The first ever Crème de la Crème magazine Luxury Awards have been held at Turtle Beach, Shangri-La Al Jissah Resort and Spa in Oman. Presented by Mercedes-Benz, the awards honoured luxury brands across nine different categories including Best Fashion Label Powered By Mercedes-Benz, Best Jewellery and Best Hotel. Nominees were evaluated by well-known names in the Sultanate and winners included Amouage and Patek Philippe.
Mindshare, part of global media agency network WPP, is set to hold a media conference under the theme of Content Decoded on January 19, 2016. The conference will be held in The Annex, Burj Khalifa Dubai, and will offer a lineup of experts from a range of different industries, who will teach participants how to utilise data for more creative content, as well as how to deliver content at a scale, amongst other topics.
“At our core, Mindshare’s first priority is to maximise the return on investment for our business partners,” says Samir Ayoub, CEO, Mindshare MENA. “The way content is initiated, developed and used has changed over time. This event will help professionals from any industry use the tools and insights that our panel has created from years of experience. Using their techniques, our attendees will be wowed by measurable impact of adaptive, data-powered content developed for their business.”
The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity has launched its 2016 content programme, aimed at bringing leading international experts together to discuss the future of creativity. The Inspiration Stage at the event will see global industry representatives share their expertise and discuss ideas, shifting the creating landscape. Kicking off this programme will be James Temple and Rick Williams of R/G London, who will discuss how they unlock breakthrough-innovation for clients in an ever-connected world. James Murphy, Co-Founder of adam&eveDDB, will also be discussing the secret to producing creatively impactful and internally moving campaigns. Other speakers will include Lars Bastholm, Global Chief Creative Officer, The ZOO – Google’s global creative think tank for brands and agencies – Mark Read, Global CEO, Wunderman and Peter Kim, Chief Digital Officer, Cheil Worldwide.
With four stages at Dubai Lynx this year, other focus areas include Data x Innovation x Tech, powered by Dentsu Aegis; the Regional Stage and Focus on Africa, which will allow for a complete discourse on the creative communications industry both globally and locally.
“Having renowned international talent joining us to speak at Dubai Lynx shows that MENA is now a major player within the global industry,” says Emma Farmer, Festival Director, Dubai Lynx.
Dubai’s media community today mourns the tragic loss of Dominic De Sousa, Founder and Owner of CPI Media Group. With a media career spanning over 30 years and a reputation as an outstanding businessman, Dominic worked for Dubai-based companies Reed Business Publishing and ITP Publishing Group before founding Corporate Publishing International, now known as CPI, in the early 1990’s – a company he has owned ever since. The larger-than-life boss and keen showman died last night of heart complications while performing on stage at the BBC Good Food Awards, and he will be greatly missed by the media community.
UAE-based luxury communications agency The Qode is relocating its headquarters to Dubai’s fashion & design hub, Dubai Design District (d3), adjacent to Business Bay & Downtown Dubai. The new office, designed by regional talent, Vick Vanlian, will also feature dedicated showroom space displaying samples from The Qode’s fashion brands.
Established in 2010, The Qode has represented brands from luxury groups such as LVMH group, L’Oreal group, Estee Lauder group as well as some of the region’s l luxury distributors such as Chalhoub and Al Tayer groups.
The new address will be, Dubai Design District (d3), Building number 7, Units A504 – A505.
UM MENA has partnered with EVRYTHNG through its innovation and technology division UM Labs. EVRYTHNG is an Internet of Things (IoT) Smart Products Platform that connects any consumer product to the Web using connectivity technologies or networking protocols, and manages real-time smart product data to drive applications. The partnership with the IoT Smart Products Platform will transform how clients’ products talk to its consumers, bringing innovation and a multitude of engagement with the consumer, data divinity and a better understanding of post purchase wants.
UM Labs aims to accelerate the adoption of ‘The Next Thing In Media’ through a showcase of technology partnerships, and is uniquely positioned in a global media agency, the Labs’ aim from this first media and IoT partnership in the region with EVRYTHNG is to bring more innovation to UM MENA’s partners by creating the most vibrant and efficient media space.
“Innovation in technology is making it possible for everyday products to generate data and play a direct role delivering digital services and applications to consumers,” says Niall Murphy, Founder and CEO, EVRYTHNG. “We’re thrilled to be working with UM Labs to bring these innovation capabilities to brands.”
Emirati full service communications firm, Alsayegh Media, has opened a new creative media production hub. The agency’s Dubai-based workforce will relocate to International Media Production Zone(IMPZ) and the new 12,500 square foot headquarters will accommodate the entire Dubai operation including creative, event management, animation, audio and video as well as social media departments.
“The opening of our new state-of-the-art hub in IMPZ marks a significant step towards achieving some of our future expansion goals,” says Abdullatif Alsayegh, Chairman and Chief Executive, Alsayegh Media. “We were already offering our clients a different kind of fully integrated service – combining global expertise with local and regional insight – but we are now able to do so much more. It’s definitely an exciting time to accelerate the firm’s growth while leveraging the latest industry trends.”
Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East has released its The Year Ahead: 2016 special issue today, a guide to the companies, economies, people and enterprises that are predicted to shape the coming year. The special issue is divided into five sections: economics, technology, industries, energy and politics. The content is from the region and around the world along with charts, graphics and data to help readers navigate the business trends and challenges in store over the next twelve months.
The issue highlights 25 companies to watch in 2016. The list is comprised of both household names and lesser-known up-and-comers who have interests in the Middle East.
“This issue is a result of months of planning, countless hours of reporting, designing and debating,” says Ravi Raman, Associate Publisher, Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East. “We have prided ourselves to be different and cutting edge and the in-depth stories, charts, lists, illustrations and analyses will make The Year Ahead: 2016 a must-read for all executives.”
The 2016 Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity will be holding their annual breakfast press conference on December 7, 2015 at the CNN Building in Dubai Media City. The conference will address the developments and innovations relating to the 2016 competition and awards for advertising creative excellence in the Middle East and Africa.
The press conference will be presented by Emma Farmer, Festival Director, Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity with pannelists; Terry Savage, Chairman, Lions Festivals; Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx; Mohammad Abdulla, Managing Director, Dubai Media City; Hani Ghorayeb, President, IAA-UAE Chapter; Walid Yared, Chief Marketing Officer, Choueiri Group and Faisal Bin Haider, Chief Executive Officer – Printing and Distribution Sector, Dubai Media Incorporated.
Arabic listings magazine Awqat Dubai has been given a new logo and complete redesign. The redesign will give the magazine a simpler, cleaner and more modern look, but will continue to feature editorial that focuses on giving Arabic-speaking readers clear ideas on where to go and what to do within the city in a non-traditional manner. Published by Creative Minds Media, the new look Awqat Dubai became available from November 1, 2015, from most major retail outlets in the UAE, for AED15.
“We are very happy to launch the magazine in a full new look,” says Randa Kamal, Editor-in-Chief, Awqat Dubai. “The new logo and design are simple yet contemporary, and reflect the character and content of Awqat Dubai.”
Zeina Chehayeb, Executive Director, Awqat Dubai, adds “The redesign will enhance our readers’ journey throughout the magazine pages with a slicker, more inviting layout and visuals that really reflect the living experience in Dubai.”