Dubai Lynx, MENA’s leading platform for creative excellence and effectiveness, has revealed this year’s winners at the Awards Ceremony tonight.Saudi Arabia wins five Grands Prix, their highest ever received at Dubai Lynx, including four Grands Prix for ‘ProtectTasbih’, for Saudia, entered by Leo Burnett, Jeddah.‘Rumble’ for General Entertainment Authority entered by Accenture Song, Dubai, United Arab Emirates took home seven Lynx Awards, including Grands Prix in the Film and Film Craft Lynx. Notable winners also include VML, Casablanca, which was awarded Morocco’s first ever Grand Prix, taking home the Grand Prix for Good.Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS & Dubai Lynx, said: “Congratulations to our 2024 winners for setting the creative benchmark in MENA for another year. Yesterday’s Festival was a fantastic day bringing MENA’s creative community together to network, learn and be inspired by the rich mix of speakers and champions for creativity in the region. I’d like to thank our Jurors for all their hard work and dedication in setting the benchmark for creative excellence across the region.”Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx, added, “This year’s winners really showcase the level of excellence coming from the region. A huge congratulations to all our winners, Special Award winners and Young Lynx Competition winners. The insights and trends from this year’s work will be explored in the Dubai Lynx Creativity Report, providing the official rankings for this year’s top performing Networks, Agencies and Companies from across the region, published on 20 March.”This year’s Grand Prix winners are:Brand Experience & ActivationFrom 166 entries received, 15 were awarded: 2 Gold, 5 Silver & 7 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘ProtectTasbih’, for Saudia, by Leo Burnett, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Saatchi & Saatchi Middle East, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesCreative CommerceFrom 51 entries received, 5 were awarded: 1 Gold, 2 Silver & 1 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘I See Coke’, for The Coca-Cola Company, by VML, Dubai, United Arab Emirates / VML, New York City, United States of AmericaCreative EffectivenessFrom 35 entries received, 5 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver & 2 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The Hidden Room’, for Home Box, by Leo Burnett, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesCreative StrategyFrom 59 entries received, 6 were awarded: 1 Gold, 2 Silver & 2 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Superstar Ravi’, for Adidas, by Havas Middle East / Red Havas Middle East, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesDesignFrom 69 entries received, 8 were awarded: 1 Gold, 2 Silver & 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘ProtectTasbih’, for Saudia, by Leo Burnett, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Saatchi & Saatchi Middle East, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesDigitalFrom 84 entries received, 7 were awarded: 1 Gold, 2 Silver & 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘I See Coke’, for The Coca-Cola Company, by VML, Dubai, United Arab Emirates / VML, New York City, United States of AmericaDirectFrom 130 entries received, 14 were awarded: 2 Gold, 4 Silver & 7 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘ProtectTasbih’, for Saudia, by Leo Burnett, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Saatchi & Saatchi Middle East, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesEntertainmentFrom 87 entries received, 9 were awarded: 1 Gold, 3 Silver & 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Unauthorized Trip’, for Saudi Tourism Authority, by ? AND US, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesFilmFrom 139 entries received, 10 were awarded: 2 Gold, 3 Silver & 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Rumble’, for General Entertainment Authority, by Accenture Song, Dubai, United Arab Emirates / Droga5, Part of Accenture Song, New York City, United States of AmericaFilm CraftFrom 157 entries received, 14 were awarded: 2 Gold, 5 Silver & 6 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Rumble’, for General Entertainment Authority, by Accenture Song, Dubai, United Arab Emirates / Droga5, Part of Accenture Song, New York City, United States of AmericaGlass: The Award for ChangeFrom 11 entries received, 3 were awarded: 2 Gold and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The Female Field’, for Adidas, by Havas Middle East, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesGrand Prix for GoodThe Grand Prix for Good was awarded to ‘Out of Home’, for Jood, by VML / Wunderman Thompson, Casablanca, MoroccoHealthcareFrom 68 entries received, 6 were awarded: 1 Gold, 2 Silver & 2 