LIONS Live – A Global Meeting of Minds

Cannes Lions is presenting LIONS Live, a curated digital experience for everyone, everywhere, who believes in creative possibility from 22-26 June 2020. LIONS Live will bring the global creative community together to address the future of creativity.

LIONS Live will be broadcast from a London studio, hosted by BBC journalist and presenter, Tina Daheley, with a week of compelling, live-streamed and on-demand sessions. A wide range of creative people and companies from around the world are contributing beautifully-produced content and experiences, in a range of compelling digital formats. LIONS Live will be available to watch from any screen, anywhere in the world, for free.

The full programme offers original thinking and expert perspectives on what’s coming next, masterclasses and beautifully produced short films, crafted by some of the most creative people on the planet. LIONS Live unites experts from across the creative industry, from the brands adapting to fast-shifting consumer behaviours to the agencies adjusting business models and the pioneers innovating future solutions.

Sessions and talent announced so far: Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors Showcase celebrates 30 years of New Director talent and identifies some new names to watch; renowned innovators and VFX specialists, Framestore, will demystify deep fakes and unlock the future of creativity with the help of celebrity guests. Wyclef Jean, musician and Chief Strategy Officer, Carnival World Music Group, looks at how Entertainment and marketing are collaborating in new ways; Scott Galloway, Professor of Marketing, NYU Stern & Founder, Section4, will provide a highly provocative view of where we go from here; and Creative Director and Founder of Quiet Storm, Trevor Robinson, will share some of his sharpest learnings.

Unilever’s newly-appointed Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, Conny Braams, will give her first address to the creative community in an important CMO Spotlight; and Global Co-president, dentsu mcgarrybowen, Merlee Cruz-Jayme, will explore how creativity will be crucial for brands trying to bounce back in the new normal. Plus LIONS Live will include a forecast on what’s next for creativity in a Future Gazers session with Cheil Worldwide’s Group CEO, Pully Chau.

Tune in for a LIONS Keynote from creative agency Alma and diversity and inclusion advocates We Are All Human, showcasing how a creative idea allowed the Hispanic community to emerge from the shadows and support recovery from the global pandemic.

 

What to expect from LIONS Live

Compelling formats

Some of the world’s best creative talent sharing what they have learned; CMO Spotlight sessions from global brands; Cannes Lions President briefings; plus networking events to inspire and connect throughout the week.


Celebrating sustained creative success

The Lions Creativity Report of the Decade, compiled using unique data on Lion-winning and shortlisted work, will present the definitive rankings of sustained creative success over the past ten years. Winners will be announced throughout the week and the report made available to all.


Exploring The Work

A week of free access to The Work – the Lions learning and intelligence platform. It’s home to decades of Lion-winning work, insights and data from nearly 70 years of creativity. As well as big thinking from the brands, agencies and people behind the global community’s greatest ideas.


Cracking the effectiveness code

Marketing effectiveness experts, James Hurman and Peter Field, present a major new global study of creative effectiveness, for Cannes Lions and WARC. Hurman and Field will showcase a new framework – The Creative Effectiveness Ladder – designed to create a universal definition and shared language of effectiveness, and help marketers use creativity more effectively, involving an analysis of nearly 5,000 effectiveness case studies from 2011 – 2019.


Driving a culture of progress

LIONS Live is a reboot moment and a confidence forum. Over the LIONS Live week, the global community can access a host of whitepapers, creative resources and online courses to inspire creative output, impact culture and drive business results.


Learning for everyone

In collaboration with 42courses, we’ve selected lessons from our Cannes Lions online course series, and launched a free masterclass for all. The course is a whistle-stop tour through ten key lessons for a career in the creative industry. Each lesson brings Lion-winning work together with insights from experts like Quiet Storm’s Trevor Robinson OBE, Ogilvy’s Rory Sutherland and VMLY&R’s Debbi Vandeven.


Join LIONS Live

LIONS Live is free to access, for the entire global community, from 22-26 June 2020.

The full LIONS Live programme will be available on the platform from 18 June 2020.

 

Click here to join the LIONS Live community

Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan are the official representatives of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE.

