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Bringing your ideas to

the stage A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

dubailynx.com

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Contents Welcome 3

Developing your idea 4

What is your story? 4

Who should tell your story? 5

How should you tell your story? 6

Stages and Themes 7

Inspiration Stage 7

Arabic Creativity Stage 7

Data x Innovation x Tech Stage 7

NEW: Startup Stage 8

NEW: Creativity in Healthcare Communications 9

NEW: The Business of Creativity 10

Submitting your idea 11

How can I submit an idea? 11

“DUBAI LYNX PROVIDED AN AMAZING PLATFORM FOR ME TO SHARE MY EXPERTISE WITH GREAT, CREATIVELY MINDED PEOPLE.Ahmed Al SahhafGeneral Manager, Marketing Communications,Saudi Telecom Company

DUBAI LYNX 2017 SPEAKER

Dubai Lynx, MENA’s biggest Festival of Creativity,

will return on 11–13 March with a programme of

events designed to inspire, educate and campaign

for new creative thinking. The Festival showcases

the best of the region’s creative prowess; it is a

platform for the creative community to join together

to question, motivate and challenge the industry to

greater heights.

Dubai Lynx is now receiving proposals for the 2018

seminar programme. If you think you have an idea

that the whole industry needs to hear then we’d

like to hear from you. The following pages share

guidelines on how to develop your idea and submit

this to the Content Portal.

SUMMARY FOR 2018:

• There is no specific theme but all sessions should

have creativity at their heart

• Stages:

− Inspiration Stage

− Arabic Creativity Stage (Exploring creativity

across the Middle East)

− Data x Innovation x Tech Stage

− NEW: Startup Stage

− NEW: Creativity in Healthcare Communications

− NEW: The Business of Creativity

• The initial proposal should have a title (max

10 words) and synopsis (max 120 words)

• Submit proposals through the Content Portal

• Content is reviewed and selected on the merit of

the idea

• There is no charge to speak – please note

Dubai Lynx does not pay fees or cover travel or

accommodation expenses for speakers

• Speakers receive a complimentary pass to the

three days of the Festival (please note that this

does not include the awards ceremony)

• Deadline for submissions: 12 October 2017.

DUBAI LYNX 2018

WELCOME

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What do you want to be known for at Dubai Lynx

2018? The best Dubai Lynx talks tend to focus on a

single clear message or idea. This is your opportunity

to speak to a room full of creative communicators

from across the MENA region. What are you going to

say that will leave your audience feeling inspired?

This year there is no specific theme to the seminar

programme other than creativity being at its heart. To

inspire ideas, you might wish to consider:

• Creativity with human connection

• Creativity that drives inclusivity

• Interesting and diverse creative unions

• Using creativity to solve problems

• New creative value systems

• Regional art and pop culture

• Modern storytelling and branded entertainment

• Culturally impactful communications

• Technology as an enabler of creative

communication.

(Please note this not an exhaustive list and we

welcome other ideas!)

DEVELOPING YOUR IDEA

WHAT IS YOUR STORY?

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The types of speakers you could bring to the stage

are unlimited, but relevancy is key. From creative

thinkers and celebrities to innovators and makers…

who is best placed to deliver the idea?

Some of the most interesting talks at Dubai Lynx have

introduced speakers from outside of the industry who

share new perspectives on creativity. If you want to

create a memorable presentation, consider inviting

someone ‘out of the box’ to share the stage with you.

A FEW IDEAS INCLUDE…

• Artists, musicians, poets

• Illustrators, photographers, designers

• Innovators and entrepreneurs

• Technologists, scientists, engineers

• Philosophers and theorists.

You might wish to consider inviting a cutting-edge

brand to share the stage with you – we’re looking for

the marketers that are brave, opinionated and who

have a compelling story to share.

DEVELOPING YOUR IDEA

WHO SHOULD TELL YOUR STORY?

“THE DUBAI LYNX FESTIVAL PUTS YOU IN FRONT OF UBER TALENTED PEOPLE THEN REWARDS AND HUMBLES YOU IN EQUAL MEASURE.Ramsey NajaChief Creative Officer,J. Walter Thompson MEA

DUBAI LYNX 2017 SPEAKER 5

Remember that you will be speaking to some of the

most creative minds from across the MENA region.

