#MyDubai initiative sees over 250,000 Instagram posts and over 50,000 Twitter mentions since launch

– Over 25,000 social media posts in first 24 hours
– Over 250k instagram posts in 2 months

Dubai UAE, March 2, 2014: Just 2 months since HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai launched the #MyDubai initiative on his instagram and twitter accounts, there have already been over 250,000 posts on Instagram. #MyDubai aims to involve residents and visitors to create “the world’s first autobiography of a city” by sharing compelling moments of their lives during 2014 using the hashtag #MyDubai. In addition to over a quarter of a million instagram posts, there have also been over 50,000 Twitter mentions and over 349 million Twitter impressions.

In the first 24 hours alone since the initiative was announced, there were over 25,000 social media posts. With such a staggering response to the initiative, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) created an online museum to showcase the lives of Dubai’s residents and visitors through their own images, videos and stories. The #MyDubai e-Museum is housed on @MyDubai – the official Instagram and Twitter pages for the initiative and showcases a selection of all the posts using the MyDubai hashtag. Since its launch, the @MyDubai Instagram account has amassed over 26,000 followers.

HE Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “We’ve seen an overwhelming response from the people of Dubai and visitors to the Emirate who have already got involved by sharing their stories of their time in Dubai. The diversity of images and stories that have already been told reflects the hugely diverse population of over 200 nationalities in Dubai and the enthusiasm with the which the initiative has been received demonstrates the collective spirit of Dubai. As the project gathers pace over the next few months, we’ll be announcing several projects with partner organisations to utilize the creativity we’ve already seen.”

Now two months after its launch, it isn’t just residents and visitors who are getting involved, top companies in the Emirate are also showing their support by using the hashtag on social media platforms. Banks, Colleges, Restaurants and Boutiques have all got involved and some are going one step further to create their own plans to back the project.

Ali Al Nabooda, General Manager, Al Nabooda Automobiles said: “We at Al Nabooda automobiles AUDI are very proud to support this visionary idea of creating an autobiography of the fascinating city of Dubai by using digital media. Throughout the year, we are participating and sponsoring major events that aim to place Dubai as a global hub as a business & touristic destination. Our plan is to engage our team members and employees first to embrace #MyDubai in their daily activities through social media. Additionally, we plan to launch a couple of competitions using Audi cars throughout the year using the hashtag. I am sure that the development of this biography will be as fast as the development of city itself.”

“#MyDubai is a unique opportunity to tell a story about a remarkable place. Through film GEMS students will be empowered to share their perspectives and tell their stories of Dubai, each individual and singular. The medium of video provides opportunities that are deeply connected to real world learning skills and enterprise. Student works enhance our young peoples’ creative skills, and help them identify and develop their talents. We hope the messages in the final productions strengthen relationships and have positive impact on their overall achievements in life,” said Nadia Petrossi, manager of parental engagement at GEMS.

The #MyDubai e-Museum can be found at:
www.instagram.com/mydubai
www.twitter.com/mydubai

About #MyDubai
Launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, via his instagram and twitter accounts, #MyDubai is an initiative to create the world’s first autobiography of a city. The initiative will showcase what happens in Dubai on a day to day basis beyond the headlines for which the city is known by asking residents and visitors to contribute images, videos, stories and thoughts to share compelling moments of their lives. The ultimate aim will be for the autobiography to highlight the true culture and soul of the city that lies beneath the urban and technological experiences. #MyDubai will document a year in the life of Dubai at a landmark time in its history.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has joined the initiative by selecting outstanding contributions made by the people of Dubai, by showcasing the best photographs and videos on its social media channels @definitelydubai. DTCM has also created the #MyDubai e-Museum initially on @MyDubai on instagram and twitter. Every day a selection of highlights from #MyDubai on instagram are exhibited on the e-Museum (@Mydubai). Throughout the year, DTCM will also promote the initiative at exhibitions and roadshows, and by sharing photographs and videos of the department’s work promoting the city around the world.

About Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)
With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (DTCM) mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai to global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the Emirate.

DTCM is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector; markets and promotes the Emirate’s commerce sector; and is responsible for the licencing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the DTCM portfolio include Dubai Convention and Events Bureau, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (formerly known as Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment). In addition to its headquarters in Dubai, DTCM operates 20 offices worldwide.