Ready Set Rocket & Interbrand Partner to Present "Wearables and the Happiness Quotient" at 2015 South by Southwest (SXSW)

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Feb 20, 2015) - Ready Set Rocket, a New York City-based digital agency committed to connecting brands and consumers through innovative multi-channel experiences, and Interbrand, the world's leading brand consultancy, today announced that they would be co-presenting a Core Conversation titled "Wearables and the Happiness Quotient" at the 2015 South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Conference in Austin, TX. The session will take place on Saturday, March 14 from 11:00am - 12:00pm at the JW Marriott (Room 210, 110 E. 2nd Street) in Austin, TX.

Led by Gareth Price, Technical Director, Ready Set Rocket and Forest Young, Creative Director, Interbrand, "Wearables and the Happiness Quotient" will endeavor to answer: will wearables help us achieve greater happiness?

From the quantified-self movement to the emerging biometric economy, wearables may finally deliver on the collective dream -- to identify what we desire and create predictive and reinforcing engagement models to help us achieve our goals. Defining a 'happiness algorithm' via ubiquitous computing and biometric data promises to be the most exciting and meaningful endeavor of our respective disciplines. The conversation will explore how individuals, marketers and policy makers can create a win-win scenario surrounding increasingly personal data.

As Technical Director at Ready Set Rocket, Price steers a brilliant development team that builds beautiful websites and custom applications for high profile clients like Ann Taylor, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole, Univision, and Deutsche Bank, among others. He also defines development blueprints, leads and fosters growth within the development team, investigating new trends and managing innovation to keep Ready Set Rocket at the cutting edge of technology.

Young is creative lead in Interbrand's New York studio focusing on the intersection of mobility, storytelling and experience. He is also a critic in graphic design at the Yale School of Art, a board member of the AIGA/NY, and is a member of the MoMA R&D Salon. His work was recently exhibited at the MoMA Talk to Me show and has won a Gold Design Lion at Cannes. Young received his MFA from the Yale School of Art where he was awarded the Mark Whistler Prize. Previously, he led teams at frog design, Brand New School and the Coca-Cola Company.

"We are thrilled about our ongoing relationship with Interbrand and about this core conversation we're presenting at South by Southwest. Together, we hope to shape and influence this exciting and important intersection of biometrics, wearables and ubiquitous computing," added Price.

"The potential of wearable technology to transform the way people live and work, has been an ongoing discussion. But what if the wearable technology had the potential to help us be happier?" noted Young. "Defining a 'happiness algorithm' would open up a whole new world of possibilities for both enterprises, brands and consumers alike. This core conversation will seek to identify and explore all the possibilities as well as the challenges and pitfalls to individuals, marketers and policy makers."

Follow the dialogue on Twitter with hashtags #happiness #wearables and #sxswi.

About Ready Set Rocket
Ready Set Rocket is a NYC-based digital agency committed to connecting brands and consumers through innovative multi-channel experiences. We are a team of expert strategists, creatives, marketers, developers and communicators who collaborate closely and effectively to solve our client's challenges. We are relentless relationship builders, technological innovators and brand enthusiasts who continuously strive to improve and enhance our products and offerings to better serve our partners. Founded in 2009, Ready Set Rocket's senior team is led by co-founders Aaron Harvey and Alex Lirtsman. For more information, visit www.readysetrocket.com or email info@readysetrocket.com.

About Interbrand
Interbrand is the world's leading brand consultancy, with a network of 33 offices in 27 countries. Since it opened for business in 1974, it has changed the way the world sees branding: from just another word for "logo," to a business' most valuable asset, to business strategy brought to life. Publisher of the highly influential annual Best Global Brands ranking, Interbrand believes that brands have the power to change the world -- and helps its clients achieve this goal every day. Interbrand's combination of strategy, creativity, and technology delivers fresh ideas and insights, deep brand intelligence, clear business opportunities, and compelling brand experiences. Interbrand is part of the Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) network of agencies. For more information, please visit us at interbrand.com and follow us on Twitter @Interbrand, and Facebook.