Saudi superstar Aseel Omran partners with Motorola as brand's first Middle East ambassador
The Riyadh-born star, who boasts over 6.5 million Instagram followers, embodies the shared values of iconic design and cutting-edge technology that Motorola champions. As a symbol of empowerment for Saudi women, Omran rose to fame through reality TV shows like 'Gulf Stars' and 'Hiya wa Huwa.' Her collaborations with international producers, including the renowned RedOne, have cemented her status in the competitive Arab music scene.
Her status as a role model and style icon in the Arab world, coupled with her ability to connect authentically with the youth, embodies the brand's ethos of authenticity and confidence. Aseel's partnership with Motorola not only enhances the brand's appeal but also reinforces its dedication to creating cultural heroes inspiring the next generation of icons.
Motorola has consistently positioned itself at the intersection of lifestyle and technology, forging partnerships with globally recognized brands such as Swarovski, Pantone and Bose. These collaborations underline Motorola's commitment to blending culture, iconic design, and lifestyle experiences with cutting-edge innovation, creating products that resonate deeply with diverse cultural aesthetics and technological advancements.
Omran's confidence to choose the path less walked, her diversity and innovation in her roles, and her strong connection with the youth in the region make her the perfect ambassador for Motorola. Aseel actively uses her social media platforms to connect with fans and promote important causes, such as her work with the UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency). Her partnership with Motorola will enhance how she discovers, shares, and connects with her vast social media audience.
'I'm thrilled to partner with Motorola, a brand that shares my passion for blending iconic style and design with the latest cutting-edge technology,' said Omran. 'I'm excited to use the power of technology to connect with my audience in new and inspiring ways, and to continue empowering women across the Kingdom and the region.'
Vinayak Shenoy, Marketing Director, MEA, Motorola, said: 'We're excited to welcome Aseel Omran to the Motorola family as our first ambassador in the Middle East. Aseel's talent and influence make her a role model who has defied cultural norms to define her own path and empower others, aligning perfectly with our values of 'flipping the script' and 'Make it Iconic.' This partnership will help us engage with a wider audience, showcasing the power of cultural diversity, lifestyle, innovation and collaboration within the region.'
Motorola razr 60 Ultra: Redefining the foldable experience
The Motorola Razr 60 Ultra is the company's latest flip phone, blending iconic design with cutting-edge technology to deliver a premium and personalized experience. Ultra-compact and crafted with premium finishes like Alcantara and real wood, the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra redefines the foldable experience with its powerful and intelligent moto AI integration.
Featuring a versatile outer screen backed by the lightning-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon® AI engine and 68W TurboPower™ charging—the fastest in any flip phone—the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra delivers both performance and style in one sleek fold. For more information, click here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
4 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Al Reem Island leads the pack: 38% price surge puts it at no 1 in Abu Dhabi
Image credit: Supplied Abu Dhabi's real estate market is witnessing unprecedented momentum in 2025, with Al Reem Island emerging as the standout performer in both investment and lifestyle offerings. According to MERED, the international award-winning real estate developer, Al Reem Island recorded a remarkable 38 per cent year-on-year increase in off-plan property weighted average prices during Q2 2025. Read- These figures, based on extensive transaction data from Quanta, underscore the island's appeal as a premium investment destination. In comparison, Khalifa City and Jubail Island saw notable, though more modest, price increases of 24 per cent and 20 per cent respectively, further confirming the overall resilience and upward trajectory of Abu Dhabi's property market. Image credit: Supplied In the rental segment, Residents of Al Reem Island benefit from a unique urban lifestyle that blends waterfront living, Grade-A office spaces, top-tier healthcare, expansive retail offerings, and the sprawling 1,000,000 square-foot Reem Central Park. Situated between Abu Dhabi's business core and the cultural hub of Saadiyat Island, the island embodies a modern 'live-work-play' ethos. Branded residences power luxury real estate growth Abu Dhabi's booming real estate sector isn't limited to just one location. The luxury and branded residences market is experiencing record growth in 2025, with branded property launches increasing fourfold compared to 2024, according to Metropolitan Capital Real Estate (MCRE). Fuelled by rising interest from high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), international investors, and a growing pool of long-term residents, the capital's premium segment has seen a five per cent increase in transactions valued at Dhs7m and above, totaling Dhs6.3bn in the first four months of the year alone. More than half of these deals were in the Dhs10m and above bracket, signaling heightened investor confidence in Abu Dhabi's upscale real estate offerings. 'Abu Dhabi has firmly positioned itself as a premier destination for luxury and lifestyle-led investments,' said Evgeny Ratskevich, CEO of MCRE. 