The punctual handover of the Manama based project coincides with the companies 2nd year anniversary in Dubai and Managing Director Daniel Waller was able to celebrate this by signing off on one of their biggest Middle East projects to date, saying. “I can’t help but feel exceptionally proud on the completion of the Zain HQ project, Bahrain. It is one of the biggest and most complicated projects undertaken by Four Graphics, the team and technology we put together specifically for the project ensured it went smoothly and on schedule.”
 
The completion of the Zain project was a logistical success too as staff and material from their London offices were flown in to ensure the job was executed to the highest standards possible. Using Dubai as a base, project managers and installers collaboratively put the pieces together until the 23rd October when the last sections of wallpaper were pasted into position.
 
The success of the project was thanks to a cohesive collaboration with Future Brand, the chosen branding agency for Zain, who are based in London. Future Brand and Four Graphics already held an effective working relationship and the Dubai branch opening proved to be a tactical and logistical advantage as Future Brand secured the Zain branding deal. Four Graphics were able to offer full scope of works through design to completion for the graphics package. Design briefs and instructions were communicated between the two companies in London and ultimately passed on to Four Graphic’s Dubai based team of project managers once the green light was given to commence work.
 
British owned Four Graphics expanded their print and install operations in October 2007 by introducing Four Graphics Middle East to the regional marketplace. They now run a full-scale printing facility in Dubai, specialising in retail and interior installs. Four Graphics Middle East harnessed their digital print to wallpaper technology to give the Zain premises a creative injection of contemporary colour. The project was finished in early October and utilized the full range of Four Graphic’s expertise, from actual production to project management. As a fully in-house venture, 80% of the printable material was produced in their Dubai-based production warehouse with the remaining 20% coming from their London headquarters. Their notable reputation in the digital wallpaper sector has opened doors to a wider reaching client base as interest develops for further projects in Tanzania, Nigeria and Italy.
 
Four Graphics and Four Graphics Middle East are now very keen to further expand their scope of work around the globe, as well as developing their core business in the UAE, Dan Waller adding. “I now very much look forward to similar projects in the Middle East and Africa and the challenges they may bring, we hope to continue to show the graphics industry back in the UK that it is possible to achieve  very high quality work along with the financial rewards that go with”.Their Dubai-based production warehouse emulates their London facilities which will serve to further realise their main objective of offering British standard print projects here in Dubai.
 


 

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation today announced it has partnered with  'Dar Al Alam Al Arabi', an Emirati publishing and distribution house, to translate 20 new international bestselling titles under its Tarjem programme.

The initiative is part of the Foundation's strategy to support publishing houses to  enrich the Arab library with a selection of international bestsellers and enhance cultural understanding between the Arab region and the rest of the world.

Ali Al Shaali, Director of Publishing at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, said: "We have directed our efforts towards offering Arab publishers the necessary resources to engage in the translation of relevant current titles. The Dar Al Alam Al Arabi publishing house in the UAE has been selected for its outstanding credibility and achievement and we are proud to work with them to carry out the translation of 20 international bestsellers to Arabic.

"Since the inception of the Tarjem programme, which aims to reinforce the publishing industry and bring knowledge from other cultures to the Arab world, more than 620 books in literature, science, management and education have been translated. We have already exceeded our target for 2009 and hope to get more acclaimed titles translated under the programme."

Dr. Latifa Al Najjar, Managing Director of Dar Al Alam Al Arabi, said: "As a leading publisher that complements the community's knowledge drive, we are proud to play a crucial role in supporting the Foundation's initiative. As one of the nine international finalists at this year's London Book Fair for the British Board Publisher International Award for Youth 2009, we have demonstrated our strong position as leaders in the industry.

"We are grateful for the Foundation's initiative to support and encourage  the local publishing industry and we believe this initiative will motivate us to remain competitive at the international level and guarantee best quality output."

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation's Tarjem translation programme aims to enrich the Arab culture, inspire cultural dialogue with the outside world through translation, open fresh avenues of knowledge, provide translated works that comply with the highest standards, and create a new generation of proficient translators.

