Converge Weekly

HP HPQ announced it will be the official technology outfitter forSUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro, with support from partner Intel Corporation.

SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro is a bold climb up the world’s highest freestanding mountain led by Grammy-nominated musician, philanthropist and “actionist” Kenna and his supporters Jessica Biel, Isabel Lucas, Lupe Fiasco, Alexandra Cousteau and other global influencers.

HP is bringing its technology expertise and fully integrated marketing muscle – including TV, online and social media resources – to SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro. As partners and official technology outfitters, HP and Intel will raise awareness of the global clean water crisis, inspire individuals to join the cause and provide people with the tools to actively participate in improving the standard of living for those in need.

“This project would not be possible without HP’s support and commitment to the cause,” said Kenna. “HP’s compassion was extended by way of award-winning ads and vast technology solutions that will help us share our story with the world and turn SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro into a life-changing, global-reaching campaign to fight the clean water problem worldwide.”

As part of its integrated campaign to support SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro, HP’s latest“Computer Is Personal Again” commercial features climbers Kenna, Fiasco and Cousteau and the new HP Pavilion dm3t notebook PC, powered by Intel. The commercial marks the first time HP has created a cause-related ad featuring multiple achievers on-screen together.

HP and SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro have unveiled a series of boot camp web films featuring Kenna and Fiasco to drive awareness about the upcoming climb. The videos are available on the SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT Facebook Causes page.

In addition, HP, along with Intel, will equip Kenna and the team with thin and light, ultra-mobile notebooks to stay in touch with supporters around the globe as they make their ascent to the 19,340-foot peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

“HP and Kenna share the belief that through greater awareness, individuals can be inspired to effect change,” said David Roman, vice president, worldwide marketing communications, Personal Systems Group, HP. “We are delighted to play a role in this project by providing innovative technology solutions – not just for the climb – but also to help engage a broad community of supporters around the world.”

Technology on the climb

Once the climb begins, the team will use the HP Pavilion dm3t and HP Mini 110 by Studio Tord Boontje with Intel processors to capture, blog and share photos and videos from Mt. Kilimanjaro with supporterson the official SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT websitewww.summitonthesummit.com.

“Intel’s commitment to environment sustainability has been part of our company’s heritage since our founding more than 40 years ago,” said Deborah Conrad, vice president and director, Corporate Marketing Group, Intel. “The Intel CORE processors used in the laptops the climbers will be carrying were designed and manufactured with the environment in mind, providing energy efficiency and extended battery life, while maintaining high computing performance.”

The PCs, powered by Intel eco-friendly processors, are thin and light and energy efficient. Keeping with the focus on environmental causes, the HP Mini 110 by Studio Tord Boontje features a unique 3-D Imprint design inspired by animals.

The base camp will be outfitted with the high-powered HP TouchSmart PC to help track each climber’s progress, monitor weather conditions and capture every aspect of the climb. The HP MediaSmart Server will serve as backup storage for all the climb team’s media content.

Getting involved

SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro supporters will have an opportunity to observe the climb and interact with Kenna and the team through Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and the SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT website.

Supporters who wish to contribute to the cause can sponsor a foot on the SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT website. In addition, for every view of a SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT Boot Camp episode on the SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT Facebook Causes page, HP will contribute 100 liters of clean water to the cause. HP also will match donations made through Facebook Causes.

Visitors to the website will get a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation and training that went into the climb from a series of web videos, keep track of climbers’ progress on a virtual online mountain with the help of GPS trackers, and stay informed and interact with the team. In addition, fans can rock SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro computer skins to show their support for the cause.

About SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro

SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro is an ascent to raise awareness of the global clean water crisis and will take place this coming January. Grammy-nominated musician, philanthropist, and “actionist” Kenna masterminded the expedition in which many of the world’s brightest minds and major global influencers, will climb Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro. The climb will not only raise awareness of the global clean water crisis, but also raise funds for The Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and PlayPumps International. All funds raised by Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro will be managed and distributed through the United Nations Foundation, the project’s charitable advisors. Corporate partners and sponsors of SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro include HP, PŪR, and First Ascent.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems.