Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the Kingdom’s largest gathering of the creative marketing industry, has revealed a comprehensive lineup of speakers and initiatives for the second iteration of its annual event.
The two-day Saudi festival will feature two distinct content stages, with the main conference and sessions commencing from 5 to 6 November. Specialised training academies in creative marketing and communications tailored for young talent will be carried out from 3 to 6 November.
The series of events, set to usher in a new age of Saudi creativity, will then culminate in a grand finale with the Athar Awards ceremony on the evening of 6 November.
These details were shared during a press conference held earlier in the week by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, in the presence of partners MBC Media Solutions (MMS) and flynas, in Riyadh.
Young Talent Academies at Athar
Registrations have officially opened for the Athar Young Talent Academies and seats are filling up fast. Demand for the initiative has been supercharged by the announcement that applications to the academies are completely free of charge.
Full-time university students between the ages of 18 and 25, as well as young professionals aged 30 or younger who are actively working in the fields of creative communications, advertising, or marketing have been encouraged to register.
The initiative – which includes the Student Creative Academy in partnership with MCN, Student Marketers Academy, NextGen Creative Academy, and NextGen Marketers Academy – is geared to instruct, inform, and enable students and young professionals to take the next step in their careers.
The academies, which will feature keynote sessions from industry experts, workshops, and a 24-hour hackathon, will also offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet and learn from high-profile speakers and leaders, network with delegates and attendees, and carve out significant social capital.
Highlighting the initiatives, Ian Fairservice, Chairman of the Athar Festival and Managing Partner & Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group, said, “Beyond a robust lineup of speakers and panellists that will lead the festival’s key sessions, the Young Talent Academies and Maheerah Programme exemplify the festival’s focus on learning and development. These initiatives, both having debuted during the inaugural edition held last November, embody Athar Festival’s commitment as an enabler of Saudi Vision 2030 by nurturing future leaders, empowering women, and driving the creative marketing sector forward.”
Maheerah: An accelerator for women in MarComms
Registrations are also open for the Maheerah Programme, powered by Publicis Groupe.
This initiative empowers women in marcomms through learning, networking, mentorship, and personal developmental training opportunities.
Female participants, with mid- to senior-level expertise, will be offered tailored coaching sessions, individualised workshops, and exclusive networking opportunities, all guided by esteemed industry leaders from around the world.
Commenting on the festival’s commitment to empowering Saudi Arabia’s future leaders, Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, said, “Athar Festival 2024 serves as a unique national platform that enhances skills and fosters talent among Saudi Arabia’s greatest asset and wealth – its youth, preparing them to compete and lead globally and overcome imminent future challenges. Through our programme and initiatives, it is our aim is to spur an inspired future for our nation’s youth and its progress.”
Speakers at Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity
During the press conference, Motivate Media Group and TRACCS also revealed an impressive lineup of speakers, including His Highness Prince Fahad bin Faisal Al Saud, Founder of NA3AM; Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder of WPP and the Founder and Executive Chairman of S4 Capital,; Matt McKie, Director of Marketing at Manchester United; Najeeb Jarrar, Chief Marketing Officer – Middle East and North Africa at Google; and Tim Miles, SVP Global Sync at Warner Music Group.
Apart from these initiatives, Athar Festival 2024 also offers exclusive opportunities for industry leaders through the Future CMO Academy, presented by Omnicom Group, which provides future CMOs with professional development through a one-day programme.
Additionally, the Festival will host CEO and CMO Roundtables, invite-only events powered by Raiyn Group and Bloomberg Media, respectively, bringing together the Kingdom’s top brand leaders to discuss pressing issues affecting their businesses and the region.
Remarking on the continued partnership with the Festival of creativity, Ahmed Al Sahhaf, CEO of MBC Media Solutions, said, “At MMS, we are dedicated to delivering innovative and diverse advertising solutions that connect you with the most prominent and largest media platforms in the MENA, including MBC Group and the Saudi Sports Company (SSC). We are committed to fostering collaboration, integration, and ongoing communication with our partners. The inaugural edition of Athar Festival solidified its position as a global hub for the creative industry, and we are proud to continue our strategic partnership for the second consecutive year. This partnership is instrumental in shaping the future of the creative industry in Saudi Arabia.”
To find out more about talent and training initiatives at the Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity in Riyadh, visit the official website: https://www.atharfestival.com.
