Watch via Recast HERE

The partnership brings together the reach of Motivate’s media platforms with Recast’s global payment and distribution infrastructure, enabling audiences across MENA to access premium content instantly through flexible pay-per-view and brand-funded models.

Through this collaboration, Motivate will leverage Recast’s technology to distribute third-party sports and entertainment content directly to their audiences, removing traditional barriers such as subscriptions, geographic restrictions, and fragmented access points. PGA TOUR live tournament streams will be available through Motivate Media Group’s Golf Digest and What’s On publications, starting on 16 April, 2026 with The RBC Heritage.

Justin Thomas – 2025 RBC Heritage – Andrew Redington

“Content distribution and audience access are being redefined, and this partnership puts us at the forefront of that shift,” said Anthony Milne, Chief Commercial Officer of Motivate Media Group. “Partnering with Recast allows us to deliver premium sports and entertainment content across our portfolio with instant, on-demand pay-per-view access, expanding our content offering, enhancing the audience experience, and unlocking new revenue.”

As demand for premium content continues to grow globally, audiences increasingly expect flexible, affordable access to the moments that matter most – without limitations impacted by licensing complexity, long-term subscription commitments or geo-based platform restrictions.

Recast addresses these challenges by unifying payments, content access, and distribution into a single infrastructure – enabling content to be accessed instantly and monetised in real time at the moment of demand.

“Audiences increasingly expect to access premium content instantly, wherever they discover it,” said Andy Meikle, Founder & CEO of Recast. “Motivate is enabling that directly within its publisher environments, turning demand into instant access, with fans able to watch and pay in the moment, without subscriptions or friction. We’re excited to connect global rights holders like PGA TOUR, and others with scaled media reach across MENA, expanding distribution and unlocking new revenue streams.”

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In a night that blended red-carpet glamour with substantive dialogue, the awards reaffirmed their status as the region’s benchmark for excellence across banking, real estate, healthcare, technology, tourism, energy and beyond.

Lifetime Achievement Honour Gerald Lawless, former CEO of Jumeirah Group, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pivotal role in establishing Dubai as a global hospitality powerhouse. Accepting the honour, Lawless dedicated it to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, stating: “I have had the privilege to work directly for His Highness in the creation of Jumeirah Group in 1997. I am immensely proud of what it has achieved and continues to achieve.”

Top Honours

• Business Leader of the Year: Rola Abu Manneh, CEO – UAE, Middle East & Pakistan, Standard Chartered
• Company of the Year: Miral Group, creator of Yas Island and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

Judging Panel An independent panel comprising Ian Fairservice (Motivate Media Group), Mishal Kanoo (The Kanoo Group), Jawad Jalal Abbassi (GSMA), Reenita Das (Frost & Sullivan) and Gareth van Zyl (Gulf Business) evaluated entries on impact, innovation and regional relevance.

Ian Fairservice remarked: “These awards have become the gold standard for recognising the visionaries shaping the Gulf’s future.”

Full List of Winners

Company Awards:

Banking Company of the Year – RAKBANK
Energy Company of the Year – GE Vernova
Healthcare Company of the Year – Aster DM Healthcare
Hospitality Company of the Year – FIVE Hotels and Resorts
Investment Company of the Year – AIX Investment Group
Logistics Company of the Year – AD Ports Group
Real Estate Company of the Year – Refad Real Estate Investment and Development Company
Retail Company of the Year – Dubai Duty Free
Tourism Company of the Year – Miral Group
Transport Company of the Year – Thrifty Car Rental
Technology Company of the Year – Crowe Mak

Leader Awards:

Banking Leader – Rola Abu Manneh, Standard Chartered
Energy Leader – Rasso Bartenschlager, Al Masaood Power
Healthcare Leader – Dr. Craig R. Cook, The Brain & Performance Centre (DP World)
Hospitality Leader – Joe Nassoura, Fairmont Dubai
Technology Leader – Andreas Hassellöf, Ombori
Real Estate Leader – Yousuf Fakhruddin, Fakhruddin Properties Group
Investment Leader – Bal Krishen Rathore, Century Financial (accepted on behalf)
Retail Leader – John Hadden, Alshaya Group (accepted on behalf)
Tourism Leader – Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Miral Group (accepted on behalf)
Transport Leader – Adel Mardini, Jetex (accepted on behalf)
Logistics Leader – Tarek Sultan, Agility Global (accepted on behalf)

Editor’s Choice Awards:

Disruptive Company – Ultima Chain
Family Business – Al Khayyat Investments (AKI)
Digital Transformation – Etihad Salam Telecom Company
Fintech Provider – OKX
MICE Provider – Tahaluf
Legacy in Leadership – Masih Imtiaz, Imtiaz Developments
Cross-Border Icon – Capt. Pradeep Singh, Karma Realty Developers
Disruptive Leader – Dr Ali Asgar Fakhruddin, Sterling Group
Visionary Leader – Ankur Aggarwal, BNW
Woman Leader – Mila Semeshkina, WE Convention

Closing the evening, Gulf Business Group Editor Gareth van Zyl said:
“Tonight we celebrated not only remarkable achievements but the boundless potential that lies ahead for the Gulf’s business ecosystem.”

