Al-Khaleejiah
Al-Khaleejiah Advertising and Public Relations Company has launched its biggest superstructure in Jeddah. The leading advertising company announced that its superstructure is now ready to display advertisements through this unique medium, which will satisfy advertisers aspirations and give them unmatched opportunities to publicize their brands. With its huge area of 1,200 m2 and dimensions of 60x20m, the new unique medium will enable advertisers to apply their creative and effective ideas and communicate their message effectively to the public. Located along the strategic road connecting eastern, western and northern Jeddah, with its high day and night traffic, especially during peak hours and high seasons, Al-Khaleejiah superstructure is easily seeable to travelers and visitors coming to Jeddah, as well as to those heading to King Abdul Aziz International Airport. The front lights of the superstructure secure clear night vision to a resolution of 300 dpi, which makes it a unique medium with ultra-high specifications. The new superstructure is part of Al-Khaleejiah outdoor advertising media. Al-Khaleejiah has launched the new medium after conducting a detailed study to the demands and preferences of advertisers. Designed to top specifications, the new superstructure is manufactured using high quality materials. The superstructure can accommodate the biggest advertisements and can communicate brands to existing and prospected clients in a modern and creative style.
Giordano Fashions
Giordano Fashions Middle East, the exclusive distributor for Giordano in the Middle East launched its first BSX - Blue Star Exchange, store in the region at the Badriya Towers in Jeddah recently. BSX is one of the latest additions to Giordano International’s portfolio that also includes Giordano Concepts, Giordano Junior and Giordano Ladies. BSX is a youth-oriented brand focusing on personality, attitude and product styling that is simple and fashionable. The collection is presented in a distinctive and modern shop environment with the stores design using all black with white accents reflecting the smart and contradictive attitude of the younger generation. “We are excited to finally bring BSX to the region. Jeddah is a great location to launch BSX knowing that it is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia. The population of the city currently stands at over 3.4 million. It is considered the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia and the wealthiest city in the Middle East,” commented Sajid Sayed, GM, Giordano Fashions Saudi Arabia.
Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank is moving ahead with the establishment of a Middle East research platform, expected to be the largest facility of its kind in the region. Spearheading the bank’s efforts will be Pascal Moura, head of research for emerging markets, who will be relocating to Dubai to oversee the two-year long establishment process. The research facility will focus on 80 leading blue-chip regional stocks across all sectors as well as supporting Deutsche Bank Global Research. Ricardo Honegger, chief country officer for Deutsche Bank in the UAE, said: “Deutsche Bank’s commitment to the region is unequivocal. We are constructing the MENA Research platform to ensure the induction of the broadest base of analyst experience, across both mature and emerging markets, in an effort to ensure real value addition not only to our clients but also to the regional markets.” The bank’s commitment to establish the research unit was made during a recent visit to the region by Dr. Josef Ackermann, chairman of Deutsche Bank AG’s Management Board and the group’s executive committee.
Emirates Airline
Organizers of the Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature (EAIFL) has announced that textbook planning is well under way and dozens of international authors have already confirmed their attendance at the event to be held in Dubai next year. News of the EAIFL, the first ever festival of its kind in the Middle East, came at the London Book Fair in April. Since then, the response has been overwhelming. 26 renowned authors have given their full support for the gathering, which follows Sheikh Mohammed’s bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE prime minister and vice president, and ruler of Dubai’s vision of eradicating illiteracy in the Arab world. Among those who will be flown to Dubai, courtesy of title sponsor Emirates, are English adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Paulo Coehlo, Louis de Bernieres, Rageh Omaar, Penny Vincenzi, Second Children’s Laureate Anne Fine, Margaret Atwood, Jung Chang, Mark Tully, renowned children’s authors Jeremy Strong and Lauren Child. The EAIFL will run over four days at Dubai Festival City from Feb. 26, 2009.