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The Protective Rhymes’, for Anghami, by Leo Burnett, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesIndustry CraftFrom 87 entries received, 7 were awarded: 3 Silver & 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Maqroo - The First Arabic Dyslexic Font’, for Omantel, by Leo Burnett, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesIntegratedFrom 27 entries received, 3 were awarded: 1 Gold & 1 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Battle of the Baddest - Integrated’, for General Entertainment Authority, by Accenture Song, Dubai, United Arab Emirates / Droga5, Part of Accenture Song, New York City, United States of America / Droga5, Part of Accenture Song, Tokyo, JapanMediaFrom 127 entries received, 12 were awarded: 2 Gold, 4 Silver & 5 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Frequencies of Peace’, for Babyshop, by FP7 McCann, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesOutdoorFrom 116 entries received, 8 were awarded: 2 Gold, 2 Silver & 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The Lost Camel’, for Emirates Development Bank, by LivingRoom Communication, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesPRFrom 82 entries received, 7 were awarded: 1 Gold, 2 Silver & 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘ProtectTasbih’, for Saudia, by Leo Burnett, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Saatchi & Saatchi Middle East, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesPrint & PublishingFrom 43 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver & 1 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Plant Espresso’, ‘Planet Roast’, ‘Planet Ethiopia’, for Boon, by Grey, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesRadio & AudioFrom 50 entries received, 5 were awarded: 2 Gold, 1 Silver & 1 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘I See Coke’, for The Coca-Cola Company, by VML, Dubai, United Arab Emirates / VML, New York City, United States of AmericaSocial & InfluencerFrom 88 entries received, 7 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver & 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Birthmark Stories’, for Hungerstation, by VML / Wunderman Thompson, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDubai Lynx Special Awards were given as follows:Network of the Year1. Leo Burnett2. Saatchi & Saatchi3. BBDO WorldwideMedia Network of the Year1. Initiative2. Mediacom3. StarcomMENA Agency of the Year1. Leo Burnett, Dubai, United Arab Emirates2. Impact BBDO, Dubai, United Arab Emirates3. Saatchi & Saatchi, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesIndependent Agency of the Year1. Serviceplan Middle East, Dubai, United Arab Emirates2. ? AND US, Dubai, United Arab Emirates3. Bigtime Creative Shop, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaLynx Palm Award1. Good People Films, Egypt2. Prodigious, United Arab Emirates3. Dejavu, United Arab EmiratesYoung Lynx Integrated Competition winners are as follows:Gold‘Waste No Words’Ananya Talwar & Benjamin KirbyVML DubaiSilver‘Learn Greenwash-en-ese’Mahmoud Gahallah & Zainab YasseenM&C SaatchiBronze‘Free The Green’Daniela Romero Aguirre & Ayman ShehadeTBWA/RAADThe Dubai Lynx Creativity Report will be released on Wednesday 20 March, which shines a light on the best creativity across MENA, as selected by Dubai Lynx Juries. The Report will feature interviews with winners about how the work was created, exclusive insights from the Jury room, trends and themes that have emerged from the 2024 Awards, along with the annual rankings for this year’s top performing Networks, Agencies and Companies in the region. All results can be found at https://www.lovethework.com/work-awards/awards/dubai-lynx.Contacts:Camilla LambertPR DirectorDubai LynxCamillal@canneslions.comTash NaidooSenior PR ManagerDubai LynxTashn@canneslions.comKamille MarchantFestival DirectorDubai LynxKamillem@dubailynx.comPress Portal:Press.canneslions.comAwards enquiries:awards@dubailynx.com

Dubai Lynx, MENA’s leading platform for creative excellence and effectiveness, has announced the Annahar Media Group in Lebanon, as the Advertiser of the Year for 2024 today. The Award recognises a brand that has distinguished themselves through innovative marketing and embracing creative work produced by their agencies.The Advertiser of the Year Award will be presented to Annahar Media Group representative Nayla Tueni, CEO, Annahar Media Group at the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony, taking place at the Emirates Golf Club on Wednesday 6 March.Speaking about the Award, Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS & Dubai Lynx, said: “The Advertiser of the Year Award recognises creative excellence, demonstrating the business value of creative communications. We are delighted to present this year’s Award to the