Damac Properties wins two CNBC Arabian Property Awards

Commenting on the news, Hussain Sajwani, Chairman of Damac Properties said, "To pick up two awards for our communications initiatives is a great achievement and we are extremely proud to have been recognised in this way by the judges of the CNBC Arabian Property Awards.

"It is particularly pleasing to have been recognised in these categories at a time when we have placed a lot of emphasis on communication - with our customers, the media and the wider world in general. A great deal of planning and creativity goes into our marketing and corporate image and we are delighted that the judges have recognised and rewarded our efforts."

Whilst the company's website was entered as a whole in the awards, Damac Properties had to select three separate PR campaigns for it submission. In the end the company focused on its single campaign for Ocean Heights; its Opinion and Leadership campaign and its 'Blockbusters' progress campaign.

Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications Niall McLoughlin explained:
'We selected three campaigns that we felt best demonstrated a real cross section of our work in promoting Damac Properties during the past year.

"Our work in promoting our flagship building Ocean Heights has focused on construction and progress updates - we have worked closely with our contractors on site to identify any milestones or significant stages that provided us with an opportunity to show progress.

'In addition our 'Blockbusters' progress campaign was based on a similar theme - identifying and using opportunities to show that the company is progressing at its major sites and aiming for regular media appearances with key messages.

'On a more corporate and strategic level, the Opinion and Leadership campaign that we entered was designed to show Damac Properties as a forthright and visionary company - one that was willing to tackle some controversial topics and take a high profile stance on some of the tough issues facing the real estate market this year.'

The CNBC Awards were judged by a distinguished and experienced panel and were chaired for the 10th year by the Editor-in-Chief of International Homes magazine, Helen Shield, along with other experts in the field of property, design and construction, property writers and fellow sponsors. Damac Properties will officially receive its awards at a gala dinner later this month.

Mr Sajwani added:

"2009 has been a significant year for Damac Properties in a number of ways and whilst it has not always been easy we are pleased with our solid performance on construction, progress and delivery. These CNBC Awards further demonstrate that our focus and creativity extend beyond the successful development of our property portfolio and in these days when real estate companies need to differentiate themselves from their competitors using all their best talents and skills we are delighted to have won awards in these two significant categories."