The 70th edition of the Cannes Lions Festival will witness the largest cohort of jurors from the UAE to judge at a singular festival.
Leading voices in their fields — and proven experts when it comes to creative excellence in action – meet the esteemed panel of jury members from the United Arab Emirates, tasked with benchmarking creative work at the 70th edition of the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
The 70th edition of Cannes Lions will witness the largest delegation of jurors from the UAE to judge at a Lions Festival, Impact BBDO’s Ali Rez serving as the first Jury President from the MENA region, and Google’s Sandro Gelashvili as an awarding jury member for the Entertainment Lions for Gaming category, which will be awarded for the first time in 2023.
Commenting on this year’s Cannes Lions Jury line-up, Simon Cook – CEO of LIONS, said: “Our Jurors have a huge responsibility – giving up their time, energy, and expertise to set the benchmark for creative excellence as part of the 70th edition of the Lions. We are excited to see the body of Lion winning work that will set the industry standard for the next 70 years.”
In reference to the Cannes Lions jury panel from the UAE, Ian Fairservice – Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said, “We are thrilled to have such a diverse and talented group of experts representing the UAE as part of this year’s Cannes Lions jury panel. The 70th edition of the festival signifies a series of milestones for the UAE, including this year witnessing the largest cohort of jurors to judge at a singular festival, and the notable appointment of Ali Rez from Impact BBDO Dubai as the inaugural Jury President from MENA. All eighteen jury members from the UAE reflect the country’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of excellence and innovation in advertising, marketing, and communications, and we are confident that their extensive knowledge and insights will significantly contribute to setting new benchmarks for the global industry.”
See the full list of Presidents, Awarding and Shortlisting at canneslions.com/awards/jury
Further information on this year’s Festival and the Lions Awards can be found at canneslions.com
Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan are the official representatives of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE.
Source: Cannes Lions
The latest menu has been specially tailored for the cinematic experience and will be available across all THEATRE locations in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait
VOX Cinemas has announced the launch of its new menu at THEATRE, its luxury cinema concept. The new menu, curated by master chefs to elevate the in-cinema dining experience after extensive customer research and trial-based studies that focused on food variety and convenience, is now available at all THEATRE locations in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
With more than 20 mouth-watering dishes on offer, including vegetarian and vegan options, the contemporary menu features a range of mouth-watering dishes, such as Dynamite Shrimps; freshly picked Falafel Salad; oven-baked Roasted Fig & Goat’s Cheese Flat Bread; irresistible Pepper Beef Skewers; vegetarian-friendly Impossible Meat Sliders; and chicken-stuffed Theatre Tacos, along with a variety of handcrafted desserts and a bubbling selection of signature mocktails.
Joe Teixeira, Managing Director – F&B, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, expressed his excitement for the launch of the new menu. He said, “We are thrilled to usher in a fresh new chapter in the ever-evolving world of fine dining and film as moviegoers become increasingly discerning with their choice of cinema F&B. At VOX Cinemas, we are committed to exceeding our guests’ expectations and continuously enhancing the unparalleled eatertainment experience only VOX Cinemas can deliver.”
Since launching in 2015, VOX Cinemas’ in-cinema dining concept THEATRE has been redefining the luxury moviegoing experience. THEATRE combines the emotional power of film with the gastronomic pleasure of fine food. Guests can choose to dine in the exclusive lounge or enjoy meals delivered straight to their seat through the unique in-theatre waiter service. THEATRE boasts reclining leather seats, plush blankets and pillows, as well as cutting-edge audiovisual technology in a stylish and intimate setting.
For more information, visit VOX Website or download the VOX Cinemas app.
Source: VOX Cinemas (Press Release)
Chloe Salloum, a third year student majoring in Visual Communication – Digital Media at American University in Dubai, to represent the UAE at the exclusive Cannes Lions Roger Hatchuel Academy 2023
The Roger Hatchuel Student Academy is a 6-day global learning experience as part of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, designed for students approaching graduation. Since 2003, the Academy has been inspiring the next generation of creative leaders by giving them the tools, knowledge and connections they need to explore different creative avenues and launch their careers in the advertising and creative communications industry.
