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The 40th IAA World Congress has been themed Challenges of Change, and will include discussion topics covering Succeeding in a 'where' world, Anyone can do it!, Brands as people, people as brands and Remaining credible in an incredible world.
Joseph Ghossoub, the International Advertising Association's World President Elect, said:
"This event is close to my heart, as I have personally seen the advertising industry in the Middle East experience a renaissance over the past decade. Dubai 2006 will examine the role of advertising and explore the boundaries of creativity in an ever-changing marketplace. As the single largest market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Saudi Arabia billed around US$ 890 million during 2005, and is key player in the overall regional marketing scene."
The stellar list of speakers includes former Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar, former deputy Prime Minister of Britain, Lord Heseltine, Chairman, Haymarket Publishing, WPP's Chief Executive, Sir Martin Sorrell, Sahar Hashemi, Co-founder Coffee Republic, Sergio Zyman, Coca-Cola's former CMO, authors Tony Alessandra and David Taylor, Time Warner Inc's Senior Advisor and former Editor-in-Chief, Norman Pearlstine and Forbes CEO, Steve Forbes.
Speakers from the business world include; Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, President, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, who are supporters of the event, Walt Disney Parks Chairman, Jay Rasulo and MphasiS CEO Jerry Rao, along with Hameed Haroon, Chief Executive, Dawn Group of Publications, Jim R. Stengel, Global Marketing Officer for Procter & Gamble, Gregory Lee the Corporate Senior VP & CMO at Samsung Electronics, John Elkins, Executive VP - Visa International and Emirates Airline's Divisional Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, Mike Simon.
Industry speakers comprise representatives from the world's leading media buying and through the line agencies, such as Susannah Outfin, CEO of Carat International, Donald Gunn, author and compiler of the Gunn Report, Marcio Moreira, Vice Chairman and COO, McCann Ericksson World Group, Colin Gottlieb, CEO - Omnicom EMEA, Tateo Mataki, CEO of Japan's Dentsu, Tom Bernardin, CEO Leo Burnett Worldwide, Jack Klues, Chairman Publicis Groupe Media Worldwide, Howard Draft, Chairman & CEO Draft, Allen Rosenshine, Chairman, BBDO Worldwide, Bob Greenberg, Chairman, CEO, Chief Creative Officer, R/GA, and John Pallant, EMEA Regional Creative Director, Saatchi & Saatchi.
Platinum sponsors of the Congress are Gulf News, CNN, Dubai Television and Motivate Publishing, while Gold sponsors are Dentsu and EMAAR. Silver sponsors include the Choueiri Group, MBC, BBC World and Al Ittihad, while
Khaleej Times, Dubai Duty Free, AME Info, FedEx and Arab Media Group (AMG), Al Wataniya and Diago have Bronze sponsorship status. The 40th IAA World Congress is held in association with Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Dubai Media City.
David Taylor, author of The Naked Leader and European Business Speaker of the Year in 2004, said of the regional creative industry:
"The Middle East is a fantastic business home and creative thinking and public relations are at the very heart of it. The next phase will be built on trusted networks and connections with word of mouth and word of web playing a critical role."
Sahar Hashemi, co-founder of Coffee Republic and one of the keynote speakers at IAA World Congress Dubai 2006 is all set to share her experience of how passion and creativity can make things happen and how creative ideas can be turned into reality.
"The challenges of creativity lie in unleashing the potential in people and making them believe that their ideas can make things happen. One has to just stop 'thinking about' the great idea and 'get on with it'. Passion and persistence and the courage to move out of one's comfort zone can turn an idea into reality, "said Sahar Hashemi.
In addition to three days of speaker sessions and panel discussions, the 40th IAA World Congress will play host to a special industry exhibition, showcasing creative capability and innovative solutions. Powerhouses such as Impact BBDO, Euro RSCG, Horizon FCB, Leo Burnett, Memac Ogilvy, Fortune Promoseven, Young & Rubicam, JWT, Grey Worldwide and Bates PanGulf have all signed up to take part this March. This is in addition to major TV networks, publishing houses and marketing services companies.
The exhibition is being held in parallel with the Congress, at the Dubai International Convention Centre (DICC), from March 20-23, 2006 and will offer a unique business-to-business opportunity.
On a more socially conscious scale the Congress will also host an exhibition of advertising campaigns from around the world, under the banner of Great Ads for a Better Future. The exhibition has been put together by Advertising Community Together (ACT), an initiative created by the employees of AdForum.com, and will showcase a comprehensive and unique compilation of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility campaigns. The
exhibition has been produced in partnership with the United Nations Environmental Programme, (UNEP).
The exhibition will cover three main themes; Taking Care of our Planet, Taking Care of Others and Taking Care of Yourself and comprises 350 campaigns from 137 advertising agencies in 37 countries. The review will include posters, print advertisements, TV spots and reports from companies, NGOs and international organisations and will be on display in the main concourse of the Dubai International Convention Centre, which is open to the general public, free of charge.
In conclusion, Joseph Ghossoub said: "Saudi participants at the IAA World Congress can look forward to a wide-ranging dialogue at the Dubai International Convention Centre, as well as the opportunity to share insight with their peers from around the world."
Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
