CLEVELAND, OHIO, March 9, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Greetings is constantly asked: "Isn't social media replacing paper greeting cards?" Analog by American Greetings is a three-day experiential event at SXSW Interactive created by the 110-year-old greeting card company to assert that digital and analog connections between people are complementary – by juxtaposing analog creation tools against SXSW Interactive's digital landscape in a revolutionary, thought-provoking experience.
Analog by American Greetings will take place March 12-14 and features a program of world-renowned Analog Talks across a variety of creative fields, as well as Analog Creations that demonstrate the sensory benefits of analog creativity and techniques. While this analog message is a huge departure from the usual latest-and-greatest tech presentations that rule SXSW Interactive, today's digitally-savvy consumers say they are looking for some relief from the digital noise and a chance to return to real, meaningful human connections.
Reminding people that the origins of today's technology are rooted in analog creative approaches that inspire people to connect is on the agenda for celebrated Analog speakers Aaron Draplin and Stefan Sagmeister. Draplin, a seasoned logo designer and Field Notes creator, will speak on Saturday, March 12 from 3:30p.m.-4:30p.m. about his obsession with paper and how its use led him to calling President Obama one of his clients. Sagmeister, an internationally renowned designer and typographer who is celebrated for his unorthodox album covers, innovative campaigns and provocative exhibitions, including "The Happy Show," will speak on Sunday, March 13 from 12:30p.m.-1:30p.m. about the importance of beauty.
By special invitation, guests on Saturday, March 12 will be brought back to contemporary music's roots with a special musical guest who will be spinning vinyl for the first time in nearly a decade! In addition to the vinyl vibes, conference-goers will be excited by Analog's impressive lineup of creative minds. Artist Kelsey Montague will be live-drawing an exclusive interactive mural over the three days; fashion designer and fiber artist Michael-Birch Pierce will be showing off his sewing skills by live-stitching guests' selfies in under five minutes; celebrated visual artist Shantell Martin will be speaking on the intersection of art, technology and fashion; and American Greetings artists will provide hands-on assistance to help guests craft the perfect message in beautiful hand-lettering or illustration.
"Our Analog experience offers an unexpected way to demonstrate how digital and analog can co-exist and that tactile, tangible things really are more special and meaningful," said Alex Ho, Executive Director of Marketing at American Greetings. "We think it's a great analogy for explaining why greeting cards are as popular as ever with consumers, as they seek to make more meaningful connections in today's digital world."
For the full schedule of events open to the public at Analog by American Greetings, visit americangreetings.com/analog. The three-day experience will be located at 325 East 6th Street in Austin, TX and will be open from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
For more information on American Greetings, visit www.corporate.americangreetings.com. You can also follow American Greetings on Twitter, Facebook, American Greetings blog, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram.
About American Greetings Corporation
As a leader in meaningful connections, American Greetings Corporation is a creator and manufacturer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in making the world a more thoughtful and caring place. Founded in 1906, the Company's major greeting card lines are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods and American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards. American Greetings also has one of the largest collections of greetings on the Web, including greeting cards available at Cardstore.com and ecards available at AmericanGreetings.com. In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the AG Entertainment group. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $2 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets worldwide. For more information on the Company, visit www.corporate.americangreetings.com.
About SXSW Interactive
The 23rd annual SXSW Interactive Festival returns to Austin from Friday, March 11 through Tuesday, March 15. An incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, the 2016 event features five days of compelling presentations and panels from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to discover the technology of tomorrow today. Join us in March 2016 for the sessions, the networking, the special events, the 18th Annual SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards, SXSW Accelerator®, the SXSW Gaming Expo, the SXSW Trade Show, the SX Health & MedTech Expo, SX Create, The Job Market, cross-industry conversations with attendees from SXSW Film and SXSW Music, and, most of all, the unforgettable inspirational experiences that only SXSW can deliver.
SXSW Interactive 2016 is sponsored by Esurance, Mazda, Monster Energy, Capital One, Bud Light, Deloitte Digital, McDonald's, Ten-X, United Airlines, Samsung and The Austin Chronicle.