EMP3D launched

3D technology at its best has arrived in the UAE. Normally restricted to theatres, parks, and museums, 3D products are now available to consumers for the first time in the UAE and the Arab World.

EMP3D, the newly established brand by Emirates Marketing & Promotions, launched two 3D consumer brands in the UAE. These brands will be available across the GCC and other Arab countries later on in 2008. Developed in Canada, this technology opens the door for a unique collection of consumer products targeted at entertainment, education, tourism, and corporate promotions.

Mr. Ahmad Tahlak, CEO of EMP, has this to say: "The images are crystal clear. The very first reaction of everyone who sees the images is "Wow ! It feels as if you are really there!". And that is indeed the magic word: "WOW!" A big smile breaks within seconds on the face of everyone who tries these amazing 3D products."

To promote UAE history, culture, geography, landmarks, daily life, and people, EMP3D created hundreds of 3D images of the country. Packaged as a set (the size of a postcard) are seven images, branded the 7 Secrets of the Emirates. The 3D viewer needed to see these images is built-in, unfolding as a pop-up when one opens the package. All images are professionally crafted to the highest exacting international standards of 3D. Each package has a unique serial number, which a customer can register by SMS, phone, or website to qualify to win daily prizes worth up to Dhs500,000. The total value of annual prizes is nearly Dhs48m. Winners are chosen when the mascot Katkoot (which is Arabic for "cute") travels all over the country and randomly plants a UAE flag in each of seven locations at midnight, every night. The campaign is designed so that every customer of the 7 Secrets of the Emirates wins a prize. "Even without a prize, the 3D images have very high value in their own right, because of their uniqueness with the amazing 3D effect", emphasizes Mr. Tahlak.

The other product released by EMP3D is called 3DVeeDee (which means "I see in 3D" in Latin.) Designed to look like a book with glossy cover and sleeve, this extremely high quality product has a built-in 3D viewer and 18 3D images covering a broad range of topics: education (such as the human body, solar system, alphabet, mathematics, physics, chemistry, medicine); tourism (such as Dubai, Egypt, Europe, USA, Canada, Japan); sports (such as soccer, football, skiing, car racing, basketball, baseball, rugby, horse racing, falconry, athletics, Olympics), religion (such as stories of the Holy Quran, Hajj, Prayer), Nature (such as animals, plants, flowers, life under the sea), Fairy Tales (such as Aladdin, Ali Baba, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland); and many other categories that cater to every taste, nationality, and age group. On the back of each image is a detailed explanation in Arabic and English

EMP3D plans to release at least 200 new titles of 3DVeeDee within the next two years. Target markets are tourists, students, and general interest. Mr. Tahlak reiterates that this product will be extremely popular among tourists visiting the Arab World and particularly among teachers, educators, parents, and students, for its high educational value.

Using this innovative way of communication, EMP3D now has the ability to provide corporate promotions, reaching customers in a new way that delivers powerful messages. The message can be extremely powerful; much more effective than a leaflet or brochure. This is particularly suited for property developers, car agencies, jewellery, consumer items, restaurants, hotels, resorts, pharmaceuticals, and a wide range of corporate promotions for various products and services. In a region where the potential of direct marketing is still in its infancy, the 3D approach to marketing offers brand managers the perfect medium to connect their brands directly with their customers. Mr. Tahlak quotes, "Unlike mass media channels, the customer is entranced by the images presented. With only a few centimetres between him and the brand, that's total command of mindshare."

Mr. Ahmed Tahlak, CEO of EMP, has this to additional remark to add "The 7 Secrets of the Emirates is a progressive step in the history of promotions in the GCC. It is aimed at promoting the many facets of the UAE's heritage as well as offering customers perhaps what is the most substantial cash promotion in the GCC."