F.Y.I.

Clear Hayes House will return to SXSW Sydney 2025

September 18, 2025 9:02

Clear Hayes House is returning to SXSW Sydney from October 13–17.

The announcement:

Clear Hayes House is back for its third year at SXSW Sydney®, transforming Darling Harbour’s Harajuku Gyoza Beer Stadium into a vibrant hub for the marketing, media and advertising industry.

From Monday, October 13 to Friday, October 17, the House will once again be the go-to destination for marketeers to connect, collaborate and create – and the occasional cocktail.

Curated by Clear Hayes Consulting, the program blends global talent, big-name brand leaders and fresh creative voices across five packed days. Free to attend for SXSW Sydney pass holders and non-pass holders alike, the House will deliver everything from inspiring thought leadership and live podcasts to interactive quiz shows, long lunches and late-night parties.

Headline speakers announced today include:

James Hurman – a leading thinker in marketing effectiveness, will make the case for long-term brand building over short-term sales in Brand > Performance;

Dr Catherine Ball – scientist, systems thinker and futurist, joining the First Movers Podcast Live to explore what happens when underrepresented voices take the mic and lead change;

Merrick Watts – comedian and founder of Posca Hydrate, sharing the story of reviving a 2,000-year-old Roman drink with CMO turned CEO Ed Stenning;

Eugene Healey – brand strategist, creator, lecturer and Tracksuit spokesperson, delivering a fearless challenge to marketers in Brand Building Ego Death.

Alex Hayes, curator of Clear Hayes House and principal at Clear Hayes Consulting, says: “Last year more than 4,000 people from all parts of the industry came through our doors, proof people are hungry for great content and top-tier experiences. This year we’re stepping it up again with a program that challenges thinking, celebrates creativity and creates space for the conversations the industry really needs to have, as well as leaving plenty of room for fun and human connection.”

Program highlights include:

StudioSpace Presents: Ride the Next Wave of Growth – an invite-only showcase for marketers with some of Australia’s best future-ready indie agencies;

Where Did All the Real Intelligence Go? – industry leaders from RedBalloon, Ryvalmedia and the IAB debate the human vs. AI dilemma;

Is Mainstream Monoculture Dying? – Hopeful Monsters’ Carl Moggridge and Glen Cassidy explore the rise of niche fandoms and fragmented culture;

The Price Isn’t Right: SXSW Sydney Edition – a high-energy quiz show tackling ageism in advertising, hosted by Ricky Chanana and Jo McAlister for the Experience Advocacy Taskforce.

Special events through the week:

Global Women in PR Lunch (Monday) – connecting female leaders across the PR and comms industry;

Afterpay Ads Happy Hour (Monday) – close out day one with bites, beats and a cheers with the Afterpay Ads team;

The Marketing Club Dinner Club (Wednesday) – a networking experience like no other;

Indie Agency Leaders’ Long Lunch – a Friday gathering of independent agency founders and leaders;

The MMAD Closing Party (Friday) – a neon-soaked finale with Dave Goode (Potbelleez) and top DJs, raising funds for music charity Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD).

More sessions, events and speakers will be announced very soon.

Partners supporting Clear Hayes House in 2025 include ADMA, Analytic Partners, Anchora, Afterpay, Foxcatcher, Hopeful Monsters, CHPR, Ryvalmedia, SI Global, StudioSpace, Tracksuit, Trimline and Yahoo.

For more information, please visit: https://www.clearhayes.com/clearhayeshouse