Objective: On February 27, Microsoft will introduce Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, and Microsoft SQL Server 2008. In preparation, it wanted to reach out to IT pros and developers, its target audience for the new offerings. "The success of our products really goes back to the people who work with them," said Karen Carter, marketing director for Windows Server.

Idea: Microsoft sought to celebrate IT pros as "unsung heroes" of our tech-dependent existence. "IT pros don't expect credit to ...