Fons PR Lights Up SXSW: Helping the Fest to Master 35+ Red Carpets with Expertise and Glamour
Learn how this Austin agency is taking on the fast-paced fest
In the heart of Austin lies Fons PR, a creative agency boasting a 15-year history at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival. This year, the small but mighty team is set to embark on a new adventure—helping orchestrate all 36 of the festival’s iconic red carpets.
With ‘The Hurt Locker’ being one of the agency’s early projects at SXSW, the team now measures their time in festival editions, and as the years pass they’ve witnessed its evolution firsthand. Known for their ability to go above and beyond for their clients with extravagant events such as busy block parties, immersive advanced screenings, and packed-out premieres, Fons PR is navigating this semi-new territory with fierce determination, and although they’ve worked plenty of red carpets in the past such as Fantastic Fest or Austin Film Festival, and ATX Television Festival, the range of high-profile clientele attending South by will elevate the playing field.
Logistics and Lots of Planning by the Fons PR Team
To help achieve this feat, they’ve expanded their team, collaborating with core members and bringing aboard freelancers they’ve worked closely with in the past. The decision to expand their staff is crucial to their successful takeover of this city-wide festival, a plan that cleverly involves a “divide and conquer” strategy by the team to best serve their client, SXSW. “Fons PR passionately represent their clients and know us and our event so well. We’re excited to have their expanded team ensuring our filmmakers and press have the best Red Carpet experience.” shared, Jody Arlington, Communications Director at SXSW.
Christine Lemchi, Senior Publicist and Team Director with eight years of experience under her belt, reflected on the agency’s dynamic nature. “A lot of what we do is pivoting,” she remarked. As they gear up for March 8th, the logistical challenges are immense, but Lemchi attests that their well-experienced team will successfully juggle everything.
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However, the red carpet is only one element of their overall involvement. As a senior figure, Lemchi also emphasizes the agency’s collaboration with key clients like NEON Studios, and IFC Films during the festival. “We work with independent filmmakers seeking distribution,” she noted, underscoring the importance of spotlighting these talents in the welcoming atmosphere SX provides.
Where can you expect to find the agency’s headquarters during SXSW? According to them, it’s everywhere. “We are Jacqueline’s of all trades, and our HQ is in the streets. We live there during South by,” says Lemchi. You’ll find the PR team scattered across iconic venues like the Paramount, ZACH, and Alamo Drafthouse Theaters, or anywhere else you might find SXSW signage, for that matter.
Full Circle Moments: Fons PR Team Experiences at SXSW
Danielle York expressed the surreal feeling she faces as she’s about to lead her first film, ‘Cuckoo,’ starring Hunter Schaefer, after being with Fons for two years and taking on her first South by. She’s not alone; other team members like Rosa Ramirez and Kennedy Sutton shared their full-circle experiences.
Ramirez, who transitioned from the role of team assistant to now leading films on her own, notes her progression as a significant accomplishment. Meanwhile, Sutton, stepping into her second year working with Fons at SXSW, handles NEON’s, ‘Babes’ premiere, starring Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau, whilst simultaneously juggling projects like “Dune: Part Two” at the same time.
The Art of Curating Film Experiences
Brandy Fons, co-founder of the company, shed some light on the agency’s commitment to curating unique experiences for the films they represent. It’s not just about carpets and interviews; they are meticulously planning every detail for clients and talent, from dining preferences to transportation, everything is done with a perfect sense of purpose – showcasing their dedication to creating a memorable journey for both filmmakers and audiences.
“We’re nerds,” shared Fons, a quality seamlessly woven into the fabric of her industry. Fons, in particular, is renowned for her unique expression of enthusiasm — she consistently adorns her nails with themes inspired by the films she is passionate about. A notable instance is her intricate nail art for the ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ premiere, which not only garnered attention from the directors but stands as one of the many creative expressions of her fervor. Over the years, she has extended this personal touch to other elements of her wardrobe, adding an extra layer of visual celebration for the films she champions. This commitment resonates in every project undertaken by the public relations company.
As the team gears up for their new venture, connect with Fons PR on social media for a closer look at the work they’ll be doing during SXSW.