As the official UAE representatives of the Cannes Lions Festival, Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan are delighted to announce that Chloe Salloum, a third year student majoring in Visual Communication – Digital Media at American University in Dubai (AUD), has been selected to represent the UAE at the exclusive Cannes Lions Roger Hatchuel Academy 2023.
Chloe was one of the four recommended students from the UAE this year, alongside Mary Al Nassr Allah and Ayesha Malak from AUD, and Samyuktha Shankar Narayanan from Middlesex University Dubai, whose submissions were reviewed by the Roger Hatchuel Academy Jury panel – a diverse mix of global experts from reputed education institutions, the industry and related creative fields.
Commenting on being selected for this year’s Roger Hatchuel Academy, Chloe said, “I have always had a love for visual storytelling. I spent much of my childhood embracing my creative side through photography, drawing, and creating short films. So far, I have learned a lot through my own experimentation and throughout my academic journey at the American University in Dubai, and I am looking forward to taking my knowledge to the next level. I am honored and delighted to be representing the UAE at the esteemed Cannes Lions Roger Hatchuel Academy! I am incredibly excited to be a part of this classroom alongside other young and eager creatives from across the world.”
I could not have achieved this alone, and I am so grateful to my Professor Dina Faour, my university, and my family for endlessly supporting me, believing in me, and guiding me to become who I am today,” she added.
Commenting on Chloe’s selection as this year’s Roger Hatchuel Academy student from the UAE, Dina Faour, Professor of Advertising, Department of Visual Arts, American University in Dubai said, “We, at AUD, are very excited and proud to be representing the UAE, once again, at the Roger Hatchuel Academy and at the Cannes Lions Festival. As avid believers in active learning and in close engagement with the industry, we find that the RHA and the festival as a whole offer exceptional learning and networking opportunities that prove to be inspirational to our students, year after year. We want to thank the festival for this initiative.”
“We also thank the Motivate Val Morgan team, especially Ms. Dumindrini Ratnayake, for organizing and conducting the selection process and for the professional support they consistently offer our students. Finally, we wish Chloe the best of luck and we are certain she will learn immensely and will continue to do us proud,” she added.
The Roger Hatchuel Academy class of 2023 will host 30 students in total, and throughout the week-long programme, students will dissect diversity and unlock a greater understanding of each other, the world and the nature of the industry.
This year’s Roger Hatchuel Academy will run in parallel to the Cannes Lions Festival from 19– 23 June 2023 in Cannes, France. Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan wish Chloe Salloum the best of luck as she embarks on this journey, and we hope her experience and learnings at the Roger Hatchuel Academy will create positive impact, and contribute to her future endeavours in the industry.
LIONS Scholarship will support more than 130 underrepresented members of the creative community and emerging talent with access to Cannes Lions
LIONS has announced the launch of the LIONS Scholarship, which is designed to support the next generation of talent. The scholarship offers a group of young people from around the world a fully funded place on the Cannes Lions Brand Marketers and Creative Academies, which will take place during the Festival in June.
The new initiative sits alongside a range of talent programmes which are part of LIONS’ drive to introduce more opportunities for underrepresented groups through fully funded talent programmes at Cannes Lions.
Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS, said, “We’ve spent 70 years helping to shape careers, foster connections, and platform the power of creativity on a global scale. As we look forward to the next 70 years, we will focus on creating opportunities, providing access, and nurturing the next generation of creative marketing leaders. As part of our mission to support those ‘in the making’ and drive progress for people, we’re opening up the Festival to more than 130 people from groups traditionally underrepresented in the creative industries. To mark our 70th edition, we’re introducing the inaugural LIONS Scholarship. This initiative is designed to increase the accessibility of Cannes Lions’ bespoke academies, which offer a curated education programme at the heart of the Festival.”
The LIONS talent programme includes a range of early career initiatives with the LIONS Academies and Young Lions Competitions designed to catapult young talent in their careers. Additionally, LIONS current talent accelerator programmes continue this year, including See It Be It, which aims to help achieve equal gender representation of creative directors and leaders.
