Microsoft

Best CIO Contest 2008

GOALS:

To change the perception of «IT-director» position from especially technical to business one
To promote IT-director status in company structure
To attract attention of Ukrainian top-managers and owners to the role of IT-director in business development
To form the pool of the acknowledged experts, who can comment events and trends of IT-market

REALIZATION:

The developed concept and presentation of «Best CIO 2008» contest allowed to secure support of the leading IT magazine "Komputernoe Obozrenie" and IT-companies: Microsoft, Intel, Sun Microsystems, SAP and HP.
The selection of the participants was realized in 3 stages, what allowed the competition participants to show their knowledge and professional qualities as much as possible, as well as ability to achieve company’s business goals.
The style of award ceremony was developed with taking into account the basic idea of competition: “It is time for IT-directors to go out from their companies’ shadow and to obtain personal recognition”. Based on this concept the ceremony style, place and scenario were developed. This allowed competition finalists to feel themselves as real stars of their profession. Kiev restaurant «Leo Club» known by the refined luxury style hosted the contest.
A rewarding ceremony was opened by a symbolic dance of shades, performed by mimes. At the end of the performance shades became real personalities. In the same way people heard about real IT-directors thanks to the “Best CIO 2008” contest.
A ceremony was moderated by professional announcer, but the participants did not see him – they only heard his solemn voice, what allowed not to divert guests’ attention from the main participants of event - finalists and winners of the competition.
The jurymen of the contest voted for winners separately, that why the intrigue of who became a winner was kept till the end . The name of the winner was disclosed only after opening an envelope on the stage accompanied by fanfares sound.
All finalists received nominal diplomas, and winners - special honors, that in the future will be the sign of the distinguished professional achievements for the IT-community.

RESULTS:

More than 120 registered participants of the contest
30 finalists and 40 representatives of contest’s sponsors and organizers took part in the ceremony
Participants and partners of the contest appreciated the rewarding ceremony at its true value – that demonstrated IT- community recognition of this initiative and the possibility of conducting “Best CIO” as annual contest