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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
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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