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!
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.
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.
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.