About Gulf Business Awards, Now in its 13th year, the Gulf Business Awards is the region’s most prestigious platform for recognising corporate and individual excellence. Organised by Gulf Business, the awards are judged independently and celebrate innovation, resilience and leadership across the GCC.

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Riyadh – Saudi Arabia, 23 October 2025: Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the Kingdom’s largest gathering of the creative marketing industry, concluded a landmark third edition with its long-awaited Athar Awards. This grand celebration of Saudi and regional talent brought two days of knowledge exchange and bold discourse to a powerful close, revealing the shape of the industry today and the future it dares to create.

Athar Awards 2025

For one night, the Athar Awards witnessed the largest gathering of creative marketing and communications professionals in the region under one roof, from global networks to local champions and emerging talent. It drew 274 finalists across 35 categories, with 87 awards presented, up from 51 last year, including 36 Gold, 34 Silver, and 17 Bronze. Winners were selected through a multi-stage judging process involving more than 80 industry experts from across the public and private sectors, many of whom were returning award winners and festival participants.

During his ceremony address, Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said: “Athar Festival’s third edition has exceeded our expectations on every level. We thank everyone for being part of our growing community and adding to the diverse appeal of the festival which offered attendees opportunities to find inspiration at the Spotlight Stage, connect with peers and collaborators at the Community Stage, and engage in lively discussions and cultural experiences across the festival floor. We’ve saved the best for last with our biggest edition of the Athar Awards, a platform dedicated to recognising and celebrating the creativity and innovative ideas exhibited over the past year that continue to put the region’s creative marketing ecosystem on the global map.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival, and CEO of TRACCS, added: “As we come together for the final time this year, I want to say how privileged I feel to be part of an industry that is leaving a lasting impact while embodying the spirit of collaboration. This year’s edition marked a defining moment for Athar Festival as it evolved into a festival in the truest sense of the word, one that gives Saudi talent the space, the voice, and the representation it deserves. Athar Awards, the culmination of two remarkable days of dialogue, networking, and collaboration, has become a symbol of that progress and a testament to how Saudi creatives are turning into one of the nation’s most valuable assets and Saudi creativity into one of its most valuable exports.”

VML, which made its mark at last year’s awards with multiple wins and commendations, emerged as the evening’s defining success story with 22 trophies across campaign, individual, and team categories. These included seven Gold, ten Silver, and five Bronze awards. SRMG Labs also delivered a strong showing, securing four Gold and three Silver wins.

Community and Culture

In the lead-up to awards night, Day Two centred on the people and communities shaping the region’s marketing and communications landscape, while also expanding its focus on the creative and performing arts through a curated series of live experiences. Among the most anticipated sessions was an intimate conversation with celebrated actor and comedian Ahmed Helmy, which drew some of the festival’s largest audiences.

Helmy explored humour as a universal yet infinitely nuanced language in creative communications. Drawing on decades as one of the MENA region’s most prolific entertainment figures, he shared how great comedy depends on precision, constant testing, refinement, and timing, offering valuable lessons for creatives on striking the right chord with audiences across diverse mediums.

Earlier in the day, Jo Malone CBE shared her insights on the art of endurance in brand building. Drawing from her own journey, she described how motivation, intuition, and authenticity remain the foundation of brands that not only resonate but endure. Later, Mo Gawdat challenged audiences to rethink creativity in an AI-driven age. He explored how the technology’s rapid evolution is reshaping loyalty, decision-making, and imagination itself.

“The strength of our sector lies in its people, their passion, curiosity, and shared belief in creative work as a driver of progress. Every conversation today, including the brilliant sessions by Ahmed Helmy, Jo Malone, and Mo Gawdat, has championed Athar Festival’s mission to build on those very strengths,” added Al Ayed.

Day Two’s agenda also explored AI, data-driven innovation, media evolution, and brand storytelling, reflecting a maturing creative ecosystem where technology and human insight work together to drive meaningful connection and business growth. Other sessions on influencer marketing, DEI, and gaming culture examined how authenticity, empathy, and inclusion are redefining the relationship between brands and audiences.

Athar Festival 2025 in Numbers

The 2025 edition marked a milestone third year for Athar Festival, drawing 3,100+ attendees and more than 200 speakers across 39 panel discussions, 26 presentations, nine interactive sessions, six keynotes, nine fireside chats, and eight masterclasses. Together, these sessions delivered over 100 hours of content, complemented by networking meetups and immersive live experiences that served as avenues for learning, discovery, and connection.