Annahar Media Group, who are responsible for a body of work that has created significant impact across business and tangible social change. They have truly raised the creative bar for the region.”The Annahar Newspaper, a renowned outlet for upholding freedom of speech and democracy in Lebanon, has taken home the Grand Prix in the Print & Publishing Lions for their bold and courageous campaigns for the past two years consecutively at Cannes Lions and previously in 2019. ‘The Blank Edition’, which took the Grand Prix in 2019, was an entirely blank edition to highlight the Lebanese people’s frustration with political inactivity. After the release of the blank edition, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief encouraged citizens to use it to write their own headlines and send messages to politicians, over social media. 2022 saw ‘The Elections Edition’, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai win the Grand Prix at Cannes Lions in the Print & Publishing Lions, followed by the Creative Effectiveness Grand Prix at Dubai Lynx the following year in 2023. The Annahar Newspaper achieved a consecutive second Grand Prix in the Print & Publishing Lions at Cannes Lions for ‘Newspapers inside the newspapers edition’, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai, in 2023 after taking home the Grand Prix for the Print & Publishing Lynx at Dubai Lynx that same year. The campaign saw a different local newspaper that had ceased to exist in the last two decades in their daily edition, publish the news for one day in celebration of press freedom.Nayla Tueni, CEO, Annahar Media Group, commented: "We are deeply honored to be named 'Advertiser of the Year' at Dubai Lynx. This recognition underscores the relentless dedication of the entire team. Having garnered multiple Grands Prix at both Dubai Lynx and Cannes Lions, we take pride in being pioneers, as the first brand to bring a Cannes Lions Grand Prix to the entire Middle East. Beyond accolades, our unwavering commitment to truth remains our guiding principle. This award is a testament not only to our efforts but also to the enduring spirit of the Lebanese people. We share this triumph with them and eagerly anticipate further elevating industry standards.”Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx, added: “We are delighted to award the Annahar Media Group for 2024 and celebrate their groundbreaking creativity. Their campaigns have challenged the status quo and harnessed creativity as a force for progress for people, business and society. We look forward to honouring them at the Awards Ceremony in March.”The presentation of the 2024 Dubai Lynx Advertiser of the Year Award will take place during the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony at the Emirates Golf Club on Wednesday 6 March. For further information on the Festival and Awards Ceremony passes please visit www.dubailynx.com.Key dates:Tuesday 5 March: FestivalWednesday 6 March: Awards Ceremony & Dinner

Dubai Lynx, MENA’s leading platform for creative excellence and effectiveness, has announced the first wave of speakers confirmed to take to the stages this March. The Festival will see a curated programme of talent and experts from across the spectrum of creativity, on two stages of content, featuring Mastercard, ESL FACEIT GROUP, HungerStation, Kraft Heinz and the Saudi Ministry of Culture. Ian Fairservice, Vice-Chairman, Dubai Lynx, said: “This year’s Dubai Lynx will see content that addresses the challenges facing the industry in MENA today. The key themes will look at creative effectiveness, talent and culture, creative risks and AI and innovation, with each session built to provide delegates with future-facing views as well as actionable advice that they can take away. We’re delighted to bring together some of the top talent from the region and beyond, and we look forward to the abundance of learning, knowledge and inspiration that these creative minds will bring to the Festival.”This year’s Dubai Lynx will host some of the region’s most creative leaders to give delegates the tools they need to create more impactful work that drives business results. Highlights include deep dives into the mind of a CMO, featuring Mustapha Kassem, Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Communications, Middle East and North Africa, Mastercard. Kassem said: “Dubai Lynx has set the industry benchmark for creativity and innovation. It is an incredible opportunity to connect with passionate minds, share insights and exchange ideas that can push the boundaries of creativity. For more than 25 years, Mastercard has differentiated itself as a brand, through our ever-evolving Priceless platform which remains at the heart of everything we do. I am excited to join this prestigious event and join the conversation with the region’s marketing leaders as we explore and nurture the