Included within the wider talent programme are community-led initiatives which have been designed in partnership with the global creative industry. These include: a programme with The Black Executive CMO Alliance to bring Future Leaders from The BECA Playbook to Cannes; complimentary passes for the winners of the Perifa Education Programme which is designed for creatives from the Brazilian peripheries; support of the #CannesForAll initiative, launched by the Brixton Finishing School, DigiLearning Foundation and Lollipop Mentoring, with Festival access for their 12 talents; and a continued partnership with Cephas Williams to provide Black talent with Cannes Lions access and curated Festival programme.
Learn more on all the LIONS talent programmes, along with how to apply here
Cannes Lions will take place from 19-23 June in Cannes, France.
Sylndr, an automotive-focused e-commerce marketplace in Egypt, recently booked a promotional campaign for its website at VOX Cinemas – Mall of Egypt and City Centre Almaza from 26 January to 13 February 2023.
The campaign involved an off-screen cinema advertising where a kiosk with a promoter was set up in the foyer area of the cinemas at Mall of Egypt and City Centre Almaza.
The promoter engaged with cinemagoers by explaining the platform and inviting them to participate in a ‘spin-the-wheel’ contest, with the chance to win a car or other exciting prizes. This interactive experience allowed patrons to learn about the sylndr.com.
Contact us for more on how off screen cinema advertising could help move your brand closer to its target audience.
AMC The Walk 7 – Al Hofuf offers luxury auditoriums, best-in-class projection, sound and seating, and is the latest effort by AMC in an ongoing program to provide state-of-the-art cinemas across Saudi Arabia.
AMC Cinemas has opened its twelfth location at The Walk in Hofuf, KSA. The 7-screen cinema with a total of 362 seats, which includes a PRIME at AMC screen, is another impressive step in the rapid evolution of the cinema experience in Saudi Arabia.
Following the launch of The Walk 7, AMC aims to reach a large number of movie lovers around Saudi Arabia, a goal which is in line with the government’s plan to diversify entertainment content as well as provide new experiences to a range of audiences in several cities and governorates across the Kingdom.
Together with the opening of Tabuk Boulevard 7, AMC presently operates 82 screens across 13 locations in 9 cities of Saudi Arabia.
*Stay tuned for more on the launch of Tabuk Boulevard 7.
Motivate Val Morgan congratulates AMC Cinemas on the opening of AMC The Walk 7 – Al Hofuf, and warmly welcomes this location to our cinema circuit in KSA.
Source: AMC Cinemas
The cinema industry successfully ushered global audiences back into theatre in 2022 largely owing to the steadier flow of blockbusters in comparison to 2021, with Top Gun: Maverick, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Avatar: The Way of Water leading the long list of successful titles this year.
While 2021 was a dress rehearsal for the future of cinemas, 2022 has proved that cinema is back for real. This was especially evident in Saudi Arabia, when the country overtook Italy in annual box office revenue (in US$ terms), highlighting the prominence of cinema in the region.
Box office in 2022 had its first test with Scream which grossed nearly US$1M in the UAE alone and marked the successful return of the horror genre in the region since the pandemic. This was followed by the chartbuster performance of Matt Reeve’s The Batman, which earned a combined US$12M in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which earned US$6.7M in the UAE.
Summer blockbusters highly contributed to the recovery of the global box office in 2022, with Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick grossing a combined US$21.2M in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and over US$1.5 billion globally. Jurassic World: Dominion and Minions: The Rise of Gru also performed well, grossing over US$1.7M and US$1.64M in UAE and Saudi Arabia, respectively.
August to October was a challenging phase for cinemas in the region due to a weaker movie release schedule owing to pandemic-related delays. The year however ended on a high note with the release of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, which earned close to US$10M in the UAE in its opening weeks. Arabic titles such as Bahebek, 3amohom, and Men Agl Zeko also topped the 2022 charts across GCC.