Speaking at the festival’s close, Fairservice added, “If Athar Festival has proven anything over the past three years, it is that it has successfully captured the attention of one of the world’s most fertile creative communities. Every year brings new voices, new alliances, and new ideas, setting the stage for an even stronger edition in 2026.”

Athar Festival 2025 is presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS. For more information and to view the list of winners, visit the official website awards.atharfestival.com/2025-winners/

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• 1,900+ attendees and 150+ speakers from the region and beyond convened on Day One of the festival as it opens doors to third edition
• HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, Ellie Norman, and Ali Ali headlined a standout programme of global and Saudi voices
• Flagship initiatives welcomed 63 young talents, 16 women leaders, and 20 aspiring CMOs

Riyadh – Saudi Arabia, 21 October 2025: The third edition of Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity launched its opening day in Riyadh with 1,900+ attendees and 150+ speakers from the region and beyond exploring the ideas shaping Saudi Arabia’s creative future. From the launch of new content streams to the return of flagship programmes, the festival’s expanded footprint reflected a cultural economy that is bolder, broader, and more dynamic than ever before.

Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said: “Athar Festival continues to expand its horizons, reflecting the growing ambitions of a nation that is redefining creativity across multiple industries. By introducing new content streams focused on gaming, film, as well as luxury and lifestyle, the festival is opening up new avenues to explore the intersection of both regional and global interests today. ”

Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, said: “When creativity thrives, industries thrive, and societies thrive. In Saudi Arabia, the growth of our creative economy is more than a success story, it is a reflection of our people’s resilience and imagination. The true impact lies in what comes next, a future where creativity is the foundation of progress and a source of pride for the Kingdom.”

Leading Day One’s agenda, the Creative Impact stream spanned diverse perspectives, from HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud’s fireside chat on Saudi Arabia’s cultural influence, authenticity, and women’s leadership, to Ellie Norman’s keynote on the evolution of sport, where she unpacked how technology, creativity, and purpose can redefine how brands and movements resonate with audiences worldwide.

New Frontiers in Content

This year’s festival introduced new dimensions to its agenda for the first time. In the Screen & Influence stream, acclaimed director Ali Ali shared the extraordinary behind-the-scenes challenges of producing advertising films under pressure, revealing untold stories behind eight ad films that pushed the boundaries of creative possibility.

In another first for Athar Festival, the Luxury & Lifestyle stream brought together voices from travel, fashion, and hospitality to discuss Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global luxury destination. Speakers highlighted how the Kingdom is redefining luxury and lifestyle by emphasising cultural authenticity, personalisation, and sustainability.

Meanwhile, the debut of the Saudi Gamer Arena marked another milestone for the festival and for the Kingdom’s booming esports sector. Sessions spanned Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to build a global gaming hub, the growing commercial opportunities of “gamevertising,” and the breakthrough role of Saudi women in esports, featuring professional female gamers including Jenan Almeather, Wasayf Abdullah, Modhi Alkanhal, and Juri Alamri.

The Future Forward stream focused on technology’s defining role in amplifying creativity, with Athar Festival 2025 hosting the launch of IZZI AI. Positioned as a breakthrough in customer engagement and sales automation, IZZI AI will transform everyday conversations into powerful brand connections. Its debut in Riyadh reflects both the Kingdom’s appetite for innovation and the festival’s role as a launchpad for future-focused ideas.

Flagship Initiatives and Learning Opportunities

Athar’s flagship initiatives also took centre stage, returning for the third consecutive year since inception. The Young Talent Academies welcomed 63 participants across three tracks designed for students and early-career professionals under 30. The Maheerah Programme, a leadership experience for senior women in the creative industries, brought together 16 participants for an intensive schedule of training and mentorship. The Future CMO Academy convened 20 promising marketing professionals for a one-day accelerator tailored to the next generation of industry leaders. Adding to these learning opportunities, focused presentations and masterclasses also delved into marketing leadership, personal branding, designing impactful campaigns, and more.

Collaboration and Industry Impact

Collaboration defined much of Day One with new dedicated touchpoints for networking. At the Talent Hub, 100+ meetings took place between aspiring professionals and leading companies, creating a space where fresh talent could connect directly with industry decision-makers.

“What makes Athar remarkable is not only the content on stage, but the connections that happen off it,” added Fairservice. “These conversations and collaborations are the foundation for long-term growth in the Kingdom’s creative sector.”

Saudi Voices and Global Conversations

Day One also spotlighted the Unplugged series of panels, where Saudi and international CEOs, CMOs, and CCOs took the stage for audience-driven “ask me anything” conversations. These unscripted sessions gave participants rare access to industry leaders across strategy, marketing, and creativity, creating candid moments of exchange. These discussions came alongside keynote addresses, and meetups, signalling the festival’s unique ability to bring local ambition into dialogue with global expertise in new and interesting formats even more casual, interactive sessions.