These are high-powered, well-informed people who

have a huge appetite for big, bold, game-changing

ideas. To impress this audience you need to have

something powerful to say and an exciting way to

say it – your content must be insightful, authentic and

aimed at a senior level.

Corporate sales presentations simply won’t work.

Sessions with style, wit and substance will.

This is a festival celebrating creativity so we

encourage you to be as creative and innovative as

you can with how you convey your idea.

WHAT SORT OF PROPOSALS STAND OUT?

• Ideas that surprise us

• Ideas that inspire new ways of thinking

• Ideas around mind-blowing innovation

• Ideas that involve show-stopping theatre.

BUT MOST OF ALL…

• Ideas that have creativity at their core!

DEVELOPING YOUR IDEA

HOW SHOULD YOU TELL YOUR STORY?

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The following pages detail the variety of stages we

have at the festival and the types of content and

formats that are best suited to each.

Please note, multiple submissions can be made for

each of the individual stages however an organisation

can only be featured once on the Inspiration Stage.

THE INSPIRATION STAGE

OVERVIEW

This stage welcomes global creative minds and

visionary thinkers to share the biggest and boldest

ideas that will inspire new creative approaches.

These sessions should consider a topic or broader

idea, not simply a case study or business initiative

as this can lead to talks that are considered self-

promotional.

Types of content might include:

• Compelling stories of creative journeys

• A brand sharing their fight for creativity

• A call to action to help move the industry forward

• Exploring a brand and agency partnership

• Creative insights from artists, musicians and others

outside the industry

• New opinions and ideas that haven’t been

heard before.

Above all, sessions must have creativity at their heart.

FORMAT

This is the stage for powerful keynote-style talks,

professionally conducted interviews with high-

profile guests and one-to-one fireside chats. There

is no audience Q&A on this stage, and there are no

panel sessions.

ARABIC CREATIVITY STAGE

OVERVIEW

Seminars on this stage will delve into the new

concepts and bold ideas born out of the Middle

East by the region’s most talented minds. Talks aim

to stimulate discussion on topical issues, showcase

original ideas and explore the flourishing creativity

unique to this region. Ideas to consider might include:

• Exploring Arabic popular culture and design

• Insights on building a local identity for a brand

• Creative techniques, philosophies and processes

evolved specifically for the Middle East.

FORMAT

The majority of talks will be conducted in Arabic with

English translation offered to audience members via

headsets. Q&A will run at the end of each session,

interactive presentations and live discussions are

encouraged.

DATA X INNOVATION X TECH STAGE

OVERVIEW

This stage is designed to bring to life the cutting-

edge technology and innovation that is enhancing

creative communications. Talks aim to rally

thinking on how the industry can use intelligent data

and advanced technologies combined with our

own ‘human touch’ to tell new and powerful stories.

Topic ideas might include:

• Exploring VR, AR and creating new immersive

experiences

• Robotics, AI and the application of data

• Using neuroscience, decision science and cognitive

tech to understand creativity.

FORMAT

This space lends itself well to demonstrations and

interactive experiences so when showing technology,

consider how you can best bring this to life on stage.

STAGES AND THEMES

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FIT?

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STARTUP STAGE

OVERVIEW

Now in its third year, the Startup Program at

Dubai Lynx is designed to unite start-ups, brand

partners and agencies. Startup founders can

apply to participate in the programme which offers

matchmaking sessions, advice from industry thought

leaders and mentoring workshops.

FORMAT

The Startup Stage plays host to the educational

seminars that form part of this programme for

start-ups. In 2018 we are looking for seasoned

entrepreneurs, creatives and business experts to host

sessions that provide advice for start-ups on ways

to grow their businesses and collaborate with the

creative ecosystem.

Topics to consider include:

• Growth Hacking

• Creating a vision and executing a strategy

• The art of the pitch

• Building a robust business ethos and culture

• Identifying and collaborating with new business

partners.

Speakers on this stage are also invited to be a

mentor to the start-ups taking part in the programme

throughout the three days. This would include

meeting with start-ups on a one-to-one basis as well

as offering advice on business ideas and potential

contacts and collaborations.