'Many investors who began with a single unit are expanding their portfolios, while long-term residents are choosing to buy rather than rent, reflecting a deep trust in the market's long-term potential.' One of the most significant drivers of this growth has been the surge in branded residence developments, particularly in hot spots like Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, and Mariah Island. With at least 25 new branded residences expected to launch in 2025, up from just a handful last year, Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming a hub for high-end, lifestyle-centric living. Notable launches this year include Jacob & Co Beachfront Residences, Brabus Residences by Cosmo, Waldorf Astoria Residences, Elie Saab Waterfront, SHA Wellness Residences, and Mandarin Oriental Residences. One standout transaction came from Nobu Residences, which made headlines with a record-breaking penthouse sale of Dhs137m, the highest ever residential sale in Abu Dhabi. New era for Al Reem Island and ADGM MERED is poised to further elevate Al Reem Island's profile with a new waterfront project that spans over 23,400 square meters within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) jurisdiction. Designed in partnership with Pritzker Prize-winning architects, the project promises to redefine super-prime living in the capital, offering direct sea views, iconic design, and unmatched luxury. 'Al Reem Island has unequivocally established itself as Abu Dhabi's premier residential destination. Waterfront properties are now averaging over Dhs1,800 per square foot, with new launches exceeding those prices,' said Artemiy Marinin, Project Director at MERED. A major catalyst in Al Reem's ascent has been the expansion of ADGM's jurisdiction to the island in April 2023. Since then, more than 1,100 new businesses have joined, bringing the total to over 11,000 registered entities. This influx of professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs has added further depth to the island's luxury appeal and rental demand. As Abu Dhabi's urban landscape evolves, the combination of strong fundamentals, visionary developments, and branded living is setting a new benchmark for residential real estate. From record-breaking sales to design-driven innovation, Al Reem Island is leading the charge in the capital's transformation into a global real estate hotspot.
The National
a day ago
- The National
Five Luxe JBR review: Where Dubai's party brand meets refined beachfront luxury
Five Hotels is synonymous with Dubai's party scene, but Five Luxe JBR – the latest offering from homegrown brand Five Holdings – aims to strike a middle ground, offering a more balanced atmosphere than its JVC and Palm properties. Opened in April last year, the beachfront property is meant to be the most premium offering of the three, hosting an impressive line-up of bars and restaurants, including the Ibiza-famous Pacha brand, acquired by Five in 2023. Located in a quieter part of the vibrant Jumeirah Beach Residence area, the hotel offers sweeping views of Ain Dubai, Bluewaters Island, the Arabian Gulf and Palm Jumeirah. Plus, it can be easily accessed by taxis and the tram in the neighbouring Dubai Marina. It houses 222 rooms and 222 residences and, I'm told, is already frequented by celebrities, from sports stars to movie producers and DJs. The National checked in to find out what you can expect from this glamorous resort. The welcome As we drive in, there are supercars parked in front, a signature of the Five brand, before luggage porters whisk away my bags. Once inside the lobby, the first thing I notice is the triple height glass window that faces out to the swimming pool on the other side. A massive glass chandelier resembling a school of fish and bubbles hangs above the lounge. The staff are friendly and welcoming, helping me seamlessly change my restaurant reservations for my two-night stay. The room We stay at the city-facing Luxe Spa Suite. At 235 square metres, it is generously sized – one of the largest I've ever stayed in – and comes with a lavish bathroom, an in-room steam and sauna, jacuzzi, a shower, his and her faucets, a walk-in closet and an outdoor terrace. All the drapes and lights are electronically controlled. But the highlight of staying in the Luxe Spa Suite is having our own personal VIP butler, Khalid, who offers to unpack our luggage. He even escorts us to all our dinner, spa and beach club reservations during our stay. The food The ninth floor of the hotel houses most of the culinary action, and the variety of food and drink offerings make it stand apart from other Five hotels. We have dinner at Ronin, the Michelin Guide-recognised Japanese restaurant, where the chef welcomes guests by theatrically firing the teppanyaki. Although the air conditioning was not optimal, highlights of the night include the melt me Wagyu sandwich with caviar and 24k gold leaf (Dh160), kimchi bob chicken fried rice with sunny side up (Dh95), Wagyu tenderloin toban yaki (Dh280), BBQ yuzu miso black cod (Dh220) and Japanese doughnuts with salted miso caramel (Dh55) for dessert. After dinner, we head to Paradiso, a Barcelona export and former winner of the world's best bar, which opened its first international outpost at Five Luxe JBR. The Dubai outpost has a circus feel thanks to balloons and merry-go-round horses hanging from the ceiling and a carousel bar outside on the terrace overlooking Ain Dubai. Expect to be served some theatrical drinks, a tapas-style menu and groovy music. Five Luxe JBR food - in pictures My favourite dining spot, however, was Tete-a-Tete, a Monte-Carlo-inspired, fine-dining restaurant with a lavender-filled ceiling and glass jewellery boxes for private dining rooms. A perfect date night spot with ocean views, this venue also hosts the Bisou Bisou brunch on Saturdays. For our meal there, chef Daniel Welna recommends several dishes, but my favourites include the grilled prawns (Dh105) and seared foie gras toast (Dh110) for starters, roasted duck (Dh200) and beef short