8th Nation worked with Sony Music and ThoughtWorks NYC to produce the Rock and Code Hackathon. The weekend-long event brought together top tech talent with two of the world’s most innovative companies in music and tech. Participants conceptualized, created and presented their projects to a panel of music industry executives. Anything was acceptable as long as it was music related. Music professionals were present to help developers and startups fine-tune pitches and answer any music industry related questions/concerns. Sony Music’s senior executives listened to pitches, reviewed submissions, and gave insight into how the music industry works. After the pitches, Sony Music recording artist Coin performed live!
The Ask
ThoughtWorks regularly hosts tech-related events as a way to interface with potential tech recruits. Working with Sony Music on a hackathon was a no-brainer to bring up-and-coming tech talent Through ThoughtWorks’ doors. ThoughtWorks values diversity above all else and has a commitment to recruiting all kinds of technologists in creative ways. As a tech company, ThoughtWorks needed an experienced producer to organize, manage and run the day-to-day nuts and bolts of a successful event that would live up to Sony Music’s high expectations.
What 8th Nation Did
Managed the needs of both Sony Music and ThoughtWorks and made sure the many moving parts of the event moved in harmony. Reached out to top tech talent to ensure the event would have an incredible outcome. Reached out to thousands of technologists to invite them to participate in the hackathon. Coordinated with Sony Music to manage a press campaign with adequate outreach to media outlets that would promote the event. Took care of every aspect of the event including security, catering, and IT. Had regular planning meetings with the Sony team before the event and ran meetings with Sony Music Executives throughout the weekend.
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 crowd control for event space to minimize crowd control issues
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
The Results
ThoughtWorks reached its goal of gaining firsthand exposure with many potential tech recruits. Sony Music reached its goal of seeing how up-and-coming tech talent saw the future of the music industry. The top hackathon team created a VR Dance party experience that sought not only to link people together from around the world but also for people who may not be able to leave their homes for a variety of reasons. The winners were then able to meet with Executives from Sony to talk about developing the VR experience into a marketable product. ThoughtWorks was able to recruit 5 new technologists out of a total of 100 hackathon attendee from diverse backgrounds, to join the ThoughtWorks team.
