Strategizing and communicating an AI-driven climate hackathon

Client Overview

Cloudera is a leading enterprise technology company specializing in data management, analytics, and AI solutions built on open-source software. Their flagship Cloudera Data Platform (CDP) enables organizations to manage and analyze massive data volumes across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, delivering actionable insights while maintaining robust security and governance standards.

The Challenge

As climate change, water scarcity, and food insecurity increasingly threaten global stability, the need for innovative technological solutions has never been more urgent. Despite the abundance of environmental data available, the world faces a critical gap in translating this information into scalable, actionable solutions that can meaningfully address our most pressing sustainability challenges.

Cloudera recognized an opportunity to leverage its technological expertise by launching its inaugural Climate and Sustainability Hackathon in partnership with AMD. This initiative would bring together data scientists worldwide to develop machine learning solutions for environmental challenges, with all winning code open-sourced to support global sustainability efforts.

However, to maximize the hackathon's impact, Cloudera needed a strategic communications partner who could effectively develop and deliver messaging that would attract diverse, global participation and position the company as a leader in tech-driven sustainability solutions.

Our Approach

Hower Impact collaborated with Cloudera as a strategic thought partner and communications specialist for the hackathon. Our team:

• Refined the hackathon's strategic framework, including challenge structure, participant journey, and outcome measurement

• Developed a comprehensive communications strategy targeting data scientists, sustainability professionals, and technology enthusiasts

• Created compelling messaging that highlighted the intersection of data science and environmental innovation

• Produced educational content explaining how AI and machine learning can address specific sustainability challenges

• Engaged with Cloudera's target audiences through strategic content placement and amplification

Additionally, Hower Impact's founder Mike Hower served as a judge evaluating hackathon submissions, providing expert assessment of each solution's potential sustainability impact.

Key Deliverables

Strategic Development

• Transformed the hackathon concept into a structured, actionable initiative with clear objectives

• Designed a communication framework that aligned with Cloudera's brand and sustainability goals

• Created evaluation criteria that balanced technical innovation with real-world environmental impact

Content Creation

• Developed a suite of promotional materials explaining the hackathon's purpose and challenges

• Produced technical blog posts detailing how Cloudera's platform could be leveraged for sustainability applications

• Crafted post-event content highlighting winning solutions and their potential global impact

Launch and Amplification

• Executed a phased communication strategy across multiple channels to drive participation

• Facilitated partnerships with sustainability organizations to extend reach

• Created shareable assets for participants to spread awareness within their networks

• Developed targeted messaging for key geographic regions to ensure global participation

Results

The hackathon exceeded all participation and impact goals:

• Exceptional Global Engagement: More than 2,300 data scientists from across the world participated, significantly surpassing initial targets

• Technological Innovation: Participants developed numerous high-quality AI solutions addressing critical challenges in renewable energy optimization, extreme weather resilience, and forest preservation

• Brand Leadership: Positioned Cloudera as a pioneer in applying enterprise data solutions to sustainability challenges

• Open-Source Impact: The open-sourcing of winning solutions created lasting resources for the global sustainability community

• Partnership Value: Strengthened Cloudera's strategic relationship with AMD while establishing new connections with sustainability organizations

The hackathon demonstrated how Cloudera's technology can drive meaningful environmental impact, reinforcing the company's commitment to addressing global sustainability challenges through data-driven innovation.