As part of our annual Dubai special issue, we look at what exactly sets the country apart, specifically when it comes to garnering awards and talent considering that most of these originate from that emirate, which some are calling the region’s creative h

Karim Khalifa, Arabad

It is correct that most of the award-winning campaigns come out of Dubai, considering that it is a regional hub where most agencies have their bases. It’s therefore natural that the entry point for the awards is rooted in Dubai. With the country being what it is in terms of lifestyle and quality of life, it is a very attractive place for top talent, hence a lot of the top creatives from around the region and the world will be attracted to live and work there. Having said that however, a lot of the actual top creative work often comes out of countries like Lebanon, Egypt and the MENA region, with a lot of the award winning creatives working and living in Dubai being home grown Middle East talents from these exact same countries.

Rafic Kamaleddine,