region’s dynamic creative landscape.” Elsewhere, Fabio Tambosi, Senior Vice-President, Global Marketing, ESL FACEIT GROUP, will share the most challenging issues some of the top brand leaders in the MENA region are facing right now. Tambosi added: “I believe in the power of brands to open people’s perception of the world and I use marketing as a catalyst and platform to change the way fans emotionally connect with brands. This is exactly what we co-create with the gaming community every single day at ESL FACEIT GROUP, and something for which Dubai Lynx has long provided a platform, consistently unleashing limitless creativity for the marketing community. I’m excited to take to the stage to talk about how esports is rising as the new global sport, and changing people’s relationships with premium sport entertainment to a point where marketers can no longer afford to ignore or fear.”Industry legend Josy Paul, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer at BBDO India, Gabriel Schmitt, Global Chief Creative Officer at Grey, and Marie-Claire Maalouf, Chief Creative Officer at Edelman, will discuss why proving the effectiveness of your creative work is important for both creatives and marketers. Donya Abdulhadi, Director of Marketing and Communications, Saudi Ministry of Culture, and Mohammed Jefri, Chief Marketing Officer, HungerStation, will take to the stage to look at best practices for working with Saudi brands and agencies and how to engage consumers. Dubai Lynx will also focus on how AI is allowing brands and agencies to make more creative work, featuring speakers Rebecca Bezzina, CEO EMEA, R/GA, and Nick Pringle, Chief Creative Officer EMEA, R/GA. Philip Thomas, Chairman, Dubai Lynx, commented: "This year’s programme features an exceptional line-up of regional and international talent. We’re looking forward to taking a deep dive into the region’s trends and challenges with these experts and leaving with tangible learnings that can be applied day to day to drive growth and progress.” The full content programme will be announced on Monday 29 January, with Festival Registration, including Press Accreditation and the Awards Ceremony & Dinner, opening on Thursday 18 January. Further information on the Festival programme can be found at www.dubailynx.com.

The prestigious Dubai Lynx, MENA's foremost platform for creative excellence and effectiveness, has revealed its jury president lineup for the 2024 edition. Comprising 11 industry experts from nine distinct markets, carefully selected by Lynx, this lineup promises a rich diversity of perspectives and experiences to enrich the judging process.The focus on acknowledging and rewarding creative excellence in the MENA region underscores the significance of recognizing unique ideas that shape the local landscape. Philip Thomas, Chairman of LIONS and Dubai Lynx, expressed gratitude for the talented panel of experts, recognizing their individual perspectives, expertise, and experience that will contribute to the crucial judging task.Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman of Dubai Lynx, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the excitement of having a diverse array of voices and perspectives in the jury rooms. This celebration of creative leaders and their contributions to the MENA region's creative landscape reflects a commitment to fostering and showcasing innovative ideas.The Dubai Lynx 2024 Jury Presidents include:  Brand Experience & Activation and Creative Commerce: Rafael Rizuto, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative, US and Hispanic LATAM  Creative Effectiveness and Creative Strategy: Bertille Toledano, President, BETC Paris, France  Design and Industry Craft: Rajdeepak Das, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett and Chairman, Creative Council, Publicis Groupe, South Asia  Digital and Social & Influencer: Anna Qvennerstedt, Global Chief Creative Officer, Forsman & Bodenfors, Global  Direct and Outdoor: Nkgabiseng Motau, Co-Founder / Chief Creative Officer, Think Creative Africa, Africa  Entertainment: Ana Balarin, Chief Creative Officer, Wieden+Kennedy, UK  Film Craft: Pierre Nelwan, Managing Director, Media.Monks, the Netherlands  Film, Print & Publishing, Radio & Audio, Integrated, Glass: The Award for Change and Grand Prix for Good: Gabriel Schmitt, Global Chief Creative Officer, Grey, Global  Healthcare: Rohini Miglani, Vice President, Procter & Gamble International Operational SA SG, Asia/India/MEA  Media: Enyi Nwosu, Chief Strategy Officer, UM London, UK  PR: Anthony Chelvanathan, Chief Creative Officer, Edelman, CanadaThe festival is scheduled for Tuesday, 5 March 2024, followed by the Awards Ceremony & Dinner on Wednesday, 6 March 2024, at the Emirates Golf Club. The deadline for submitting entries to Dubai Lynx is 25 January 2024, with festival registration opening on 18 January 2024.

 Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the largest gathering of the creative marketing industry in the Kingdom, concluded its inaugural edition with the Athar Awards ceremony that saw the likes of Dr Obeid Al Abdali, President of Mazeej Marketing Consulting and Kaswara Al Khatib, Chairman of UTURN, take home the Saudi Athar Marketer Award and Saudi Athar Empowerment Award, respectively.The festival, which brought together more than 1,400 attendees from across the region and beyond to Riyadh, celebrated the distinguished work of some of the finest talent at the first Athar Legacy Awards of the Decade and the Athar Special Awards on 16 November 2023. In addition, the event also recognised winners of the Young Talent Academy Programme’s 24-hour hack competition as well as the participants of the Maheerah Programme.Attended by the who’s who of the industry from across the region, the award ceremony saw top honours being given away by the awards were given away in grand fashion by Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner & Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group, and Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, alongside other senior leaders from reputable Saudi organisations.Commenting on the success of the festival, Fairservice stated: “Over the last few days, Athar Festival has proven that the potential for creativity in Saudi Arabia is simply boundless. Though it may have come to an end here at the Athar Awards, the conversations have only just begun, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”Similarly, sharing his thoughts on the inaugural edition of the Athar Awards, Al Ayed said: “Creativity has always been the differentiating factor of success. That success is what the first-ever Athar Awards intends to recognise and celebrate as we draw the curtain on what has been a truly amazing and inspiring festival. We are confident that the impact created here will spread to empower even greater levels of creative innovation in the Kingdom.”Athar Legacy Awards of the Decade:The Athar Legacy Awards of the Decade, recognised agencies and brands verified by the Dubai Lynx and Cannes Lions international festivals of creativity based on the highest number of cumulative points gained over the last decade. The four categories and the proud winners were:Saudi Athar Media Network of the Decade: StarcomSaudi Athar Brand of the Decade: stcSaudi Athar Agency of the Decade: Wunderman Thompson, RiyadhSaudi Athar Network of the Decade: Wunderman ThompsonAthar Special Awards:The Athar Special Awards went out to the most outstanding individuals, market leaders, and organisations who have positively contributed to the local creative industry’s growth and development. These awards were given across two individual categories and four group categories:Individual CategoriesSaudi Athar Marketer Award: Dr Obeid Al Abdali, President of Mazeej Marketing ConsultingSaudi Athar Empowerment Award: Kaswara Al Khatib, Chairman of UTURNGroup CategoriesSaudi Athar Disruptors Award: The Bold GroupSaudi Athar Excellence Award: The FullstopSaudi Athar Game Changer Award: AramcoSaudi Athar Creative Recognition Award: Impact BBDOYoung Talent Academies Awards:A fitting culmination of the Young Talent Academy Programme that took place over the course of the Athar Festival, the Young Talent Academy Awards at the ceremony acknowledged the outstanding performance of participants who excelled in six academies related to public relations, social communications, branding and design, innovation, copywriting, and planning.Held from 13-15 November, these youth took part in a 24-hour hack competition that saw the leaders of tomorrow put their skills to the test, with each academy producing a number of winners:Social Communications Academy Hack Competition WinnersLama Baaj, XELEMENTHessa Alnoufal, BassmatShahad Alhammad, HungerStationBranding and Design Academy Hack Competition WinnersNancy ElAzzi, Wunderman ThompsonMazunah Alfagham, King Saud UniversityAhmed Al-Hassan, XELEMENTInnovation Academy Hack Competition WinnersRaghad Othman, HungerStationSara Alruwalily, King Saud UniversityShaden Alotaibi, King Saud UniversityCopywriting Academy Hack Competition WinnersNouf Mishall Mohabat, SABICRuba Alshamrani, HungerStationYara Al Hanaya, Lhamin