Challenge

Building a community of data experts

Starburst wanted to position itself as a leading voice in the world of data mesh architecture. To do that, they created the Data Mesh Summer Book Club, an online community connected by a shared love of data, exclusive LinkedIn groups, expert-led webinars——and free books.  

Starburst logo with stylized star design

Solution

From discovery to execution

I worked as part of a creative team to bring the campaign to life and took the lead on content strategy and copywriting. The first step was to interview subject matter expert Andy Mott. Based on the insights gained from that conversation, I created a suite of promotional emails, landing page copy, social assets, and video scripts. 

Starburst’s brand is energetic, geeky, and fun, so I kept all content light and playful. I also contributed an idea or two to the design of Astra, the astronaut mascot that would become the face of the club. We wrapped the campaign in a fun “summer getaway” theme, encouraging our audience to get involved and pick up some free poolside reading material in the process.  

  • Subject line: Master the principles of data mesh this summer

    Pre-header: Join our first Data Mesh Summer Book Club event!

    Headline: Explore the fundamentals of data mesh with our experts

    Body:

    Hi [Name],

    Join us live on [date] at [time] for our first Data Mesh Summer Book Club event: The Principles of Data Mesh.

    In this first of a three-part event series, we’re diving into the key principles behind data mesh, how it differs from traditional data strategies, as well as the value it can bring to your organisation.

    Join us live to:

    • Explore the four principles of data mesh: Domain Ownership, Data as a Product, Self-Serve Data Platform, and Federated Computational Governance.

    • Discuss the limitations of current data management strategies and how data mesh overcomes them.

    • Gain expert insight and reflections on Data Mesh: Delivering Data-Driven Value at Scale.

    • Ask your questions and pick the brains of our data mesh experts.

    Can’t attend? No problem. Simply sign up and watch the event on-demand whenever you’d like.

    Register now

  • Subject line: Let’s talk about designing data mesh architectures

    Pre-header: Don’t miss our second Data Mesh Summer Book Club event

    Headline: An expert guide to building data mesh architectures

    Body:

    Hi [Name],

    Our next Data Mesh Summer Book Club is all set for [date] at [time]. In our second session—Designing Data Mesh Architectures—we’ll be discussing requirements and best practices for building your own data mesh platform and product architectures.

    Join us live to:

    • Explore the technical capabilities required to enact a successful data mesh strategy.

    • Learn how to effectively design, create, maintain, and operate data products.

    • Discuss data observability and how the data you produce is being used.

    • Ask questions and receive guidance from our data mesh experts.

    Can’t attend? No problem. Simply sign up and watch the event on-demand whenever you’d like.

    Register now

  • Subject line: Ready to get started with data mesh?

    Pre-header: Our final Data Mesh Summer Book Club event is here!

    Headline: It’s time to go beyond theory

    Body:

    Hi [Name],

    We’re going live on [date] and [time] for our final event covering Data Mesh: Delivering Data-Driven Value at Scale. We’ll use our last session—Getting Started with Data Mesh—to help you take the lessons learned during our previous two events and start applying them in your organisation.

    Join us live to:

    • Explore the organisational and cultural changes needed to make data mesh a success in your business.

    • Discover proven ways to incentivise data mesh buy-in across your team.

    • Learn how to assess and build data literacy in your organisation.

    • Understand the minimum technical, size, and scale requirements needed to justify data mesh adoption.

    • Discuss how data mesh feeds into your wider corporate objectives.

    Can’t attend? No problem. Simply sign up and watch the event on-demand whenever you’d like.

    Register now

Promotional image featuring the cover of a book titled 'Data Mesh: Delivering Data-Driven Value at Scale' by Zhamak Dehghani. The background is a starry sky, with text asking about suitcase space for a free data mesh book. Includes a cartoon characte
Starburst Data Mesh Book Club promotional image featuring a cartoon astronaut reading on a lilo against a cosmic backdrop. Text highlights Part 4, "Theory of How to Get Started," presented by Adrian Estala and Andy Mott.

Results

Engagement that won repeat business

Season 1 of the book club drove engagement well beyond expectations——strong enough that our stakeholder immediately greenlit season 2.

  • 567

    Registrants

  • 302

    Re-engagements

  • 219

    MQLs

  • 265

    Net new contacts

£770k

In new business opportunities across 10 countries.