent at UTA, a blockchain creative specialist, and an NFL digital marketing expert.

SXSW

Always a highlight is Amy Webb’s keynote (a must-attend session every year) who launched her 2022 emerging tech trends report. Big focus on re-perception and her top three trends:

Artificial intelligence – the incredible acceleration, particularly in recognition, and surveillance
Metaverse, web3 – decentralisation, blockchain, and cryptos
Synthetic Biology – computer networks, food, ag tech, and health

Jules Lund at SXSW

Another super engaging session Has TikTok Won the Creator Wars? A powerhouse line-up in the social/creator space: Kerry Flynn – Media Deal reporter for Axios, Kaya Yurieff – Creator Economy reporter The Information, and our very own homegrown entrepreneur Jules Lund – founder of Tribe – sharing valuable insights. Some of Lund’s session quotes being shared on social media included:

“TikTok is the most addictive social media. It’s like crack.”

“Instagram is the Friday night app when you’re just about to go out, but TikTok is the Sunday morning when you’re laughing in your PJs with your friends in your bedroom.”

On a cultural level and being a fangirl, the real highlight of day 3 was Lizzo. The audience went wild and the mood was electric. Lizzo owned the stage and captivated the full house with her realness, talent, empathy and is outspoken on politics in Texas and issues that matter. The master promoter, Lizzo plugged her new Amazon Prime Video show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls. Loved her closing quote: “You have dreams and you never think they’re gonna happen. Then you look up, and you’re on an SXSW keynote stage talking about your new TV show.”