Innovative Latinos Showcased At SXSW: The Social Revolución
This year at South By Southwest (SXSW) Latinos in the digital media space will have their very own lounge, party, and award ceremony highlighting their innovative work in social media and beyond. The events, wrapped into the name The Social Revolución, are being put together by Cultural Strategies, the communications firm in Austin, Texas.
According to Mando Rayo, who is one of the organizers of the Revolución, highlighting the contributions of Latinos the digital space are important for three primary reasons: recent cultural shifts and trends, mobilizing local and international causes, and finally for innovating when it comes to reaching the Latino community uniquely and authentically online. Holding the event at SXSW’s Interactive Festival made sense, Rayo told us, because it’s the best place to highlight digital breakthroughs, and us the changes Latinos are contributing in this space.
“We’re seeing a demand for more products and services to match the different facets of the Latino community,” Rayo told NewsTaco. “There is also a drive within the culture to innovate and be entrepreneurial. Whether it’s a blog, a social network or other opportunities to connect, Latinos now have more opportunities to be part of the digital space.”
A big part of the Revolución event will be The Revolucionario Awards, which will be awarded in three categories: The New Americano, The Mobilizer and The Innovator. The idea, Rayo told us, is to celebrate the work of Latinos online, whether they are independent or part of larger organizations, and consequently help open doors for even more Latinos in the digital space.
The awards are representative of the changes that Cultural Strategies has observed in the space in recent years, Rayo said. In keeping with the digital same, anyone can nominate people or groups for an award here, keeping in mind that nominees are trendsetters who merge two worlds utilizing online technology to engage and mobilize their audiences.
This event is important because, although Latinos are overpopulated on social networks and social media use, they are not always represented at conferences like SXSWi. The Revolución is one way to bring them front and center, Rayo said, noting that the biggest success would be if it were to become an annual event. Thus far several hundred people are expected to participate, and The Social Revolución has partnered with several other organizations, including News Taco (full disclosure). For more information about the event visit this website.