Here’s our 2022 wrap-up featuring the top movie releases in the eight countries we cover, the most watched genres across the region, the top 15 cinema ads booked through us that lit up the big screen, and last but not least, the new cinema locations added to our circuit and our milestones:
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Oman
Kuwait
Bahrain
Qatar
Lebanon
The 15 blockbuster ads (in no particular order) – booked through Motivate Val Morgan, that lit up the big screen in 2022 (also featured in Campaign Middle East):
Brand: Mercedes-Benz Burmester
Title: Innovations by Mercedes-Benz: Dolby Atmos
Media Agency: OMD
Brand: NEOM
Title: Trojena – Journey To New Heights
Media Agency: Starcom
Brand: Emirates
Title: Gerry the Goose Flies Better
Media Agency: UM MENA
Brand: Rolex
Title: Rolex & Cinema – The Path
Media Agency: Mindshare
Brand: Sephora
Title: Amna Al Qubaisi – Emirati F3 Driver – Redefining Beauty with Sephora
Media Agency: Spark Foundry – Publicis Media
Brand: Malabar Gold
Title: Brides of India
Brand: Hermès
Title: Terre d’Hermès
Media Agency: Havas Media
Brand: Thailand Tourism
Title: Amazing Thailand
Media Agency: Media Republic
Brand: Hayatna
Title: Grow Your World With Hayatna
Media Agency: Hearts & Science
Brand: Riyadh Book Fair
Media Agency: Blue Horizon
Brand: Infiniti QX60
Title: Take the Wheel
Media Agency: OMD
Brand: Jindal Shadeed
Media Agency: United Media Services
Brand: Theeb
Brand: Yas Island
Title: Yas Yas Baby
Media Agency: Initiative Media
Brand: Al Nahdi Pharmacies
2022 saw our cinema circuit expand with several new locations:
Our dedicated cinema buying platform – CinePlan and CineMeasure, was launched, which enables data-driven, audience-based buying across our network of cinemas in the Middle East. The platform was also recognized as one of Campaign Middle East’s Top 10 Media Milestones of 2022.
Get ready for an exciting year at the movies in 2023! Here are the top 20 movies to look forward to over the year ahead:
For more on the movies coming out in 2023, be sure to check out our sizzle reel
Parkville Pharmaceuticals booked an integrated cinema campaign with Motivate Val Morgan at VOX Cinemas – City Centre Almaza and Mall of Egypt.
The on screen component included a 30 sec. ad following the blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Water at both locations, while the off screen component included an activation kiosk in the foyer area of City Centre Almaza from 20 December 2022 to 19 January 2023, and a sampling activity over the weekend 22 to 24 December 2022 at Mall of Egypt and City Centre Almaza.
Amplify exposure for you brand with an integrated cinema campaign by capitalizing on creative and exciting promotional off screen opportunities, and complimenting it with an ad on the big screen.
Contact us for similar advertising opportunities across our cinema circuit in the GCC, Egypt and Lebanon.
James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ has finally released, and as expected, taken the box office by storm. According to Box Office Pro, the sequel has already grossed US$855 million at the global box office, and is expected to reach the milestone of US$1 billion before the end of end of the year.
This impressive performance has solidified the film as one of the top box office hits of 2022.
Advertisers too were eager to secure prime spots within our pre-show to promote their various products and services – ranging from luxury watches, perfumes and cars (to name a few), to be featured alongside this highly celebrated cinematic event.
Check out the ads booked to follow or coincide with the release of Avatar: The Way of Water:
Sharjah Performing Arts Academy
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE
Locations: Select VOX locations
Rolex
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE & KSA
Locations: Select VOX and Reel locations
Red Cresent
Campaign Type: 16 Dec 2022 – 04 Jan 2023
Country: UAE
Locations: Multiple VOX and Reel locations
Guess Perfumes
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: KSA
Locations: Multiple VOX, Muvi and AMC locations
DP World
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 11 Jan 2023
Country: UAE
Locations: Select VOX locations
Samsung – Galaxy Z Fold 4
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE
Locations: Select VOX and Reel locations
Bentley – Bentayga
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 11 Jan 2023
Country: UAE & Qatar
Locations: Select VOX and Reel locations
Ford – Al Tayer Motor
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE
Locations: Select VOX and Reel locations
Mercedes
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE & KSA
Locations: Select VOX, Reel, and Muvi locations
Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 11 Jan 2023
Country: UAE
Locations: Select VOX locations
Chevrolet – Tahoe
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: Bahrain
Locations: All VOX Locations
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 28 Dec 2022
Country: KSA
Locations: Select VOX,AMC,Muvi locations
Parkville Pharmaceuticals
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: Egypt
Locations: Select VOX Locations
McDonald’s
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 17 Jan 2023
Country: Egypt
Locations: Select VOX Locations
McDonald’s – Super Mario
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 28 Dec 2022
Country: KSA
Locations: Select VOX, AMC, Muvi locations
Amideast
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: Egypt
Locations: All VOX Locations
TAG Heuer – Aquaracer
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 28 Dec 2022
Country: KSA
Locations: Select VOX locations
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 28 Dec 2022
Country: Bahrain
Locations: VOX Locations
CAIA Café & Restaurant
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE
Locations: Select Reel locations
Chery – Tiggo 8 Pro Max
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 31 Dec 2022
Country: Bahrian
Locations: VOX Locations
Servcorp
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 11 Jan 2023
Country: KSA
Locations: Select VOX, AMC and Muvi locations
Lexus
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: Kuwait
Locations: VOX Locations
LC Waikiki
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 28 Dec 2022
Country: Bahrian
Locations: Bahrain City Center
Awqaf
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 31 Dec 2022
Country: KSA
Locations: Select VOX and Muvi locations
Gazebo
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE
Locations: Select VOX Locations
Farah Experience – FERRARI WORLD / Warner Bros
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE
Locations: Multiple VOX and Reel locations
Central Bank of Kuwait
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 21 Dec 2022
Country: Kuwait
Locations: The Avenues, Kuwait
Gulf Bank
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 21 Dec 2022
Country: Kuwait
Locations: The Avenues, Kuwait
Rident Dental Clinic
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: Egypt
Locations: All VOX locations
Aldo
Campaign Type: 15 Dec 2022 – 28 Dec 2022
Country: Bahrain
Locations: The Avenues – Bahrain
MG Cars – RX5
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE
Locations: Multiple VOX and Reel Locations
Miral Experiences
Campaign Type: Follow A Movie (Avatar: The Way of Water)
Country: UAE
Locations: VOX Locations
With an exciting lineup of movies releasing in 2023 – from action-packed superhero tales, epic science fiction journeys, thrilling adventure films, classic horror movies, and animated movies, don’t miss out on aligning your brand alongside these highly anticipated blockbusters.
Contact a member of our sales team for on and off screen cinema advertising opportunities in the year ahead.
The 2023 Jury Presidents line-up includes ten global experts who will lead the juries to award outstanding creativity in branded communications across MENA
Dubai Lynx, MENA’s premier Festival and Awards for creative excellence in branded communications, has announced the ten industry experts who will lead the 2023 juries.
The Jury Presidents will judge work entered across 21 different categories, including the newly launched Creative Commerce Lynx.
About the Jury Presidents, Philip Thomas, Chairman LIONS and Dubai Lynx, said, “We’re delighted to announce a host of renowned international talent to the Jury President line-up for Dubai Lynx 2023, featuring some truly remarkable creative leaders. Our Jury Presidents will bring their talent and prowess to ensure the Dubai Lynx Awards set the creative standard for the MENA region, as well as setting the future agenda. We look forward to seeing the body of work that will emerge following their discussions next year.”
2023 Dubai Lynx Jury Presidents include:
Brand Experience & Activation, Creative Commerce, Direct and Outdoor
Vicki Maguire – Chief Creative Officer, Havas London, UK
Creative Effectiveness and Creative Strategy
Anna Vogt, Chief Strategy Officer, VMLY&R London, UK
Design and Industry Craft
Sbu Sitole, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, The Odd Number, South Africa
Digital Craft, Mobile and Social & Influencer
Zoha Zoya, Group Creative Director, Head of Experience Design, R/GA, EMEA
Entertainment
Amani Duncan, CEO, BBH, USA
Film Craft
Rajay Singh, Film Director & Founder, Directors Think Tank, South East Asia
Film, Print & Publishing and Radio & Audio
Gustavo Lauria, Chief Creative Officer, We Believers, USA
Healthcare
Bernardo Romero, Maker, Klick Health, Canada
Media
Kate Ivory, Agency Partner, Head of Strategy, OMD EMEA, EMEA
PR
Tom Beckman, Global Chief Creative Officer, Weber Shandwick, Global
Entries into Dubai Lynx are being accepted until Thursday 2 February 2023. Click here for further information on the awards.
Motivate Val Morgan is the official representative of Dubai Lynx Festival in the UAE
