Brent Grulke, 51, Creative Director of South by Southwest

Playing at SXSW can change a band’s career, and Brent Grulke was in charge of the bookings. “Not recommended for making an impression — though each had been tried at least once — was bombarding Mr. Grulke’s office with kegs of beer, smoked salmon, assorted strippers and a toilet bowl filled with Tootsie Rolls.”