MarketingPlanning Academy Hack Competition WinnersNoora Alissa, HungerStationAmmar Sadiq, MindshareAbdullah Dahan, Onsor MoshaSaleh Alhedaithy, BassmatAyman Aldahan, MindsharePublic Relations Academy Hack Competition WinnersRaneem Alotaibi, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic UniversityAljohara Alsuliman, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic UniversityRaghad Asiri, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic UniversitySahar Alharbi, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic UniversityRaya Almoshawah, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic UniversityThe Athar Awards ceremony successfully culminated the inaugural edition of the Athar Festival that brought the local and international creative community together to uncover and amplify the creative potential of Saudi Arabia. The realisation of this potential and its business impact on the industry and beyond will likely be explored in next year’s edition of the festival.

The highly anticipated Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the Kingdom’s largest gathering of the creative marketing industry, will commence on Monday, 13 November 2023, at the Hotel Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC with its three-day Young Talent Academy Programme comprising six distinct training academies (13-15 November).Organised by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, the inaugural edition of Athar Festival, running from 13-16 November, also features a two-day festival (14 & 15 November) and an awards gala dinner (16 November).Speakers, panellists, industry experts and more than 1,000 delegates will come together to explore the next frontiers of the creative industry and the role of creativity as a catalyst for a vibrant, future-forward economy in Saudi Arabia.H.H. Princess Loulwa Bint Yazeed Al Saud will spearhead an exceptional lineup of over 100 speakers from key Saudi government entities and businesses, local and international creative marketing industry, and prominent global companies and brands. Award-winning creative marketer, Fernando Machado, Global CMO of NotCo, who has been recognised with over 200 Cannes Lions awards, including five Grand Prix, will deliver the keynote address.Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner & Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group, said: “We are proud to present the much anticipated inaugural edition of Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, which will be a converging point for culture, creativity, talent and technology. The festival aims to make a profound impact on the creative landscape of the Kingdom and beyond. Our desire is to build a global platform based in Saudi Arabia that celebrates local creativity and catalyses the development of the creative economy by nurturing tomorrow’s talents.”   The engaging event will provide a venue for vibrant discourse across six themes that shape the future of the creative industry in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Artificial Intelligence is set to be one of the resounding themes throughout the festival’s agenda, which provides participants with an engaging platform to explore the latest developments in the industry, create connections, and spark their own creativity. Furthermore, in a first for the Middle East, FIRE, an AI-powered robot, is all set to make its first public appearance and feature on a panel alongside industry veterans on harnessing the power of generative AI tools in the realm of creativity.The prominent themes the festival will encompass are: Technology as a Creative Driver; Strategies That Help Grow Brands; Inspiration and Idea Generation; Work Culture and Talent; Bringing a Positive Change to Society, and Saudi Arabia – A Thriving Market for the Creative Industry.Athar Festival also features the Maheerah Women’s Empowerment Programme powered by Publicis Groupe Middle East, which aims to open new frontiers of possibilities for 10 high-potential women in the creative marcomms industry.The festival will culminate with the Athar Awards Gala Dinner, which will feature the Legacy Awards of the Decade, verified by the Dubai Lynx and Cannes Lions international festivals of creativity, and presented to agencies and brands. Also featured are the Athar Special Awards, presented at the discretion of the organising committee to outstanding individuals, market leaders and other stellar organisations who have positively contributed to the advancement of the local creative industry. The awards ceremony will also honour the winners of the 24-hour hack competition part of the Young Talent Academies.