Related Article:

Cannes Lions to Release The Global Lions Creativity Report of the Decade

VOX Drive-in Movie Screenings are Now Carbon Neutral

Majid Al Futtaim in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and VOX Cinemas celebrated World Environment Day by hosting the region’s first carbon neutral drive-in movie screening for Tesla cars.

The special screening, which took place at VOX Cinemas Drive-In on the rooftop of Mall of the Emirates on 6th June 2020, was attended by the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, along with over 100 movie enthusiasts in their Tesla electric cars.

Tesla Special Screening at VOX Drive-in at Mall of the Emirates

 

To mark the international awareness day, and in continuation of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Majid Al Futtaim also announced that it is partnering with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence to offset the carbon emissions from all VOX Drive-In screenings.

Majid Al Futtaim’s partnership with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence will ensure that all screenings held at the VOX Drive-In will have a carbon neutral footprint. This will be done by assessing and minimising climate impact through carbon measurement, reduction of avoidable carbon emissions, and offsetting the remaining ones. In addition, Majid Al Futtaim has implemented a waste collection process to ensure 100% waste recycling rates.

Cameron Mitchell, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas said, “Our Mall of the Emirate’s Drive-In, has proven to be incredibly popular, not only when it was the only cinema in the MENA region that was operating, but even more recently as cinemas have started to open across Dubai. This has reminded us that our guests are missing the big screen movie experience, made even more impressive when set beneath the iconic Ski Dubai indoor ski centre, and accompanied by their favourite popcorns, nachos and Pepsis. We are very proud to partner with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence to ensure that the VOX Cinemas Drive-In is a carbon neutral experience. Sustainability is a core pillar of Majid Al Futtaim, and VOX Cinemas is committed to finding sustainable ways to minimise our carbon footprint and protect our planet for future generations.”

Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi, Chief Sustainability Officer, at Majid Al Futtaim Holding commented: “The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt well into the future. As we look to rebound and rebuild businesses and economies, we must place as much emphasis, if not more, on social and environmental prosperity. This year’s World Environment Day is a great opportunity to take a brief step back from the COVID-19 headlines and raise awareness of the implications climate change has on our lives. For Majid Al Futtaim, it is an opportunity to influence sustainable behavior across our communities and ask our partners, tenants and suppliers to join the fight against climate change. Joining the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and VOX Cinemas to host the first carbon-neutral drive-in cinema screening is a testament to the power of collaboration to tackle the issue and drive impact.”

Tickets for the VOX Cinemas Carbon Neutral Drive-In can be booked on voxcinemas.com or through the VOX Cinemas iOS and Android app.

 

Contact Motivate Val Morgan for cinema advertising opportunities at the VOX Drive-In.

 

 

Source: Majid Al Futtaim (Press Release)

 

Related Article:

VOX Opens Rooftop Drive-in Cinema at Mall of the Emirates

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cinema – by Avinash Udeshi

Motivate Val Morgan’s Chief Operating Officer, Avinash Udeshi looks at the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Cinema and how it will change this industry in the long term.

 

“I’ll be back!”

This iconic dialogue from the Terminator series comes to my mind when asked to write about the state of cinema as a medium post the COVID-19 imposed lockdown.

Cinemas, globally as well here in the Middle East, have been asked to stop operating by their respective governments. We and similar organizations thus face a serious challenge as business has come to a 100% standstill.

We are currently working from home attending to the administrative side of the business, keeping in regular contact with cinema operators, agencies & advertisers and working on pre and post-opening strategies.

While in business we are pursuing prudence on reductions where possible, we cannot deny that there is serious pressure on operational costs as cash flow management is affected by delay in collections. Luckily, we are blessed to have great partners who are supporting us as much as they can, sometimes the agencies even pay us prior to receiving the dues from their clients, and a terrific core management team that believes in protecting the work force for the day when things start to take a turn for the better.

As we have always seen, any event brings out polarizing views. In the recent weeks, we have heard doomsayers predicting the death of movie theatres and the rise of streaming services as a complete replacement. The entire incident with Trolls: Word Tour – an animated movie set to release in cinemas before the pandemic hit, being directly released on VOD has cinemas at loggerheads with Universal Studios.

