SXSW Sydney has unveiled its initial keynote speakers for the 2nd edition of its annual conference.
New York Times best-selling author of Magic Pill and Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention, Johann Hari, was the first Keynote speaker revealed for the 2024 program
Collectively, Hari’s TED Talks “Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong” and “This Could Be Why You Are Depressed or Anxious” have been viewed more than 93 million times and his books have been translated into 40 languages. Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention was named as a Book of the Year by The Financial Times, The New York Post, and The Spectator and won multiple awards.
Human rights lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, was the second announced Keynote Speaker. Robinson is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in London specialising in international law, media law and human rights. She has acted in key human rights and climate cases in domestic, regional and international courts, and has been a long-standing member of the legal team defending Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.
Her recent book, How Many More Women?, exposes how the law silences women and explores the legal backlash to the MeToo movement.
SXSW Sydney managing director, Colin Daniels said: “Our first two keynote speakers reflect our commitment to fostering challenging conversations. Discussing human rights and our wellbeing, intersecting with the rapidly evolving landscape of technology is more critical than ever. Our keynote speakers will ignite discussions that are not only timely but necessary, as we navigate the complexities of our modern world.”
Other SXSW Sydney 2024 speakers include:
• Min-Liang Tan – Co-Founder & CEO of Razer
• Amy Gallo – best-selling author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the Harvard Business Review Guide to Dealing with Conflict.
• Chad Lawson – Pianist, Composer, Podcaster and certified Breathwork Coach and Yogi
• Priyanka Khimani – global expert in entertainment and music rights, especially for India and the South Asian diaspora.
• Peony Hirwani – Senior Editor at Rolling Stone India
• Molly Taylor – Australian race car driver and winner of the Australian Rally Championship, European Ladies Championship and Peter Brock Medal, and first woman to drive the gruelling 14-day Dakar Rally race
• Karen Nelson-Field – CEO of Amplified Intelligence and author of best-sellers “Viral Marketing” and “The Attention Economy, How Media Works”
• Andrew Batey – entertainment & technology entrepreneur and Founder and Co-CEO of Beatdapp
The conference has also announced the first round of partners for the 2024 event. Returning for their second year are Super Sponsor CommBank, Strategic Sponsors NSW Government & Destination NSW, alongside UTS, Accenture, VentureCrowd, INVNT, Suntory -196, Clear Hayes, WPP, DEPT®, Canada House, Too Far Media, Screen NSW, and Remote.
New partners also include CyberCX, Procore, Aussie Broadband, B Lab, Alternaleaf, Papa Salt, Acer x Intel, Amplify, American Apparel, and RAC Arena.
SXSW Sydney takes place from 14-20 October 2024.