The UAE Cannes Lions Awards Ceremony celebrated the country’s triumph at the 2023 Cannes Lions Festival, with 21 wins across various categories
Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan – the official representatives of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE, hosted their annual UAE Cannes Lions Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 12th September 2023 to celebrate this year’s winning agencies.
The 70th edition of the Cannes Lions Festival witnessed the UAE’s active participation with a total of 640 entries from 22 agencies. The UAE distinguished itself by securing a total of 21 Lions, including 1 Grand Prix, 1 Gold, 6 Silver, and 13 Bronze awards, spanning various categories. Notably, the UAE achieved inaugural victories in the categories of Glass: The Lion for Change, Entertainment for Music, and Creative Data. The UAE also amassed an impressive tally of 89 shortlisted entries, solidifying its position as a creative powerhouse on the global stage.
This year’s winners across Print & Publishing, Brand Experience and Activation, Creative Commerce, Creative Data, Creative Strategy, Design, Direct, Entertainment for Music, Health & Wellness, Industry Craft, Media, Outdoor, PR, Radio & Audio, and Glass: The Lion for Change categories included:
*VMLY&R Commerce New York in collaboration with VMLY&R Dubai secured 1 x Silver (Radio & Audio)
Creative heads and their respective team members from this year’s winning agencies gathered for an evening of networking and refreshments, culminating in the prestigious LIONS presentation.
Also in attendance was Jonathan Cruz, who, along with Saymon Medeiros, represented the UAE and And Us at the International Young Lions Digital Competition, as well as Chloe Salloum from the American University in Dubai, who proudly represented the UAE in the Roger Hatchuel Academy student program as part of the Cannes Lions Festival.
This year’s Festival marked a remarkable milestone for the UAE, boasting the largest assembly of jurors to preside over a single festival, totaling 18 esteemed jury members. Particularly noteworthy is Ali Rez from Impact BBDO, who made history by becoming the first Jury President from the MENA region.
Impact BBDO was also presented with the MENA Network of the Year award. This prestigious recognition follows the agency’s consistent performance as the No.1 agency in the Middle East and North Africa at Cannes Lions in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winning agencies, and we eagerly anticipate continued success at the upcoming Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity next year.
Shah Rukh Khan-starring blockbuster Jawan garnered USD$78M worldwide in its opening weekend
Jawan, one of the most highly anticipated Bollywood movies of 2023 starring Shah Rukh Khan, has finally made its grand debut on the silver screen. The action thriller has shattered records, grossing over USD$78M worldwide in just one week and attracting over 440,000 cinemagoers in the Middle East.
With cinemas buzzing, renowned brands across the region seized this unique opportunity by securing on-screen advertising to establish connections with captive cinema audiences on the big screen.
From FMCG brands to real estate developers, and healthcare groups, here are the cinema campaigns booked to follow the action-thriller Jawan:
Gazebo Restaurant
Region: UAE
Duration: 30 Sec.
Prime Medical Center
Region: UAE
Duration: 15 Sec.
Everest Spices
Region: UAE
Duration: 35 & 40 Secs.
Bafleh Jewelery
Region: UAE
Duration: 30 Sec.
Jaguar World
Region: UAE
Duration: 30 Sec.
Absolute Barbecue
Region: UAE
Duration: 15 Sec.
Sushila Jewelers
Region: UAE
Duration: 15 Sec.
Meteora Developers
Region: UAE
Duration: 15 Sec.
Unilever – Glow & Lovely
Region: UAE
Duration: 10 Sec.
Unilever – Comfort Rinse
Region: UAE
Duration: 20 Sec.
Kaya Skin Clinic
Region: UAE
Duration: 15 Sec.
Ajmal Perfumes
Region: UAE
Duration: 15 Sec.
P&G – Ariel
Region: UAE
Duration: 20 Sec.
Bawree
Region: UAE
Duration: 30 Sec.
ITC
Region: UAE
Duration: 30 Sec.
Think cinema for ‘attention-grabbing’ advertising!
Check out the list of upcoming blockbusters in Q4 2023 and contact us for cinema advertising opportunities across the GCC, Egypt and Lebanon.
