World Teachers’ Day Video Contest
SMART Technologies has invited entries for SMART’s World Teachers’ Day Video Contest from teachers across the Middle East. Educators have been requested to submit videos that demonstrate how SMART Board interactive whiteboards are improving student learning outcomes. Seventy-five winners, selected from five global regions, will be eligible to win iPods, SMART Board interactive whiteboards and the grand prize, an all-inclusive trip to the BETT 2007 education technology trade show in London, England. The grand-prize winning video will be posted on SMART’s website.
The contest is open to K-12, primary and secondary teachers worldwide, in both public and private education. SMART’s World Teachers’ Day Video Contest 2006 closes on Nov. 5, 2006. Full contest rules and details are available at www.smarttech.com/wtd.
STC Offers Mobile News Content
Info2cell.com has partnered with Turner Broadcasting System Europe to deliver news content from CNN to mobile subscribers of STC Al-Jawal. With this partnership, subscribers can now receive CNN Breaking News alerts via SMS and MMS in English and Arabic on their mobile phones. A second service on offer is an online WAP portal delivering World News, Middle East News, Sports News and Entertainment News, as well as weather forecasts on mobile phones or personal digital assistants.
New i-Mate Global Marketing Director
Dawn Robson has been promoted by i-Mate to chief operating officer and Robin Bowler has been appointed as global marketing director — two new key roles that will drive the company’s growth as it is fast becoming a global player in the mobility space and a recognized brand for Windows Mobile products.
Dawn Robson will be responsible for i-mate operations management, with the focus being on strategic direction, tactical implementation and short-term operations management on a global scale. She will also have overall responsibility for global sales and marketing strategies.
In light of i-Mate’s continuing strong revenue increase and the growing geographic reach, Robin Bowler will be responsible for spearheading the company’s global marketing program across 100 countries. He will be directing a global marketing team based at i-Mate headquarters in Dubai and territories around the world to drive market penetration and increase brand awareness.
Toshiba Scores High in Notebook Sales
Toshiba has maintained its regional lead in notebook growth across the Middle East with an impressive 91 percent average increase over second quarter 2005. The latest notebook sales data from IDC shows that Toshiba has outstripped its nearest rivals and scored well above the regional average rise of 53 percent.
“For the seventh quarter in a row, Toshiba has experienced growth ahead of the average market rise in its notebook sales across the Middle East,” said Ahmed Khalil, Toshiba GM, Middle East and Africa.
Toshiba launched its Qosmio notebook platform with HD-DVD ROM at the end of March, which not only achieved significant sales but also raised awareness for other notebooks in Toshiba’s range.
“The Qosmio launch had a significant impact on the market,” said Khalil. “The innovative design concept and features of the Qosmio captured the attention of our key customers and reaffirmed Toshiba’s commitment to quality with the result that Toshiba as a notebook brand is featuring on more pre-qualified tender lists than ever before. With the recent launch of the Tecra A8, a platform targeted to appeal to the SMB market, Toshiba is predicting above average growth in the Middle East for the foreseeable future.”
