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FP7 Doha awards withdrawn
Organizers of the Dubai Lynx 2009 awards have withdrawn all awards given to media agency Fortune Promoseven Doha (FP7 Doha). Organizers have also disqualified ten pieces shortlisted in the Print and Outdoors sections. FP7 has said it is also continuing internal investigations and punitive actions will be taken in what it claims to be a personally motivated action against the agency's rules and principles.
Twofour54 inks partnership deal
Abu Dhabi's Twofour54 ibtikar and UK-based 3Line Productions have announced a partnership deal to produce a 52-episode children's programme in English and Arabic, reported The National. The partnership marks the first project of twofour54 ibtikar, which was set up to provide media and entertainment industry funding and support for start-up companies and entrepreneurs. The new series titled "Driver Dan's Story Train" will debut in the spring of 2010 in the UK on CBeebies, the BBC's children's channel, with an Arabic version produced in Abu Dhabi to be released afterwards.
Dubizzle sees huge growth
Dubizzle, a free online classified-advertising website in Dubai, has had its busiest month of traffic, the company's managers told The National. The site, launched in 2005, recorded more than one million visits this month for the first time in its history. Traffic to the site has more than doubled since late last year.
Y and R opens Tunis office
Y and R has announced that it is to open an office in Tunisia, through an affiliation with local group Panorama Advertising. Y and R's parent firm, The Holding Group, is pushing its interests across North Africa, including Algeria and Morocco.
Saudi SRMG to distribute SR160m dividend
Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG) decided during its general assembly meeting to distribute a SR160m dividend - or 20% of its capital - to shareholders for 2008. A new board of directors was also elected for a three year term beginning 1May.
Action Qatar appointed as PR for Mannai Automotive
Mannai Automotive, the sole importer of Cadillac, Hummer, GMC, Opel and Subaru brands in Qatar, has appointed Action Qatar as its public relations agency. Action Qatar will coordinate all PR and media related activities for Mannai Auto in the country.
Dubai Lynx winners investigated
Several Dubai Lynx award entries are to be investigated following complaints of plagiarism and advertisements not appearing in the Middle East. Winners found to be guilty of plagiarism or irregularities will have their awards rescinded. FP7 Doha has also launched an internal investigation into accusations of irregularities with some of its entries.
IHT mulls Dubai office
The International Herald Tribune (IHT) is planning to open an office in Dubai, The National has reported. Owned by The New York Times Media Group, the company is considering the creation of an ad sales team to serve the worldwide edition of the newspaper. IHT is currently being distributed in the UAE through a partnership with Khaleej Times.
Citigate Qatar wins VTB Capital account
Citigate Dewe Rogerson has announced winning the account for Russian investment bank VTB Capital in the Gulf. Citigate's Qatar office led by Andrew Hey and Sebastian Hoyle has recently been granted license to operate by Qatar Financial Centre.
PRCo win PR contract for Swire Hotels
PRCo Dubai has been appointed as the Middle East public relations representatives for Swire Hotels. Swire Hotels was formed by Swire Properties to create and manage small luxury hotels in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the UK. The first of these is The Opposite House in Beijing - a 99 room boutique development which opened its doors in the summer of 2008.
Saudi clerics say women in media 'obscene'
A group of hardline Saudi clerics are urging the government to prohibit women from appearing on television and ban their images in print media, which they called a sign of growing 'deviant thought', reported AFP. In a letter to new Information Minister Abdul Aziz Al Khoja, the 35 Islamic clerics also condemned the rise of music and dancing on television, as well as images of women in popular newspapers and magazines that they labelled 'obscene'.
Saatchi to run Dubai metro campaign
Saatchi and Saatchi has signed on to execute the first advertising campaign for the Dubai Metro, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has announced. The campaign will be unveiled much ahead of the proposed launch date of the metro on September 9, officials said.
Shoof, Stroer postpone JV
Shoof, the outdoor advertising arm of the Arab Media Group, and Stroer Concept Outdoor, a joint venture between the Dubai-based Concept Group and the German-based Stroer Group, have decided to suspend their relationship on out-of-home group Stroer Concept Shoof. The move was blamed on the current weak market.
Bahrain cracks down on illegal advertisers
Bahrain said it will begin fining advertisers that post flyers on traffic lights and public buildings in the country. The move comes after a campaign to crackdown on illegal advertising being spearhead by the Central Municipal Council in co-operation with the Central Municipality and Central Police Directorate.
Dubai's culture authority renamed
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has been renamed 'Dubai Culture' as part of a new brand identity change. The change is part of a long term initiative and strategy of making Dubai a global cultural centre. Dubai Culture and Arts Authority was created one year ago and was aimed at looking after all cultural issues of Dubai.
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