ribs (Dh220) for the mains, and creme caramel (Dh45) and chocolate fondant (Dh45) for dessert. I didn't have the opportunity to dine at sports bar Goose Island Tap House. On Sundays, this venue also hosts a roast brunch. Breakfast scene Breakfast is served beachside at Cielo and offers plenty of choice. There's something for everyone, including an Arabic spread as well as Indian fare. There's also a live station for pancakes, waffles and French toast, cereals and milk, plus a bread station. There is also an impressive pastry selection and an a la carte menu for eggs. The hummus on toast was a personal favourite.A selection of detox shots is also on offer. Avoid going too late in the morning as it gets very busy and it's hard to get a table indoors. Spa and wellness My husband and I try the 60-minute rebalancing massage at the ReFive Spa. Our masseurs Phat and Loppy work magic with their hands and put us to sleep during the treatment (Dh675), which is for deep relaxation. We are offered a detox water before and a fruit tea after the massage. Guests can unwind further in the sauna and indoor pool, while those hoping to keep their fitness on track can work out in a 24/7 indoor or outdoor gym with skyline and sea views. Hotel facilities Playa Pacha, a pool and private beach club, offers Ibiza party vibes. It was a tad too hot for us to indulge in a pool party, but we spot several guests at the spot, where the service is quick. The beach club offers three pools – one at the top reserved for in-house guests and families, one in the middle and one at the bottom right in front of the DJ booth. There are light bites available – think pizzas and Wagyu beef sliders. Despite the party vibes, the property bills itself as family-friendly and is home to a club and pool for children near Cielo restaurant. However, I didn't see too many family guests at the property, instead there were more couples and groups of singles. The hotel also houses a flower shop, a rent-a-car kiosk and a boutique, while the concierge desk arranges tours to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as a range of water sport activities. Accessibility and sustainability Five Luxe JBR offers wheelchair-friendly rooms. The hotel is taking steps towards sustainability by reducing plastic use and installing solar panels to complement water-saving and recycling systems. Our spa suite houses a recycling bin and refillable glass water bottles. No fresh flowers are used at the property. Value for money Room prices start from Dh1,800 ($490), while a Luxe Spa Suite is priced Dh1,950 per night, inclusive of taxes. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is at noon. As part of a summer promotion, guests can avail of either an early check-in from 10am or late check-out until 4pm and a 20 per cent discount on treatments at ReFive Spa for bookings through the hotel website, valid until September 30.
The National
a day ago
- The National
After a decade under lights, Amna Al Qubaisi steers her career in a new direction
Emirati racing driver Amna Al Qubaisi didn't realise the impact of her story until she saw it through the eyes of others. From the day she first took the driver's seat at 14, her dream was to finish what her father, Khaled Al Qubaisi – the first Emirati to reach a podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France – had started. She wanted to win, to hear the UAE's national anthem play where it had never been heard before. 'I was always just trying to represent my country in a really good manner,' she tells The National. 'I was focused only on results. I wanted to prove to the world that we were not there just to participate – but to win.' In those early days, as she began turning heads on the track, she was unaware of the effect she was having. 'When I was 14, my dad was very strict with my social media. He took full control – I barely even had a phone. And I'm glad he did, because of him I thought everything was normal.' It wasn't until years later, when she began running her own accounts, that she realised she had both changed perceptions of what a racing driver could look like – and of what an Emirati woman could be. 'A lot of girls were messaging me,' she says. 'One thing that really caught my eye was when they told me their bond with their father became much better because they saw my dad supporting me. 'They told me, 'Our father is now supporting us because we showed them: look, her dad's supporting her in motorsports, he's always there for her.' Now they're getting the same reciprocation from their dads.' Starring in Netflix's F1: The Academy Since then, Al Qubaisi has grown increasingly aware of the effect that her story can have. In May, along with her younger sister Hamda, she was one of the central stars of the Netflix docuseries F1: The Academy, which chronicled her final season racing for Red Bull in the all-female F1 Academy championship. 'We were really happy that we were a part of it,' says Al Qubaisi. 'We got to share our personality, our side of our story, and how seriously we and our dad take this.' At the same time, she was disappointed that her family was portrayed, from her point of view, as the wealthy upstarts compared to the seemingly more humble European drivers – even though virtually everyone gets there as the result of massive financial investment into their talent. Al Qubaisi explains: 'When we say we're Emirati, automatically, people think we have a mansion made of gold and an endless fleet of cars. But racing is very expensive and those costs apply to all racing drivers. Anyone who's joining in motorsport has the money. 'The way they made the other drivers look like they were selling stuff to be able to race is completely inaccurate. It's kind of sad that they singled us out and made it look like we were the only ones who had it easy.' She believes, whether on screen or off, that the deck was stacked against her through the second year of her F1 Academy experience – in which she dropped to 15th in the standings a year after she had placed sixth overall, collecting two wins in her first season. 