U.S. Olympian Nick Symmonds and Hanson Dodge Creative (HDC) President Sara Meaney have been chosen to co-present at the 20th Annual South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Interactive Festival to be held March 8-12 in Austin, Texas.
The 2013 SXSW® Interactive Festival is an incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity. The event features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable line-up of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to experience a preview of what is unfolding in the world of technology.
Symmonds and Meaney will join forces to present an inside look at the business of celebrity sponsorships and the increasingly important role social media plays in building a brand community, be it for an athlete, company or cause. Their presentation, “When Does Selling Your Body = Golden Opportunity?,” will explore what prompted Symmonds’ now famous eBay auction of his left shoulder, HDC’s winning bid and the subsequent relationship that developed which resulted in national attention for both. (See New York Times article for full story).
With his first place finish in the U.S. 800-meter finals this past summer, Symmonds collected his fifth straight U.S. championship and earned the chance to represent the United States for a second straight time at the 2012 Olympic Games. He finished fifth at the London Games with what many have called, “The Greatest 800-Meter Race of All Time,” running a personal best of 1:42:95, making him the third fastest 800-meter American runner in history. This was the same race where Kenyan David Rudisha set a new world record by nearly a full second.
Meaney, HDC president of strategy and growth, has more than 15 years of marketing and communications experience advising global brands with an expertise in integrated marketing communications and technology. She oversees the agency’s strategy and business development efforts, with ultimate responsibility for agency growth and client services. In her previous role with HDC, Meaney was responsible for the organizational development, maturity and growth of the social media and public relations practice and its programs, helping clients to make their mark in an increasingly technology-driven world.
To learn more about the SXSW Conferences and Festival, click here.
Hanson Dodge Creative is America’s leading active lifestyle agency. The full-service firm specializes in helping global brands attain market leadership through the strategic integration of world-class branding, relationship marketing, social media, e-commerce and advanced interactive technology. Clients include Wilson Sporting Goods, Trek, Wolverine, Briggs & Riley Travelware, Thule and Kmart. Established in 1984, Hanson Dodge Creative is located in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. For more information, call 414.347.1266.