“I’m proud to see Saudi voices from so many sectors come together to engage and share their unique perspectives with global counterparts,” added Al Ayed. “It is this confidence, rooted in our culture and fuelled by our creativity, that will carry our industry forward.”

Athar by the Numbers

With a packed programme, Day One featured 22 panel discussions, 15 presentations, five masterclasses, seven interactive sessions, two keynotes, and four fireside chats. These numbers underline the unprecedented scale of Athar’s third edition on its first day alone, ensuring participants experienced both breadth and depth of content.

Athar Festival 2025 is presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS. For the full agenda and more information, visit www.atharfestival.com

About Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity

Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, is Saudi Arabia’s foremost creative marketing event. Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030, Athar sets the stage for leaders, decision-makers, and emerging talent to connect, share insights, and drive creative endeavours across the Kingdom’s burgeoning sectors.

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Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said: “The Athar Awards are a cornerstone of the festival, honouring the creative brilliance that is driving Saudi Arabia’s marketing industry forward. These awards celebrate the best work to come out of the Kingdom that meets the highest standards while also pushing the boundaries of creativity and setting a new benchmark for excellence.”

Expressing his pride in the emerging Saudi talents honoured at the awards gala, Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, said: “Athar Awards are more than a celebration of exceptional creative work – they honour the incredible talent behind it, who have shown dedication to innovation, storytelling, and excellence. By celebrating these leaders today, our aim is to encourage and inspire the next generation of creative minds in Saudi Arabia, transforming a culture rich in creativity into a culture of creativity.”

This year’s finalists were rigorously evaluated through a multi-level judging process led by an expert panel of 80 industry professionals, representing sectors from media and technology to hospitality. The judging underscored both the originality and strategic impact of each entry, as well as the individuals propelling the industry forward.

A total of 26 gold trophies were awarded to campaigns demonstrating outstanding creativity and impact, while 25 additional entries earned silver trophies for their significant contributions. Recognising emerging talent, the festival also awarded members of the Young Talent Academy, celebrating Saudi Arabia’s future creative leaders. Certificates were also presented to participants of the Maheerah Women’s Empowerment Programme, honouring their successful completion of the accelerator programme.

Athar Award winners

Best Empowerment Campaign

• Winner: SRMG Labs – Sound of the Flag
• Winner: TBWA\RAAD – KFC: The Original Gamechangers
• Highly Commended: VML – Hunger Station – Tip Time

Best Innovative Campaign

• Winner: SRMG Labs – Sound of the Flag
• Highly Commended: Webedia KSA – Moving the Nation Without Moving the Budget

Best Cultural Campaign

• Winner: Burson & Royal Commission for AlUla – I Care
• Highly Commended:
  • MMS Communications Saudi Arabia, Leo Burnett KSA, Saatchi & Saatchi ME & Saudia – Rihla (Journey)
  • VML – stc – Pay with Poetry

Best National Day Holiday Campaign

• Winner: SRMG Labs – Sound of the Flag
• Highly Commended:
  • Dentsu MENA & Hungerstation – Fananees
  • VML – stc – Baity Battle

Best Sustainability Campaign

• Winner: Serviceplan – The Treeless Map
• Highly Commended: VML – Nova – From This Land, For This Land

Best Environmental Campaign

• Winner: Burson & Royal Commission for AlUla – I Care
• Highly Commended: Serviceplan – The Treeless Map

Best Destination Campaign

• Winner: MBC Media Solutions – The Weatherman روح السعودية activation with Saudi Tourism Authority
• Highly Commended: MMS Communications Saudi Arabia, Leo Burnett KSA & Saudia – Driving World Cup Visitors to Saudi Arabia

Best National Development Campaign

• Winner: Droga5 London & Accenture Song ME – Qiddiya – Play Life
• Highly Commended: Landor – Made to Chang

Best Transformation Campaign

• Winner: TBWA\RAAD – KFC: [CHICKEN]STOCK
• Highly Commended: Leo Burnett – Sync – The Sync-ervention

Best Campaign for The Future of Saudi Arabia

• Winner: SRMG Labs – Sound of the Flag
• Highly Commended:
  • Serviceplan – The Treeless Map
  • SRMG Labs – Newspaper Courts

Best Business Growth Campaign

• Winner: VML – Coca-Cola – I See Coke
• Highly Commended: Science & Sunshine – The Lay’s Heist

Best Not for Profit Campaign

• Winner: SRMG Labs – Sound of the Flag
• Highly Commended:
  • The Bold Group & Alwaleed Philanthropies – Atlai: The First Public AI Reporter
  • Webedia KSA – Moving the Nation Without Moving the Budget