The negative voices become louder when there is news that some of the smaller cinema chains or standalone movie theatres are going to close down. Yes, there will be closures but not because of the death of the medium, but instead due to a lack of liquidity or higher operational costs within these individual businesses. These pressures on profits existed even before the forced COVID-19 closures. These are the same challenges as with any other business, where the objective is higher demand and lower operational costs, in which rents play a very significant role.

 

Avinash Udeshi, Chief Operating Office of Motivate Val Morgan on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema

 

In the end, let us not forget that ‘Movie Theatrical Release’ is a very successful business, and that even amid fears of competition from streaming and other media, worldwide box office revenues in 2019 reached a new global record of $42.5B, as reported by Comscore. The other rights viz. Cable, VOD, DVD etc. contribute a substantial revenue for the Studios but that is post the revenue derived from cinemas. Thus the cinema business model will continue to thrive, with KSA and China continuing to multiply their screen count. All of these “viewing outlets” will continue to live in harmony with each other and one cannot/will not be replaced by the other.

My personal opinion too is that we as humans are a very resilient race and our ability to accept hardships as a new normal has always shone through. I, for one, despaired hopelessly when wearing a mask as mandated while going for a daily walk on day one, but by the third day accepted this as a standard if I wanted to step out of my home. Similarly, once cinemas reopen with the proper safety protocols in place, there will be consumers. Initially there will be lesser admissions which will slowly rise up to good capacity, as we all love the larger than life cinema experience and are finally ‘social’ at heart.

The key to the magic of this medium has always been the consumption of content in the best viewing conditions and that is what will always drive patrons to cinema. Thus, the fact that most studios have delayed their film releases has proved that their ideal curtain raiser is cinema, a fact that negates the doomsayers.

On the overall local and global market, just like in every crisis, those who survive and/or have war chests, will come out far stronger and success stories will start rising again. One important thing to remember is that those that remain have to support each other with flexible terms and avoid rigidity.

Cinema has survived catastrophic events such as world wars and other pandemics, and will undoubtedly emerge as a medium of choice again. Our region has one of the highest cinema occupancy percentages in the world and that is not going to change. The third and fourth quarter movie releases remain intact with a number of blockbusters releasing and in fact, some of our advertisers have already confirmed that they are looking forward to returning to cinema for advertising – hence ensuring that we as a medium will not be terminated, even by a global pandemic. We’ll be back!

 

This article was also published in Campaign Magazine Middle East

Reel Launches Drive-in Cinema at The Dubai Mall

Dubai’ welcomes its second drive-in cinema with the launch of Reel’s – The Dubai Mall Zabeel experience.

 

Reel Cinemas launched its drive-in cinema at The Dubai Mall on Saturday 30th May, 2020.

Located at the rooftop parking space of the mall’s Zabeel extension, the latest addition to Reel’s portfolio allows moviegoers in Dubai to watch films on the big screen – with the iconic Burj Khalifa and the city’s skyline in the background, while adhering to social distancing rules and guidelines. The movie can be heard by tuning car radios to a set FM frequency of 88.3.

 

Reel Drive-in The Dubai Mall Zabeel

 

The cinema accommodates 70 cars, with allocated parking arranged based on the car size for an optimum viewing experience for all. Only two people per car are allowed and ticket bookings have to be made via the Reel Cinemas website. Age restrictions do apply, with anyone under 12 years and over 60 unable to attend for now.

Tickets cost Dh170 per car, and include a food and beverage package for two people, which consist of one cheese popcorn, one salted popcorn, one regular nachos, two chocolate bars, two soft drinks and two water bottles. Food carts are also available for those who wish to make additional food orders.

 

 

Earlier in May, VOX Cinemas launched its drive-in experience at Mall of the Emirates.

The revival of the drive-in cinema concept – which has also seen an upswing in the US and Europe, offers movie lovers a safe way to engage in one of their favorite pastimes during these unprecedented times, whilst maintaining social distancing and enjoying a bucket of popcorn.

