Voted third in ‘105 Crucial Websites on Data Centers for IT Specialists’, by Technologyschools.org, ‘The Future of the Data Center’ is an Oracle sponsored social portal created by IDG Connect. Through a new white paper, 24 blogs and a targeted email campaign, this delivered 561 leads from 26 countries in 6 months.

1. Connect ZoneConnect Zone
Voted third in ‘105 Crucial Websites on Data Centers for IT Specialists’,
by Technologyschools.org, ‘The Future of the Data Center’ is an Oracle
sponsored social portal created by IDG Connect. Through a new white
paper, 24 blogs and a targeted email campaign, this delivered 561
leads from 26 countries in 6 months.
Campaign brief
Solution
Region:
IDG Connect delivered a comprehensive, three part content marketing
package which comprised of:
1) White paper: this blended existing Oracle information with new research
2) Social website, ‘The Future of the Data Center’: this included hosting the
white paper, weekly blogs and details of the latest local Oracle events
3) Promotion: this comprised of bespoke social media and targeted email
campaigns to core decision makers across EMEA
White paper
IDG Connect conducted new research addressing regional trends in Data
Center management throughout EMEA. The findings were analysed by
in-house Editorial Director, Martin Veitch, and cross-referenced against
Oracle’s own Data Center Index to create a brand new, cutting edge research
paper. This provided a readable overview of industry trends through the
region.
EMEA
IDG Connect delivered on
our brief and more - the
commissioned research is
an excellent door opener
exploited extensively by both
EMEA marketing and sales
teams.
“
”Laila M Beswick
Senior EMEA Systems Marketing Manager
In Spring 2013, Oracle required a social platform to mark the anniversary
celebrations of Oracle SPARC and Solaris, and to promote the launch of
the fastest microprocessor and new SPARC servers. The portal would have
to:
Niche areas of specialism to be covered on the site would have to include
Data Center Efficiency, Sustainability, Cloud Adoption and Big Data. Each
of these would need to be tackled in a professional, but easy to digest
manner, to guarantee the maximum social interaction.
• Host third party, independent editorial along with existing Oracle
content focused around the Optimized Data Center
• Publicize the latest Data Center Index
• Generate genuine peer-to-peer interaction
• Deliver a batch of new leads from 26 countries across EMEA

2. Connect ZoneConnect Zone
‘The Future of the Data Center’ was developed as a new responsive
portal to showcase the latest insight into Data Center trends. This
included thought provoking weekly blogs and online polls to spur peer-
to-peer debate, along with eye-catching infographics to present the
research findings. Oracle also supplied topical videos, along with details
on the most pertinent local events to maximize user interaction. The
site included its own fully integrated CMS and registration system, which
made it extremely easy for campaign managers to update information
and for users to access content.
Social website
Promotion
On top of ongoing social interaction, IDG Connect promoted the latest
content to its fully nurtured database via email. Over the 6 month
period, new content was used to generate leads from Data Center
decision-makers across 26 countries.
Desktop and responsive tablet formats
‘The Future of the Data
Center’ is an awesome page
often highlighting upcoming
trends concerning Data
Centers and how they will
affect operations in the long
term.
“
”Technologyschools.org

3. Connect ZoneConnect Zone
Results
Community engagement
The Future of the Data Center provided a dedicated space for interaction
and prompted an average of 8 comments per blog. Content was
shared widely across social media and the site was ranked third by
Technologyschools.org, in its ‘105 Crucial Websites on Data Centers for IT
Specialists’ list. Editors stated:
“
Leads generated & project extension
The overall success of the project prompted Oracle to extend the
programme by a further 6 months. This will include the creation of new
local market research and more ongoing weekly blogs.
“The Future of the Data Center is an awesome page often
highlighting upcoming trends concerning Data Centers and how
they will affect operations in the long term.
IDG Connect created an edgy,
cool site/portal that housed
third party research, Oracle
content and a host of new
blogs all in one place. This
was the perfect platform for
peer to peer commentary on
changing data center trends
and strategies across EMEA
and we were impressed by
the engagement levels.
“
”
26COUNTRIES
6MONTHS
561LEADS
DELIVERED
Technologyschools.org
Laila M Beswick
Senior EMEA Systems Marketing Manager