Both WPP and INVNT have partnered again with SXSW Sydney, with INVNT the sponsor and co-producer of the Discovery Stage, and the official experiential partner and WPP as an official partner
WPP will host clients, international guest speakers, and local innovators across 10 sessions focused on creativity and AI leadership. At the end of each day, it will host networking events for marketers.
“We couldn’t think of a better place to showcase creativity as a force for growth,” Rose Herceg, WPP country president in Australia and New Zealand, said.
“This year, our audience can expect to see what creative transformation supercharged by WPP Open – our intelligent marketing operating system powered by AI – looks like and learn how it is helping to future-proof our industry.”
On the 2024 Discovery Stage, featured within the SXSW Sydney Tech and Innovation Expo, INVNT will, for a second year, bring its expertise in production, brand storytelling and its “Challenge Everything” ethos to SXSW Sydney.
Adam Harriden, executive creative director of INVNT, told Mediaweek: “This year at SXSW Sydney, we challenge brands, partners, and attendees to ask themselves – what does innovation truly mean? Innovation isn’t only about exploring new technologies to transform the traditional.
“Innovation is about sparking conversations that challenge the status quo and can even change the way entire industries operate it’s about creating experiences that tap deep into everlasting memories, that resonate on a universally human level, and with whatever we do or create, taking our challenges on with a daring spirit to push boundaries, rather than following the traditional.
“The best things are often Australian-made, and we look forward to unveiling new collaborations, conversations, and experiential moments that will truly challenge the meaning of Innovation at SXSW Sydney 2024 and the world at large.”
Adam Harriden
Harriden said that INVNT is looking forward to creating a stage program that explores the latest developments in technology, art, business, commerce, and culture catalysing the future of creativity. He said last year’s SXSW was a “smorgasbord of creativity, commerce, and culture.”
“We’re looking forward to collaborating with brands and helping them understand that it’s not about pleasing everyone, but telling brand stories and experiences that resonate and are curated for specific audiences.
“One size doesn’t fit all at SXSW, so if you’re going to activate, you’re going to have to make it special; your presence at the festival full of changemakers and pioneers means that you have the potential to propel us into a future filled with lots of exciting opportunities and possibilities.”
This year, INVNT will bring more emerging ideas, experiential moments, and on-stage collaborations with INVNT.ATOM, the innovation-powered division of INVNT GROUP.
Laura Roberts, managing director of INVNT GROUP APAC, added that the agency looks forward to “collaborating with brands to infuse our hallmark creativity, storytelling, and innovation into a diverse range of activations, helping them stand out as disruptive brand pioneers amongst the crowd.”
Colin Daniels, managing director of SXSW Sydney, welcomed both WPP and INVNT back on board.
“INVNT’s “Challenge Everything” ethos aligns greatly with that of SXSW Sydney and their focus on innovation and powerful storytelling makes them the perfect partner to help us bring this element of the program to life,” he said.
Of WPP, Daniels continued: “Just like in 2023, WPP’s stage sessions will be a must-see for marketers and brands alike. We look forward to taking our partnership to the next level this year as we create innovative and engaging content for our audiences.”
Last year, SXSW Sydney attracted 300,000 attendees and 1,000 sessions. It returns to Sydney 14–20 October.
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Top image: Adam Harriden