'The first year was less political, as it was the first championship to be held. My sister and I finished very strong. In the second year, it felt like they didn't want a Middle Eastern person to win. I got an engine that was around seven to 10 kilometres slower down the straights and I couldn't do much about it. I talked to Red Bull about it, and they told me, 'just deal with it'.' When she realised winning was near-impossible, she started paying more attention to the Netflix cameras following their every move – and grew more involved in how her story was being told. 'In the first few rounds, I would tell them, 'I don't want to do anything. I'm too focused. But then I thought I might as well just take advantage of it and try to give myself some exposure for future sponsors. I said, 'I've got nothing to lose', and I gave them full access.' That strategy, which made her one of the show's most visible stars, proved emotionally challenging as her struggles mounted. 'We were still there to win,' she explains. 'So having them film me at my most vulnerable, and at my worst, was hard. I didn't want the world to know. It was a big fear of mine. But now that it's out there, I think people can relate. 'And if there's criticism against my driving ability, I don't mind. My sister takes it more personally than I do. I have a fan account that I created that I will use to start roasting them back,' Al Qubaisi laughs. Why she moved to endurance racing In the wake of her F1 Academy experience, Al Qubaisi, who had previously raced in Formula 4, has decided to give up on her Formula One dreams. Instead, she's charting a new course in endurance racing that has allowed her to rediscover what she loved about racing in the first place. Moreso than in Formula racing, endurance racing tests the durability of equipment and participants. Teams of multiple drivers using the same car in shifts attempt to cover a large distance in a single event. 'When it comes to Formula racing, it's too expensive. Because of our budget, we were constantly behind the pack. 'So this year, we decided to move into endurance racing, where it's much cheaper and the costs are split between drivers. When I moved into endurance racing, it was the first time I felt like I was actually enjoying driving in a long time.' In some ways, her path to endurance racing mirrors the fictional journey of Brad Pitt's Sonny Hayes in F1 The Movie, in which Hayes finds himself constantly at the back of the pack and has to figure out a way to turn that to his advantage. 'In F1 Academy, I was always starting from the back and I took that as practice for overtaking,' Al Qubaisi explains. 'I learnt to get through traffic and find a gap. Now, in endurance, I'm always catching up to the guys up front, because I know how it's done. 'In endurance racing, you have to really plan – you have tyre management, fuel consumption and overtaking through traffic – because you're racing with different categories. 'It's so much more enjoyable. In single seaters, you're just praying and hoping for something to happen. But in endurance racing, anything can happen. Someone can be leading a race and then have a problem and you have a whole hour to strategise.' Al Qubaisi and her sister will continue their new path towards endurance racing on August 22 and 23 the Spa – Francorchamps Heat as part of the 2025 Ligier European Series. The series marks the third tier on the endurance racing ladder of Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the company behind the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. 'Sharing a car, we work together and help each other. We go through data together and strategise together. Having each other makes this decision easier, as we're both really good and we know each other, so we have an advantage.' What is the future of women in F1? Back in Formula racing, Al Qubaisi is rooting for the many young women working towards a spot in F1 but believes the sport as not a level playing field. 'It's very difficult to have a female in Formula One, no matter how good she is, no matter how big her achievements are. The Formula One teams need to have really big trust in those female drivers. 'They will need to invest in women drivers from a young age. I think they just need to start trusting women more to be able to reach that point too. 'Because now, all the girls who are working so hard in single seaters, who've made it to the top 10, who won races, nothing is done for them. No opportunity is provided and then they end up on the sidelines as a development driver or reserve driver, which isn't enough. If it was a male competitor, he would immediately have support, a test drive in a Formula One car.' Basic engineering was also an issue. Al Qubaisi faced difficulty with singer-seater cars that were built only for male bodies – 'we can't fit in that car' – which caused her and other women drivers to complain to the FIA regulatory body to ensure cars were built for both men and women. That issue was fixed, but Al Qubaisi feels it's symbolic of the inequality that exists in the sport. Telling her own story As she sets off on a new racing journey with her sister, Al Qubaisi feels that every bump along the way has prepared her for the difficulties ahead – not just as a racing driver, but as a public figure. She will rely less on how others tell her story and start to take an even greater hand in telling her own. 'I have a cameraman and we're doing our own YouTube docuseries for the racing championship. Every race weekend we show everything from our perspective and it's very authentic and very natural,' she says. 'I've learnt that I don't need anything polished and professional. These days, I just have to be real.'
