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Virgin Mobile promoted its Baltimore and Washington D.C.-based Freefest during this year’s SXSW in Austin inside (and outside) a tricked out residential home on Eighth Street. Though it’s not an official sponsor of the festival, Virgin rode the momentum of the popular event using the house as a hospitality locale to host industry folks, entertain fans (and recharge their phones, courtesy of LG) as well as showcase artwork. The party was on each night with free drinks, live djs (including heavy hitter Diplo) and surprise guests like actor Bill Murray and pro athlete Rick Thorne.

While it’s tough to compete with the Olympic Torch Relay, several brands gave it their all with pre-Olympic events that touted their connection to the games and scored an emotional connection with consumers. Though Coke takes the gold medal, the following are strong contenders for the silver. Congrats to all for a great run to Vancouver.

At this year’s International CTIA Wireless 2010 trade show, held March 23-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, LG created an intuitive and focused experience in its 4,800 square-foot-space. Driven by the concept of simplicity in a complicated life, the overall design sought to unite the product offerings in an organic way while at the same time delivering messaging targeted at specific personalities. Productivity, entertainment and style were some of the core concepts.

The dream started in 1960, when a group of ski-loving Canadian businessmen returned from the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, CA, with an idea: Develop a ski destination in British Columbia to host the 1968 Games. They rented planes and did air reconnaissance, then put on their warmest boots and walked the terrain. They eventually selected London Mountain, a massive summit located high above Alta Lake some 70 miles north of Vancouver. London was renamed in honor of the local alpine marmot, which “whistles” when it communicates—and Whistler was officially born.

Premium water brand FIJI hasn’t missed one South by Southwest event in the last four years. The interactive, film and music festival attracts an educated and discerning consumer, which according to the brand is its target, too. Though FIJI isn't an official sponsor of the