WONKA – one of the most anticipated 2023 movies, is scheduled for release in cinemas on 14 December 2023
Roald Dahl’s timeless classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, has left an indelible mark on literature and cinema alike. This beloved tale has graced the silver screen twice before: first in 1971, when it was adapted into a film – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory – that introduced the whimsical chocolatier, Willy Wonka, portrayed by Gene Wilder. Then, in 2005, under the direction of Tim Burton and featuring Johnny Depp in the leading role, the original title was retained for a captivating reimagining.
As the world eagerly anticipates a third cinematic adventure within the ‘Wonkaverse,’ here’s everything you need to know before diving into the ‘scrumdiddlyumptious’ prequel:
Plot
Wonka is a prequel to the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and will follow a young Willy Wonka in his early adventures, including how he met the Oompa-Loompas. The film traces his transformation from a young man of modest origins with ambitious dreams in the candy industry to becoming an iconic source of inspiration for sweet tooths worldwide.
Cast
The titular character, Willy Wonka, will be portrayed by Timothée Chalamet. Other cast members include Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, and Jim Carter.
Director
Directed by Paul King, who is already well-versed in adapting classic children’s literature to film. His previous works include the 2014 live-action Paddington and his 2009 feature film debut, Bunny And The Bull.
Watch The Trailer
Source: Screen Rant, Collider
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Parkville Pharmaceuticals made a triumphant return to the cinema scene, launching yet another integrated campaign to showcase their brands – SHAAN and GLAMYLAB.
The off-screen SHAAN campaign featured sampling activities in the foyer areas of City Centre Almaza and Mall of Egypt during the weekends of August 17-19 and August 24-26, 2023, respectively. In parallel, the off-screen GLAMYLAB campaign incorporated sampling in the foyer area of City Centre Almaza for an extended period of six weekends, commencing from August 17, 2023. Notably, Parkville has also secured a future GLAMYLAB campaign scheduled to commence in the final week of December 2023.
A 15 sec. on screen ad was also booked to play alongside the latest blockbusters at City Centre Almaza, Egypt from 16 August – 19 September 2023.
Integrated cinema campaigns create a powerful synergy that amplifies brand exposure, leaving a lasting impression on both current and potential customers. Reach out to a member of our team for similar advertising opportunities in Egypt and across the rest of our circuit in the Middle East.
The release of the Barbie movie marks one of the greatest marketing events in the history of movies, creating a lot of buzz among fans of the iconic doll. With a reported marketing budget of US$100M, the film was launched alongside more than a hundred bright pink branding deals worldwide. From Barbie sparkles on Google search results to Barbie-endorsed Crocs and a special Prada line, the Barbie movie marketing campaign painted the world pink and created marketing magic, becoming the biggest cultural movement of the year.
The result of these endeavors was an immense triumph, as the movie directed by Greta Gerwig surpassed expectations, collecting over US$1.2B at the global box office, including an impressive US$1.95M from the UAE alone. With moviegoers flocking to theaters adorned in shades of pink, the film was more than just a cinematic event; it was also a dazzling showcase of brands that seized the opportunity to align with Barbie’s iconic legacy.
Sony Playstation, Samsung Galaxy and more, took center stage by aligning their brand campaigns alongside Barbie in the region.
Check out the full list of brands that hopped on the ‘Barbie Bandwagon’:
PlayStation 5
Country: UAE
Campaign type: Follow a movie
Samsung Flip
Country: UAE
Campaign type: Follow a movie
Dyson
Country: KSA
Campaign type: Follow a movie
Clara
Country: KSA
Campaign type: Follow a movie
Always
Country: Egypt
Campaign type: Follow a movie
McDonald’s
Country: UAE
Campaign type: On screen Ad
Think cinema for ‘attention-grabbing’ advertising!
Check out the list of upcoming blockbusters in Q3 2023 and contact us for cinema advertising opportunities across the GCC, Egypt and Lebanon.
The horror genre staged a triumphant comeback following the pandemic, led by the 2021 release of A Quiet Place: Part II, which garnered a staggering US$297.4M worldwide (with over US$2.5M from UAE alone). Beyond renewing confidence in the cinematic medium, this extraordinary achievement prompted film studios to reevaluate their horror movie release strategies.
This momentum carried into 2022, as notable titles like Scream V, Smile, and Nope achieved remarkable success, captivating audiences on both the global and regional box office fronts.
