Motivate Val Morgan, the official representative of Dubai Lynx in the UAE, brings you the latest updates from the desks of the Lynx team.
Dubai Lynx is at the heart of MENA’s creative communications industry. Over three days, an agenda of talks, training, networking, exhibitions and awards ceremonies celebrate the region’s creative output, making it the essential event on MENA’s creative calendar next year.
Dubai Lynx 2017 will be held at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai from 5th – 8th March 2017.
Here’s some of the very latest from Dubai Lynx:
Dubai Lynx Student Awards Now Open!
Do you know any students aspiring to a future in the creative industry?
The Masar Student Creative Award for Print and the Student Integrated Award offer fledgling talent the opportunity to win a trip to Dubai Lynx and get their work before a jury of MENA’s top creatives.
It’s a must-enter competition for any student aspiring to a future in the creative industries.
Help us spread the word!
Jury Presidents Announced
Meet the people who will lead the Dubai Lynx juries in 2017 to seek out the region’s best creative communications.
Fredda Hurwitz (Havas Sport & Entertainment) – Branded Content & Entertainment
Jean-Paul Burge (BBDO Asia) – Creative Effectiveness
Nathan Reddy (Grid Worldwide Branding and Design) – Design
Rob Doubal (McCann London) – Direct, Promo & Activation, Interactive & Mobile
James Bland (Blink [Productions) – Film Craft
Matt Eastwood (J. Walter Thompson) – Film, Print, Outdoor, Radio, Print & Outdoor Craft and Integrated
Gerry Boyle (Publicis Media) – Media
David Brain (Edelman) – PR
Click here to view their profiles.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Source: Dubai Lynx
As a result of VOX Cinemas’ joint venture with Oman Arab Cinema Company, Motivate Val Morgan is now the official cinema advertising partner of the City Cinema chain in Oman – comprising of 9 locations and 30 screens.
City Cinema was the first cinema chain in Oman that started its operations in 1971 by setting up its first cinema known as Al Nasr, which was later renamed as City Cinema Ruwi in 2008.
All City Cinema locations are equipped with the latest sound and projection equipment, and is the first cinema chain to introduce the VIP/Gold Class seating concept and MX4D technology in Oman.
Shatti
Azaiba
MGM
Panorama – MX4D
Panorama – VIP
Sohar
We at Motivate Val Morgan warmly welcome the City Cinema chain to our circuit.
And for our valued Advertisers and Media Partners, here’s a fantastic Introductory Offer:
Don’t miss out!
Contact us for more information on cinema advertising opportunities in Oman.
As the official representative of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE, Motivate and Motivate Val Morgan recently concluded the distribution of Cannes Lions Awards for this year’s 7 winning agencies.
Creative Heads and their respective teams from winning agencies gathered at Motivate Offices in Dubai Media City for an evening of networking and refreshments, followed by the awards ceremony where they received their respective Lions from Ian Fairservice – Managing Partner & Group Editor in Chief at Motivate, and Avinash Udeshi – Chief Operating Officer at Motivate Val Morgan.
Ian Fairservice – Managing Partner & Group Editor in Chief at Motivate, addressing the gathering
Winning work from the UAE and video footage from this year’s Cannes Awards Ceremony will be shown at the Best of Cannes Lions Screening – organized by Motivate Val Morgan, scheduled for next month.
Below is a list of this year’s winning agencies:
Gold, Silver & Bronze Lions won by the UAE at this year’s Cannes Lions Festival
Agency: Memac Ogilvy Dubai
Agency: The Classic Partnership Advertising
Agency: DDB Dubai
Agency: Y&R Dubai
Agency: TBWA\RAAD Dubai
Agency: JWT Dubai
This year, the UAE won a total of 16 Lions. We at Motivate and Motivate Val Morgan warmly congratulate all winning agencies and look forward to more UAE wins at next year’s Cannes Lions Festival.
For the first time in UAE history, a world’s leading Internet Television Network advertised an upcoming series via the cinema medium.
NETFLIX – the world’s leading Internet television network with over 83 million members in over 190 countries, recently advertised the trailer to its upcoming series ‘Stranger Things‘ at Motivate Val Morgan serviced cinemas in the UAE.
Series Synopsis
A love letter to the supernatural classics of the 80’s, ‘Stranger Things‘ is the story of a young boy who vanishes into thin air. As friends, family and local police search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one very strange little girl.