 

Here’s a list of movies that will be showing at Reel Cinemas Drive-in at The Dubai Mall Zabeel:

Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw, BloodShot, Bombshell, 21 Bridges, The Hustle, Rambo Last Blood, Gemini Man, Bad Boys for Life, The Gentleman, Jumanji Next Level, Fantasy Island, 1917, Fast and Furious 8, Angel has Fallen, A Quiet Place, Mission Impossible Fallout, Fighting with my Family, The Invisible Man, The Upside, Knives Out, Men in Black International, Midway, Jurassic Park Fallen Kingdom, Childs Play, Aqua Man, Misbehaviour, The Grudge, Charlie’s Angels, Crawl, The Wretched and Shazam.

 

For more information, visit www.reelcinemas.ae, and don’t forget to check out their Drive-in experience FAQs.

 

 

Sources: The National, Gulf News, What’s On and Reel Cinemas

 

Related Article:

VOX Opens Rooftop Drive-in Cinema at Mall of the Emirates

 

Cinemas Reopen in Dubai and Ajman – UAE

Dubai resumed the gradual reopening of business activities on Wednesday 27th May 2020 from 6am to 11pm in the city’s latest move to ease Covid-19 restrictions – which also included the reopening of cinemas across the emirate.

The emirate of Ajman followed suit with the opening of cinemas on Saturday 30th May 2020.

Currently, in line with government restrictions, individuals are still required to observe precautionary measures including wearing face masks and observing physical distancing of two metres, and individuals above the age of 60 and children under 13 years will not be allowed to enter cinemas.

 

Re-opening Dubai (Post Eid Al Fitr) – Cinema Protocols

Cinema Protocols - Reopening Cinemas in Dubai

 

Cinema Protocols - Reopening Cinemas in Dubai

 

VOX and Reel posted videos on their social media channels highlighting the safety and precautionary measures they have taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for moviegoers:

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by VOX Cinemas (@voxcinemas) on

 

Click here for more information on VOX health and safety measures

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Reel Cinemas Dubai (@reelcinemas) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Reel Cinemas Dubai (@reelcinemas) on

 

Click here for more information on new safety measures at Reel.

 

Movies screening across cinemas in Dubai and Ajman include: Bloodshot, The Gentlemen, Bad Boys for Life, The Invisible Man, Baaghi 3 (Hindi), 1917, Birds of Prey, The Way Back, Midway, The Call of the Wild, Thief of Baghdad (Arabic), Sonic the Hedgehog, Jojo Rabbit and many other previously released blockbusters from 2019 and early 2020.

 

Contact us for more information on our attractive reopening cinema advertising packages in Dubai and Ajman.

 

 

Sources: Arabian Business, Khaleej Times and Dubai Economy – Government of Dubai

VOX Opens Rooftop Drive-in Cinema at Mall of the Emirates

VOX Cinemas’ drive-in cinema offers Dubai moviegoers a classic movie night under the stars.

 

Movie nights have taken a bit of a hit with the closure of cinemas across the globe amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, in response to the easing of restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic in United Arab Emirates, while maintaining the safety of audiences by adhering to social distancing guidelines, VOX Cinemas launched its latest vintage style drive-in cinema at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai on Sunday 17th May 2020.

Situated in the shopping mall’s upper parking lot, on level 3, the drive-in cinema features a large screen underneath the Ski Dubai slop, where patrons can park in front of to enjoy a movie under the open air, while adhering to social distancing rules.

 

Drive-in Cinema at MOE, Dubai

 

“The health and wellbeing of our guests and employees remains our top priority and moviegoers can be rest assured that the VOX Cinemas Drive-in complies with all government and best practice guidance, while still allowing guests to enjoy the big screen experience,” said Cameron Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim – Cinemas.

“Drive-in visitors will earn Share Points and can access the Mall of the Emirates mall and facilities before the movie,” he added.

VOX drive-in accommodates 75 cars with a maximum of two people each, and in line with government regulations, individuals above the age of 60 and children between 3 and 12 years of age are not permitted to access the mall and drive-in cinema.

Tickets are priced at AED180+VAT, which includes the movie and a robust F&B package – popcorn, nachos, big bag of M&Ms and drinks (plenty for two people to enjoy throughout the film).

