Calligraphers, neuroscientists, producers take the stage at Dubai Lynx

Emma Farmer, festival director, Dubai Lynx, said that this collection of speakers was symbolic of the ‘innovative, fast-paced and developing’ nature of the industry in MENA.

The new Regional Stage will spotlight the fresh creative thinking coming out of MENA, welcoming speakers such as award winning designer and calligrapher, Wissam Shawkrat, who will examine the impact of calligraphy as an art form in today’s modern advertising. Established producer, Dolly Saidy, will tackle branded content and the gap between advertisers and TV Networks while the forward-thinking founder of Advance Digital, Ali Al Shaiba, will explore the use of social media in crises.

On the Inspiration Stage, Vicky Bullen, CEO, Coley Porter Bell and Neuroscientist Dr Tim Holmes, will look at the world of neuro-aesthetics, focusing on the neuroscience behind some of the world’s biggest design successes. Spearheading new techniques in Virtual & Augmented Reality, TED speaker, Simon Gosling, creative evangelist at global production studio Happy Finish will explore the maturing of storytelling in VR and how brands are now using it to engage consumers in more immersive ways than ever before.

Elsewhere, on the Focus on Africa Stage, as mobile comes into its own on the continent, Sean Riley, will explore some of the standout creative uses of Twitter and will interview Kenyan born Chief Francis Kariuki on his unique use of the platform in communicating with the Lanet – Umoja region. While on the Data x Innovation x Tech stage - powered by Dentsu Aegis, CEO of data science consultancy Profusion, Mike Weston, will give a walking tour of the new era of smart city technology.

Dubai Lynx takes place from 6-8 March 2016. For more information, go to www.dubailynx.com.