Grumpy Cat Among Public Figures Descending To SXSW In Austin

AUSTIN, TX -- From President Barack Obama to Grumpy Cat, this year’s SXSW has got the whole spectrum of public figures represented.

And while those meeting Obama at his SXSW appearance Friday had to undergo security clearance, Grumpy Cat says he's eager to have people to greet him up close and personal. And there’s no need to buy an admission badge, either.

“No badge, no tickets, no wristbands,” he said on the official Grumpy Cat Facebook page. “Open to everyone, come see us!”

The frowning feline will be at 200 Congress Ave., Suite 28 this weekend. Today (Saturday, March 12) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Grumpy Cat will reluctantly (as is his wont) meet fans. Another appearance is scheduled the next day on Sunday during those same time blocks.

“Start spreading the bad news,” the curmudgeonly cat wrote on his official Facebook page announcing his appearance.

But what Grump Cat lacks in enthusiasm and cheery outlook is made up for by business savvy.

This is no altruistic mission to meet the masses, but an effort to promote the launch of a new cat food by Friskie’s called Cat Concoctions. And what better place to do so than at an event to which tens of thousands of people (some cat owners among them) descend for the massive interactive, film and music festival

On the same Facebook page announcing his Austin appearance, the PR-savvy cat also promotes a new emoticon (he calls it a grumpmoji) featuring a caricature image of the frowning face despite donning a party hat. It’s free in the Apple store, he points out helpfully.

This uncool cat has quite the following, with 8.5 million people liking his Facebook page. By comparison, Obama's Facebook page has 1.8 million who like his.

That's some furocious PR. Grumpy Cat may be grumpy, but he’s no dummy.

>>> Images via official Grumpy Cat Facebook page