Microsoft launched an online haiku contest this month targeting IT professionals. To win a home theater system and an Xbox 360 Elite console, IT pros can submit their best haikus about the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system via Twitter or the campaign’s microsite, R2Haiku.com.

The effort, developed by digital agency Fuel Industries, promotes R2, which launched in September. Its goal is both customer acquisition and retention, and also to get users of older operating systems to update to a newer version, said William Lewallen, senior product manager at Microsoft.

Users can follow the initiative at www.Twitter.com/r2haiku or do a Twitter search for #r2haiku.

Sudhir Diddee, senior marketing manager and IT pro audience lead at Microsoft, said using Twitter gives the company the most relevant feedback from its IT audience.

“These are complex products, and these guys can pull out the key features in 140 characters and in a fun way,” he explained. “This drives deep engagement without being very time consuming.”

Full Story: DMNews | Microsoft Launches Twitter Contest for IT Pros