STAGES AND THEMES

NEW:

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“A REGION AS RICH AND DIVERSE AS THE MIDDLE EAST IS ONE WHERE TALENT AND AMBITION FLOURISHES.OPENING TO A FULL HOUSE AS A SPEAKER AT THE RECENT DUBAI LYNX FESTIVAL WAS MORE THAN A PRIVILEGE. YOU HAVE AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE REALISING THAT EVERY EAR IN THE HALL IS LISTENING TO EVERY WORD AND EVERY STATEMENT YOU SAY.Jeremy PerrottGlobal Chief Creative Officer,McCann Health

DUBAI LYNX 2017 SPEAKER

CREATIVITY IN HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATIONS

OVERVIEW

This year Dubai Lynx will host a series of curated

talks dedicated to celebrating life-changing

creativity in healthcare communications.

We are looking for sessions that demonstrate

the impressive power of creativity to solve

healthcare problems and increase awareness for

healthcare issues. Whether you’re a marketer from a

health & wellness or pharmaceutical brand, a creative

(from either a consumer or specialist healthcare

agency) or a healthcare expert or practitioner, we

want to hear your ideas!

Themes to explore could include:

• Showcasing the true impact of creative bravery in

healthcare communications

• Applying creativity to drive behavioural change in

healthcare

• How cultural dynamics influence and shape

healthcare communications

• Empowering patients: The role of empathy in

engaging and educating people about healthcare

• The next big disruptions in healthcare and their

influence on healthcare communications.

FORMAT

These talks will run as a tailored programme

with sessions interspersed throughout the three

days of the Festival programme integrated across all

three stages.

STAGES AND THEMES

NEW:

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THE BUSINESS OF CREATIVITY

OVERVIEW

2018 sees the introduction of a tailored programme

with sessions that will explore the business and

management of creativity. Sessions will uncover

new advice and guidance on the practical aspects

of business in the creative sector. These sessions

are designed for leaders of creative teams and

businesses.

We’re looking for creative leaders, marketers

and entrepreneurs to share ideas on new business

practices that support the development of

creative ideas.

You may wish to consider topics under the following

themes:

• Talent and training – building the future

creative team

• Defining company values and a culture that

supports creativity

• Strategies to implement innovation

• Cost-effective creativity

• New agency models and partnerships

• Honing processes and prototyping ideas.

(This is not an exhaustive list and we welcome

other ideas)

FORMAT

Sessions will take place on the Startup Stage.

This stage provides the opportunity to engage

with the audience – Q&A will run at the end of

each session.

STAGES AND THEMES

“DUBAI LYNX ALLOWED US A GREAT PLATFORM TO SHARE WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT FROM OUR EXPERIENCES FROM WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY TO HELP OTHERS ALSO APPROACH ADVERTISING IN A NEW WAY AND TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF CREATING GREAT, EFFECTIVE WORK.Assam KhalidCreative Director / Strategic Planning Director,BBDO Pakistan

DUBAI LYNX 2017 SPEAKER

NEW:

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Your initial proposal only needs to be a 120 word

outline. To submit a proposal, simply complete the

online form at content.dubailynx.com.

To discuss any potential content ideas, please

contact Dubai Lynx Content Manager Annie Smith at

annies@canneslions.com.

The deadline for submissions is 12 October 2017.

After this date we will enter into a review process.

Please be aware that demand far exceeds supply,

so unfortunately we can only select those ideas we

feel are the most creatively focussed and thus most

relevant for our core audience.

Spaces are limited and some proposals may be

offered a slot on a different stage to the one they

initially applied for.

THINGS TO NOTE:

• All content is selected on the merit of ideas

submitted

• All speakers receive a full pass to the Dubai Lynx

Festival (please note this does not include the

awards)

• There is NO charge to speak on any of the stages

• If your idea is successful, the cost to cover

the logistics behind your idea (travel, fees,

accommodation and so on) must be covered by

you, the session host

• Please note that only speakers receive a

complimentary pass. Anyone organising a

session that is not speaking will not receive a

complimentary pass.

SUBMITTING YOUR IDEA

HOW CAN I SUBMIT AN IDEA?

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