SXSW St. Bernards 'Rescue' Visitors Needing To Charge Mobile Devices

AUSTIN, TX -- SXSW participants needing to be “rescued” from the plight of low battery power on their mobile devices are able to dispatch a St. Bernard to help them recharge their gadgets.

It’s clever marketing and yet absolutely the most adorable thing Patch has seen at SXSW. Celebrated in lore for their heroic rescues of trapped mountaineers, the SXSW canine heroes hang out at at the “Bad to the Bone Bar,” a booth staged by Indian Motorcycle. Once dispatched, they travel on the sidecar of a bike with needed charger in tow.

The effort is the brainchild of mophie, which describes itself as the top-selling mobile batter case maker in North America and innovator of power solutions for mobile devices.

The St. Bernard initiative is done in collaboration with the St. Bernard Rescue Foundation, which works to promote the cause of securing adoptions for St. Bernards in need of forever homes.

"In all honestly, we really just wanted to play with the dogs again for a few days," said Ross Howe, VP of Marketing at mophie. "While it's important to promote mophie's uniqueness as a brand and benefits of our products, having the opportunity to prominently showcase these amazing animals is the biggest reason we returned with the Foundation. And in doing so, we knew we had to kick the spectacle up a few notches."

Here’s how it works. People needing a #mophieRescue team dispatched while attending SXSW send out a tweet. If determined to be in genuine need of rescuing, tweeters will get their own tweet in response, with a link to the @Glympse interactive map tracking each St. Bernard in real time.

In addition to getting rescued, selected participants get a bit of swag and the chance to get a picture taken with their canine rescuer.

Those not in need of rescue but eager to visit the canine team can also visit with the dogs (including puppies OMG!) at the Bone Bar, designed to look like a biker bar at the corner of 5th and Trinity streets, just a block from the Austin Convention Center.

Entry to the booth is free, and visitors can participate in giveaways, partake of beverages and take photos with the dogs.

The folks at the St. Bernard Rescue Foundation said they were excited to bring the canine rescues to SXSW for the second straight year.

"The St. Bernard Rescue Foundation is extremely happy to be back at SXSW with mophie for a second straight year," said Olive Ashwell, Marketing Manager for the St. Bernard Rescue Foundation. "mophie has shown an authentic passion in helping our organization gain national exposure. We couldn't wait to get back on the streets of Austin."