The Lion’s Den, the home of Publicis Graphics Jordan (PGJ), has recently celebrated the arrival of a young talented and creative Australian born lion called Nathan J. Ross. Ross will rule the Lion’s Den as its new Creative Director.

When tracing his background, one will find out that Ross’s passion of art started at a very young age, long ago before joining Swinburne University of Technology to obtain his Bachelor Degree in Visual Communications. After graduation, he joined a number of multinational agencies, in different positions that helped him build a successful career as a leading Creative Director.

Ross brings with him ten years of experience and has worked on a wide portfolio of clients spanning the globe. His gained valuable insight and experience across various sectors from FMCG, Electronics to Automotives and Media and won many awards for this work and his brand experience has included: Nokia, Dell, Audi, The Economist, Toshiba, Yellow Pages, TNT, Canon, Motorola, Kimberly Clark, Pond’s, MTV, Dove, Matchbox, Prudential and BAT. Nathan will be leading the entire creative team, managing the creative process and design team to ensure that all projects meet the client's expectations and our very high standards.

Commenting on his appointment Mr. Amre Husseini, Director of PGJ said: “When the management of PGJ met with Nathan for the first time, we could all tell that Nathan is to creative, what, wet is to water, we knew that he is the right person to lead our agency into a new era of creativity and innovation. We were looking for someone who can position our agency as number one on the advertising map for the region, and gladly we met Nathan.”

Adding to Husseini’s comment Ross said “I am really excited to be here and joining such a young dynamic team, they are a non stop creative hot shop and I am looking forward to working with everyone in the agency to make us the number one marketing and communications business in Jordan”

Kerzner International, the global holiday resort developer, has appointed Eventica to handle its PR and media relations strategy in Russia and the CIS for two of its flagship brands, Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, and the One&Only Resorts worldwide.

Following its recent opening in Dubai, Atlantis, The Palm has already established itself as Dubai's premier family resort destination, boasting a host of facilities including Aquaventure, a water park packed with thrilling rides, fantastic, marine habitats, world-class cuisine and the landmark luxury hotel itself, standing at the apex of the Palm Jumeirah island.

The One&Only brand comprises a portfolio of luxury, award-winning resorts in the most idyllic spots in the world, including One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives; One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius; One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai; One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas and One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico. In April 2009, Kerzner International will launch One&Only Cape Town, setting a new standard for luxury in South Africa.

Eventica specialises in providing PR and marketing services, government relations, business-to-business, cultural and sports events, corporate entertainment, event production and design and publishing.

An alliance of Jordanian and Kuwaiti companies has announced today the launch of a $500m firm, which will be the Mena region's first private company specialised in the satellite industry.

The new UAE-based company has been named 'SmartSat' and will be headquartered in Dubai Studio City. SmartSat will leverage the expertise of a widely experienced executive board, led by Chairman and Managing Director Khaled Derbas, who is a renowned pioneer in delivering internet services using satellite technology to consumers in the region.

SmartSat will offer its new services by launching the Arab World's first private satellite that will serve the Mena region. The company will thus contribute in the development of the quality of services for the region's internet service providers (ISPs), GSM providers, broadband technology solutions providers, television stations, ministries of communication, military agencies and companies dealing with data systems among others.

Commenting on the development, Khaled Derbas said: 'SmartSat aims to become a leading global private satellite service provider and it is keen to provide high-quality services at competitive prices. Furthermore, it is also our goal to create an environment of healthy competition in the Mena, which will ultimately benefit all consumers in general and the satellite services sector in particular.'

'Being the first privately owned Arab company working in the satellite sector, SmartSat will contribute significantly to enhance and develop the satellite sector in the Mena region, as our entry is expected to create positive changes in terms of competitive prices, high-quality services and more options for customers,' added Derbas.

SmartSat is a joint venture between Smartlink, the Jordanian private shareholding company that operates as a global broadband satellite services provider in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe regions with offices in Jordan and the UAE; and a leading Kuwaiti investment holding company, which will be the financial advisor for the project. Smartlink will be operating the project as managing partner.

