17 October 2012 – The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity is the leading awards and festival for creative excellence in advertising and communications in the Middle East and North Africa and the must-attend event on the region’s industry calendar. Held at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, next year’s event will take place 10-13 March.
Stepping up to lead two of the seven juries will be Sylvia Vitale Rotta, CEO of Team Créatif, presiding over the Design jury and Iain Jacob, President of Dynamic Markets, Starcom MediaVest Group, who will head up the Media jury.
Sylvia Vitale Rotta founded Team Créatif with Nick Craig in 1986. Since then the design agency has become a reference point both in the French market and abroad. With 165 collaborators from 10 different nationalities, Team Créatif works in 49 countries, including Brazil, where it has a subsidiary in São Paulo and also now Jakarta. A design ambassador around the world, Sylvia was the President of the first Design jury at Eurobest and also the President of the Design Lions Jury at Cannes Lions 2009.
Commenting on her appointment Sylvia Vitale Rotta says, “It is an honour for me to be chosen as President of the Dubai Lynx Design category. I have worked extensively in the fast moving MENA region and I have personally experienced the importance and the power of design in branding and packaging as well as retail and digital. This will be fundamental in bringing even more value to branded Products and their corporations. Whether they be local, big or small brands or mega international brands! Enjoy the event and lots of success for this creative get-together in the region.”
Iain Jacob, began his career in advertising at Boase Massimi Pollitt (now DDB) and Bartle Bogle Hegarty. In 1995, he co-founded Motive Communications, BBH’s award-winning separate media company, after which he was given responsibility for the UK operations of Starcom Motive. In 2005 Iain was made the CEO of Starcom Mediavest Group EMEA, and joined the Global Board of SMG. This new role gave him a great deal of exposure to fast growing markets such as the Middle East and Russia as well as the more established Western European countries. In 2009 Iain was made President of Global Innovation, alongside his EMEA role. In this role he was tasked with helping build out SMG’s content business, Liquid Thread and also performance marketing disciplines for the company. In 2011 Iain was elevated to President Dynamic Markets following a global reorganisation. This added Australia and Canada to his European duties.
On being jury president Iain Jacob says, “I feel very privileged to be asked to serve as the Chair of the Dubai Lynx Media category. I passionately believe that great ideas and innovation are what really changes the fortune of brands. The Middle East is also a region that I hold very close to my heart, its vibrancy and diversity of culture are second to none, its creativity absolutely deserves global recognition. As judges, this is what we will celebrate.”
Commenting on these announcements Philip Thomas, CEO of Lions Festivals, says “The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity showcases the best of the region’s creativity and reflect changes and progression within the industry; which is why it’s fantastic that we can welcome Sylvia and Iain on board as jury presidents, they are both enormously well respected and influential within their industries.”
The all-new Dubai Lynx 2013 website launches today, with up-to-date information on the Awards and Festival as well as details on how to submit entries and register to attend. Anyone interested should see www.dubailynx.com.
The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity is the leading competition and awards for advertising creative excellence in the Middle East and Africa
Presented by Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity together with their regional partners, Motivate Publishing, the Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity, is held in association with the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and with the support of Dubai Media City (DMC). The 6th Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity will bring to the Middle East and Africa a series of high profile seminars, workshops, exhibitions and screenings aimed at giving creative inspiration, learning and networking opportunities to the advertising and allied industries in the region. The Lynx Academy, The Young Lynx Integrated Competition and Networking evenings are additional events enjoyed by participants. The Dubai Lynx awards, which are part of the Festival, will honour creative excellence in Film, Print, Outdoor, Radio, Direct, Promo & Activation, Media, Interactive, Film Craft, Print & Poster Craft, Design, Mobile, PR, Integrated and Branded Content & Entertainment advertising and communications. High-profile international jurors will award the coveted Dubai Lynx trophy to establish the definitive standard for creative excellence in the Middle East and Africa region.
About Lions Festivals
Lions Festivals is the organiser of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Eurobest as well as co-organisers, with its joint venture partners, of Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity, Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity, Festival of Asian Marketing Effectiveness, and the Digital Asia Festival. www.lionsfestivals.com Its flagship festival, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, is the world’s leading celebration of creativity in communications. Founded in 1954, the Festival takes place every June in Cannes, France, and brings together professionals in the film, media, technology, PR, design and marketing industries to attend a week-long programme of exhibitions, screenings and talks by worldwide thought leaders. The Festival also awards Lions to the best work of that year across a variety of sectors and media. A Lion is regarded as the most coveted award in the creative communications industry and a global benchmark of excellence. Lions Festivals is powered by Top Right Group.
About Motivate Publishing
Motivate Publishing is the Middle East’s leading publisher of magazines and books. Motivate’s portfolio comprises of more than 20 market-leading magazines – many of which have independently audited circulations – and over 300 books. With a staff of more than 200 experienced and dedicated professionals, Motivate Publishing is committed to providing editorial excellence, audited circulation and transparent research data across its platform of publications. In addition to partnering Dubai Lynx, Motivate, through its cinema advertising company, Motivate Val Morgan, is also the Official UAE Representative of the Cannes International Festival of Creativity.
Key Dates
Delegate Registration: 18 November
Entries Open: 9 December
Entries Close: 7 February 2013
Festival Dates: 10–12 March 2013
Dubai Lynx Awards: 13 March 2013
Samer Marzouq
Digital Media Superhero, Online Marketing Pro, Mad-Men Fellow, Tech Junkie, Advertising Whiz, Chief-Blogging-Officer, Bilingual Copywriter, Amateur Photographer