Best Partnership Campaign

• Winner: VML – Coca-Cola – I See Coke
• Highly Commended:
  • Science & Sunshine – Lay’s x KFC Worth the Wait
  • VML – AJVA Ford & HungerStation – That Affordable

Best Governmental Campaign

• Winner:
  • fitameen Creative Communication – Sah: The Path to Financial Empowerment
  • Webedia KSA – Moving the Nation Without Moving the Budget
• Highly Commended: Digitect – Safety in Simplicity by the Ministry of Interior

Media Team of the Year

• Winner: Social Clinic – Social Clinic

Business Growth Team of the Year

• Winner: Webedia KSA – Webedia KSA

Marketing Communications Team of the Year

• Winner: ROSHN Group – ROSHN Group

Creative Leader of the Year

• Winner: VML – Firas Ghannam
• Highly Commended: Onsor Mosha – Abdullah Alrowis

Marketing Leader of the Year

• Winner: ROSHN Group – Ghada Alrumayan
• Highly Commended: Saudi Sports for All Federation – Ammar Omar Alamro

Agency Leader of the Year

• Winner: VML – Camille Haddad
• Highly Commended: Social Clinic – Rayyan Jamjoom

Agency Growth Person of the Year

• Winner: Habbar – Alhareth Khalid Albelaihed
• Highly Commended: Onsor Mosha – Yara Al-Dossary

Young Creative of the Year

• Winner: Habbar – Abdullah Tariq
• Highly Commended: Onsor Mosha – Alwaleed Abdulaziz Alslamah

Young Marketer of the Year

• Winner: ROSHN Group – Ola Abuelberak
• Highly Commended: Tajalla Creative Agency – Kholoud AlBarq

Reflecting on her experience as a jury member for the Athar Awards, Reema Al Shammasi, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Mastercard, said: “I am delighted and proud to be a part of the Athar Awards jury panel. Coming here to discover and discuss all these creative campaigns and innovative ideas has been quite an inspirational journey. This experience has been truly enlightening, offering valuable exposure and insight into some of the Kingdom’s most creative campaigns.”

The Athar Festival brought together more than 1,700 global and regional industry leaders, with more than 100 speakers engaging in discussions on two stages. The event delivered 100 hours of content, including panel discussions, presentations, and masterclasses, promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing within Saudi Arabia’s creative community.

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The festival will spark the passion and potential of the Kingdom’s creative community, and will feature various programmes, including expert sessions led by accomplished regional and global speakers, industry roundtables, exclusive C-suite sessions, accelerator programmes, a 24-hour hack competition and Academies for Young Talent, exclusively for industry professionals under 30 and university students.

Additionally, attendees can look forward to gaining knowledge on the evolution and giant strides made by Saudi Arabia in the creative sphere.

AI and emerging tech
This year’s festival is set to explore a diverse set of themes, among which AI and technology is one of the focus areas. Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in the age of new technologies like AR, blockchain and AI for creativity, data analytics and business strategy.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the Big Data and AI market is anticipated to reach a staggering $2.19 billion by 2029 within the Kingdom.

Emerging XR technologies are enabling Saudi Arabian heritage to gain a global spotlight allowing virtual explorations of sites like Hegra in AlUla. Meanwhile, the introduction of ‘Sara,’ a humanoid robot, demonstrates a convergence of tech and culture.

It also raises discussions about the ethics of AI integration. New technologies have become an integral part of the creative marketing, advertising and communications industry, transforming the way businesses work.

AI has enhanced customer segmentation, optimised ad placement, and improved content creation, resulting in higher engagement, conversion rates, and ROI for businesses.

Furthermore, marketers have access to a wealth of data and insights that allow them to create more targeted, personalised campaigns, reach consumers in new and innovative ways and create more engaging and immersive experiences.

At the same time, an Oliver Wyman report reveals that 57 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s employees see significant room for AI training enhancement.

As part of its content programme, the Athar Festival will deep dive into new technologies, how companies can integrate them internally towards productive solutions, use them externally to create immersive experiences, up skill their teams to use them effectively and keep an eye on the ethical considerations around them.

With the substantial attendance and comprehensive representation of Saudi Arabia’s creative industry expected, the Athar Festival presents a valuable opportunity for participants to present their ideas and gain valuable insights from the finest minds in the creative community.

Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the Kingdom’s largest gathering of the creative marketing industry, will take place from 5-6 November 2024 at Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention.

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With more than 350 guests in attendance – including a high-profile crowd of industry heavyweights, thought leaders, key decision-makers, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), and C-Suite executives spanning the hotel, aviation, tourism, travel, and related industries – the renowned BTME Awards, organised by Motivate publication Business Traveller Middle East, honoured leaders in business travel and tourism, with the winners of 42 award categories spanning three main divisions including airlines, airports and hotels announced.

