Dubai Lynx shortlists, advertising seminars and workshops keep delegates busy on Day 1 April 1, 2008
Posted by Farrukh Naeem at copywriterjournalist.com in : Ad Blogging, Adblog Arabia, Advertising, Advertising Awards, Advertising Events, Advertising in Dubai, Advertising in the Middle East, Advertising in the UAE, Amanda Benfell, BTL Advertising, Cannes Lions 2008, David Droga, Droga5, Dubai International Advertising Festival, Dubai Lynx Awards, International Advertising Association (IAA), Kerry Platts, Lack of creativity in advertising, New York Festivals, Pirana Dubai, Samer Marzouq, Text Appeal, Wunderman Dubai, Zeid Nasser , add a commentThe first ever Dubai International Advertising Festival and the 2nd Dubai Lynx Awards started off well on Monday, 31 March 2008.
Two things most looked forward to on this day were the shortlist of Print, Outdoor, Media and Direct categories and the chance to listen to David Droga - the first seminar after the inauguration of the festival by the Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Chairman of TECOM.
The shortlist announced today had a total of 383 entries - 195 in Print, 109 in Outdoor, 50 in Direct and 29 in Media. The overall standard looked pretty high this time.
The much awaited Droga5 seminar was packed with ad professionals eager to hear what one of the world’s hottest creative directors has to say about creating positive brand momentum. Seminars and workshops included those by Getty, Eardrum, IAA and EMAAR, Text Appeal and Jumeirah, Brandhome and Eurosport.
I met up with many friends in the ad business. Zeid Nasser of Adblog Arabia and MediaMe who’s come all the way from Jordan. Samer Marzouq of the Jazarah blog. Shehzad of Pirana Dubai, who has been on the jury of New York Festivals. Kerry Platts of Wunderman MENA, a wonderful CD to work with when it comes to Direct, who has been on the Cannes jury from UAE.
Amanda Benfell, the event’s PR and Press Manager, has been very helpful all along. The Press Centre is well equipped. The award-winning work showcased from Cannes and Eurobest makes one feel like a little, tiny dot in the creative universe.
If you’re at the Dubai Lynx, why not share your notes and experiences here? I’d be happy to post inputs from attendees on this blog for everyone’s benefit. You could also show me your work if it’s made it!
Dubai Lynx Awards juries announced. First Dubai Advertising Festival on its way… January 13, 2008
Posted by Farrukh Naeem at copywriterjournalist.com in : Ad Blogging, Advertising, Advertising Awards, Advertising in Dubai, Advertising in Egypt, Advertising in Kuwait, Advertising in Lebanon, Advertising in Oman, Advertising in the UAE, Cannes Lions 2008, Dubai Advertising Festival, Dubai Lynx Awards, Farrukh Naeem, Marketing , add a commentDubai Lynx Awards are back with a bang, this time with the first ever Dubai Advertising Festival.
Jury members of the 2nd Dubai Lynx Awards honouring advertising creative excellence across the Middle East and North Africa have been announced by the Cannes Lions, the organisers of the landmark event.
Creativity and advertising in the UAE - The important role young creatives play May 25, 2007
Posted by Farrukh Naeem at copywriterjournalist.com in : AGA, Advertising, Advertising Awards, Advertising in Dubai, Advertising in the UAE, Apple, Arabian Gulf Advertising, Bilal Kerbaj, Cannes Lions 2008, Copywriting, Farrukh Naeem, International Advertising Association (IAA), Journalism, Keshav Naidu, Marketing, Sheetal Rajan, Shiva Kumar Thekkepat, Team Y&R , 4 commentsKeeping you posted on the latest advertising, marketing and creativity trends in the UAE and worldwide, I’d like to recommend today’s Gulf News Friday article by the senior journalist Shiva Kumar Thekkepat.
The report is in the light of the recently concluded Cannes Lions Young Creatives 2007 competition, which pits the wits of young agency creatives under 28 years for a chance to represent their agency and country at the global level.
The global Gold winners will enjoy a full delegate registration to Cannes Lions 2008, including hotel accommodation courtesy of the Festival, and many other goodies, like an Apple iPod!
The winning work is made available to a real client, usually a non-profit/charity organisation.
In the Gulf News article, Shiva talks to Sheetal Rajan and Bilal Kerbaj of Arabian Gulf Advertising (AGA) Dubai who won Gold and Keshav Naidu and Umran Shaikh of Team Y&R, Dubai who won Silver.
And a little surprise - you’d see your favourite ad blogger in the feature too. I shared views on the importance of encouraging young talent. And the days when agencies here in the UAE insisted on only talking to people with ‘minimum 10 years of experience’. And what global creative bigwigs who were here during Dubai Lynx said about our standards of creativity.
Also, why I respect creative people in the Middle East because I believe we try harder (think the legendary ‘We Try Harder‘ campaign). Like when we get a brief to promote skin care without showing any skin. And sell lingerie but stay clear of any product shot. Well, you get the picture 
Farrukh Naeem, copywriter and journalist, talks to Shiva Kumar Thekkepat of Gulf News on advertising and creativity in the UAETechnorati Tags:
Farrukh Naeem, Copywriter Dubai, Copywriter UAE, Media in UAE, Team Y&R, AGA, Young Creatives, Shiva Kumar Thekkepat, Keshav Naidu, Advertising Blogger, Arabian Gulf Advertising, Bilal Kerbaj, Cannes Lions 2008, Sheetal Rajan, International Advertising Association (IAA), Dubai Lynx, Copywriting, Friday, Dubai, Creativity, Apple iPod, Journalism, Life In The UAE, Gulf News, Advertising in the UAE, Middle East Advertising, Creative Awards, Advertising Awards, Advertising in Dubai, uae advertising, Marketing
