First Dubai Lynx 2009 Jury Presidents announced

Richard Beaven, Worldwide CEO of Initiative, and Dylan Taylor, the Direct Creative Director of BMF, have been appointed Media Jury President and Direct, Sales Promotion & Interactive Jury President respectively for the 3rd Dubai Lynx Awards, the leading creative advertising and communications awards for the Middle East and North Africa.

Richard Beaven, an international marketing, advertising and media expert is responsible for leading Initiative’s worldwide strategy and operations. Working with a host of top clients, he is attributed to bringing innovative approaches to the position. ‘Media is now taking centre stage in communications in MENA. I’m looking forward to seeing the outstanding media ideas and results coming from one of the world’s most vibrant regions,’ said Richard on his appointment as Media Jury President.

An experienced judge of many awards, Dylan Taylor, now based in Australia, has also worked in the UK, Dubai and Bahrain, and has picked up many awards himself along the way. Commenting on his role as Direct, Sales Promotion & Interactive jury president, Dylan said, ‘I’m really excited to come back to the Middle East, it’s such a vibrant place. It will be great to see how the work has progressed, and I’m looking for some standout pieces that cement the region’s place on the creative map.’

Both Richard and Dylan will each lead international jury panels, professionals in their fields.

Philip Thomas, CEO of Cannes Lions, organisers of Dubai Lynx said, ‘We are truly delighted to have Richard and Dylan on board to chair these two juries and I’m sure that their leadership skills, international experiences and knowledge will add to the burgeoning reputation of the Dubai Lynx as the foremost creative awards in the region.’

Entries for the 3rd Dubai Lynx Awards open on 2 December 2008. The 2nd Dubai International Advertising Festival will take place from 15-17 March 2009 at The Palladium, located in Dubai Media City.

Al-Shaya Launches Alberto Guardiani Signature Shoes

Mohammad Yousef Al-Shaya Co. have opened its newest and most extraordinary shoe store Alberto Guardiani in the Avenues the biggest shopping destination in the Middle East. In the 19th of November 2008 the ceremony of the opening has been hosted by Mr. Mohammad Yousef Al-Shaya The general Manager of Mohammad Yousef Al-Shaya CO. And it was attended by Kuwaitis VIPs and the Local Press.

Alberto Guardiani is a new step of luxury and innovative style offered to Kuwait’s shops seeking to the quality and the perfection. Alberto Guardiani is inspired by Italian styles, the features contemporary of this large Italian store are the décor and the latest global fashion and pioneer designs from Italy the country of origin. Recognising the demands for shoes of such quality and style, Mohammad Yousef Al-Shaya Co. secured an exclusive this agreement for Kuwait.

“We are thrilled to open the first Alberto Guardiani store in Kuwait with outstanding service; we think that this store will quickly become a favourite destination for elite shoppers looking for the top quality of fashion said “Mohammad Yousef Al-Shaya”.

The shop offers an extensive collection of shoes for women, men and children, all delivering high quality of luxury leathers and fabrics, with artisan taste, and hand-stitching refinements. Supported by Mohammad Yousef Al-Shaya Co., the Alberto Guardiani collection in the store will always feature a wealth of prestigious models, designed with painstaking care to meet the demands of a dynamic and elegant life style. With new designs arriving each season, Alberto Guardiani caters their customers by committing to have their own individual style.

The winter collection is currently available in the Alberto Guardiani store in the Avenues. The shop is located in phase 2, ground floor and is open from 10 am to 11 pm Sunday through Wednesday and from 10am to 12 pm during the weekends.