Among the event’s many distinguished guests was Raha Moharrak, a keynote speaker and renowned alpinist who is the youngest-ever Arab and the first Saudi woman to have climbed Mount Everest. The Guest of Honour for the evening, Moharrak inspired attendees with her boundary-breaking journey, and presented five of the coveted awards to their winners.

The coveted awards ceremony celebrated the companies at the forefront of business travel and services, as well as the hard work of top-level industry executives.

Emirates was recognised with five high-profile awards, as it was crowned ‘Best Airline Worldwide’, ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’, and ‘Airline with the Best First Class’, while also scooping the awards for ‘Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East’, and ‘Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Programme’. Meanwhile, its hub, Dubai International Airport (DXB), took home the title of ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’, while Dubai Duty Free took home the title of ‘Best Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East’. Fellow Dubai-based carrier flydubai – which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year – took home the award for ‘Airline with the Best Connectivity in the Middle East’.

From the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways was recognised with two accolades – ‘Airline with the Best Cabin Crew’ and ‘Airline with the Best Economy Class’ – while from neighbouring Qatar, Qatar Airways took home three awards: ‘Airline with the Best Business Class’, ‘Best Regional Airline serving the Middle East’, and ‘Best Travel App’. From the wider global network, Singapore was celebrated as Singapore Airlines took home the title of ‘Best Asian Airline Serving the Middle East’, and Singapore Changi Airport was named ‘Best Airport in the World’. Turkish Airlines also took home an award, for ‘Best European Airline Serving the Middle East’.

Hotels and hospitality brands from across 28 categories were also recognised. Marriott Hotels had one of the most sparkling accolades of the evening with the title of ‘Best Hotel Brand Worldwide’, while Rotana Hotels & Resorts was named  ‘Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East’. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts was named ‘Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the Middle East’, while Rove Hotels was named ‘Best Budget Hotel Brand in the Middle East’ – and Marriott Bonvoy won ‘Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East’. Meanwhile, Ascott received the award for ‘Best Serviced Apartments Brand in the Middle East’.

Bleisure was introduced as a new category for 2024, with Rixos Premium Dubai JBR being named ‘Best Bleisure Hotel in the the UAE’. Under leisure and lifestyle, Jumeirah Al Naseem was crowned ‘Best Leisure Hotel in the the UAE’, and Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah the ‘Best Leisure Hotel in the the Middle East’. Radisson took home the award for ‘Best Lifestyle Hotel Brand in the Middle East’.

A full list of winners, including all of those for the remaining categories, is featured below.

“This year’s Business Traveller Middle East Awards was, once again, a celebration of excellence for the region’s travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. As the Middle East readies itself for a new chapter of innovation and growth, we are honoured to be able to acknowledge the commitment, vision, expertise, and hard work of these regional and global brands. Congratulations, again, to all of the nominees and winners,” said Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief at Motivate Media Group.

The Business Traveller Middle East Awards is based on nominations and votes cast online by the valued readers of Business Traveller Middle East (BTME), before the shortlist, highly-commended names, and winners are determined through a rigorous and impartial process.

Full awards coverage, including photos of all the winners, will feature in the June issue of BTME.

The full list of winners is below:

Airlines

Airline with the Best Cabin Crew: Etihad Airways

Airline with the Best Economy Class: Etihad Airways

Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class: Emirates

Airline with the Best Business Class: Qatar Airways

Airline with the Best First Class: Emirates

Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Programme: Emirates Skywards

Best Regional Airline Serving the Middle East: Qatar Airways

Best Asian Airline Serving the Middle East: Singapore Airlines

Best European Airline Serving the Middle East: Turkish Airlines

Airline with the Best Connectivity in the Middle East: flydubai

Best Airline Worldwide: Emirates

Airports 

Best Travel App: Qatar Airways

Best Airport in the Middle East: Dubai International Airport

Best Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East: Dubai Duty Free

Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East: Emirates First Class lounge, Dubai International Airport

Best Airport in the World: Singapore Changi Airport

Hotels

Best New Business Hotel in the Middle East: The St. Regis Riyadh | Highly commended: Raffles Doha

Best Refurbished Hotel in the UAE: Pullman Dubai Downtown | Highly commended: Jumeirah Mina A’Salam

Best Airport Hotel in the UAE: Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport | Highly commended: Dubai International Airport Hotel

Best Business Hotel in Dubai: Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre | Highly commended: JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

Best Business Hotel in Abu Dhabi: Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island | Highly commended: Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Best Business Hotel in the Northern Emirates: Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah | Highly commended: InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa

Best Business Hotel in Amman: The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, Amman | Highly commended: The Ritz-Carlton, Amman

Best Business Hotel in Beirut: Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut Verdun | Highly commended: Gefinor Rotana Beirut

Best Business Hotel in Cairo: InterContinental Citystars Cairo | Highly commended: Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis

Best Business Hotel in Doha: Fairmont Doha | Highly commended: Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha

