MIC
In a Ramadan promotion held and in the presence of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Khalid Bukhari, fourteen consumers of Tide, Fairy and Downy products won prizes that include a free two-night stay at a five-star hotel in Makkah during the holy month. The draw was held at the Geant Hypermarket in Azeez Mall, Jeddah. Consumers who bought one pack each of Tide, Fairy and Downy took part in the draw and received an instant gift of white musk in addition to qualifying for the raffle that offered a total of 30 prizes. The prizes consist of two grand prizes of 10-night stay at a five-star hotel in Makkah and 28 smaller prizes each worth two nights’ stay at a five-star hotel in Makkah. “We’re holding this promotion to celebrate two years of highly successful campaign following the launch of Tide, Fairy and Downy in the White Musk fragrance,” said Omar Albatati, brand manager, Tide, Modern Industries Company, the manufacturer of the three brands.
MOBILY
Mobily has launched a special offer for Makkah and Madinah visitors. The offer enables them to subscribe to “Rihal” package that is especially designed for pilgrims and visitors for only SR50 with SR50 credit and a six-month validity. The package is available at the points of sales of international airports, seaports and in Makkah and Madinah, as well as at all Mobily branches all over the Kingdom. Subscribers for the package or other Mobily packages or roamers from outside the Kingdom can use the Mobily network, which “proves to be excellent especially during peak times.” Mobily covers Makkah and Madinah as well with its 3G network. In addition, the new package includes all the added value services such as missed calls notifications while the mobile is off, MMS, international roaming, 3G services, etc. Mobily has been offering special promotions for its subscribers coupled with its services.
SONY ERICSSON
Fossil, Inc., an “innovator” of watches and fashion accessories, and Sony Ericsson, an “innovator” in mobile phone technology and Bluetooth pioneer, are to roll out several lines of Bluetooth wireless technology-enabled watches. Fossil will be introducing the ABACUS MobileWear and Fossil caller ID watches, and Sony Ericsson will be introducing its own line of jointly developed products. All watches will seamlessly link to most Sony Ericsson Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. “Together we have created a way to take control and simplify your mobile life,” said Husni El-Assi, general manager, Sony Ericsson, Middle East and North Africa. “The Bluetooth watch represents the best of both the world of fashion in its classic attractive design and the world of technology in its innovative functionality. That synergy will change your relationship with your mobile phone.”
JCCI/NCB
The National Commercial Bank (NCB) signed an agreement with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), which exclusively allows the members of the chamber to benefit from the bank’s electronic services. Rayis Salem Bin Mahfouz, the NCB head of alternative distribution channel signed the agreement with the JCCI. Bin Mahfouz said that this contract allowed the use of the electronic payment methods through credit cards (Visa/MasterCard) to pay for electronic service fees offered through the chamber’s online website. He added that the bank was proud of its cooperation with the chamber in this area and that the bank would utilize all its available resources in the field of electronic banking services to serve the chamber customers. “It reflects the competitive position of the bank. It also affirms its leadership in presenting electronic banking services in the Kingdom, especially after recently receiving the award for commercial electronic initiatives on the Middle Eastern scale,” he added.
ASUS
Al-Haddad Telecom launched ASUS P525 PDA, a new business mobile, at an event at Le Jeddah Meridien Hotel in Jeddah last week. The P525 quad-band PDA phone incorporates push e-mail, Wi Fi support and built-in numeric keypad to deliver a complete mobile business solution. The new mobile leverages push e-mail functions in Arabic and English to deliver real-time synchronization with e-mail, phone books and calendar items as changes occur on the exchange account through continuous connection with a mobile operator between the P525 and a server. Supporting Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system, the ASUS PDA phone supports office applications including Excel and PowerPoint View, permitting completion of everyday tasks even on the road. With both Wi-Fi and GPRS support built in, the new phone provides wireless online connection for research and instant messaging even when wireless hotspots are not available. It combines Bluetooth wireless technology for quick file sharing without the tangling cables.
ROSHAN MALL
Jeddah’s new Roshan Mall, situated on the globe roundabout in North Jeddah, has introduced a Ramadan competition. Shoppers spend SR200 or more to qualify for the contest. There will be a draw every Thursday evening with the grand prize of a car set at the end of the holy month. “Many prizes for the competition have been sponsored by the tenants at the mall,” Hayssam Hajjar, marketing manager for Roshan Mall and Al Jamea Plaza, told reporters on Sunday night. Roshan mall is anchored by Hyper Panda, Toys R Us and other state of the art stores. A “Village area,” with its architecture resembling true Arabian features, forms part of the unique character of this mall, Hajjar said. The food court and children’s entertainment area, Tim Tech, is situated at the center of the mall. The village area has been transformed into an Arabian setting with traditional arts and crafts including glass sculpturing, carpet weaving and woodcarving. “Shoppers can enjoy the manufacture of such products and their display, while enjoying dates and Arabic coffee at the Arabian tent,” he said.