Hero image courtesy of SXSW
SMI Attends SXSW
Every March, the worlds of tech, film, music, education, and culture collide at the South by Southwest Conference & Festival, and this year, SMI will be right in the middle of it.
From March 12th-18th, SMI heads to Austin, Texas, joining innovators, creators, and industry leaders for one of the most influential gatherings in media and entertainment. The event will feature industry panels and sessions, live music and comedy, film and television screenings, professional development and networking opportunities, awards ceremonies, and more. SMI’s CEO Jeff Small will attend, along with Vice President of Strategy Brooke Murray, Director of Business Development Bob Leonard, and Podcast Strategist Lisa Risk.
“The team is excited for the opportunity to meet in person with our many publisher representatives,” says Jeff. “We will also attend panels featuring industry experts and new marketing brands. We hope to gain fresh perspectives on their approach–including the challenges they’re facing and the solutions they’ve found.”
“These conferences are a great way to connect with our contacts, some of whom we have worked with since we started podcasting over 10 years ago,” says Lisa. “For me, the biggest benefit is the in-person meetings, but it’s also great to see updates on industry trends and how they compare to what we are seeing on our side.”
The conference is an opportunity for SMI to establish “deeper relationships with our partners–all in one place,” says Brooke. She is especially looking forward to meeting John Allen, host of MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories, and with whom SMI has been partnering on our podcast campaign for Pocket Hose. “I love True Crime!” says Brooke.
“Podcasting continues to evolve rapidly, and we don’t attend conferences like this just to observe–we go to engage,” says Bob. “It’s an opportunity to collaborate with other leaders in the space, deepen our understanding of how technology is reshaping audio, and to refine the attribution models and strategies that drive measurable results for our clients.” By contributing to the broader conversation while gathering insights from innovators across the industry, we ensure our clients benefit from the most informed, forward-thinking approach to audio advertising.
New to SXSW is the incorporation of Podcast Movement Evolutions. Previously a separate conference bringing together thousands of podcasters and industry professionals, Evolutions 2026 will connect the podcast world with the wider creative community. SMI attended Podcast Movement Evolutions last year and is excited to participate in the new event format. “This will be the first Podcast Evolutions taking place during SXSW, and it is also the first Evolutions since Sounds Profitable merged with Podcast Movement,” says Jeff. “In addition to meeting with publishers of key podcast content, we are looking forward to meeting with our industry partners and forging new relationships, as our podcast footprint has grown exponentially.”