Best Business Hotel in Kuwait: Waldorf Astoria Kuwait | Highly commended: Grand Hyatt Kuwait

Best Business Hotel in Bahrain: Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain | Highly commended: The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, Manama

Best Business Hotel in Muscat: JW Marriott Hotel Muscat | Highly commended: Jumeirah Muscat Bay

Best Business Hotel in Riyadh: voco Riyadh – an IHG Hotel | Highly commended: Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre

Best Business Hotel in Jeddah: Shangri-La Jeddah | Highly commended: InterContinental Jeddah

Best Bleisure Hotel in Dubai: Rixos Premium Dubai JBR | Highly commended: InterContinental Dubai Festival City

Best Leisure Hotel in the UAE: Jumeirah Al Naseem | Highly commended: The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton

Best Leisure Hotel in the Middle East: Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai | Highly commended: The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort – A GHM Hotel

Overall Best Business Hotel in the Middle East: Fairmont Doha

Hotel Brands

Best Serviced Apartments Brand in the Middle East: Ascott

Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East: Marriott Bonvoy

Best Budget Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Rove Hotels

Best Lifestyle Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Radisson

Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts

Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Rotana Hotels & Resorts

Best Hotel Brand in the World: Marriott Hotels

To learn more about the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, please visit our dedicated website here.

The post Revealed: Winners of the 2024 Business Traveller Middle East Awards appeared first on Motivate Media Group.

Beneath a sky of gathering clouds, What’s On began crowning 52 of your favourite dining, leisure and lifestyle outlets across the city. Attendance included visiting dignitaries, His Excellencies, and the leading lights of Dubai’s Hospitality sphere. But proceedings were halted rather theatrically towards the end of the event, as the outdoor venue received a uniquely meteorological ovation. While torrential rain stopped play, it couldn’t dampen the crowd’s spirits, as guests gathered on the stage for a group sing-along, making the What’s On Dubai Awards 2024, one of the most memorable yet.

As always, most of the winning restaurants, hotels, spas, apps, and events were selected by the voting public, who hit the ballot boxes this year in record numbers, casting over 100,000 votes. But there were six awards chosen exclusively by What’s On – these are Restaurant of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Chef of the Year, Culinary Experience of the Year, Homegrown Restaurant of the Year, and Sustainable Restaurant of the Year. These were…

Restaurant of the Year – Kinoya

From humble beginnings as underground supper club, A Story of Food, back in 2017 chef Neha Mishra created her restaurant Kinoya, which became the sole reason for foodies to go to The Greens when it opened in Onyx Tower in 2021. In the years that have followed, she’s innovated and accelerated, while still pouring the same passion into her innovative Japanese dishes as she did when she began serving ramen from her home kitchen to friends. Regardless of the occasion, Kinoya is a fail-safe restaurant for residents, visitors, business lunches and date night dinners. And this year, its meteoric success reached new heights when Kinoya became one of an elite few homegrown Dubai concepts, opening as a 20-seater eatery in the world’s most iconic food hall, Harrods in London.

Newcomer of the Year – Chez Wam

If Dubai is a cultural melting pot, then Chez Wam is a culinary one. The brainchild of star chef Hadrien Villedieu, it is a journey through his personal memory bank, with the menu featuring influences from the Mediterranean coast as present as those from the streets of Tokyo. We imagine that if we went round to Chef Hadrien’s for dinner, the menu at Chez Wam is what he’d feed us. The St Regis Gardens eatery successful manages to feel sophisticated and yet welcoming, and is neatly arranged around the open kitchen, where chef Hadrien can always be found, leading his brigade to create a restaurant that quite simply leaves you wanting more every time.

Chef of the Year – Kelvin Cheung, Jun’s

Since bursting onto the scene in Downtown Dubai two years ago, third-culture chef and restaurateur Kelvin Cheung has captivated the city’s culinary scene with his trailblazing creations. Seamlessly blending influences from his Canadian and Chinese roots, Chicago upbringing, and culinary experiences in America, Hong Kong, and France, Chef’s Kelvin’s cooking is impossible to tie to one cuisine. The Willy Wonka of the culinary world, Chef Kelvin infuses each dish with his distinct personality, skillfully intertwining nostalgia, innovation, and stories from his childhood, to create culinary masterpieces that leave diners spellbound. Chef Kelvin is also committed to sustainability, crafting his menu seasonally based on what is available at local farms.

Culinary experience of the Year – Row on 45

The crowning jewel in star chef Jason Atherton’s tripod of culinary experiences at Grosvenor House is Row on 45. On every level: setting, atmosphere, service, cuisine, wine pairing – it excels. The 17-course modular, multi-setting menu is nothing short of a sensorial safari. A broadly European menu enhanced by masterful Asian side steps, along the way guests are invited to ruminate on evoked palate snapshots from Chef Jason’s exotic kitchen expeditions, absorb the theatre of precision detail presentation, and the operatic choreography of service par excellence.