2023, marked by the successful release of a series of horror films such as M3gan, Evil Dead Rise, and The Boogeyman. Alongside these, new releases such as Insidious: The Red Door, Cobweb, and Talk to Me are delighting in prosperous theatrical runs in.
However, the tale doesn’t conclude here! The horror landscape of 2023 is by no means finished, as the most exciting moments are still ahead, especially with Halloween looming on the horizon. From the highly awaited reboot of the classic psychological horror masterpiece, The Exorcist: Believer, to the spine-chilling tenth installment of the renowned SAW franchise, here’s a look at the horror movies set to grace the remainder of 2023:
The Nun 2 – 07 September 2023
A Haunting In Venice – 14 September 2023
SAW X – 05 October 2023
The Exorcist: Believer – 13 October 2023
Five Nights at Freddy’s – 26 October 2023
Thanksgiving – Expected 17 November 2023
The movie follows a serial killer in Massachusetts who attempts to make a carving board out of unsuspecting victims. The film continues the Grindhouse universe, and just like Machete and Hobo with a Shotgun, it is based on one of the fake trailers in the Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino collaboration from 2007.
Salem’s Lot—TBA 2023
Based on Stephen King’s novel, the movie follows a writer who goes to a small town, only to find out that it’s being overrun by vampires. The movie stars Pilou Asbæk in the role of Richard Straker, Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears, Spencer Treat Clark as Mike Ryerson, and Nicholas Crovetti as Danny Glick.
Dark Harvest—TBA 2023
Based on Norman Partridge’s eponymous novel, Dark Harvest concerns a specter named Sawtooth Jack who goes up against violent gangs of boys hoping to take down the supernatural creature once and for all. The horror movie boasts a stellar cast, with the likes of Elizabeth Reaser, Jeremy Davies, Luke Kirby, and Ezra Buzzington.
With these exceptional upcoming titles, audiences can look forward to more thrilling and chilling experiences as the genre continues to evolve and captivate viewers worldwide.
Source: Screen Rant, Collider, VOX Cinemas
Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan leads the list of upcoming Indian blockbusters releasing in the second half of 2023
Indian cinema is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in 2023, recapturing the pre-pandemic excitement with a captivating lineup of titles.
One standout release in the first half of the year was Pathaan (Hindi), featuring the charismatic Shah Rukh Khan, emerging as the most popular Indian movie of the year to date. Additionally, other noteworthy box office successes include Adipurush (Hindi and Telugu), Ponniyin Selvan: Part Two (Tamil), Waltair Veerayya (Telugu), and Romancham (Malayalam).
As we venture into the second half of 2023, the Indian Box Office keeps its promise of an exhilarating lineup of major tentpoles. Already scoring success both domestically and internationally are Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (Hindi) and Bro (Telugu). Audiences can also eagerly anticipate the upcoming releases of OMG 2 (Hindi), starring Akshay Kumar, Jailer (Tamil), featuring the legendary Rajnikant, and King of Kotha (Malayalam), starring Dulquer Salman, all set to hit the big screen in August 2023.
As for September 2023 and beyond, here are the most anticipated Indian blockbusters scheduled for release:
Jawan (Hindi)
Release Date: 7 September 2023
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Deepika Padukone
Salaar (Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam)
Release Date: 28 September 2023
Stars: Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Tinu Anand, Shruthy Hassan
Leo (Tamil)
Release Date: 19 October 2023
Stars: Joseph Vijay, Anurag Kashyap, Sanjay Dutt
Ganapath: Part 1 (Hindi)
Release Date: 20 October 2023
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Himanshu Jaykar, Kriti Sanon
Tiger 3 (Hindi)
Release Date: 10 November 2023
Stars: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Emraan Hashmi
Animal (Hindi)
Release Date: 1 December 2023
Stars: Ranbir Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Anil Kapoor
Pushpa: The Rule Part 2 (Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam)
Release Date: 15 December 2023
Stars: Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil, Rashmika Mandanna
Yodha (Hindi)
Release Date: 15 December 2023
Stars: Sidharth Malhotra, Disha Patani, Raashi Khanna
Dunki (Hindi)
Release Date: 22 December 2023
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Boman Irani
Following these highly anticipated Indian blockbusters presents an excellent opportunity for brands to reach and engage with the Asian audience.
