Latest news with #IanFairservice
Campaign ME
13-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Athar Festival 2025 extends final deadline for content
Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity has extended the final deadline for its speakers applications, now accepting submissions until 23 May 2025. The festival, which returns for its third edition from 21–22 October 2025 at JAX District – Diriyah Biennale Foundation in Riyadh, invites local and international voices from across the creative marketing industry to take the stage. Proposals can be submitted via the festival's website. Presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, Athar Festival 2025 is set to build on the momentum of previous editions with a larger venue, broader content streams, and a sharpened focus on global collaboration. This year's edition is expected to host more than 3,000 attendees from across the marketing, advertising, media and communications industries – spanning brands, agencies, creative professionals and students. Positioned as a platform to showcase Saudi Arabia's emergence as a regional and global creative force, Athar Festival 2025 will feature more than 150 speakers, more than 80 brand activations, and expanded programming across three content stages. The event also introduces new additions aimed at enriching the attendee experience, including an all-new Talent Hub for emerging professionals, a dedicated startup exhibition space, and longer festival hours from 10 AM to 10 PM each day. 'As Saudi Arabia continues to push the boundaries of creative excellence in alignment with Vision 2030, Athar Festival remains a vital force in shaping the industry's future,' said Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group. 'This year, we are expanding our global reach with international trade delegations and industry leaders. By connecting Saudi Arabia's creative industry with more markets, the festival will not only showcase the Kingdom as a talent hub but also create new pathways for collaboration and investment in the region's growing creative economy.' Building on the success of the 2024 edition, which drew more than 1,700 attendees, the 2025 festival will introduce four new content streams under its expanded format. The Creative Impact stream will focus on brand storytelling, advertising and marketing. Future Forward will address AI, machine learning, and data-driven marketing, while Screen & Influence will explore media distribution, influencer marketing, and content creation from an advertising lens. Luxury & Lifestyle will delve into marketing strategies across fashion, travel, hospitality and premium experiences. Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, said: 'Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as the region's leader in creative communications – essential for any future-ready nation. Athar Festival plays a pivotal role in shaping the industry by driving innovation, talent development and strategic collaborations. The 2025 edition, featuring new initiatives like the Talent Hub and a dedicated startup exhibition space, offers an unparalleled platform to challenge creative boundaries, celebrate creative excellence, and catalyse the Kingdom's creative economy.' In addition to the main conference agenda, the festival will also expand the Athar Awards, now aligned with the four newly introduced content streams. The awards will span two days: the first dedicated to celebrating individual and team excellence in Saudi Arabia, and the second recognising standout campaigns within the Kingdom's marketing and communications sector. The festival's agenda will include keynote sessions, workshops, immersive activations and curated networking opportunities. International trade delegations are also expected to participate, further integrating the Saudi creative economy with global players and partners. For more information or to submit a speaker proposal for Athar, visit
Campaign ME
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Dubai Lynx announces 2025 winners
Dubai Lynx, MENA's leading platform for creative excellence and effectiveness, announced the winners of its 2025 Awards at an award ceremony held at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. The awards celebrate the most outstanding creative work from across the region. This year saw the introduction of new categories that reflect evolving industry dynamics. The Use of Humour category accounted for 3 per cent of all entries, signalling a growing interest in levity and cultural storytelling. Meanwhile, creator-driven categories within Social & Influencer made a strong debut, drawing 14 per cent of total entries in that section — underlining the increasing influence of content creators in shaping brand narratives. Philip Thomas, Chairman, Dubai Lynx, said: 'Congratulations to this year's winners, who have set a new standard for creativity in MENA. Their work not only captivates audiences but also delivers real impact – showcasing the strength of creative industries in the region. It's an exciting time for the future of marketing and communication here.' Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx, commented: 'The winners this year are a true reflection of the bold, innovative, and culturally resonant work emerging from the MENA region. From the rise of humour as a powerful creative tool to the impact of creators in shaping brand narratives, the entries showcased a dynamic shift in how stories are being told – and who is telling them. We're proud to celebrate this incredible talent.' Kiran Jay Haslam, Chief Marketing Officer, Diriyah Company, headline partner for the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony, added: 'The extraordinary quality of work awarded at Dubai Lynx this year is a testament to the creativity shaping MENA's landscape. It's inspiring to see how bold ideas continue to redefine the region's global presence and creative identity.' Dubai Lynx 2025 Winners This year's Grand Prix winners are: Audio & Radio From 48 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to 'Journey into Herstory' for Al-Futtaim Toyota, by Al Futtaim Motors Toyota, Dubai / Memac Ogilvy, Dubai. Brand Experience & Activation From 151 entries received, 15 were awarded: 2 Gold, 5 Silver and 7 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'Unsilence The Crowd' for Sela X Newcastle United by Sela, Jeddah / VML, London. Creative Commerce From 49 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to 'Selfless Shelves' for Puck, by FP7 McCann, Dubai. Creative Effectiveness From 20 entries received, 3 were awarded: 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to 'Birthmark Stories' for Hungerstation by VML, Riyadh. Creative Strategy From 65 entries received, 7 were awarded: 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'The New President' for Annahar Newspaper, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai. Design From 42 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to 'Blind Faith' for Bank Al Etihad, by VML Amman. Digital Craft From 31 entries received, 3 were awarded: 1 Gold and 1 Silver Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to 'The 4th Judge' for The Ring, by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh. Direct From 92 entries received, 9 were awarded: 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'Selfless Shelves' for Puck, by FP7 McCann, Dubai. Entertainment From 94 entries received, 9 were awarded: 1 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to '5 vs 5' for Riyadh Season by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh. Film From 117 entries received, 11 were awarded: 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 5 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'Speedy Disclaimer Hijack' for STING, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai. Film Craft From 126 entries received, 12 were awarded: 3 Gold, 4 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'Everything or Nothing' for Riyadh Season, by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh. Glass: The Award for Change From 12 entries received, 2 were awarded: 1 Bronze and the Grand Prix that went to 'Selfless Shelves' for Puck, by FP7 McCann, Dubai. Grand Prix for Good The Grand Prix for Good was awarded to 'Highlight Your Balls' for Testicular Cancer Society, by FP7 McCann, Dubai. Healthcare From 30 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to 'Insured Billboards' for easypasia by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai. Industry Craft From 66 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to 'Explosion', 'Missile', 'Hero', 'Home' for Al Joumhouria, by TBWA\RAAD, Dubai. Integrated From 11 entries received, 2 were awarded: 1 Silver Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to 'The New President' for Annahar Newspaper, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai. Media From 109 entries received, 10 were awarded: 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'Bribe Bucket' for KFC, by TBWA\RAAD, Dubai. Outdoor From 77 entries received, 7 were awarded: 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'Careem Beach' for Careem, by Careem Dubai. PR From 81 entries received, 7 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'The Second Release' for Billboard Magazine, by SRMG Labs, Riyadh Print & Publishing From 42 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'The New President' for Annahar Newspaper, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai. Social & Influencer From 84 entries received, 7 were awarded: 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to 'Obsession' for Riyadh Season, by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh. The Dubai Lynx Special Awards winners for 2025 are: Network of the Year 1. VML 2. BBDO Worldwide 3. McCANN Worldgroup Media Network of the Year 1. Hearts & Science 2. OMD Worldwide 3. PHD Worldwide MENA Agency of the Year 1. IMPACT BBDO, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2. FP7 McCANN, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 3. BIGTIME CREATIVE SHOP, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Independent Agency of the Year 1. BIGTIME CREATIVE SHOP, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2. Serviceplan Middle East, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 3. Abdullah & Shokri, Cairo, Egypt Lynx Palm Award 1. Dejavu, United Arab Emirates 2. Good People Films, Egypt 3. Blue Elephant, Saudi Arabia
Campaign ME
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Athar Festival 2025 to conclude with an extraordinary two-day celebration of creativity at Athar Awards