Homegrown restaurant of the year – Odeon

Underrated and authentic, Odeon is a Jumeirah Beach Road villa-turned-French food haven with a fresh food market/fromagerie/patisserie downstairs and refined restaurant upstairs. Owned by a lovely French husband-and-wife who manage the kitchen and FOH respectively, its traditional French cuisine, served with passion and love, sets it apart in Dubai’s culinary landscape. Odeon is a deserving recipient of our Homegrown Restaurant of the Year award, embodying the spirit of gastronomic adventure and homegrown entrepreneurial success.

Sustainable restaurant of the year – Lila Wood-Fired Taqueria

Homegrown and family-run, this cosy unlicensed eatery in Jumeirah 3 is the brainchild of chef Shaw Lash (Lila) and her husband, Tarek. The first wood fired taqueria in the city has had the foodies flocking to its door since opening little over a year ago, and with good reason. Not only is their authentic Mexican fare truly outstanding, they pour passion and determination into sustainable production and locally sourcing ingredients wherever possible. They buy all their seafood from local fishermen, and work with Integrated Green Resources (IGR) as the local farm partner who grow Mexican vegetables locally and organically.

Please join us in extending a huge congratulations to all the winners, both those who received their awards on the night, and to those whose thunder was stolen (ironically by thunder) and received a special plaque delivery visit from the What’s On team in the days that followed. These awards are only possible with your continued support and collaboration.

What’s On also extends its thanks to its sponsors: The Coffee Club, Country Hill, Stockyard, Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing, Le Fumoir by Joe Bassili, Ooka, African and Eastern, Jacobsons, JA Resorts & Hotels, Motivate Talent.

The post Industry heavyweights shine bright at the What’s On Dubai Awards 2024 appeared first on Motivate Media Group.

The podcast studio is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and resources, and complements a second studio that offers a complete 360-degree suite of services. Podcasting has become a powerful medium for storytelling, knowledge sharing and connecting with diverse audiences worldwide.

Motivate podcast studio allows podcasters to capture and deliver their stories, interviews and discussions. The all-inclusive studios encompass the realms of photography, videography, podcasting and broadcasting, and caters to the multi-faceted requirements of modern content production.

Motivate Studio aims to become a thriving hub for creative expression, by pushing boundaries and redefining the landscape of media content creation. “We understand that the technical aspects of podcasting can sometimes be daunting. That’s why our friendly and knowledgeable studio assistants will be on hand to guide you through the setup, troubleshoot any issues, and offer tips to enhance your recording experience,” said Girish Chouhan, Chief Information Officer at Motivate Media Group.

Production service will include final cuts plus raw content, if requested. “From editing out ums and ahs to perfecting the sound balance, we’ll ensure that your podcast episodes sound polished and professional.”

The aim is for Motivate Studio to become a place where creators come together to share ideas and collaborate. Alongside the studio, it features comfortable and inspiring communal areas to connect with fellow podcasters, exchange knowledge, and build a supportive community.

To book the studio email: podcast@motivate.ae or call: +971 4 4273040

The post New multi-media studio launches in Dubai offering services for creators appeared first on Motivate Media Group.

The Athar festival is set to take place from November 13-16, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC. It is co-organised by Motivate Media Group, the region’s leading multi-platform content producer, and TRACCS, the largest independent and homegrown regional communications consultancy headquartered in Saudi Arabia.

Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group, said: “The Festival will be a dynamic and vibrant meeting place in Saudi Arabia where culture, creativity, talent, and technology will collide. It is a celebration of the power of creativity in an environment that inspires cultural exchange, collaborative innovation, tangible learning, and training and development”.

Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, added: “Athar Festival is the distinctive platform in Saudi Arabia for the creative marketing community to celebrate the past, challenge the present, and collaboratively shape the future. It will enable and empower a new generation of creative-first Saudi marketers and inspire the sustainable development of the country”.

Athar Festival runs over four days and comprises a two-day festival, two days of training for young talent, and industry awards. It will take place across two content stages and feature a variety of programmes. This includes celebrity and international speakers, 12 professional marketing and communications training academies for young talents under the age of 32, industry roundtables, exclusive C-suite sessions, marketer accelerator programmes, and two young talent competitions.

The festival will provide dedicated spaces for companies, ranging from startups to major corporations, to showcase their products and services. Alongside these activations, attendees will be treated to a selection of arts, food, crafts, music and live entertainment. The festival will culminate with the Athar Awards ceremony, which acknowledges and celebrates exceptional creative accomplishments.

Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity is a platform for industry professionals, aspiring creative talents, and all those with an interest in the future of Saudi Arabia’s creative field to explore cuttingedge ideas, gain valuable insights, and be part of an exciting new community of visionaries and thought leaders.

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