Game of Thrones at the Annual South by Southwest 2016

Game of Thrones has been one of the most talked about cultural phenomena over the last half decade, seeming to only grow in popularity each passing year. Those who attended SXSW were able to see an up close view some of the of the GoT phenomena. GoT is produced by HBO, and appearing at SXSW was the Hall of Faces. This exhibit brought to life, or perhaps to death, a symbol of GoT, and turned a normal San Antonio street into a symbol of the violence and mayhem GoT fans have come to expect, and to love.

As part of the series, the faces of the dead seen at the Hall of Faces, presumably all suffering their demise from an executioner’s swing of a sword, can be seen as a warning to the enemies of the state. At SXSW, fans were able to join the macabre scene and have their own face digitally installed in the ghoulish hall. The Hall of Faces wasn’t just a one-off exhibit for SXSW, but it will instead travel the world, going to Europe, and then returning to San Diego in time for Comic-Con.

In addition to seeing and even joining the Hall of Faces, there was a chance to experience a hologram that was a simulation of Melisandre’s flame, which fans of the show know she uses like a crystal ball. The hologram, created by Dreamoc HD3, was 30 seconds of exclusive content visible through those flames. Viewers were able to learn more about what happened to Jon Snow, or at least gain a few more hints as to whether Jon Snow is really dead or not.

Fans 21 years old or older were then able to try some grog. Not grog, but a beer called Ommegang’s Game of Thrones: Iron Throne blonde ale. Presumably the beer has a shorter nickname to make it easier to order at the local bar.

A vice-president of consumer marketing at HBO, Joanna Scholl said that part of the reason GoT went all out for this display and interactive content was not only to please fans of the show, but to impress non fans that might be influential in areas of technology and social media. These wielders of influence might become fans of the show themselves, or influence other people to become fans. Scholl said, “We wanted to bring something that was state of the art and allow them the opportunity to engage and share content from the show.”

The sixth season of Game of Thrones will premiere on HBO April 24. By that time, thousands of people will have been able to become a part of the Hall of Faces if they have chosen, enjoyed Melisandre’s magical flame, and even enjoyed a drink of Iron Throne blonde ale. Certainly by April 24, those people will ready for the premier.

Google’s Digital Breakfast in Miami

Google’s Cybertising campaign came to a head in its Miami-based Digital Breakfast. Google, in the past, has hosted practical marketing affairs—engaging big-city consumer bases while sharing insights, promoting new technology and creating innovative data solutions. On December 4th, Google’s Digital Breakfast partnered experts with community impactors, citizens and Google lovers alike. Each expert shared insights, data and hospitality solutions, all alongside a hospitality-infused event.

Brand Questions and Google’s Impact Experts

Google’s Digital Breakfast, first and foremost, is a brand-benefiting event. Google urges brand providers, industry gurus and cross-industry professionals to ask questions, raise awareness and deliver their own approach to the technology industry. Google’s widespread connectivity survives and thrives in all of its marketing efforts, and its Digital Breakfast imbues its finest strategies with new industry leads.

The Google Hangout, as it’s called, features a 90-minute presentation, a Q&A session and networking booths. Hospitality professionals of Miami are invited to network with presidents, marketing managers, entrepreneurs, business owners and CEOs seeking digital advertising’s most-valued insights. Understanding the consumer’s path to purchase, as always, remains a key topic for discussion.

The Modern Digital Advertising World

Google’s Cybertising partner program is one of its latest innovations, reaching big cities like Miami and Boston with business growth solutions, the world’s newest industry solutions and a practical approach to digital marketing.

Digital marketing often faces problems when combined with physical, experiential events. Web ads, social media and mobile campaigns remain the world’s biggest marketing platforms—but Google’s Digital Breakfast has become a cornerstone of their marketing strategy. Digital Breakfast returns digital marketers to their roots, engaging display, audio, analytics, mobile advertising and training professionals with living, breathing people.

Google’s AdWords

While the digital advertising world remains incredibly mobile, Google’s Cybertising partner program restores time-tested-and-true event marketing approaches. Frank Wade, Google AdWords Trainer, is highlighted as one of the event’s key speakers—tying Google’s digital marketing presence to a physical one.

Google’s AdWords is an incredibly powerful marketing program, and its representation at Digital Breakfast, even if minimal, is telling of Google’s wide-winged grasp of the industry. As technologies such as augmented reality achieve higher reputability, physical location event marketing will likely receive a resurgence in popularity. Google, however set on its networking goals, likely realizes the potency of a “first to strike” physical marketing presence, and its Digital Breakfast is likely the first of its many practical efforts.

The Future of Digital Advertising

Cybertising.com remains a top-ranked Google partner, and both entities carry similar missions. Google’s insight assists emergent professionals, and its dedication to experiential marketing is highly beneficial to the industry’s digital advertising game. While similar industries are still crafting durable digital advertising solutions, many have gained enough steam to handle Google’s networking approach.

Google’s Digital Breakfast is about everything digital, but it simultaneously fuels a bright future of digital-physical marketing—where new events, innovations and trends become commonplace, and where big-name enterprises still interact with small and medium-sized businesses.