 

How the concept works

Step 1:

How the VOX drive-in cinema works

 

Purchase tickets online at uae.voxcinemas.com (movie showtimes will be revealed every Monday.)

 

Step 2:

How the VOX drive-in cinema works

 

Once patrons arrive at the Mall of the Emirates car park, they will be given clear instructions on how to proceed towards the red-carpeted entrance by VOX staff.

At the red-carpeted entrance, the ticket QR codes are scanned and soft drinks and snacks handed over.

 

Step 3:

How the VOX drive-in cinema works

 

Patrons will then be directed to their designated parking slots and asked to turn off their headlights. Parking spaces are allocated based on the height of the vehicle in and effort to ensure that everyone can easily see the large screen.

The movie’s audio will be transmitted through a FM frequency directly to the In-Car Entertainment System, which will be indicated on the screen prior to the start of the pre-show and movie.

 

 

Within days of its official launch, the new VOX concept has been so well received, with all movie sessions sold out till early June. However, due to the extended lockdown in the UAE, which will take effect from 8pm to 6am starting Wednesday 20th May 2020, the drive-in cinema will remain closed till further notice.

Nevertheless, given its demand, the concept won’t be going anywhere, and you can expect it to generate as much popularity once it resumes operation.

Check out media kit and contact a member of our UAE sales team for more information on cinema advertising at the VOX drive-in cinema.

 

 

Sources: What’s On Dubai, Gulf News, Variety, The National and Arabian Business

Ramadan Ads | Middle East | 2020

Ramadan is a month of spirituality, downtime, and is also an eventful period for the ad world – similar to a month-long Super Bowl extravaganza.

Ramadan ad spots present an opportunity for advertisers and consumers to enjoy the most coveted advertising efforts of the year, for the ads usually focus more on the themes of the holy month than the individual product itself.

We haven’t seen that many Ramadan ads from across the Middle East this year, may be due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nonetheless, here’s a glimpse of the campaigns that did release, keeping the tradition alive.

 

 Careem Bahrain

View this post on Instagram

No matter how much the world changes around us, our Ramadan values and traditions always remain. Our family gatherings, the food we love, Ramadan decorations, the TV shows we all wait for & the shared value of giving during this holy month to keep us together and bring us closer. Ramadan Careem ??✨ . . العالم يتغير حولنا كل يوم , لكن لذّة رمضان تكتمل بقيمنا وعاداتنا وتقاليدنا التي تعودنا عليها . تجمعاتنا العائلية ، صوت المدفع الذي يجمع الكل على سفرة الطعام ، زينة رمضان المبهجة، البرامج التلفزيونية و المسلسلات التي ننتظرها جميعًا وأهمية العطاء المتبادل بين الجميع خلال هذا الشهر المبارك. لتبقينا سويا و تقربنا أكثر. رمضان كريم ??✨

A post shared by Careem Bahrain (@careembah) on

 

Cartier

 

 batelco

 

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA)

View this post on Instagram

لتبقى روح الشهر الفضيل كما هي ? مبارك عليكم الشهر وكل عام وانتم بخير ✨ The spirit of the holy month will remain the same. ? Stay safe. Ramadan Kareem. ✨ __________________________________ #BahrainOursYours #البحرين #رمضان_الأسرة

A post shared by BTEA (@tourismbh) on

 

Lifebuoy

 

Fairy Arabia

 

Comfort Arabia

 

Splash

 

Qatar Airways

 

Homecentre

 

Namshi

 

Ounass

 

du

 

Omantel

 

McDonald’s

 

Hyundai MEA

 

Etihad Airways

 

 Talabat

 

Ooredoo 

View this post on Instagram

✨? ? سعداء بمواصلة واجبنا تجاه مختلف فئات المجتمع خلال رمضان، لا سيما في ظل الظروف الاستثنائية التي نشهدها جميعاً، حيث قدمنا الهدايا لحمالية سوق واقف وفقاً للاشتراطات الاحترازية ووسائل الوقاية اللازمة. #عطاء_متواصل_في_شهر_الخير #هدايا_Ooredoo ✨?? Proud to have been able to continue our support for our local communities this #Ramadan, especially in such difficult times. We delivered Ramadan gifts to labourers at Souq Waqif Hamaliah , According to preventive measures #GivingMoreInRamadan #HadayaOoredoo #Ooredoo

A post shared by Ooredoo Qatar (@ooredooqatar) on

 

stc

 

 

Mobily

 

Nada

 

Almarai

 

 

Sources: YouTube, Instagram and Campaign Middle East

The Latest News from the World of Movies – May 2020

Attention movie-lovers! Cinemas may still remain closed in response to COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the world of movies!