The Horror/Thriller series will star Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Natalia Dyer, Cara Buono, Charlie Heaton, and Matthew Modine.
The trailer for ‘Stranger Things’ is only being promoted via cinema and digital mediums. In cinema, the trailer is presently following ‘Blair Witch’ (of the same genre) at Motivate Val Morgan serviced cinemas – VOX Cinemas Mall of the Emirates & Yas Mall, and Reel Cinemas The Dubai Mall.
This was the first time in UAE history that an Internet Television Network advertised an upcoming series via the cinema medium.
‘Stranger Things‘ is a NETFLIX original series, which is scheduled for release in 2017.
Watch the trailer below:
Bollywood’s ‘Sultan’ starring Salman Khan (which released in July 2016) has earned ‘Blockbuster‘ status at overseas box office earning close to $25 million. It has also become the second highest grossing Bollywood release in the Gulf following ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan‘ (also starring Salman Khan), which earned the number one spot.
This is also the first for Salman Khan – who never before had the top two spots in any of the three main markets of UK, US/Canada and the Gulf.
‘Fan‘ (which released in April 2016) managed to cross the $10 million mark at overseas box office, but remains below the average for a Shah Rukh Khan starrer.
‘Kapoor & Sons’ has earned the title of ‘Super Hit Bollywood Film‘ having found appreciation in the US/Canada and other overseas markets – as opposed to the Indian market where the film was limited to release in four cities and also made a poor television performance.
Other Bollywood hits that performed well in the overseas market were the three Akshay Kumar films.
The top 10 Bollywood film grossers overseas in 2016 are as follows:
1. Sultan – $24.30 million
2. Fan – $10.22 million
3. Kapoor & Sons – $7.7 million
4. Housefull 3 – $6.87 million
5. Airlift – $6.51 million
6. Rustom – $5.5 million (17 days)
7. Mohenjo Daro – $4.3 million (17 days)
8. Ki & Ka – $4.2 million
9. Neerja – $4.14 million
10. Dishoom – $3.51 million
The overseas market for Bollywood films in Q4 will be dependent on ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, ‘Dear Zindagi’ and ‘Dangal’ for big returns.
Source: Box Office India
We are delighted to announce that Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas (VOX Cinemas) has joint ventured with Oman Arab Cinema Company in the City Cinemas chain in Oman.
Cameron Mitchell – CEO at Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas (VOX Cinemas) stated: “We are ecstatic to be partnering with Mr. Aqeel Sultan and his team, and are confident that together we will be able to enhance the cinema experience in Oman”.
The Sultan family built the cinema industry in Oman and the City Cinema brand from the ground up, and over the years City Cinemas has become one of the strongest and most successful cinema exhibitors in the Middle East.
“Joining forces with the pioneers of cinema in this market is a proud moment for VOX, and we are confident that this joint venture and our ongoing expansion plans for Oman, will help elevate Oman to become one of the key entertainment markets in the region”, said Mitchell.
VOX Cinemas will operate the nine existing City Cinemas locations across Muscat, Sohar, Sur, Buraimi and Salalah on behalf of the joint venture, which will complement the two existing VOX Cinemas locations in Muscat and Qurum.
Additionally, VOX will soon launch Oman’s first IMAX cinema at City Centre Qurum, followed by the Sultanate’s first 4DX cinema at City Centre Muscat in September. These new concepts will be supported by new VOX Cinemas in the Palm Mall Muscat (14 screens), Mall of Oman in Muscat (19 screens) and City Centre Sohar (14 screens), which see VOX with 100 screens (14 locations) developed across the Sultanate in the coming years – with a presence in all of the major Omani cities (most importantly through the new partnership with Oman Arab Cinema Company).
“We would again like to express our appreciation to Mr. Aqeel, Mr. Nabeel and Mr. Chandrasekr for the trust that they have placed in Majid Al Futtaim, and we will count on your usual support to ensure that this partnership meets its full potential”, stated Mitchell.
As the official cinema advertising partner of VOX Cinemas in UAE, Oman and Lebanon, Motivate Val Morgan warmly congratulates VOX Cinemas on the joint venture and welcomes the 9 new locations to our circuit in Oman – bringing the total number of locations in our Oman circuit to 11 locations.
Source: VOX Cinemas
With 2016 soon drawing to a close, it’s time for us to look forward to the New Year and the entertaining Bollywood movie ahead of us in 2017.
