Five WTF Examples of Marketing at SXSW
See also:
All photos by Audra Schroeder Yes, that kid's shirt does say Sex, Drugs & Dubstep. This is our future.
*The Worst Moments of SXSW 2012
*The Best of SXSW Music: Saturday 3/17/2012
By Audra Schroeder
During SXSW, and especially in the last five years or so, Sixth Street turns into one long, strange sensory overload. People nearly give you eyeball papercuts trying to get their fliers in your hands, before they're promptly tossed on the ground. If you get the right combo of marketing types hollerin' at you, it can make you question your life choices. If you get the wrong combo, well, ditto.
This year, Sixth Street felt especially like everything you look at was a billboard, right down to the controversial "homeless hotspots." These were a few of the more curious hawkers we saw.
This stage is hyping the new "Jacked" Doritos, which are apparently 40 percent bigger in size and thickness than regular Doritos. Really, was the size and thickness of Doritos a problem before? Yeah, I tried the new Enchilada Supreme flavor, and I felt violated by its boldness. Best overheard of the day: "I know the guy who invented Doritos. You're not gonna let me in?"
Let's follow that up with these folks hawking CoolSculpting, a "procedure" that freezes and eliminates fat cells. Is it dangerous? Do body image issues really need to be brought up during a music festival where people are subsisting on tacos and beer? Who cares, these people are practically naked! 
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
