International & Local Creative Talent to Discuss Storytelling at Dubai Lynx
LATEST SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED ARE STEPHEN WEBSTER, LORRAINE HEGGESSEY & NAYLA AL KHAJA
2 March 2014 – The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity has announced that the internationally acclaimed talent of jeweller Stephen Webster, television executive Lorraine Heggessey and filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja, will be on stage at the Festival to discuss issues around this year’s theme of creative storytelling.
British-born Stephen Webster MBE, one of the most prominent jewellery designers of his generation, will give a unique and fascinating talk about applying creativity, design and craftsmanship to build the story and legacy of a luxury brand. With 38 years of artistry and fearless creativity, Stephen Webster conveys his distinct vision by creating exquisite pieces of jewellery showcasing cutting edge designs, impeccable attention to detail and meaningful storytelling which have led him to develop Stephen Webster Jewellery into a global luxury brand of tomorrow.
His numerous accolades include ‘Jewellery Designer of the Year’ in 1997, 1998 and 2006; ‘UK Jewellery Brand of the Year’ in 2008 and ‘British Luxury Jeweller of the Year’. He is also Creative Director of Garrard, the world’s oldest jewellery house, where he has helped steer the brand to its core values as a British luxury jeweller and silversmith. In addition, Stephen is an ambassador for Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold. With 200 points of sale worldwide and stores in London, Beverly Hills, Moscow, St Petersberg, Kiev and Vienna, Stephen counts amongst his many celebrity clients Madonna, Elton John, Jay Z, Johnny Depp and Sharon Stone.
Commenting on his forthcoming appearance at Dubai Lynx, Stephen Webster says, “For many years I have surrounded the jewellery we make with stories; many are my life’s experiences and often just add to the fantasy which is brought to life in my fine jewellery collections. I am looking forward to sharing this with the conference.”
Also taking to the stage is Lorraine Heggessey, former BBC One controller and co-founder of Boom Pictures which includes three branded content specialists, Twofour Digital, Boomerang and Abu Dhabi based Twofour Arabia. One of the UK’s most well-known television executives, Lorraine has held a range of senior positions including Chief Executive of talkbackThames, Head of BBC Children’s and Director of Programmes, and Deputy Chief Executive of the BBC’s in-house production arm. Lorraine will be drawing on this broadcast television background to explore Branded Content from the point of view of a broadcaster and producer, outlining how to navigate the minefield of stakeholders to get quality branded content on air. She will launch a rallying cry to the industry in the region to up their game and ensure that in 2014 we start to see more ambitious branded content projects with better production values and more compelling storytelling at their heart.
Lorraine says, “Great branded content needs to be every bit as good as conventionally funded TV programmes. It’s a huge challenge to find the perfect marriage of brand, broadcaster and content to get quality branded content on air but I believe it can be done as long as everyone involved is prepared to be creatively ambitious and raise the bar.”
Nayla Al Khaja, Founder & Director of D-SEVEN Motion Pictures, is also set to address delegates at Dubai Lynx and will discuss the exciting growth of filmmaking in the United Arab Emirates. Acknowledging a new generation of talented film directors as the ‘Emerging Emirates’, Nayla will look at how they are producing work that is attracting more international attention than ever before. Widely acknowledged as the first female film producer in the United Arab Emirates, Nayla’s aim is to produce a slate of feature films in the Middle East and her accolades already include ‘Best Emirate Filmmaker’ at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2007, ‘Emirates Woman of the Year’ in 2005, and ‘The Youngest Entrepreneur’ of the year in 2005 at the Global Businesswomen & Leader’s Summit Awards.
The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity takes place 9-12 March at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE. Stephen, Lorraine and Nayla will join over 50 world-class speakers who are all set to inspire and motivate delegates from across the MENA region. For information on the various delegate packages and details of how to book a place, please visit 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 Lions Festivals together with their regional partners, Motivate, 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 7th 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 Academies, The Young Lynx Competitions and Networking evenings are amongst the 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. www.dubailynx.com
About Lions Festivals
Lions Festivals Limited is the organiser of international and regional festivals of creativity in communications, including its flagship event, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Eurobest and Lions Health 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. Lions Festivals is powered by Top Right Group.
About Motivate
Motivate 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 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. http://www.motivatepublishing.com/
Key Dates:
Delegate Registration: Open
Festival Dates: 9–11 March 2014, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Dubai Lynx Awards: 12 March 2014
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