MBRPLD
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development (MBRPLD), an innovative leadership program aimed at developing national leaders who are willing and able to promote the sustainable development of the UAE, has announced that candidates of its Young Leaders Program will commence their cross-country educational tour with a series of workshops and lectures in Fontainebleau, France, which started on Tuesday. The delegation will then travel to the US city of Seattle to proceed these study visits. Held under the “Dubai Opening” theme, program candidates met with high-ranking French officials and interact with renowned lecturers and speakers during their stay in France. Among the topics lined up for the workshops and panel discussions are key factors of Dubai’s advantage, drivers of corner scenarios for Dubai, macroeconomics of growth and a comprehensive outlook on the global economy, among others. “Participants will be exposed to highly enriching discussions and interaction with some of the most prominent and experienced leaders of France.
Tameer/Callison
Regional real estate developer, Tameer Holding Investment, has announced the appointment of leading design firm, Callison, as lead design consultant for Tameer’s new projects in Arjan and Majan, which are master developed by Mizin, a member of Tatweer. “Tameer is pleased to announce this significant partnership with Callison for our premium projects in Arjan and Majan and we are confident that the highest caliber of quality and style will be reflected in the design of these projects in true Callison-renowned fashion,” Abdallah Hageali, CEO, Tameer, said. Callison, the number one retail design firm in the world (World Architecture, 2003-2008), plans and designs retail, hospitality, mixed-use, residential, corporate and healthcare projects worldwide. “For nearly two decades, we have collaborated with leading developers in the Middle East to create some of the region’s most notable mixed-use destinations,” said Michel Hebrant, Callison director.
Al-Fara’a
Al-Fara’a Construction, Properties & Industrial Group, one of the UAE’s leading construction and industrial corporations, and Dr. Moopen’s Group, a leading UAE health care company, have joined hands to launch the ‘Al-Fara’a - Dr. Moopen’s Medical Camp’, which was recently held in Jebel Ali. More than 500 construction laborers received free treatment and medicines at the health outreach, which was also supported by the Indian Community Welfare Association. Representatives from the organizations involved in this initiative have expressed their aims to promote better health care among construction laborers who are faced with demanding physical challenges in their work. Venu Rajamony, Indian consul general, and guest of honor at the event, inaugurated the camp in the presence of Dr. Azad Moopen, chairman, Dr. Moopen’s Group, senior officials of the department of Dubai municipality and others.
Adidas
Adidas, a global provider of sporting equipment, apparel, shoes and other sporting needs has announced the launch of its biggest retail store in the region, at the Rashid Shopping Center in Alkhobbar. Approximately 400m2 in size, the store carries the complete portfolio of Adidas products across the company’s two brand streams of Adidas Performance, offering goods for athletes, and Adidas Originals, the casual wear heritage range carrying the classic Adidas logo. The store holds up to 170 different styles of sporting apparel for men and women, plus a special range of apparel for children. Also available are a wide range of soccer, basketball, tennis and other sporting equipment and accessories for sports fans. The opening of the new store charts a successful retail expansion plan, which began when Adidas opened its first office in the Middle East region in 1985. Since then the company has adhered to its core belief of ‘Impossible is Nothing’ to open six stores across all three major cities in the Kingdom including Riyadh, Jeddah and now Alkhobbar.
IFA Hotels
IFA Hotels & Resorts and joint venture partner Nakheel announced recently the launch of the first office space on the Palm Jumeirah at The Palm Golden Mile. The freehold offices will be sold by private auction in Dubai. The property sale will offer bidders an opportunity to buy the only freehold office space available on the Palm Jumeirah to date, in addition to a selection of boutique offices and residential penthouse apartments on the much-sought after Palm Golden Mile development. “As the first opportunity for investors to snap up freehold office space on the Palm Jumeirah, we anticipate robust interest from property investors, multinationals and some of the Middle East’s leading brands which want a landmark business address in Dubai’s most iconic location,” said Werner Burger, president and COO, IFA Hotels & Resorts.
Panasonic
Panasonic announced the Middle East launch of 2008 Viera televisions yesterday at an event held at Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City. A total of five plasma and six LCD next generation models are being introduced. This launch sees Panasonic expand its Full HD line up, with the flagship models being the 37 inch TX-37LZ800 in LCD and 50-inch TH50PY800 in plasma. Seiji Koyanagi, managing director, Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Panasonic Gulf, said that they are targeting to achieve a share of 25 percent in the 37-inch and over flat panel market. The new Viera LCD range incorporates the new and improved “IPS ALPHA” panels.
