BABYSHOP (CENTREPOINT)
Al Andulas International School won a cash prize of SR10,000 in the interschool quiz competition hosted by Babyshop (Centrepoint) at Jeddah's Centrepoint-The Dome. First runner-up Hala International School received SR5,000 and second runner-up Reef Jeddah International School SR3,000. In all 100 students from various schools participated in the event. Centrepoint's Western Region COO Anuj Malik, senior HR & Admin Manager Waleed Huwaish and Babyshop concept head Ashraf Saudagar distributed certificates and gift vouchers. Centrepoint's marketing team (Western Region), the brain behind the quiz, was actively present. An out of the box idea was initiated in the quiz with an innovative concept "March Ahead - Unleash your Talent." Audiences were also asked a few surprise questions and were part of the lively event with winners taking home gift vouchers as well. Following the success of the quiz this year, Babyshop plans to extend this event to an even larger scale for Arabic Schools to continue its journey of promoting knowledge and awareness among the young minds in the region. The quiz aims to aptly take its lead further, and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Saudi students. The quiz aims to be a source of inspiration, passion and fashion, especially for the country's youth. The initiative has been launched with Babyshop-Centrepoint and involves participation of class 6 to 12 students. The organizers plan to host a series of quiz competitions in Arabic schools across the region.
 
STC
As part of activating its partnership with Microsoft International, Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) stated that it will highlight the main features of its future vision pertaining to innovative services and solutions in ICT during its presence at the Microsoft Executives Summit in the US city of Seattle. An STC delegation headed by Saud Al-Daweesh will attend the meeting. STC has recently signed a "Strategic alliance framework" with Microsoft International with an aim to exchange expertise, employment, and best utilization of Microsoft products - in particular Microsoft products to develop services and solutions offered by STC to both its internal and external customers. Representing STC in the agreement signing was Omer bin Abdullah Alnomany, VP, IT, and Sameer Numan, president of Microsoft Arabia, on behalf of Microsoft International. The strategic alliance framework includes several elements. The partnership also includes the provision of new package of services that is based on the "Cloud computing" concept, establishing a Microsoft training center within STC in order to facilitate training, knowledge transfer and expertise exchange processes, the availability of a consultant from Microsoft as part of the STC team in addition to 'Premiere Service' and the National Computers' Initiative "Windows Phone 7, IPTV, XBOX." The strategic alliance opens wide horizons in many aspects. It also serves the actualization and realization of the interests of the company's internal and external customers.
 
CANNES LIONS FEST
The organizers of the 58th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, described as the world's largest and most prestigious international annual awards celebrating creativity in advertising and communications, have announced that the 2011 recipient of the Advertiser of the Year Award will be the Swedish home furnishing retail company IKEA. This accolade is presented to advertisers who have distinguished themselves for inspiring innovative marketing of their products and who embrace and encourage the creative work produced by their agencies. Working with a number of different agencies, IKEA has encouraged creative, unconventional and humorous advertising to raise awareness of their brand and drive people to enter their stores. Maintaining their marketing strategy, which is based around their business idea of offering a wide range of well designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them, IKEA has had the ability to localize its global target market and create advertising campaigns that vary significantly across territories as they take onboard and adapt to unique marketing conditions and cultural sensibilities of each country. Since winning their first Cannes Lion in 1991, IKEA ads have gone on to win 50 Lions across all categories, including the Film Grand Prix in 2003 for “Lamp” and a Titanium Lion in 2010 for “Facebook Showroom”. "IKEA's approach to its marketing and communications has been hugely successful over many years," says Philip Thomas, Cannes Lions CEO.
 
MY US.COM
MyUS.com, a leader in international package forwarding and shipping, has experienced triple digit growth in Saudi Arabia over the first quarter of 2011 as US exports into the Middle East reached a record $68 billion in 2010. Consumers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt have fueled growth for MyUS.com buying goods from electronics, home goods, and clothing and apparel from popular US sites including Polo, Amazon, and Best Buy. As demand for these goods has skyrocketed, MyUS.com has seen increased demand for its services to deliver goods into the region as well. According to Rick Coleman, CFO for MyUS.com, "shipments of packages into the region are up over 77 percent year to date, and revenue for the same period is up over 110 percent." According to new research conducted by the National US-Arab chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), the next three years hold even more promise with total market demand in the Arab world is expected to reach 1 trillion by 2013. Founded in 1997, MyUS.com is the market leader in package forwarding, servicing over 60,000 customers annually. Consumers and business owners worldwide benefit from establishing a US address with MyUS.com for package and mail forwarding services.
 
MERGE 104.8
SABCO Media, Oman's media group with a unique cross platform of media channels in radio, outdoor and publishing, has ended months of rumors and speculation by confirming its plans to launch a fresh new English station, Merge 104.8 in the next few weeks. Further details of this new radio station are still to be revealed but SABCO Media has confirmed that Merge 104.8 will reflect the diverse cultures and tastes of Oman's population. Reaching different segments of society, the radio station will offer a mix of music, culture and fun, to deliver rich content and served with a fresh local flavor. Revealing an exciting schedule of live daily shows from 6 a.m., the radio station has been inspired by the richness and diversity of the Omani society. A mix of local and international presenters will spur listeners to 'tune in to the mix' with the latest music and entertainment presented in a fun, informal style that will appeal to both traditional and contemporary cultures. Eihab Abutaha, GM, SABCO Media, said: "The months of speculation are over. I can confirm that we are currently putting the final touches to Merge 104.8, which is set to challenge Oman's airwaves and deliver a cool, new and exciting vibe to listeners across the region. We can't reveal much more than that right now, but keep your eyes and ears open over the coming weeks for more news on how you can tune in.” "The new radio concept mixes traditional Arabic values with modern society introducing a fresh new feel to Oman's discerning listeners."