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the largest gathering of the creative marketing industry in the Kingdom set to take place from 13–16 November 2023 at the Hotel Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC, will feature a special Athar Awards gala dinner to conclude the four-day festival.The inaugural edition will take place on November 16 and feature the Athar Legacy Awards of the Decade and Athar Special Awards, in addition to recognising the winners of the 24-hour hack competition, part of the Young Talent Academies.The gala dinner is set to be attended by creative directors, chief creative officers, CMOs, CEOs and other senior decision makers from all sectors of the creative communications landscape including creative, media and communications agencies, event agencies, advertisers, media houses, brands, platforms, government agencies, publishers, tech platforms, young talent, and start-ups.The Legacy Awards will be presented to agencies and brands verified by the Dubai Lynx and Cannes Lions international festivals of creativity based on points gained over the last decade by Saudi-based campaigns or agencies. Categories include Media Network of the Decade, Brand of the Decade, Agency of the Decade and Network of the Decade.The Special Awards will recognise outstanding individuals, market leaders and other stellar organisations who have positively contributed to the advancement of the local creative industry. It includes the Empowerment and Marketer categories for individuals and three other categories, Disruptors, Excellence and Gamechangers, celebrating organisations for their achievement.The award ceremony will also acknowledge outstanding participants from this year’s Athar Young Talent Academies; a set of six academies designed for young professionals and students to explore creative marketing topics from public relations, copywriting, innovation, branding & design, planning, and social communications.Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner & Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group, stated: “With Saudi Arabia’s reception of the first-ever Grand Prix Award at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this year, the local creative industry is in an era of continual progression. Through the Legacy Awards which are verified by both Dubai Lynx and Cannes Lions, we are able to commemorate agencies and brands that have consistently set high standards and embodied excellence through their work. As we approach the start of this year’s festival, we are very excited to close the event on a very festive note, giving peers a chance to celebrate one another’s achievements.”“Saudi creativity is in a remarkable period of growth, proven by the innovative ideas that have been brought to life across various industries,” commented Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS. “Athar Festival’s Special Awards and each of the award categories has been tailored to recognize the brilliance and versatility shown by both individuals and organisations in the Kingdom’s creative landscape. As the Kingdom advances forward guided by the framework of Vision 2030, we are proud to reward exceptionalism and congratulate the Kingdom’s diverse creative communities.”Organised by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, the festival promises to be an inspiring occasion celebrating marketing excellence and affirming the value of creativity in the world of business. The four-day festival programme will include a two-day festival and two days of training for young talent, underlining the enduring role of creativity as an enabler of growth and development.With an extensive line-up of 100+ international and celebrity speakers, Athar Festival’s landmark edition is expected to welcome 1,500 industry professionals and young talent to attend the festival and its academies, celebrating innovation and exceptionalism within Saudi Arabia’s creative ecosystem.

