SXSW Sessions

Bijan Robinson is a running back for the Texas Longhorns and projected 1st-round draft pick for the NFL. Although it is what he’s best known for at present, Robinson is not just an athlete. With a series of NIL partnerships under his belt, Robinson has established himself as not only an influencer, but a full fledged businessman. Perhaps most notably, he partnered with creative agency CALLEN to create his own brand of gourmet dijon mustard, Bijan Mustardson.   Craig Allen is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of CALLEN. He spent nearly 10 years at Wieden + Kennedy’s Portland office when he worked on a large variety of brands. Perhaps most notably, he led the Old Spice team responsible for the “Smell Like A Man, Man” campaign which transformed the brand into the category’s definitive leader and was regarded as one of the top campaigns of the 21st century.   Bryan Burney is a Marketing Manager at Athletes First. He handles branding and off-field partnerships for Athletes First clients including but not limited to NFL players, NCAA athletes, coaches and broadcasters.   Natalie Tindall, Ph.D., APR, is Director of the School of Advertising & Public Relations, Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on diversity in organizations, specifically the public relations function, participatory culture, the situational theory of publics, and intersectionality in strategic communication practices.   She serves as the co-director for the Institute of Public Relations' Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and has served as the Head of the Public Relations Division for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and the Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the Public Relations Society of America.

Throughout history, DOE has had a hand in countless scientific discoveries—from harnessing nuclear power to developing and advancing quantum computing, to knocking down barriers to solar and wind. And today, we’re laser-focused on taking these discoveries to implement the Biden-Harris historic clean energy plans. Thanks to the President’s transformative agenda we can push forward breakthrough technologies that slash costs for American consumers, help America regain its status as a manufacturing powerhouse, and deliver an equitable transition providing a healthier world for all. This is an American-Made Clean Energy Future.

The promise of autonomous vehicles is bright in the eyes of transportation geeks and experts around the world and the industry is responding. In recent months though, confidence in the technology has been challenged and some market players have consolidated or shutdown. 2022 highlighted for startups and auto industry titans alike that delivering autonomous vehicle technology at scale can be challenging. General Motors and Cruise are on a multidimensional path to autonomy, and they are proving that early investment and the right strategy are making a fully autonomous future possible today. In 2022, Cruise became the first company to deploy a commercial ride hail business in a major U.S. city in San Francisco. Later the same year, Cruise expanded its ride hail business into Austin and Phoenix, kicking off their first driverless rides to the public in just 90 days. GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra, and Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt will talk about how years of collaboration and investment have resulted in major progress today and how their long-term strategies will deliver autonomous vehicle technology at scale in the future. Mary will also share progress on GM’s rapidly growing portfolio of electric vehicles. Hear how they’re bringing the best of both companies to bear as they navigate the technology advancements, regulatory environment and customer acceptance needed to make the AV and EV future real.

Modern neuroscience tells us how we store and process information depends upon our emotional state, which easily triggers the "fight or flight" response. Technologies that are designed to empower our understanding of events at hand, as well as to respond quickly, ultimately depend upon our personal fortitude. Large Language Model (LLM) AI has brought brand new hopes, and fears, for how we might transform the next wave of technology products and services. In this SXSW Session, John Maeda, Vice President of Design and Artificial Intelligence at Microsoft, walks us through his Design in Tech Report, focusing on exciting new developments in the fields of AI and Design.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a watershed moment for the privacy of people seeking reproductive care. A person’s browser history, search history, location and private messages can be used by law enforcement or private citizens to pursue people who are suspected of having or aiding an abortion. When people’s most private digital information can be used against them, can tech companies change their practices to better protect their users’ privacy? As some states try to outlaw websites that tell people how to access abortion care, can advocates ensure that reliable health information remains online? Join us for a discussion with leading experts on ways advocates are working to protect users’ privacy and access to information at this critical moment for reproductive rights.

With the final season of Wu-Tang: An American Saga airing on HULU, RZA starring in Problemista, which debuts at SXSW, and the next leg of the NY State of Mind tour about to roll out, Evan Narcisse chats with RZA about his relentless creative output, crossing between stage and screen, new music and creating a lasting cultural and community impact.

Is your insecure boss taking credit for your work? A passive-aggressive colleague making your life miserable, but acting like nothing’s wrong? We all want to get along with the people we work with — but it seems like some people make it particularly hard to do so. Who hasn’t wondered: Why is my colleague acting like this? How can I fix things if they won't cooperate? I've tried everything — what now?! The good news is you don’t have to put up with bad behavior, swallow your emotions, or simply hope that the other person will change. In this SXSW Session, HBR contributing editor and podcast host Amy Gallo will share insights and advice from her latest work. You’ll learn about some of the common types of difficult people, why they behave the way they do, communication tactics that work, and how to know when it’s time to just walk away.

In this SXSW Session, Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs, co-creators of the critically acclaimed-comedy series Blindspotting, preview the upcoming second season now playing on STARZ, and celebrate its world premiere at SXSW.

In this SXSW Session, director Jake Johnson discusses the making of his film SELF RELIANCE with Variety’s Cynthia Littleton; how he took the inception of idea to the big screen, his career, and what it was like being in the director’s chair. 

Join writer/director Lee Cronin, series creator and horror icon Sam Raimi, cult legend and “Ash” himself Bruce Campbell, and stars Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland for a look at the new film that moves the action out of the woods and into the city.... This SXSW Session discusses how the film not only pays homage to the beloved franchise, but also expands the Evil Dead universe, turning a crumbling apartment building into an urban “cabin in the woods” and putting the action squarely in the hands of two chainsaw-wielding women. Deadites will never be the same again…