The metaverse is out and AI is in: Dan Monheit reports from SXSW

Originally shared via Mumbrella. On this week's Mumbrellacast, Attivo seeks to expand its media capabilities with the appointment of former Dentsu Media boss, Sue Squillace. Then, Hardhat's Dan Monheit calls into the podcast to give us a taste of all the insights and memories (and BBQ) he'll be taking home from this year's SXSW. All this before a chat with Telstra CMO, Brent Smart, and Accenture Song President and CEO of The Monkeys, Mark Green, who share the telecom brand's creativity-led growth strategy.

On Tuesday, New Zealand-head-quartered marketing group, Attivo, announced it was hiring former Dentsu Media boss Sue Squillace. Squillace’s appointment marks the end of an eight-month break from the industry after exiting Dentsu in mid-2022, after three years, during which she was the CEO of Carat, before taking on the expanded remit of Dentsu Media CEO in 2021. The team rehashes a brief history of the Attivo group, including its 2021 acquisition of IPG’s 303 MullenLowe, considering how the group might be looking to evolve under the guidance of Squillace, who will lead the development of a new “multi-dimensional” media model, as Attivo Media CEO ANZ.

Then CEO of Hardhat, Dan Monheit calls in from Austin, Texas to give Mumbrella the rundown on what he’s seen at this year’s SXSW conference. From the themes that have been dominating conversation, to the parties that have been keeping the festival’s 300,000 attendees well-watered, Monheit shares his biggest take homes so far from the creative festival as he wraps up day five.

Finally, an interview with Telstra’s Brent Smart and Accenture Song President and The Monkeys CEO, Mark Green, as the telco launches its second major brand campaign in as many months. Now well into his first year in the Telstra role, Smart shares how he has settled into the role, discussing with Green the merits of the brand’s strategy of driving growth through creative work.