We’re officially in the running to lead two exciting panels at this spring’s SXSW Interactive Festival (and participate in a third). If you’re in the mood to help send everyone’s favorite Sprinkles cupcake-loving Emerging Media Director, David Berkowitz, to Austin, please check out our panel suggestions below and vote at the SXSW PanelPicker before voting ends on September 4. Note: You’ll have to register to cast your vote, but it should take you all of 30 seconds – we promise.

1) Tasty Conversation: Social Media + Food Brands

Bring your appetite to this fireside chat-style panel. David Berkowitz joins a lineup of top food and beverage brands that are harnessing social buzz to spice up their real world presence. What are these brands cooking up across the social landscape? And what can we learn from them?

Some questions this panel will address:

• How can brands transfer social buzz to their real world presence?
• Who’s doing it right?
• What are some pitfalls to avoid when using social marketing to achieve offline objectives?
• How can marketers make sure brand loyalty translates into sales and/or real world advocacy?
• How tasty are Sprinkles cupcakes?*

*Not an actual question, but we can tell you, they are very tasty.

Click here to vote:

2) How Startups Can Create Buzz Without Selling Out

David Berkowitz will lead panelists in a discussion about how start-ups can catch the eye of brand marketers who have the power to provide added credibility, cash and buzz. How can you make your service marketer-friendly while keeping your integrity?

Questions this panel will address:

• What kinds of partnerships are available for brands and technology providers?
• What are some examples of successful partnerships?
• What is the best way to showcase my technology to marketers?
• What are marketer-friendly revenue models beyond standard cost-per-impression or cost-per-click ad buys?

Click here to vote:

3) SoDA Pops! Best Digital Agency Advice and Practices

David Berkowitz will join SoDA, The Society of Digital Agencies, and some of the world’s most respected digital agencies to discuss challenges and open discussions both in and outside the industry.

Topics this panel will address:

• Tried and tested practices from leading digital agencies
• How to improve your business effectiveness
• How to handle client selection
• How to manage contract negotiations
• What are new techniques in winning today’s business

Click here to vote:

It’s hard to properly describe the South by Southwest experience, but the best way I can summarize it is that it’s the embodiment of a hive (maybe it’s because I’m influenced by the upcoming Hive Awards for social media – http://www.hiveawards.com). Read the full article

From David Berkowitz, Director of Emerging Media & Client Strategy, live from the heart of Texas

360i is out in Austin this week for South by Southwest Interactive (we did mention we’re everywhere). A few notes from the show as it gets underway:

The hottest spot: The TechSet / Windows Blogger Lounge. This is the see & be seen place for the bloggerati, the twitterati, and the vendorati. It’s where you’ll find everyone from the bald and balding blogging old-timers (read: over 30) to the 22-year-old blonde social media starlets. What you may not find is a seat, but once in awhile people actually do this conference stuff called going to sessions, and you’re able to sneak in at a table. Read the full article