So, without further adieu, here are the 10 most awaited films of 2017:
Raees
Shah Rukh Khan, sporting ‘surma’ in his eyes, a ‘taaviz’ around his neck, a generous stubble and oodles of attitude, not only demands, but also deserves attention!
Ever since the ‘Raees’ teaser was released in 2015, SRK fans have been eagerly waiting the film. Moving away from the role of a quintessential romantic hero, Shah Rukh Khan plays the role of a bootlegger who lives on his own terms. Set in 1980s Gujarat, ‘Raees’ will star SRK in the titular role. The film also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and marks the Bollywood debut of Pakistani actress Mahira Khan.
Kaabil
The trailer of Hrithik Roshan’s ‘Kaabil’ has already got the audiences hooked. Both Hrithik and Yami Gautam play visually impaired characters in the film. The thriller revolves around Hrithik’s character, who wishes to avenge his wife’s rape and murder. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, the movie will hit cinemas in January 2017 alongside ‘Raees’. The two films will be the first box-office clash of 2017.
Rangoon
Ever since Vishal Bhardwaj announced ‘Rangoon’, it created quite a stir because Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor (who have a shared history) would be working together for the first time. Add Kangana Ranaut to the mix and what you’ve got is a stellar cast.
The story, which is set against the backdrop of World War II, seems equally promising. In February 2017, the four talented artists will come together to give us a memorable film.
Badrinath Ki Dulhania
Loved ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’? Well, Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan are teaming up, once again, for ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’, which marks the second installment of the franchise. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, the love story is scheduled to release in March 2017.
Phillauri
With her first production venture ‘NH10’ becoming a box-office success and winning acclaim for its gritty storyline, Anushka Sharma set a high bar for herself. Her next production ‘Phillauri’ will be the true litmus test for her.
The romantic comedy is helmed by Anshai Lal, with Anushka and Diljit Dosanjh as the lead pair. Touted to be a unique love story with one of the central characters reportedly playing the role of a ghost, the film will release in March 2017.
Jagga Jasoos
Yes, we know, this one has been a long wait. Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif started shooting for ‘Jagga Jasoos’ in 2013, but the film suffered several delays. While Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina romantically parted ways (in real life) earlier this year, the two continued to shoot for the Anurag Basu film.
Now, the audience is looking forward to seeing the ex-couple sharing screen space. Regardless of the delay, Anurag’s talent as a director cannot be overlooked. Here’s hoping the director lives up to our expectations when ‘Jagga Jasoos’ hits cinemas in April 2017.
Tubelight
When you’ve got Salman Khan teaming up with director Kabir Khan, you know the result will be worth the wait. After giving us ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ in 2015, the duo, once again, teams up for ‘Tubelight’.
The film has evoked enough excitement among the audience, thanks to its title and the fact that Salman would be seen romancing Chinese actor Zhu Zhu for the first time ever.
Padmavati
Make way for the successful trio of Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Only it gets better this time – Shahid Kapoor has joined them. Bhansali’s magnum opus – ‘Padmavati’, has been in the news for quite some time now. Whether it is because of the apparent financial troubles of the film or the alleged problem between the male leads, the film has managed to create quite a stir. Starring Ranveer as Alauddin Khilji, Deepika as Rani Padmavati and Shahid Kapoor as Raja Rawal Ratan Singh, the love triangle is scheduled for release in November 2017.
Tiger Zinda Hai
Trust Salman Khan to start a super successful franchise. After the staggering success of ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, the superstar is all set to feature in its sequel ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’. The prequel featured Salman and Katrina Kaif in the lead, and the duo will now reprise their roles in the second installment. The film will be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and is scheduled to release over Christmas 2017.
The Ring
Whether it is ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Love Aaj Kal’ or ‘Rockstar’, Imtiaz Ali is known to make romantic films that tug at your heartstrings. So when the director and the ‘King of Romance’ Shah Rukh Khan decide to collaborate on a project, you know you’re in for a joyride. ‘The Ring’ has Shah Rukh playing the role of a tourist guide, while Anushka Sharma reportedly plays a Gujarati girl. The film is currently being shot across Europe and the release date is still to be confirmed.
Source: The Times of India (Entertainment)
The truth is, life has a mind of its own. And when it makes its own plans to ruin your day there is only one thing that you can do. The Centrepoint Sale. Now on. #LOOKGOODSALE
Centrepoint, Middle East’s biggest and most coveted fashion retail brand (with 131 stores across the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia) announced their 2016 Sale on August 18th with an extremely stylish and deliciously dark regional advertising campaign – exclusively screening across cinemas in the UAE and promoted via the brand’s digital platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter).