SmartSat will primarily serve the Mena region along with other international markets, particularly Eastern Europe. The company revealed that it will leverage the strong year-on-year performance of the region's satellite industry, whose commercial satellite-lease revenues increased by an average of 17% per year since 2003 to reach a value of $752m in 2007, according to a recent study by Euroconsult and The London Satellite Exchange.

The Mena's increased technology adoption has also been recognised as one of the significant contributors to the region's growing satellite market; for instance, satellite carriage of High Definition Television (HDTV) continued to show significant growth as the number of HDTV channels worldwide grew by 150% from 2006 to May 2008, while satellite-delivered HDTV channels are forecasted to further grow globally by 350% by 2013, according to the 2008 State of the Satellite Industry Report.

Thinking of making the switch to 100% Recycled Paper? Here is some information that should convince you - Communication in print involves paper and words and pictures in a graphical presentation. Therefore the type of paper used and the choice of paper sends a strong signal to the outside world and it signals your business's commitment to the environment. You must therefore choose a type of paper which both attracts attention and carries a good message.

Neenah Papers are the finest writing and printing paper produced from 100% recycled fibres with 5 eco certifications and given the GREEN SEAL by the US government for federal usage. Recycled paper is made from paper recovered from the waste stream, curb side and post usage. A label stating “postconsumer paper” indicates content of material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been discarded for disposal or recovery, which is then recycled. Competitively priced with non-recycled brands, recycled paper can serve all our needs today, thanks to current new production techniques.

Available items include: printing and copy paper, stationery, envelopes, forms, business cards, checks, file folders, tablets, note pads, index cards, letterhead - even fancy greeting cards, presentation folders, annual report and book papers etc Neenah Recycled Paper portfolio is one of the largest and most varied in the Middle East. Neenah Papers are available through Papers Worldwide in the Middle East

Building on its record performance in 2007, the region's leading venue operator and events organiser, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has revealed a further 10% increase in visitor volumes for exhibitions, conventions and conferences at its venues in 2008.

The company's year-end results validate continued growth for the region's events industry, with many leading shows across a range of sectors showing strong growth in the number of exhibitors and visitors.

'We have shown consistent and aligned growth across all our business lines, reinforcing DWTC's position as the leading convention and exhibition venue in the region, and underlining Dubai's capabilities as a world-class destination for business networking. Our long-term strategy aims to make Dubai the global hub for exhibitions and conferences, and 2008's performance, despite the prevailing global conditions, is evidence of our strong business fundamentals,' said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre.

The DWTC venues- Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and Airport Expo Dubai, welcomed a total of approximately 1.1 million visitors across exhibitions, meetings, and conferences last year, driven by record growth in leading shows across a number of sectors that are core for the strategic development of the region; ranging from healthcare and construction, to travel and technology.

DWTC-organised exhibitions posted encouraging results over 2008, with Gitex welcoming an impressive 129,884 visitors and the consumer show at Airport Expo, Gitex Shopper attracted over 132,000 buyers, emphasising their growing significance in driving the region's high-growth ICT and telecommunications sector; Gulfood retained its status as the premier event for the food and hospitality sector, with a 32% growth in show space, taking up over 60,000 sq m in 2008.

Additionally, DWTC also debuted two new shows in 2008, MEFX in partnership with DIFC and Ingredients Middle East - a specialist event designed to serve the producers and consumers of ingredients related to the high performing food and beverage industry.

Other notable shows included Arab Health, one of the largest global events for the healthcare industry, which recorded a massive 166% spurt in visitor numbers. Cityscape saw a 44% increase in footfall from 52,000 in 2007 to 75,000 in 2008, despite the global decline of the real estate markets. Big 5, which last year was DWTC's largest exhibition in physical size since its opening in 1979, covered almost 85,000 sq m - over 30% more than in 2007.

