SXSWORLD

SXSW CONFERENCE JOURNALISM TRACK SPEAKER WINS PULITZER In what was a turbulent year for politics and media, one reporter rose to the top for holding candidates' feet to the fire during the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. Washington Post reporter and SXSW 2017 speaker David Fahrenthold gained notice for his reporting on can- didate Donald Trump's claims of charitable donations. Fahrenthold, who spoke on the "Good Night & Good Luck: Media in Election Years" panel, also broke Trump's infamous "locker-room banter" video from unaired 2005 Access Hollywood footage, prompting widespread demands for Trump to drop out of the race shortly before Election Day. Fahrenthold's efforts were rewarded this April with a Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. Congratulations for this outstanding accomplishment! David Fahrenthold, photo by Akash Kataria SXSW SONGS DEBUTS INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING CAMP From March 12-14, Austin's Arlyn Studios hosted SXSW Songs, a unique songwriting camp experience for fifteen producers, writers and topliners from around the world. SXSW Songs was curated and run by a global panel of music publishing experts including Tileyard Music (U.K.), Prescription Songs (U.S.), and Budde Music (Germany). The first edition line-up featured SIGALA, Freedo, Bham, Soaky Siren, Sophie Rose, Chiara Hunter, Matt Hartke, Nico Rebscher, Kipp Williams, Hank Solo, Wally Gagel, and Kelvin Jones, and SXSW Music Festival showcasing artists: Kučka, Linying, and R.LUM.R. Marc Johlen, A&R Manager for Budde said, "You could feel the dif- ference right from the beginning. All songwriters were extremely focused and excited to work on such a high international level with writers from all over the world." SXSW 2017 registrants also had opportunities to share in the SXSW Songs experience at a panel discussion with participants and at a well-attended playback party. SXSW Songs was sponsored by Shure, ASCAP, Gibson, Roland and Timbuk 2 and will return in 2018. ENTER NOW FOR THE 2018 GAMER'S VOICE AWARD This award began as a way to bring the best in indie game devel- opment to the world's stage at SXSW. Now, in its fourth year, the Gamer's Voice Award has grown to become one of the largest, and most impactful experiences for dozens of indie game developers and teams. With past successes such as Nidhogg, SpeedRunners, SUPERHOT, and Gang Beasts, this key part of the SXSW Gaming expe- rience has helped facilitate growth in projects brimming with potential by fostering collaboration across several creative industries. AUSTIN TO GET FIRST PING PONG CLUB SXSW Sports kickoff party pre- senter SPiN will be opening its Austin location later this year. The Austin version of the ping pong social club will feature 14 Olympic-style ping pong tables, as well as a full-service restaurant and bar. People of all skill levels will be welcome to partic- ipate in everything from casual play, private and company events, and tournaments and leagues for the more serious players. With locations in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Toronto, each SPiN location has its own unique local twist. Austinites can expect artists from the com- munity to create murals, local ingredients to be used for menu items, and weekly events to host our city's favorite DJs and enter- tainment talent. So sharpen up those ping pong skills! MUSIC BLOGGERS GUIDE TO SXSW 2017 STILL AVAILABLE New music discovery doesn't have to end now that SXSW is over: The Music Bloggers Guide to SXSW 2017 is still available! The interactive design is complete with music streams and write-ups from respected music industry bloggers for 100+ Showcasing Artists who performed this year. SXSW Songs, photo by Mark Gartenberg SXSW Sports Party Ping Pong, photo by Randy & Jackie Smith

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