Presented by a high calibre of speakers, the two-and-a-half day programme of seminars and workshops will tackle the issues and challenges facing the industry, from both a regional and global perspective. The festival will also see six workshops where delegates will work with each other on real-life briefs and problems; an exhibition and screening of the shortlisted Dubai Lynx entries; the Lynx Awards and the After Party. With the view to encouraging and grooming young talent, the festival will also feature the Leo Burnett Lynx Academy which will give 20 students the opportunity to participate in an exceptional learning programme with tutors who are top industry figures; and the Young Lynx Competition, which will be fought out by teams of three young creatives.

The Dubai Lynx Awards will honour MENA's best work in creative advertising. The awards will take place at the Madinat Arena at the Madinat Jumeirah, wherein awards will be handed out across the categories of Film, Print, Outdoor, Radio, Media, Direct, Promo & Activation, Interactive, Print & Poster Craft, Film Craft, Design, Integrated, PR and Mobile. Of these, PR and Mobile are two new categories.

The organizers have announced the line-up of the jury presidents for the awards. Ted Royer, Partner and Executive Creative Director, Droga5, USA, will chair the Film, Print, Outdoor, Radio and Craft jury as well as the integrated jury. Leading the Direct, Promo & Activation, Interactive and Mobile jury will be Gastón Bigio, Regional Creative Director, Ogilvy Latina. Jacki Kelley, Global Chief Executive Officer, UM, USA, will take the helm of the Media jury; while Richard Millar, Chief Executive Officer, Hill & Knowlton, UK, will preside over the inaugural PR jury; and Jonathan Ford, Creative Partner, Pearlfisher, will chair the Design Jury.

Commenting on the line-up, Terry Savage, CEO, Cannes Lions, organisers of Dubai Lynx, said: "This is an exceptional line-up of jury presidents. Highly respected professionals and leaders in their fields, they will guide their juries to seek out the best work produced in the region. Their decision will not only have an impact on the participating agencies, but also on the future of MENA's advertising and communications industry, which is currently going through enormous transformations."

The sponsors for the event include arabianEye, Arabian Outdoor UAE, wunderman, y&R, Digital Media Services, Big Kahuna Films, Aegis Media and Alchemy Films, amongst others.