Athar, Saudi Festival of Creativity, the largest gathering of the creative marketing industry in Saudi Arabia, will conclude with the largest and most spectacular edition of Athar Awards to date. Submissions for Athar Awards 2025 officially open today, with 14 new additions bringing the total to over 30 categories, each spotlighting the growing constellation of campaigns, teams, and individual talent driving the Kingdom's creative momentum. Athar Awards will take place across two nights, reflecting its broader vision to champion creative excellence across both established disciplines and emerging frontiers. Saudi talent in the Individual categories will be recognised following day one of the festival at JAX District – Diriyah Biennale Foundation, while winners in the Campaign and Team categories will be honoured during a prestigious gala dinner on the festival's closing night. Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said, 'Saudi Arabia's creative industry is capturing the world's attention with bold ideas, distinctive storytelling, and globally resonant work. Athar Awards are designed to harness and amplify that momentum, offering a platform that not only celebrates excellence but also propels it forward. As the creative output from the Kingdom grows more sophisticated and ambitious, these awards help showcase how Saudi creativity is perceived internationally — not just as promising, but as world-class. They mark a pivotal step in transforming recognition into long-term influence across the global creative economy.' Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, added, 'Last year's Athar Awards demonstrated that the spirit of Saudi innovation is well embedded and thrives across the creative marketing landscape. The fresh stories, perspectives, and bold creative approaches showcased by our winners and nominees — along with their impact on the Kingdom's creative economy and contributions to Vision 2030 — are all truly worth celebrating. Today, we are proud to say that the additional award categories have been thoughtfully introduced to reflect the expanding breadth and depth of our homegrown talent. As we look forward to the largest editions of Athar Festival and Athar Awards in October, we wish all prospective nominees the very best of luck.' Athar Awards 2025 boasts a dynamic mix of new Campaign and Team categories that spotlight innovation and creativity across a number of next-generation specialisations. Among the highlights is Best Artificial Intelligence/Augmented Reality Powered Campaign, which features cutting-edge campaigns that leverage smart technology to enhance engagement and impact. Best Fintech Solutions & E-commerce Campaign celebrates digital-first initiatives reshaping consumer experiences, while Best Video Storytelling Campaign recognises powerful visual narratives that elevate Saudi Arabia's creative voice. In the Team categories, additional titles include Startup of the Year and Production Team of the Year, which acknowledge collective achievement across execution, strategy, and innovation. The Individual categories place a renewed emphasis on leadership, influence, and transformative thinking. Disruptor of the Year celebrates boundary-pushing visionaries, while Influencer of the Year honours standout digital creators shaping conversations across platforms. Other additions include Creative Designer of the Year, Media Leader of the Year, and Young Creative of the Year — each highlighting the array of talents fuelling the Kingdom's creative sphere. Athar Festival 2025 is presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS. For the full list of Athar Awards 2025 categories, visit the official website (
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Athar Festival 2025 to conclude with an extraordinary two-day celebration of creativity at Athar Awards
New categories to recognise creative excellence across AI, fintech, storytelling, leadership, design, and emerging talent Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the largest gathering of the creative marketing industry in Saudi Arabia, will conclude with the largest and most spectacular edition of Athar Awards to date. Submissions for Athar Awards 2025 officially open today, with 14 new additions bringing the total to over 30 categories, each spotlighting the growing constellation of campaigns, teams, and individual talent driving the Kingdom's creative momentum. Athar Awards will take place across two nights, reflecting its broader vision to champion creative excellence across both established disciplines and emerging frontiers. Saudi talent in the Individual categories will be recognised following day one of the festival at JAX District – Diriyah Biennale Foundation, while winners in the Campaign and Team categories will be honoured during a prestigious gala dinner on the festival's closing night. Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said: 'Saudi Arabia's creative industry is capturing the world's attention with bold ideas, distinctive storytelling, and globally resonant work. Athar Awards are designed to harness and amplify that momentum, offering a platform that not only celebrates excellence but also propels it forward. As the creative output from the Kingdom grows more sophisticated and ambitious, these awards help showcase how Saudi creativity is perceived internationally — not just as promising, but as world-class. They mark a pivotal step in transforming recognition into long-term influence across the global creative economy.' Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, added: 'Last year's Athar Awards demonstrated that the spirit of Saudi innovation is well embedded and thrives across the creative marketing landscape. The fresh stories, perspectives, and bold creative approaches showcased by our winners and nominees — along with their impact on the Kingdom's creative economy and contributions to Vision 2030 — are all truly worth celebrating. Today, we are proud to say that the additional award categories have been thoughtfully introduced to reflect the expanding breadth and depth of our homegrown talent. As we look forward to the largest editions of Athar Festival and Athar Awards in October, we wish all prospective nominees the very best of luck.' Athar Awards 2025 boasts a dynamic mix of new Campaign and Team categories that spotlight innovation and creativity across a number of next-generation specialisations. Among the highlights is Best Artificial Intelligence/Augmented Reality Powered Campaign, which features cutting-edge campaigns that leverage smart technology to enhance engagement and impact. Best Fintech Solutions & E-commerce Campaign celebrates digital-first initiatives reshaping consumer experiences, while Best Video Storytelling Campaign recognises powerful visual narratives that elevate Saudi Arabia's creative voice. In the Team categories, additional titles include Startup of the Year and Production Team of the Year, which acknowledge collective achievement across execution, strategy, and innovation. The Individual categories place a renewed emphasis on leadership, influence, and transformative thinking. Disruptor of the Year celebrates boundary-pushing visionaries, while Influencer of the Year honours standout digital creators shaping conversations across platforms. Other additions include Creative Designer of the Year, Media Leader of the Year, and Young Creative of the Year — each highlighting the array of talents fuelling the Kingdom's creative sphere. Athar Festival 2025 is presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS. For the full list of Athar Awards 2025 categories, visit the official website ( -Ends- About Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity Athar - Saudi Festival of Creativity, presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, is Saudi Arabia's foremost creative marketing event. Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030, Athar sets the stage for leaders, decision-makers, and emerging talent to connect, share insights, and drive creative endeavours across the Kingdom's burgeoning sectors. For more information, please visit:
Campaign ME
07-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Dubai Lynx reveals The Work shortlists for 2025 awards
Dubai Lynx, MENA's leading platform for creative excellence and effectiveness, has revealed its first round of shortlists for the 2025 Awards. The Work shortlists recognise outstanding creativity and innovation across multiple categories. All shortlisted pieces of work will now compete to be awarded MENA's most prestigious creative communications accolade. View the: The Film shortlist will be announced Tuesday, 8 April at 9am (GST, while the Entertainment, Glass: The Award for Change, Healthcare and Integrated shortlists will be announced Wednesday, 9 April at 9am (GST). Winners will be announced at the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony taking place at the Emirates Golf Club on Wednesday, 9 April, bringing together the industry to celebrate the region's outstanding achievements. Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx, said, 'Every year, Dubai Lynx celebrates the extraordinary talent driving the creative economy in the region. The first wave of shortlists sets the stage for what promises to be an exceptional awards season, spotlighting work that challenges conventions and redefines brand storytelling.' The 2025 Awards has seen a remarkable surge in brand participation, with entries from brands up by 122 per cent year-on-year, reflecting the region's growing creative ambitions. The newly introduced 'Use of Humour' category saw 3 per cent of all entries submitted, highlighting a renewed appetite for humour and levity across the region. Marian Brannelly, Global Director of Awards, LIONS, said, 'The Dubai Lynx Awards continue to be a benchmark for creative brilliance in the MENA region. This year we've seen a remarkable 122% year-on-year increase in brand entries, reflecting the growing creative ambitions of marketers in MENA. It's also exciting to see humour making a comeback, with 3% of all submissions entered into the new 'Use of Humour' category. We congratulate all those who have been shortlisted so far and look forward to unveiling the rest of the shortlists.' Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Media City part of TECOM Group PJSC, said, 'This year's Dubai Lynx Awards shortlists represents an exceptional calibre of work that captures the innovation driving the region's thriving creative economy.' Suwaidi added, 'Our strategic partnership with Dubai Lynx cements the vital role of Dubai Media City's vibrant ecosystem in nurturing such talent and strengthening Dubai's position as a global centre of excellence, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda 'D33'. We look forward to recognising the region's most creative minds at the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony.' The Dubai Lynx Debrief, taking place tomorrow Tuesday 8 April, 9am GST at Dubai Knowledge Park, will offer a comprehensive analysis of the key trends, insights and award-winning creativity emerging from this year's entries from Dubai Lynx Jurors. The Debrief brings together leading industry experts to examine the region's most impactful work, providing valuable takeaways for brands, agencies and marketers looking to navigate the evolving MENA communications landscape. Further information on registering for the event is available here.
