---
title: Metal Toad’s AWS Media Services Hackathon
description: Join Metal Toad’s hackathon as teams innovate using AWS Media Services, creating cutting-edge video platforms with drones and more in a 48-hour event.
---

[Blog ](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog)

# [Metal Toad’s AWS Media Services Hackathon](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/metal-toads-aws-media-services-hackathon)

 Written by [Metal Toad Staff](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/author/metal-toad-staff) | May 6, 2020 12:00:00 AM

This is an exciting week at Metal Toad—it’s hackathon time! Twice a year, the Toads devote two full days to rapid innovation, and it’s always a blast. And since we’ve been a [remote-first company](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/metal-toad-launches-remote-first-work-policy) since last fall, we’re well prepared to ideate and collaborate closely from a distance. 

All the teams who participated created blog posts about their particular projects as well:

- [AWS Rekognition, Comprehend, and Transcribe](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/aws-rekognition-comprehend-and-transcribe)
- [Live Stream From Drone To AWS With S3 Backup](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/live-stream-drone-aws-s3-backup)
- [Remote live streaming to AWS Media Services from a DJI Spark drone](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/remote-live-streaming-aws-media-services-dji-spark-drone)
- [Project YouToad: AWS Media Services + AWS Amplify](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/project-youtoad-aws-media-services-aws-amplify)
- [AWS MediaLive + Drones = Hackathon Fun](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/aws-medialive-drones-hackathon-fun)

### What is a hackathon?

Metal Toad hackathons are 48-hour innovation marathons. Hackathons are one way we invest in R&D and boost our people’s tech and problem-solving skills—while having a great time to boot.

**Here’s the details:**

- We start with a challenge based upon the most exciting emerging technologies, plus the business needs our clients face
- Before the event, Toads form into teams and come up with a project they want to tackle 
- First thing Wednesday, the hacking commences! Teams dive into a flurry of ideation, building, collaboration, and testing
- By Thursday night, each team will have built a working product
- On Friday, the teams present their projects, and celebration ensues!

### What’s the value in doing a hackathon?

Metal Toad’s been doing bi-annual hackathons for several years because they deliver real business value (along with a lot of fun!). A few of the benefits:

- Flexing quick, inventive thinking and problem-solving skills
- Diving into new technologies and increasing expertise
- Building stronger relationships and collaboration
- Developing a host of new skills, ideas, and insights
- Prototyping innovative digital products poised to deliver value to the market

### How can you follow the action?

The challenge for this week’s hackathon is to use [AWS Media Services](https://aws.amazon.com/media-services/) to create a fully functional video platform—and you’ll definitely want to see how the Toads tackle it (drones may be involved!). 

- Follow us on social media—[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/metal-toad/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/metaltoad), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/metaltoad/), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/metaltoad/)—for ongoing updates
- Look for videos on our social channels of the teams’ progress Wednesday and Thursday *(follow #metaltoad so you’re sure to catch the posts)*
- We’ll post a summation of what the Toads achieved after their presentations on Friday
- Next week, keep an eye out (on social channels and [our blog](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog)) for reflections from each Toad on the insights they gleaned from the event

### How can you run your own hackathon?

Once you see how much cutting-edge thinking can be squeezed out of a mere 48 hours, you just might be inspired to host a hackathon for your own teams. Here’s how you can get started:

- Check out our [blog post](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/how-run-great-hackathon-and-why-you-should-do-it) on how to run a great hackathon
- [Take a look](https://www.metaltoad.com/taxonomy/term/865) at what our teams have built in previous hackathons
- [Get in touch!](https://www.metaltoad.com/contact) We’d love to help you up your innovation game with an exciting event   

[View full post](https://www.metaltoad.com/blog/metal-toads-aws-media-services-hackathon)

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