The biggest regional event dedicated to the construction sector welcomed over 60,000 visitors as well as 3,200 manufacturers and suppliers from over 55 countries - making it the largest in size and spread of exhibitors for the plant, construction vehicles, machinery and equipment industries.

An indicator of the constantly evolving and vibrant exhibition sector, was the launch of nine new shows in 2008, spreading across such diverse sectors as banking and finance, food and beverages, travel infrastructure development, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology and aircraft interiors, among others.

Complementing the success of Dubai's exhibition sector, the meetings, incentives and conferences industry is also positively impacting visitor figures with 2008 drawing close to 76,000 delegates that attended 597 conferences and meetings; a 50% increase in attendance over 2007.

The increase in visitor numbers enabled DWTC's award-winning hospitality division to record an even stronger 2008. The division served an impressive 1,017,335 covers, marking a 14% increase in catering for MICE events alone, and making ours one of the busiest catering teams in the Middle East.

To support Dubai's capacity to attract global business tourists, DWTC continues to work in close partnership with the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Municipality (DMC), and Dubai Police, providing infrastructure support and travel logistics to facilitate access to and from our shows and to alleviate traffic congestion. In 2008, special buses, taxis and additional routes were made available from key locations, malls and hotels in the city to and from DWTC venues.

Airport Expo Dubai, adjacent to the Dubai Airport, is connected via the new Business Bay corridor to the central business areas of the main city. Additionally, RTA provided 'park and ride' bus service to and from neighbouring parking areas to the Airport Expo Dubai facility to ensure that all participants were easily able to access all events.

Following its strong performance in 2008, DWTC will continue to move forward with its commitment to contributing to the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, as laid out by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

'We are working to sustain our target of 1-1.5% contribution to Dubai's GDP, on par with global benchmarks such as Singapore and Hong Kong in the events and exhibitions sector. DWTC divisions have shown record growth, met significant milestones during 2008, and we expect the events sector to play a critical role during 2009 as the catalyst to stimulating the investment climate and boosting economic growth, while playing a major role in driving up visitor traffic to the region,'said Almarri.

According to the UAE chapter of "Living La Vida Rapida", a global survey by OMD, the internet is playing a major role in the everyday life of mothers in the Emirates, with many regarding it as their lifeline to the outside world. Mums are increasingly using the internet as both a parenting and leisure tool.

The study, with the full title of "Living La Vida Rapida: Today's Parents Living a Double Life at Double Time," explored online parents' lifestyle and media preferences globally, as well as how advertisers and marketers can leverage the insights uncovered to communicate with them more effectively.

Managed by Omnicom Media Group's research consultancy Integral at the end of 2008, the UAE survey has not only uncovered the popular daily media usage of mums but has also managed to gauge intrinsic details of exactly what they are using each media for and length of time. Furthermore, it also unearthed the content that interests them, the online advertising that appeals, their most popular websites, common values and more, generating critical insights for brands wanting to tap into this popular audience group.

The global survey was conducted with more than 7,000 respondents, all parents, in 14 countries around the world, to gain a true insight into the reality of being a parent in today's society, and how that differs from country to country. In the UAE, the survey was conducted with a sample of more than 300 online married females with children (87% Emiratis and 13% Arabs and expatriates) whose primary role was housekeeping (35% employed, 65% housewives or students).

The survey found that today's mothers in the UAE are technically savvy and have strong emotional associations with media such as the internet, mobile phones, TV, radio and print media, commonly using them for communication, leisure and even disciplinary reasons.

The survey also found that 62% of UAE mothers describe themselves as "super-moms" using these technologies to pack several more hours of work into the one day. More than 70% of them describe the internet as a lifeline, as 82% turn to the internet in their free time, while 87% admit they cannot survive without their mobile phones.

The internet is also an educational tool for both parent and child, with a very high percentage of mums using it to search for information concerning better healthcare and nutrition for their children or general parenting blogs.

