Dubai Lynx - International Festival of Creativity

What Dubai Lynx - International Festival of Creativity does

Dubai Lynx is MENA's premier annual awards festival and creative communications platform, established in 2007 and operated as a private event by Informa Events (Europe) Limited (part of Informa Group) in partnership with Motivate Publishing FZ LLC. Its core product is the Dubai Lynx Awards program, which recognizes creative excellence across 21 categories spanning Audio & Radio, Film, Design, Digital Craft, Healthcare, Media, PR, and Social & Creator, culminating in an Awards Ceremony held at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai (8 October 2026). The 2025 edition drew 1,347 submissions from which 301 were shortlisted, and the 2023 edition drew 1,862 submissions with 404 shortlisted, signaling a notable decline in entry volume over the two-year period. The platform also runs a year-round programming calendar — Creativity Week (6-7 October 2026), C-suite roundtables, Brand Breakfasts, Creative Leader Dinners, the CMO Accelerator Programme, and the CMO Growth Council in association with Cannes Lions — plus talent development initiatives including the Young Lynx Academy (Dubai and Riyadh editions), Young Lynx Competition, See It Be It Connects: MENA for senior women, and Student Integrated and Film Competitions.

The underlying technology is a web-based platform handling ticketing, award submissions, delegate registration, and content delivery, supported by the Evento app for on-site delegate management. Dubai Lynx monetizes through three streams: (i) one-time ticket and table sales for the Awards Ceremony at USD $975 per seat, $4,875 for a 5-seat table, and $9,750 for a 10-seat table (plus 5% VAT, with early-bird discount windows ending February 2026); (ii) tiered sponsorship and bespoke partnership packages sold to brands seeking access to MENA's creative marketing community (including flagship partners such as Diriyah Company and Publicis Groupe Middle East); and (iii) revenue from year-round professional development programs. The company is headquartered at 33rd Floor, Media One Tower, Dubai Media City, with a secondary office at 5 Howick Place, London (co-organizer's registered office), and operates with 51-100 employees.

Name

Dubai Lynx - International Festival of Creativity

Legal name

Informa Events (Europe) Limited

Website

https://dubailynx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Dubai Lynx is MENA's premier annual awards festival and creative communications platform, recognizing brand storytelling excellence across 21 categories and running year-round talent programs for agencies, brands, and senior marketers in the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Marketing Events and Awards

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ)

Keywords

• Creative awards festival
• Advertising awards program
• Creative industry events
• Talent development programs
• Marketing industry networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Awards Ceremony Tickets and Passes: Revenue generated from selling individual seats and tables at the annual Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony. Options include Awards Seat (single seat), Awards Table for 5 guests, and Awards Table for 10 guests. Includes access to the Awards Ceremony, Dinner, and Afterparty.
2. Sponsorship and Partnership: Organizations can partner with Dubai Lynx for brand exposure, custom branding opportunities, category sponsorship, and access to MENA's creative marketing community through various sponsorship tiers and bespoke partnership arrangements.
3. Year-round Event Programs: Revenue from C-suite events, roundtables, brand breakfasts, creative leader dinners, and talent development initiatives including Young Lynx Academy partnerships and See It Be It Connects sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dubai Lynx is an annual festival and awards platform for the MENA creative marketing industry, organized by Informa Events (Europe) Limited and Motivate Publishing FZ LLC. It sells tickets and table packages to the Lynx Awards Ceremony, award entry submissions across 21 creative categories, sponsorship and partnership packages, and access to year-round talent and executive programs (Young Lynx Academy, Young Lynx Competition, See It Be It Connects, C-suite Roundtables, CMO Accelerator Programme, student competitions).

Product overview

Dubai Lynx is MENA's premier platform for celebrating creative excellence and innovation in the advertising and marketing communications industry. The offering is organized as a unified festival platform combining the core Dubai Lynx Awards (with 21 distinct Lynx Award categories covering all aspects of creative communications) with Creativity Week sessions, and multiple talent development initiatives including the Young Lynx Academy, Young Lynx Competition, and See It Be It Connects: MENA programme. The platform also encompasses year-round professional development through C-suite Roundtables, CMO programmes (including the CMO Accelerator Programme and CMO Growth Council), and networking events such as Creative Leader Dinners, Winners' Lunch, and Brand Breakfasts. Supporting offerings include the annual Dubai Lynx Creativity Report and Student Competitions. Together, these products serve the entire creative ecosystem from students and emerging talent through to senior executives and established agencies across the MENA region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lynx Awards: The core awards program recognizing creative excellence across 21 different award categories including Audio & Radio, Film, Design, Digital Craft, Healthcare, and more.
• Creativity Week
• Young Lynx Academy
• See It Be It Connects: MENA
• Young Lynx Competition