Riyadh: Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the largest gathering of the creative marketing industry in the Kingdom, is proud to announce Maheerah, its women’s empowerment programme, for the festival’s inaugural edition.Organised in partnership with Publicis Groupe Middle East, a regional leader in marketing, communication, and digital business transformation, Maheerah is an acceleration initiative designed for women poised for career advancement within Saudi Arabia’s marketing communications industry. It aims to bring participants into the industry's spotlight at a time when more women than ever are rising to prominent roles in the Kingdom's workforce.Geared towards women with mid to senior-level expertise in the industry, the program offers 10 participants a series of tailored coaching sessions, individualised workshops, mentoring by esteemed industry leaders from around the world, exclusive networking opportunities, and more. In addition to full festival access, participants will also be invited to attend the Athar Industry Awards.As the official ambassador of Maheerah, Alaa Khushaim, Director of Marketing and Communications at McDonald's KSA - West & South will play a pivotal role throughout every stage of the programme, from participant shortlisting and selection to providing guidance and inspiration to the attendees. Excited with the opportunity, and the impact it will have on the careers of the participants, Khushaim stated, “When I was first approached with Maheerah, I saw a chance to be a part of an initiative that will leave a mark on the professional lives of 10 young women in Saudi Arabia and enable and inspire them with the right knowledge and skills to achieve remarkable things in our industry. I look forward to not only sharing my own experiences and expertise but also to learning from them. In line with one of the core objectives of Athar Festival, this programme will undoubtedly bring the marketing and creative community together to create long-lasting impact.”Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner & Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group, said, "We are truly delighted to bring this initiative to Athar Festival. There is a wealth of female talent in the Kingdom, and this program offers a unique opportunity to create a supportive network of empowered women who can achieve their full potential and pass on their knowledge to others."Bassel Kakish, Chief Executive Officer of Publicis Groupe Middle East & Turkey said, “Talent will always be the most important asset that this industry will have. As a talent-first organisation, Publicis Groupe Middle East believes in investing in and empowering the future generation of leaders, so when we heard of the Maheerah Programme, we knew it was something we needed to support. The communications industry is going through an exciting transformation within the Kingdom, and we are committed to progressing the careers of women within the field.”Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity is Saudi Arabia’s largest celebration of creativity, culture, talent, and innovation to date. Across four days, two content stages, a diverse range of training programs, an industry award event, and much more, the festival will serve as a platform for all those with an interest in joining an exciting new community of creative industry leaders from Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The official representatives of the UAE at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan, hosted an awards ceremony on September 12 to honor the Cannes winners from the UAE. During the ceremony, Ian Fairservice, the Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Group, and Avinash Udeshi, the Chief Operating Officer of Motivate Val Morgan, presented the Cannes Lions awards to the winning agencies in the UAE.Among the attendees at the award ceremony were Havas Middle East, Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett, FP7 McCann, and Impact BBDO.The 2023 Cannes Lions held particular significance for the Middle East region, as Ali Rez, the Chief Creative Officer of Impact BBDO, served as the first-ever Jury President from the MENA region. Impact BBDO was also honored as the MENA Network of the Year for the fifth consecutive year. They received several awards, including 1 Grand Prix for Print & Publishing, 1 Gold for Glass: The Lion for Change, and 1 Bronze for Creative Strategy.The UAE boasted the largest group of 18 Jury members overseeing the festival. This year's competition saw a substantial increase in entries, with 640 submissions from 22 UAE agencies, compared to 358 the previous year. Of these entries, 81 were shortlisted, and 21 received Lions, including 1 Grand Prix, 1 Gold, 6 Silver, and 13 Bronze awards. This accomplishment solidified the UAE's position as one of the top nations to receive numerous awards at the festival.Notably, the UAE also received awards for the first time in categories such as Glass: The Lion for Change, Entertainment for Music, and Creative Data. FP7 McCann secured the highest number of Lions, with 2 Silvers in Creative Data and Outdoor, along with 7 Bronze awards in various categories, including Brand Experience & Activation, Direct, Entertainment for Music, Industry Craft, Media, Outdoor, and Radio. The Us agency also achieved recognition with 3 Lions, comprising 1 Silver in Health and Wellness and 2 Bronze in Design. Havas Middle East was awarded a Bronze Lion in the PR category.In addition, Saatchi & Saatchi, a part of Publicis Groupe, received double Bronze awards in Health & Wellness and Creative Commerce, while Leo Burnett, another sister agency, earned double Silver awards for Creative Commerce and Creative Strategy.Notably, Jonathan Cruz from And Us, a member of the Young Lions Digital Competition UAE team alongside Saymon Medeiros, and Chloe Salloum from the American University in Dubai, who represented the UAE at the Roger Hatchuel Academy student programme, were also present at the event.