Interestingly UAE mums use the email and internet only a fraction less than their US counterparts, with 74% as opposed to 85% in the US using email or instant messaging. The difference is more pronounced with looking for news online, 46% against 72% in the USA. Overall, the global survey found that the average online mom has become a master multi-tasker, conducting a combined 27 hours of activities in a single day – including work, family, surfing the Internet, chores, eating, shopping and so on. These moms reported spending eight hours a day using media, including 2.6 hours on the Internet, 2.1 hours watching television, 1.2 hours listening to the radio and half an hour each day spent with newspapers, magazines and games.

"This study has put a microscope on today's parent and since no two cultures are the same it was important to have results from a UAE perspective", said Shadi Kandil, general manager of OMD Dubai. "The results have been very interesting, sometimes surprising and particularly useful, as they ultimately allow us to maximize an advertiser's impact on this key target group".

The ongoing global credit crunch has actually boosted media monitoring and analysis operations in the Gulf, with many private and public companies increasing their media analysis budgets, according to a regional media expert.

The head of Mediastow, the leading media advisory and intelligence agency in the MENA region, Mohamed Elzubeir attributes the growth to the need of public and private sectors in the Gulf to better understand the market, the industries they are working with as well as the economic and marketing significance of the media discussions at the local and global level.

According to Mohamed Elzubeir the total spend on media monitoring and coverage analysis and consultancy in the Gulf rose sharply in 2008, reaching the $25m mark in the first ten months of the year, of which 20% was government spend.

Elzubeir elaborated:'The monitoring industry actually shines in times of crises as companies need accurate market data to make informed decisions and know better their standing in the market and hidden perceptions of their products. Companies now believe that knowledge is power and they are investing heavily, keeping this aspect in mind.'

Elzubeir says media monitoring goes beyond media clippings and he puts forth the view that only qualitative analysis, which includes share of voice, share of favorable discussions, tonality, perception analysis, mass advocacy indexes and key messages penetrations will help companies emerge victorious in troubled times.

Elzubeir adds that media monitoring provides insights into a company's operations, competitors and industry trends, fuelled by the professionalism of the media community that supports effective media monitoring results.

'The global financial crisis has highlighted the need to keep a good eye on what the media says and leverage it to expect the best and prepare for the worst. We see that many public and private sector organizations are dedicating bigger portions of their marcom (marketing communications) budgets to media monitoring and analysis.'

Evolved Digital Media, a Dubai based digital agency that provides digital and mobile solutions to the communications industry, has signed an agreement with Brandscape Marketing Pty Limited of Cape Town, to jointly develop new ways of deploying mobile technologies to provide brands and agencies with better ways to engage with their target audience.

The development agreement sets a framework for both companies to identify new mobile and web technologies and integrate them into a coherent proposition for brands to use as a channel to reach consumers in a meaningful and measureable way.

In the Middle East, Evolved Digital Media has already signed several clients to use its sms based mobile coupon and ticketing platform. In Southern Africa, Brandscape has a strong track record as a market leader in deploying campaigns based on Bluetooth mobile technology.

'Having worked with Brandscape over a number of years on different projects, I can really appreciate the synergy that Gordon and his team can bring to us at Evolved Digital. Our clients will benefit enormously from this collaboration, as we will be bringing new mobile marketing and Bluetooth solutions to the Middle East and African markets that will deliver real value to brands, promoters and their agencies,' said Patrick Crosbie. Managing Director, Evolved Digital Media.

The agreement between Brandscape and Evolved Digital will provide both companies and their clients with significant collaborative benefits. It is our belief that 2009 will be a big year for mobile proximity marketing as brands realise that the real opportunity for growth lies in establishing richer and deeper connections with narrow-target groups of highly engaged consumers.

Although Niche Marketing is not new, the new technologies and tools offered by Brandscape and Evolved Digital and the growing segmentation of consumers into communities has taken targeted proximity marketing into a new era. As part of the marketing mix, Brandscape's mobile proximity solutions enable us to identify and customize entire brand experiences for specific audiences then engage them in a much deeper, richer and longer interaction that is more proactive and rewarding for both the brand and the consumer.