Panasonic Takes Part in the Interactive Category of "South by Southwest 2017", One of the Largest Digital Interactive Exhibitions in the World

Kusatsu, Japan - Panasonic Corporation will take part in the interactive category of "South by Southwest 2017" (SXSW 2017 Interactive), as a part of its "Game Changer Catapult" project, which aims to accelerate efforts to develop new businesses that focus on consumer electronics and to nurture employees capable of leading the way in this field. SXSW 2017 Interactive will be held in Austin, Texas (USA) March 10-19, 2017.

Panasonic Corporation Appliance Company launched the Game Changer Catapult project in July 2016 to enhance and encourage employees' open innovation through external collaboration and the bottom-up discovery and development of new business ideas. Aspiring to "create next generation consumer electronics businesses" with speed and innovative ideas that transcend business divisions, the company has implemented a framework under which new business ideas were submitted and finalists selected.

Eight selected business ideas will be introduced as prototypes and concepts in the Panasonic booth at SXSW 2017 Interactive. The creators of these new business ideas will be able to speak directly to event participants from around the world, hear feedback first hand, and also discover advocates, collaborators, and partners. This will help them reexamine their ideas and move forward with commercialization.

By introducing its new business ideas at SXSW 2017 Interactive, Panasonic expects these models, which exemplify the "Future of Consumer Electronics in 2025," to create communities together with not only consumers, but also business partners, sector peers, in effect, the entire industry by looking at "BtoC" in a new light - not merely "B to Consumer" but "B to Community."

Information about each business idea will become available on the Game Changer Catapult website in the coming weeks.

About South by Southwest (SXSW)

South by Southwest is one of the world's largest exhibitions for interactive, film, and music industries held every year in March in Austin, Texas (USA). It began back in 1987 as a music festival, and in 1994 the film and interactive categories were introduced. In particular, the interactive category has significant global influence. It has become a gateway for startups, and many companies and investors have shown great interest in the event. Some ICT services that have received the grand prize in the interactive category are now being used across the world.