SXSW Interview Sessions: Mediaweek with Hardhat’s Dan Monheit

Posted on 16 March 2023

‘I come every year to refill my cup of ideas, inspiration and big-picture thinking for the 12 months ahead’

While SXSW is a Texas staple for many living in the US, there is always plenty of Australians that make the 24 (or more) hour pilgrimage to the Lone Star state. Throughout the conference, Mediaweek will be catching up with some of them to find out their key takeaways. Yesterday we featured TikTok’s head of business marketing AUNZ, Anny Havercroft. Today we chat with Dan Monheit the founder of indie creative agency Hardhat.

What’s been your thoughts on SXSW so far? What’s been your highlights, what do you plan to see?

After a slightly down year in 2022 (attendance was down around 25% on pre-pandemic levels), SXSW has been back in full force this year. The calibre of speakers has been phenomenal (openAI co-founder Greg Brockman, Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert, relationship guru Esther Perel, futurist Amy Webb, Instagram cofounder Kevin Systrom to name just a few) and the energy is electric.

Meeting Patty Mills at Australia House was definitely a highlight this year, as was the hugely impressive TikTok party (I mean networking event) on Saturday night. And Pete’s. You can’t do south-by without Pete’s.

Today’s my last day here so I’m hoping to finally get out to a bunch of the brand activations including Porsche, Dolby and Slack as well as the creative trade show on the ground floor.

Why did you come to SXSW 2023? Are you getting what you wanted out of the experience?

I come every year to refill my cup of ideas, inspiration and big-picture thinking for the 12 months ahead. This year has certainly met the brief. I’ve learnt so much about AI, seen how people are designing tech for space travel and heard from some of the world’s most inspiring founders and business leaders. As is always the case, I’ve met so many excellent people along the way (admittedly, often waiting together in lines).

Dan Monheit and friends at SXSW

What has been the biggest surprise so far?

I’ve come to be very cautious of panel sessions but the one at Australia House featuring basketball legend Patty Mills, culinary superstar Nornie Bero and the incredible guys from King Stingray was brilliant. All four talked about their deep connection to Australia and their experience taking their culture to the world. Each of them was so insightful, articulate and humble I left feeling more proud to be an Australian than ever before.

Would you do anything different so far given the chance?

Going home earlier on Saturday night! That daylight saving jump where 2am instantly becomes 3am gets me every time!

What’s the funniest or most quirky thing you’ve seen?

Austin is filled with the quirkiest, funniest people, especially when SXSW is on (and the music people start rolling in). Honestly, anything goes, from the senior citizen rockers to large groups of young guys in fairy wings, everyone’s just here to rock out and have a great time.