Overview
The Wall Street Journal brought its flagship event, WSJ Tech Live, to life on BigMarker, transforming one of the most prestigious gatherings in technology and business into a fully virtual experience. Over three days, more than 4,000 senior executives, innovators, and leaders from venture capital, software, media, and top global brands convened online to hear from the biggest names in tech and explore what was next for innovation, investment, and influence.
The challenge
WSJ Tech Live has long been recognized for its curated, high-impact experience that connects leading executives through premium networking and thought leadership. As the event shifted online, the Wall Street Journal team needed to recreate that high-touch experience digitally to go far beyond the standard webinar format.
They wanted the ability to weave together editorial storytelling, sponsor interactivity, and multimedia immersion, from walking through a virtual museum to creating shoppable videos, all while ensuring that attendees could explore content and connect with each other without missing a beat from the live stage.
The solution
Powered by BigMarker, WSJ Tech Live delivered a multidimensional digital event environment that replicated the energy and sophistication of its in-person format.
A picture-in-picture video player allowed attendees to continue watching live main stage conversations while exploring other parts of the site, such as sponsor hubs, networking lounges, and interactive experiences. This innovative setup kept engagement high throughout the day, letting participants browse, chat, and discover while staying connected to the live dialogue.
The platform also included custom sponsor activations and widgets that enhanced interactivity, such as a live countdown clock, multi-link navigation to external partner content, and embedded experiences that extended beyond the event itself. Combined with BigMarker’s advanced analytics and engagement tracking, the WSJ team was able to monitor participation in real time and deliver powerful insights back to sponsors and stakeholders.
Results delivered
The WSJ Tech Live achieved exceptional results for a virtual debut. Over 4,100 executives registered, with nearly 70% attending live and each spending an average of 3 hours per day fully immersed in the platform across sessions, chats, and sponsor areas.
Top sessions attracted over 1,200 concurrent viewers, including headline interviews from SoftBank, Zoom, and Magic Leap. A total of 20,000+ page views underscored the success of the picture-in-picture design, as attendees browsed the event ecosystem while watching sessions uninterrupted. Sponsor engagement was equally strong, with nine partners participating and direct attendee messaging driving personalized connections throughout the event.
Through BigMarker, The Wall Street Journal not only preserved the prestige and pace of WSJ Tech Live, it set a new standard for digital-first executive events, proving that a virtual experience can be both elevated and deeply engaging.
