Growth of the various media segments hinge on the excellence standards of the industry and the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), a member of TECOM Investments, applies this yardstick to all projects, according to Hamad Al Huraiz, Executive Director of IMPZ.

Announcing the sponsorship of GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards (The GEMAS) 2008, Al Huraiz said: 'The awards' objective of recognizing marketing excellence concurs with our vision of creating a destination that excels in every aspect.

'At this year's GEMAS, IMPZ will also be sponsoring the 'Best Integrated Campaign' category. This award acknowledges outstanding works in the industry which have used at least four different types of media to launch their campaign.'

Elham H. Abbas, Executive Director, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, TECOM Investments, will present the 'Best Integrated Campaign' award. Hamad Al Huraiz will deliver the keynote address at the gala ceremony that will be held on 7 February at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.

Al Huraiz added: 'IMPZ's support to GEMAS this year demonstrates our continuous commitment to excellence and our role to drive Dubai's status as a global media hub. We believe this vision can be achieved only if we strive to maintain our standards.'

The elite panel of GEMAS judges includes international and regional marketing practitioners and academics. The panellists select their own chairperson and decide their own criteria and methodology to choose winners. In each category, the judges select one 'Winner' and one entry as 'Highly Commended'. An overall Grand Prix champion is decided from the 11 category winners.

The categories include Best New Brand and Best New Product launch as well as Best Use of TV and Best Use of Print Media. The key to winning a GEMAS is clear and measurable objectives for the nominated activity and tangible and measurable results against those metrics.

Designed to serve printing, publishing, packaging and graphic arts companies, IMPZ is the first free zone of its kind in the region that caters to the industry's rapid growth.

Located close to the Al Maktoum International airport in Jebel Ali across an area of 43 million sq. ft, IMPZ offers investors access to the finest media resources, sophisticated technology and advanced production facilities, highlighting a pro-business environment in the midst of a unique production cluster.