SXSW 2025 is here, and Unofficially SXSW is your go-to source for real-time updates, expert insights, and must-attend sessions. Whether you're in Austin or following remotely, we’ll bring you the biggest trends, exclusive interviews, and daily highlights straight from the event. Stay connected for live coverage—follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

Day 7 at SXSW 2025 was packed with high-energy sessions, star power, and cutting-edge insights. From Michelle Obama’s inspiring live podcast recording to Julia Fox’s bold fashion moment and Fospha’s game-changing masterclass on Amazon sales, the festival continues to deliver unforgettable moments. As we gear up for the final stretch, here's a look back at the standout highlights from Day 7.

Highlights from Day 7

🎙️ Michelle Obama’s Live Podcast Recording: A Deep Dive into Hope and Resilience

On March 13, former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson recorded the first live episode of their new podcast, IMO, at SXSW. Joined by Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos, they discussed transforming despair into hope, emphasizing the importance of community and meaningful connections in achieving true happiness. The full episode will be available on March 21.

🎬 Julia Fox Turns Heads with Avant-Garde Fashion at 'Idiotka' Premiere

Actress Julia Fox made a bold fashion statement at the SXSW premiere of her film Idiotka, co-starring Camila Mendes. Fox wore a striking Bonnetje dress crafted from vintage suit jacket sleeves, showcasing her flair for innovative and sustainable fashion.

Keynote Spotlight:

💡 The Future of Marketing: Asking Better Questions

According to a fascinating article by Cheil North America (read it here), the future of marketing isn’t about having the perfect answers—it’s about asking better questions. Cheil’s team at SXSW shared four game-changing questions that are reshaping the industry:

➡️ Do people really have short attention spans—or are they just uninterested?
People binge 10-hour docuseries and get lost in TikTok rabbit holes. The challenge isn’t capturing attention—it’s sustaining interest. Fospha’s insights on the Halo effect echo this idea: brands that deeply understand consumer behavior (even beyond platform-specific data) will win.

➡️ Does AI kill creativity—or just expose mediocrity?
AI isn’t replacing great ideas; it’s exposing weak ones. Fospha’s Unified ROAS underscores this point—creativity combined with smart measurement is the formula for success.

➡️ Can we trust what customers say they want—or should we be listening to their subconscious?
Neuromarketing shows that subconscious reactions don’t always align with what people claim to want. Fospha’s measurement model helps brands cut through this noise by linking marketing spend to actual purchase behavior.

➡️ What if the way we use time matters more than how much of it we have?
Marketing isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things faster. Fospha’s Halo model helps brands stop wasting budget and refocus efforts on channels that deliver measurable ROI.

Fospha’s data-driven approach to marketing answers many of these questions head-on, helping brands turn insights into measurable impact.

🌟 Fospha’s Masterclass: Unlocking the Halo Effect on Amazon Sales

Fospha hosted an insightful masterclass titled Halo: Measure and Maximize the Impact of Your DTC Ads on Amazon Sales with Unified ROAS. Led by CPO Dom Devlin, the session unveiled research on the "Halo effect," demonstrating how off-platform advertising on channels like TikTok, Meta, and Google drives Amazon sales.​

Attendees learned how to:

  • Measure the true impact of DTC ads on Amazon sales.

  • Allocate budgets effectively to channels that drive Amazon growth.

  • Gain a competitive edge ahead of major sales events like Prime Day.​

This masterclass provided actionable insights for brands aiming to unify their marketing measurement and unlock full value.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more live updates.

🗓️ Where to Find Us Today – Unofficially SXSW’s Schedule
Here’s what’s on our agenda—come find us at these key sessions:
  1. FLOODfest

    Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM​

    Location: Mohawk, 912 Red River St.​

    Description: FLOOD Magazine celebrates its 10th anniversary with a dynamic showcase featuring 12 artists across two stages. Headliners include the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Confidence Man. This event offers insights into music marketing and audience engagement strategies.​

  2. Caveman Music Festival Lineup Unveiling Party

    Time: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM​

    Location: Armadillo Den, 10106 Menchaca Rd.​

    Description: Enjoy live music from acts like The Band of Heathens and Red Shahan while getting a first look at the festival's Labor Day weekend lineup. The event provides exclusive festival perks and networking opportunities with industry professionals.​

  3. SXSW Registrant Lounge

    Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM​

    Location: SXSW Registrant Lounge​

    Description: A space to relax, network, and engage with fellow attendees. The lounge offers opportunities to connect with other marketing professionals and discuss industry trends.​

  4. Rolling Stone’s Future of Music

    Time: 6:15 PM – 12:00 AM​

    Location: Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater​

    Description: Rolling Stone showcases emerging artists poised to shape the future of music. This event offers insights into music trends and marketing strategies relevant to the evolving industry landscape.​

🚀 Looking Ahead: Fospha at Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas

Fospha continues its commitment to empowering brands with data-driven insights. They will be hosting a series of masterclasses at Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas from March 25–27, covering topics such as:

  • Full-Funnel TikTok Strategies: Leveraging TikTok for comprehensive marketing funnels.

  • Measuring Amazon Performance: Understanding cross-platform impacts on Amazon sales.

  • Scaling Acquisition with Smart+ Campaigns: Utilizing advanced strategies for customer acquisition.

👉 Check out the full schedule here: Fospha Shoptalk Events

Stay tuned—this year’s event continues to shape up to be even bigger!

See you tomorrow,
The Unofficially SXSW Team

📢 Unofficially SXSW is an independent publication and is not affiliated with SXSW.

Proudly Sponsored by Fospha: Powering smarter budget decisions with full-funnel marketing measurement and forecasting for the post-iOS 14 era.

[Not affiliated with SXSW Events]

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