This year’s SXSW was huge and overwhelming at times. So I’m going to list my takeaways in a random, attention-deprived and painfully high concept manner. This is your brain on SXSW Interactive.

• The game layer and the triple bottom line are large and in charge. (Think if Groupon and TOMS merged). This means that consumers may weigh their purchasing decisions like this in the near future:
  • If I purchase this product will a person in need benefit or will a donation to my favorite cause be made?
  • Before I buy, I’m going to check-in and see what deals are being offered on my phone. I also need to see if I get any points to put towards my rewards program where I’m beating all my friends in a “most charitable purchases,” competition.
• Making an air hashtag (#) with two fingers (down and then right) is the new air quotes for nerds. That joke killed at dinner. (Air hashtag) “Winning.”

We're purposefully trying to look device obnoxious. Takeaway: Those closest to the lens look the largest.

• Brands acting as content publishers is imperative. Real time marketing means you’re reporting “as life happens” and on how the latest news relates to your brand. How has this manifested itself? Big agencies like JWT are hiring journalists.
• The shuttle buses stop running at 2am. My friend found this one out the hard way and was stranded for hours.
• Say and do everything as if you’re telling a story. And “there is no greater agony than bearing the untold story” (Maya Angelou).
• An amazing new data application for nonprofits to show impact to consumers, stakeholders, the board etc. is launching soon. Signup to be the first to have it. It’s free (for now). http://www.bavc.org/impact
  
• A successful user experience design is born from a strong vision communicated well. And the clearer the vision, the better the product.
• SmallAct.com is a cool new social media dashboard for management, CRM and analytics. HootSuite meets BlueSky meets Radian6, hooray!
• People are designing more native mobile applications (in IOS and Android) instead of designing a site for the mobile browser because the native apps allow for better distribution (through an app store) and functionality.
• Pee Wee Herman’s real voice is very soothing.