Here are some of the big announcements made in May 2020:

 

A Wonder Woman 3 is in the works

Image Credits – Omaze

 

While the word eagerly awaits the release of Wonder Woman 1984, and even though there is no official on the big screen, Patty Jenkins has story ideas for Wonder Woman 3 and the planned Amazonian spin-off.

But of course, Wonder Woman 1984 needs to release first.

“I’m not going to nail down a fresh thought about it until [Wonder Woman 1984] comes out, because I kind of want to give myself a palette cleanser, and be fresh of mind. But yeah, there’s an arc that I have in mind for the first movie, and then the second movie, and then the Amazon movie, and then the third movie,” said Patty Jenkins.

Read more on this at ScreenRant and CinemaBlend

 

Newly released image of 'Dune'

Image Credits – Warner Bros./Instagram

 

Warner Bros. has unveiled a new image from the Dune adaptation from director Denis Villeneuve – due to hit cinemas in December this year, which also features the sandy landscape of Abu Dhabi in the background.

Scenes for this highly anticipated sci-fi movie were filmed in Jordan and the UAE, as well as Budapest.

Read more on this at The National and Empire

 

Cruise is partnering with NASA to shoot a movie in space

Image Credits – ScreenRant

 

One small step for Tom Cruise, one giant leap for moviemaking?

Cruise is partnering with NASA to shoot a movie, at least in part, aboard the Intl. Space Station – the first narrative feature to be shot in space.

It’s unclear how Cruise will pull off this feat, but one thing’s for sure, knowing him, even at 57 he’ll probably insist on doing his own stunts (remember the freefall at 200 mph in 2018’s Mission: Impossible — Fallout?)

Read more on this at Variety an ScreenRant

 

First Look at batman 2021

Image Credits – Warner Bros.

 

Yes, it’s highly unlikely that anyone will ever win an Oscar for playing the caped crusader – Batman, but this does not mean that the pressure is off when portraying the character.

Robert Pattinson – the new Caped Crusader, says he has found a ‘gap’ to make Batman his own – in contrast to the likes of Val Kilmer’s cheeseball effort.

“I kind of like the fact that not only are there very, very, very well-done versions of the character which seem pretty definitive, but I was thinking that there are multiple definitive playings of the character,” said Pattinson.

You’ve seen this sort of lighter version, you’ve seen a kind of jaded version, a kind of more animalistic version. And the puzzle of it becomes quite satisfying, to think: Where’s my opening? And also, do I have anything inside me which would work if I could do it? And then also, it’s a legacy part, right? I like that,” he added.

Read more on this at: The Guardian

 

New Star Wars Movie to be Directed Taika Waititi

Image Credits – ScreenRant

 

You know who’s great at spicing things up and adding much-needed levity to franchises that have become somewhat bogged down in their own mythology? Taika Waititi!

Disney has announced that Taika Waititi will direct and co-write a new Star Wars movie for theatrical release.

Rumors of a Waititi-helmed Star Wars movie first surfaced in January, though it’s unclear if this movie is the one that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is reportedly developing.

Read more on this at The Verge and Wired

 

Paramount Pictures - Transformers

Image Credit – Paramount

 

Paramount Pictures has dated a new, untitled live-action Transformers film to be released in theaters on June 24, 2022.

As Paramount and Hasbro press forward to revamp the franchise, two new Transformers projects are being developed simultaneously, with Joby Harold (Army of the Dead) and James Vanderbilt (Zodiac) each penning a script. Plot details are being kept under wraps and no directors are currently attached to either.

Also, An untitled animated prequel to the Transformers franchise is in the works at Paramount Pictures and Hasbro’s eOne with Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley.