Think cinema for ‘attention-grabbing’ advertising!
*Movie release dates are subject to change
Source: IMDb, Google
Abu Dhabi Motors LLC, an authorized dealer of luxury car brands, recently launched an integrated cinema campaign for BMW across select cinema locations in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
On Screen Campaign
Following one of the biggest blockbusters of 2023, Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the 60-second ad showcases BMW’s latest line-up of cars and emphasising the brand’s innovative ‘Forwardism’ concept that seeks to find joy in tomorrow through the fusion of art, technology, and luxury, engineered to delight and excite.
Off Screen Campaign
Dedicated promoters engaged with cinemagoers at strategically positioned kiosks in the foyer area of the cinemas over the weekend of 14th to 16th July 2023. Cinemagoers had the opportunity to scan a QR code, fill out an online form, and receive a coupon offering free popcorn and drinks.
During a screening of Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One at a selected cinema on Friday, July 14th, 2023, five vouchers were discreetly placed under the seats. These vouchers offered the chance to redeem a BMW goodie bag and participate in a test drive. A promoter engaged with the cinemagoers, encouraging them to check under their seats to see if they were the fortunate winners.
Enhance your brand’s exposure through an integrated cinema campaign, leveraging creative and exciting off-screen promotional opportunities, complemented by an impactful ad on the big screen.
Contact us for similar advertising opportunities across our cinema circuit in the GCC, Egypt and Lebanon.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is the latest thrilling installment in the iconic Mission: Impossible franchise, with the daring Tom Cruise leading the charge. Anticipation for the film’s release has been high among both devoted fans and esteemed critics, and it has already proven to be a resounding box office success.
In its opening week, the movie achieved remarkable milestones, grossing an impressive US$80M domestically within its 5-day opening and amassing a staggering total of US$235M worldwide. This success underlines the enduring appeal of renowned franchises like Mission: Impossible in the region, making them prime opportunities for prominent brands to engage in cinema advertising.
Leading automotive manufacturer BMW, ectronics giant Samsung and luxury clothing and accessories brand Carter & White, among others, seized this golden opportunity to captivate cinema audiences alongside this year’s most highly anticipated action-packed cinematic experience.
Here are the cinema campaigns booked to follow or coincide with Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One:
Gazebo Restaurant
Country: UAE
Campaign type: Follow the movie
Expo City Dubai
Country: UAE
Campaign type: On screen 13-26 July 2023
Carter & White
Country: UAE
Campaign type: Follow the movie
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Country: UAE and KSA
Campaign type: On screen 13 July -09 August 2023
BMW
Country: UAE
Campaign type: Follow the movie
On screen campaign and Off Screen campaign – Refer to the article: BMW | Integrated Cinema Campaign | 2023
Ford Middle East
Country: UAE
Campaign type: Follow the movie
Asyad Express – Ship Your Cart
Country: Oman
Campaign type: On screen 13 July -09 August 2023
Etihad Airways
Country: UAE
Campaign type: Follow the movie
American University of Kuwait
Country: Kuwait
Campaign type: On screen 07 July -20 August 2023
Samsung Flip
Country: UAE
Campaign type: Follow the movie
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Country: UAE
Campaign type: Follow the movie
Massadr
Country: KSA
Campaign type: Follow the movie
Think cinema for ‘attention-grabbing’ advertising!
Check out the list of upcoming blockbusters in Q3 2023 and contact us for cinema advertising opportunities across the GCC, Egypt and Lebanon.
Here are the ads that lit up the big screen during Eid-Al-Adha 2023:
Gazebo – FTM Indiana Jones & The Dial of Destiny
Country: UAE
Operators: Select VOX Screens at Mall of the Emirates
Dallah Hospital
Country: KSA
Operators: Select AMC, Muvi, Reel & VOX Locations
Oriental Weavers
Agency: Initiative Cairo
Country: Egypt
Operators: Select VOX Locations
Vodafone
Agency: UM Qatar
Country: Qatar
Operators: Select VOX Locations
Gravity
Country: Bahrain
Operators: Select VOX Locations
Kuwait Finance House
Agency: Mindshare Kuwait
Country: Kuwait
Operators: VOX Cinemas
Think cinema for ‘attention-grabbing’ advertising!
Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities alongside upcoming summer blockbusters.