Global CIO Quick Take: Oracle & Iron Man 2 Seek Super CIO

Perhaps showing a new tinsely side of itself, Oracle is running a promotion in conjunction with the forthcoming film Iron Man 2 in which real-life CIOs are asked to describe their greatest IT exploits in hopes of winning an Oracle-paid trip for two to the premiere of the film.

Oh yes—the winner of the "Go from IT Hero to Super Hero" competition will also be named Honorary CIO for the fictional company in the film (no details available on the Oracle site about honorary salary, honorary stock options, honorary signing bonus, etc.).

Here's how Oracle's website—complete with a big cartoon image of Iron Man—describes its contest:

"Are you transforming your enterprise through innovation by using Oracle solutions? Does your company consider you a business hero? Then Marvel and Oracle challenge you to enter the Stark Industries Honorary CIO Contest. Tell us your Oracle success story and you could become the Honorary CIO of Stark Industries."

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The site says the deadline was end of day March 15, but if you need a little extra time you can always say you were in counseling after your college failed to get picked for the NCAA basketball tournament—it probably won't work but for a good cause like this, it's worth a try. Just in case, here are some hints from Oracle on how to wow the company that doesn't really exist:

• An Honorary CIO and two runners up will be selected. Oracle customers must submit a nomination form on behalf of their company. If you already have a success story on Oracle.com, you can still enter to win; just supply the link to your current story and supplement with any new and additional items of relevance. • Use the online nomination form to tell us how you vanquish challenges and transform your company through innovation!

• Winners will be selected based on business efficiencies achieved through use of Oracle products. The goal is to impress our panel with your cost savings, process improvements, increased capacity, etc. Keep in mind that Stark Industries is awed by numbers that show improvements, so quantify your achievements whenever possible.

Oracle says the winner will receive two tickets to the U.S. "celebrity" premiere of Iron Man 2; air transportation to the premiere city for two people; and two nights hotel accommodation (one room). To see all the rules, click here.