Read more on this at TheWrap and Variety

Ads from the Middle East in Response to COVID-19

Brands have a huge role to play during these uncertain times of COVID-19.

A recent study conducted by Edelman has revealed that as well as offering new products and services that specifically target pandemic-related life challenges, brands have an important role to play as communicators.

The study also showed that what people most want to see from brands at the moment is tangible and helpful action. Transparency, empathy and compassion being paramount!

The majority of people in the study also indicated that how well a company responds to the coronavirus crisis, will have a huge impact on their likelihood of buying from it in the future. Many, too, have started using a new brand because of the innovative or compassionate way the brand has behaved since the pandemic began.

So with no manual for these uncertain times, how have brands handled this new norm of advertising? While some have withdrawn from the scene in a crisis, others have seized the opportunity to reach out to the community and stay relevant.

From heart-warming and comforting ads, to Ramadan-centric, storytelling and informative ads, here’s a list of must-watch video brand campaigns from across the Middle East:

 

Till We Meet Again – Visit Dubai

 

Abu Dhabi: Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Curious – Visit Abu Dhabi

 

Ode to Empty Roads – Nissan Middle East

 

Do You Remember – Emirates

 

We Are One – Expo 2020 Dubai

 

A Message From Expo 2020 Dubai – Expo 2020 Dubai

 

A World We Deserve – Babyshop

 

Proud of You – Bank Dhofar

 

Ramadan Lives On – stc Kuwait

 

Stay Home. We Deliver – Domino’s

 

#StayHome – Honda

 

#Homemade_Ramadan – du

 

Thank you Heroes! – Cafu

 

Ramadan 2020 | An Ooredoo Story – Oooredoo

 

Together In Spirit – MG Middle East

 

Our colleagues and partners…We miss you and we’ll see you soon – TECOM Group

 

Covid-19: Preventive Measures – Motivate Val Morgan

 

 

Source: Edelman, Campaign Middle East and YouTube

Cannes Lions Launches ‘Lions Live’

Lions Live is a digital education platform to support the creative community

 

Cannes Lions has introduced ‘Lions Live’, a digital education, inspiration and networking experience that will run throughout June under the theme ‘Creativity Matters’. Activity will build to a peak during the original dates of the Festival of Creativity, 22-26 June.

Lions Live will comprise masterclasses and hangouts with creative industry legends, lectures from experts, talks from speakers confirmed for the Festival, and a selection of the most impactful professional classes and learning modules from the world of creativity, effectiveness and marketing. The platform will also feature Future Gazers – a collection of industry experts who will assess how Covid-19 has transformed the way the industry will need to approach Cannes Lions’ already-announced 2020 themes. It will also showcase the best of the hundreds of responses to the current crisis from the global creative community currently being shared on the newly-launched Creativity Moves us Forward platform. Access to Lions Live: Creativity Matters will be free of charge to all.

The Work – the subscription-only archive of more than 200,000 Lions campaigns and 1,600 Festival talks – will be made freely accessible to all throughout the original Festival week, providing access to case studies and inspiration to help fuel ideas and creativity. Additionally, during June anyone will be able to access a specially curated course of lessons taken from the Cannes Lions masterclass series on 42courses.com. This will include lessons from the likes of Rei Inamoto, Keith Reinhard and Debbi Vandeven, on topics such as Creative Effectiveness, Strategy, Storytelling, Behavioural Science and Digital Marketing. Meanwhile, Cannes Lions’ sister companies MediaLink and WARC will also be bringing their Cannes activities to life, with a virtual MediaLink networking beach, and lessons on the very best effectiveness strategies from around the world presented by WARC.

Simon Cook, Managing Director of Cannes Lions, said “In order to drive progress through creativity, and support our community at this difficult time, we want to provide the global industry with the opportunity to learn and network throughout June and beyond. For the first time in nearly 70 years, we are unable to bring the industry together in one physical place in June. Lions Live: Creativity Matters will provide a virtual platform for the industry to collaborate, learn and problem-solve, because now more than ever, creativity really does matter.”

 

 

Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan are the official representatives of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE.