Abdul Razaq Abdul Malik of Jeddah was crowned first in the Modern Electronics-organized PlayStation 2003 “Be the Champion” competition, which ended on Thursday. The competition was held Kingdomwide, which attracted large crowds of young enthusiasts and players. The final rounds of the competition comprised winners from Alkhobar and Riyadh who were especially flown in for the conclusion of the 15-day tournament. Luai Khanfar of Riyadh and Mohammed Al-Taib of Jeddah won second and third positions. “Everyone was a winner in this competition,” said Pius Parackal, GM, Modern Electronics, at the crowning ceremony. All winners went home with PS2 console, PS2 latest games as well as exclusive PS2 branded gifts. There were lots of gifts for the audience as well. “The PS2 tournament has taken the video game competition to new heights with this contest. This is a milestone in game competitions,” he said. “Be the champion” is a premiere event in video gaming where the most elite of players compete in skills to achieve the highest score in the chosen games of the competition,” he said.
Rolls-Royce
The new Rolls-Royce Phantom made its debut at the 7th Middle East International Motor Show in Dubai recently. “The region has traditionally been a strong market for Rolls-Royce, and this trend will continue with the new Phantom. There has already been strong interest in the region,” the company said, adding that it intends to sell an average of 1,000 cars per year, over the lifecycle of the car. Of these, about 15 percent will be sold in the region. “It’s a pleasure to be presenting the Phantom in Dubai. Discerning ME market customers are attracted by the uncompromising design and engineering principles of Rolls-Royce cars that are as true and relevant today as they were when the company was founded nearly 100 years ago,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chairman and CEO Tony Gott. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is represented in the Gulf by seven dealerships located in Saudi Arabia (Jeddah and Riyadh), Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. Its centenary marks a significant point in automotive history when Henry Royce and Charles Rolls first met in Manchester and decided to go into business together.
SPS/Kodak
Samir Photographic Supplies (SPS) recently introduced a new Kodak EasyShare DX6490 zoom digital camera, which combines advanced photography features and performance with an incredible ease of use to help users maximize their creativity. The 4.0 megapixel camera features a fully automatic mode, as well as advanced creative controls for the photographer who wants to add more to his picture. DX6490 is equipped with a large 56mm high-resolution Indoor/Outdoor LCD display screen for easy viewing in almost any picture-taking situation, even in direct sunlight. In addition to its stylish body, which is one of the smallest camera bodies on the market with 10X optical zoom, the new camera also has a new on-camera labeling feature. This facility works with the camera’s software to allow users to organize their pictures while they take them. Additional features include the distinctive red-jeweled on-camera share button, which tags for printing, e-mail or as favorites at the time of review; the joystick control with clearly easy-to-read menu options and ability to capture life in motion with continuous video with audio.
Castrol
Visitors to the Castrol stand at the recent Dubai Motor Show could see a Formula One (F1) car used this season by the BMW Williams Team and driven by the legendary Ralph Shoemacher and Pablo Montoya. The car is displayed in a pit stop station recreating the hectic atmosphere of an F1 race. Castrol, a leading brand of oil in F1, is the official sponsor of the F1 BMW Williams Team. The car, displayed at the Castrol stand, has raced during the 2003 season when the team ranked second. “Castrol, founded in 1899 in the UK, invests in and develops the leading and cutting edge lubricant technology for almost all categories of racing. Its ongoing R&D programs draw on data from racing to ensure the oil company’s products are continually upgraded with the very latest technology available. As a result, the company’s the brand chosen by competitors in almost every kind of motor sport,” the company stated. The company markets more than 5,000 products and services in more than 150 countries. The brand is an internationally recognized name in the consumer, commercial, aviation, marine and industrial markets, aside from engine oils.
IATF
The 18th edition of the annual five-day International Autumn Trade Fair 2004 (IATF04) will run at the Dubai International Exhibition Center from Jan. 10-14. It marks a 10 percent increase in exhibitor turnout compared to last year, according to a senior official of the Dubai-based exhibition organizer, Al Fajer Information Services (FIS). “The exhibition, which ranks one of the most significant trade fairs in the region, will occupy 10,000 sq. m. of space at the exhibition hall. “Over the years, the IATF has grown to an acknowledged regional buyer-seller meeting ground for the consumer goods segment. The exhibition has grown in stature, size and visitor turnout consecutively since it began in line with the growth of the regional market,” said Satish Khanna, GM, FIS. He said over 525 exhibitors from 25 countries have confirmed participation for IATF04, compared to last year’s 471 exhibitors from 23 countries. “We expect trade visitor turnout to cross 15,000 at this year’s show compared to 14,496 last year,” he said, adding that the show will be a veritable showcase of diverse range of consumer goods.
Aramex
ARAMEX International has won a major marketing honor for its achievements in building a strong brand at the “Gulf brands of the decade” awards. Winners were announced at a special event in Dubai. ARAMEX, which claims its marketing strategies over the years have successfully positioned it as a “Total transportation solutions” provider, was proclaimed the winner in the trading, distribution and logistics category. Gulf Marketing Review magazine, the organizer of the competition, analyzed more than 1,000 leading business brands in the GCC’s 11 business areas. The awards were open to GCC and Arab world brands that have achieved prominence during the past 10 years. “We thank the magazine for this recognition of our brand, and our customers for their loyalty,” said ARAMEX CEO and Founder Fadi Ghandour. “This award is a celebration of our corporate culture, which embraces customers as partners and places flexibility and creativity at the heart of our highly customized solutions. It’s also a validation of our broad mix of transportation services that transcend every standard definition of a courier company.”