Ada Lovelace Day – 8th Nation

© 2023 8th Nation

Ada Lovelace Day on the 200th Birthday Celebration

About

8th Nation helped ThoughtWorks celebrate Ada Lovelace Day on the 200th birthday of the world’s first computer programmer. Ada Lovelace had been an important celebration for ThoughtWorks for many years, and this year was of particular importance because it was her 200th birthday. To commemorate this milestone, ThoughtWorks enlisted 8th Nation to pull out all the stops to ensure Ada Lovelace was celebrated in the way she deserved. 

The Ask

ThoughtWorks believes that having a diverse workforce creates better products. With that in mind, they constantly create events that are welcoming to people of all backgrounds. While ThoughtWorks has the most women technologists of any company and the most women in positions of power, it was simply not enough for them. This event sought not only to include women already working in tech but also girls from diverse communities involved with tech programs. With the dual purpose of doing what was right for the world and tech community while attracting the type of technologists that fit within Thoughtworks ethos, 8th Nation was asked to create an event that was special and commemorative.

What 8th Nation Did

8th Nation created a digital time capsule for the event with submissions from women in technologies favorite piece of code. Some of the women and groups that submitted to the digital time capsule include The CTO of NYC Minerva Tantoco, NYC Ruby Women, Black Girls Code, Technovation Challenge, New York Tech Women and Webgrrls.  Women gave 3-4 minute toasts about the Past, Present, and Future of tech. We asked our women technologists submit short 30 second videos on this theme. Hashtag #ald15  Ingrid Alvarez did a live painting during the event while ThoughtWorker, intersectional feminist Roseanne Malfucci spun records.

  • Developed and executed integrated and multi-channel marketing plans to ensure the event was covered by appropriate media channels
  • Ensured proper security was arranged for high-profile clients
  • Worked with Sony to create panel and technical judging criteria for the winner of the hackathon
  • Collaborated with leadership and cross-functional team members to brainstorm, plan, and develop new ideas and strategies
  • Defined comprehensive marketing performance framework, including creative reviews, tracking, and optimization of results
  • Work with commercial, events, and editorial teams on marketing programs and tactics to increase the visibility of the panel and associated opportunities
  • Created a digital time capsule with that will be opened in 100 years for the City of New York
  • Created a run-of-show for day-of-event with clear roles for all team members to ensure seamless flow for the event
  • Sourced and coordinated third-party resources such as vendors and security in the early stages of the project and throughout as needed
  • Crafted marketing collateral working closely with the art and brand teams on creative vision, strategy, and creation
  • Coordination of volunteer teams for seamless event execution
  • Troubleshooting AV needs before and during the event to ensure technical efficiency
  • Implemented and managed comprehensive social media campaigns to ensure the event was correctly promoted, well attended and captured in the digital world
  • Supported client by maintaining the integrity of workflow against agreed-upon Scope of Work and budget parameters which includes communication of overages, issues, and alterations
  • Worked as a liaison between key stakeholder and PR; crafting press releases and managing any media needs such as interviews and invites for members of the press

Results

8th Nation was able to tap into some amazing groups of women and girls in technology in the NYC market, many of whom are still a part of the 8th Nation community. 8th Nation also helped ThoughtWorks recruit 3 new women technologist for this event, and hopefully, a few more when they are old enough to work with the company!