With a view to stand out in an overly competitive and cluttered category – in a region known for its year-long sales and shopping festivals, meet expectations that are incredibly high and attain more footfall across their stores, Centrepoint teamed up with Impact BBDO Dubai to craft this year’s sale commercial and uplift the brand.
“We wanted to be as unconventional as possible. There is a dearth of creativity when it comes to sales and promotions in the region and we wanted to push the limit”, stated Simon Cooper, Head of Centrepoint.
Shyam Sunder, Head of Marketing of Centrepoint added: “The CP Sale is the biggest event in the fashion segment in the region. It contributes to a major percentage of our overall sales. The objective was also to build a property that would uplift our brand.”
The film campaign conceptualized by Impact BBDO, Dubai, is based on universal insight that could capture and encapsulate the size of the sale – Life has a mind of its own. And when it makes its own plans to ruin your day, there is only one thing that you can do. “As much as a sales campaign is fun to do, this was a serious job with significant business implications. We needed to deliver an idea that ticks all boxes, and at the same time captures people’s hearts & minds and provokes them to act.” said Fadi Yaish, Executive Creative Director of Impact BBDO, Dubai.
Centrepoint’s #LOOKGOODSALE campaign is presently screening at selected VOX, Cine Royal, Oscar and Cinemacity cinemas serviced by Motivate Val Morgan, and will run till August 31. On the digital front, the commercial has approximately 2.7M views on YouTube and was viewed over a million times in less than 24 hours of release.
The brand claims both mediums (cinema and digital) have made a positive impact in terms of footfall across Centrepoint stores.
If you haven’t already, take a look at the commercial and don’t miss out on this year’s Centrepoint Sale – ending 3rd September 2016.
Source: Centrepoint
Dubai developer Nakheel has announced a new collaboration with Reel Cinemas for a five-screen luxury movie and entertainment centre at the upcoming Dhs800m mall – The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah.
According to a statement from Nakheel, the cinema complex will offer up everything patrons expect from a top-of-the-range cineplex. All five of the screens will have a seating capacity of 250, offer the latest and greatest in audio-visual tech and will additionally offer a ‘one of a kind’ Dine-in Cinema featuring ergonomic seating and personalized service.
The Dine-in Cinema will be something for the whole family too, with Reel saying it will offer up a bunch of “culinary delights that will enhance the movie-going experience for all members of the family”.
The Pointe is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2017, and Reel Cinemas is currently reviewing the ticket prices for the complex.
The mall will also feature a dancing fountain a long promenade for late-night strolls and over 150 retail and food outlets.
No photos or renderings of the actual cinema have been released, but do stay tuned for more information on this venture over the months ahead.
As the exclusive cinema advertising sales partner for all 48 Reel Cinemas screens in Dubai, we at Motivate Val Morgan would like to warmly congratulate Reel Cinemas on this new venture and wish them all the very best and continued success.
Sources: Gulf Business, Gulf news and What’s On
Motivate and Motivate Val Morgan (the official representative of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE) recently concluded the annual UAE Best of Cannes Lions screening.
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is a global event focused on inspiration and education. It is also the largest gathering of advertising professionals, designers, digital innovators and marketers, with the Cannes Lions awards being the benchmark for excellence in creative communications.
UAE bag 16 Lions across multiple categories at this Cannes Lions Festival, and to honor the winning UAE advertising agencies, Motivate and Motivate Val Morgan hosted the UAE Cannes Lions Awards Ceremony on 18th September 2016 at Motivate Offices in Dubai Media City.
Following the awards ceremony, Motivate and Motivate Val Morgan – in association with VOX Cinemas and Aries Media, hosted the UAE Best of Cannes Lions on 24th October 2016 at VOX Cinemas Mall of the Emirates, which showcased the winning work from the UAE and the ‘finest’ work from this year’s Cannes Lions Festival.
To view this year’s winning work, please visit Cannes Lions Archive.
This year’s Best of Cannes Lions was attended by representatives from leading advertising agencies, media agencies, and marketers based in the UAE.
We would like to thank our venue partner VOX Cinemas, Aries Media, both teams from Motivate and Motivate Val Morgan (who were instrumental in organizing this event,) and all who attended this year’s event – making it nothing but a success!
