[clavalle]

A few random comments on this article:

The Austin Chronicle is a little out of place in that list of huge corporations.

In regards to stopping the impromptu musical performance: Could you imagine the chaos if every musician that wanted to could bust out on whatever street or hotel lobby they wanted during SXSW?

SXSW is a great place to launch -- if you have the right product. It doesn't have to cut through all of the buzz, just pique the interest of the right people. Now if you are talking about throwing a lot of money into a launch party or something like that, yeah, probably not the right place. You'll never spend enough money or come up with a gimmick that is going to garner more than a raised eyebrow.

But beyond that SXSW is a great place to get together with like minded people in a time and place that everyone has marked off as social time. The re-invigoration factor alone is worth the price of admission, IMHO.