Jaffe Juice

Spectacular Spectacular

Spectacular, spectacular

No words in the vernacular

Can describe this great event

You'll be dumb with wonderment

Returns are fixed at ten percent

You must agree, that's excellent

And on top of your fee...

You'll be involved artistically.

In less than a week, the annual Interactive spectacular spectacular kicks off in Austin, along with it's Film and Music components (for the truly uncool).

SxSW has become the undisputed king of all social media events on the calendar and yet, I don't think 2011 will be it's "tipping point" (although to the purists, it probably jumped the shark 3-4 years ago).

Just like Cannes and C.E.S., the real litmus test will be when the likes of Coca-Cola, P&G and Unilever (to name a few) descend on Austin like a swarm of loccusts (the good kind) to typically do their global planning, but also take advantage of the event itself.

I have a session on Saturday, March 12th on "Flip the Funnel". It's a reading and Q&A and I hope to give you the 140 character essence of the book, followed by a spirited conversation. Intimacy is guaranteed! After the reading, there will be a book signing (immediately outside ballroom D foyer at the SxSW bookstore)

My session is 1-1.30pm in Ballroom G at the Convention Center and the signing follows immediately. Event page is here.

SxSW really is a must attend - especially, in my opinion, for marketers. That said, it can be a bit overwhelming, so here's my list of parties and helpful/useful apps...plus an offer to meet up if you want to talk a little shop or just drink a little lot of beer.

In terms of parties (and there are a few), my shortlist includes:

• Friday (Tweet House, Ignite Social Media, Edelman Digital nightcap)
• Saturday (Wiley, KickApps, Syncapse, Diggnation/Stubbs)
• Sunday (CoTweet/Exacttarget brunch, Allhat, SOBCon, CrowdTap)
• Monday (Rackspace, Mashable)

There are plenty of others which I may crash if the mood strikes me. Hope to see/meet you there.

Finally, in terms of App support, I do think this will be a breakout year for a few new companies. Last year was a little thin I think with FourSquare and Gowalla still riding the fumes from 2009 and quite frankly, many people surprised by at&t's great coverage (well done lads).

I'll be using the following apps to connect, communicate, collaborate, create and other things that start with "c": (I'm typically there under my real name or jaffejuice)

• Instagram (my tip for breakout year/best in show)
• GroupMe (second place or best newcomer)
• FourSquare
• Twitter
• Yobongo
• Facebook
• Bump

So that's it on my side for SxSW. I''m going to try and meet and hang with as many people as I can. I'm very approachable and genuinely want to spend my time with quality people and quality conversation. My cell number isn't hard to find. Nor is my e-mail. And if all else fails, use the analog method i.e. my nametag and a beer.

I'm going to try and attend a few key sessions this year (any suggestions (?) as I'm lite on formal content...which is always the case I guess at SxSW) and hang out in the Samsung blogger lounge a bit (good place to book a few meetings in advance)

See you soon!

Do you like me? Do you really like me? Prove it at next year's SxSW

SxSW is - without question - the single biggest gathering of not just all things interactive, music and film in Austin, it's probably the pivot for all of social media and that includes mobile, mobile social (MoSoSo), innovation (augmented reality, chat roulette) and more.

It takes place every March in Austin (Interactive will be March 11-15, 2011) and in true - walk your talk and eat your dog food - style, the agenda is both somewhat crowdsourced and vetted or voted by the attendees (aspiring and actual) using the well known Panel Picker Process (just asked Peter Piper).  Well, actually 30% is and that's probably exactly the right split with the Advisory Board (40%) and Staff (30%)

This year, besides being roasted by Comedian and TV personality, Brian Posehn, I got off easy by sticking to heavy networking, vegetarian meals at Salt Lick and somewhat consistent consumption of beer (well perhaps my liver and gut would beg to differ).

In all seriousness, that's unacceptable for me. I want to do more and next year (with your help) I will contribute and participate. Truthfully I was a a rookie in 2010, but in 2011, I have 3 sessions for you to consider:

1. Flip the Funnel: How to use existing customers to gain new ones. First and most notably, I'm giving my "Flip the Funnel" keynote speech and if you're there and interested, you'll get to attend for free (space permitting), provided you rock the vote and help spread the news. VOTE HERE. Via a little birdie, I also heard that there may be signed copies of the book for attendees. You can also read a little more about the session HERE and watch a small teaser of the book HERE.
2. Videoblogging: Go from Amateur to Outstanding. I've always been a big believer of walking my talk (SxSW style) and this panel is all learning from some people that have made it - or are building something substantial - using the power of online/Web AND social video. This isn't a 101 panel, but instead one that's designed to address critical/key issues surrounding an explosive category. VOTE HERE.
3. Is the marketing microsite dead? Um yes. Still need convincing? Then join organizer, Adam Keats from Weber Shandwick, Pepsi's Bonin Bough (who has invested in a few micro or minisites in his time) and myself as we debate, discuss and absolutely disagree. VOTE HERE.

Here's my Powered colleague, Aaron Strout's write up of the Powered-related and relevant panels for your reviewing pleasure and voting preference. It includes the likes of Jen van der Meer, Valeria Maltoni, Mr Strout, Natanya Anderson, Melissa Pierce (in a Powered client, VeriSign-sponsored session) and last but definitely not least, Mr microMARKETING himself, Greg Verdino, who will be doing his book-related razzle-dazzle.

So hopefully you'll be there in 2011 and either way, your support, sharing, posting, e-mailing, statusing, tweets and retweets will go a long way towards making sure I'm Interrupting like only a Chief Interruptor can.

JJTV #31 - The death of the 30-second spot

Thank you to HP for sponsoring this show. Great news as they've extended their support through August. That means you can still take advantage of some pretty sweet deals on Netbooks, Printers and more...especially with Back to School around the corner. See below for information on how you can become part of HP's Friends 'n Family Plan.

In this episode I talk about Cannes and zero in on the exact moment the 30-second spot didn't just jump the shark, but was devoured by it.

You're invited to participate in HP's Employee Purchase Program (EPP) for friends 'n family discounts on the full portfolio of HP and Compaq consumer products. Here's what you need to do:

• Visit www.hpshopping.com/employee/jaffejuicetv and register to join the program
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