Products and services

• Dubai Lynx Awards
• Creativity Week
• Young Lynx Academy
• Young Lynx Competition
• See It Be It Connects: MENA
• C-suite Roundtables
• CMO Accelerator Programme
• Student Competitions
• Dubai Lynx Creativity Report
• Brand Breakfasts
• Creative Leader Dinners
• Winners' Lunch

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 390 million views achieved by winning campaign 'Works Like Magic' for Floward
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• Memac OgilvycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026Memac Ogilvy powers the Young Lynx Competition, supporting the platform for young creatives aged 32 and under to compete and showcase their creative prowess over three days working on real industry briefs.
• Diriyah CompanyflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 October 2025Diriyah Company is the Awards Ceremony headline partner for 2025. The partnership underscores shared vision of promoting the region's cultural and creative ambitions on a global scale.
• Dubai Media CitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2024Strategic partner of Dubai Lynx. Hosts events at in5 Tech, Dubai Internet City. Partnership includes student hackathon collaboration and venue hosting for Young Lynx Competitions and See It Be It Connects events.
• Publicis Groupe Middle EastcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2023Partnership enters fourth year in 2026. Publicis Groupe Middle East powers the Young Lynx Academy, providing mentorship, workshops, and industry leader insights. The partnership supports both Dubai and Riyadh editions of the Academy, welcoming 20 young professionals per edition for bespoke mentorship programs including workshops and 24-hour hack competitions.
• Informa Events (Europe) LimitedcoreOthersCo-organizer of Dubai Lynx alongside Motivate Publishing. Part of the Informa Group, bringing global events expertise and connection to Cannes Lions ecosystem.
• Motivate Publishing FZ LLCcoreOthersCo-organizer of Dubai Lynx. Part of Motivate Media Group, providing regional media expertise and local market knowledge in MENA.
• MCN (Mediacom)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCN collaborates on See It Be It Connects: MENA, a one-day high-impact leadership experience for senior women in MENA's creative, media, and marketing industries, featuring immersive masterclasses and curated networking.
• International Advertising Association (IAA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn association with Dubai Lynx. IAA hosts the Jury Dinner during the festival. IAA Kuwait Chapter and IAA Dubai collaborate on portfolio day and student initiatives.
• BursonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunications partner providing PR and communications support for Dubai Lynx.
• Cannes LionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDubai Lynx is part of the Lions family of creative festivals. Partnership enables access to global jury, Cannes Lions CMO Growth Council collaboration, and connection to international creative standards.
• The Marketing SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner hosting exclusive breakfasts and curated sessions with Dubai Lynx, providing access to creative and marketing professionals and thought leadership.
• Big Kahuna FilmssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHost of Creative Leaders Dinner, an exclusive invite-only dinner with senior leaders from brands, agencies, and government.
• Campaign Middle EastsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing editorial coverage including Brand Breakfasts reports and industry news.
• Transform MagazinesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner covering MEA awards and celebrating transformation in business through creative communications.
• Motivate Media GroupsupportingOthersSponsor supporting Dubai Lynx events and awards programs.
• in5 TechsupportingOthersVenue partner hosting Young Lynx Academy Dubai, Young Lynx Competitions, and See It Be It Connects at in5 Tech, Dubai Internet City.
• Boomtown ProductionssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent production partner supporting Dubai Lynx events.
• KantarsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerData and insights partner providing market intelligence support.
• Massive MusicsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic specialist partner for creative and entertainment initiatives.
• Unstereotype AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership promoting unstereotyped communications in advertising and creative work.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The One Show: US-based global creative awards competition run by The One Club for Creativity. Directly comparable awards-driven festival targeting agencies, brands, and creative leaders across disciplines.
• Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity: The global flagship of the same Lions family of creative festivals; organized by the same parent (Informa/Ascential). Directly comparable as a creative awards and industry festival, with Dubai Lynx positioned as the regional MENA counterpart.
• Clio Awards: International advertising and creative awards program covering film, print, digital, design, and craft. Comparable peer as a multi-category creative awards platform serving agencies and brands globally.
• D&AD Awards: Long-standing UK-based international creative awards program ( Pencils ) covering advertising, design, and craft. Comparable as a globally recognized creative awards festival serving agencies and brands.
• Spikes Asia: Regional creative awards festival for Asia Pacific, also part of the Lions/Informa network. Same awards-platform business model as Dubai Lynx, focused on APAC rather than MENA — making it the closest sibling peer.
• Effie Awards: Global marketing effectiveness awards program with regional editions (including MENA). Comparable peer recognizing marketing effectiveness and creative strategy outcomes for brands and agencies.

Broad incumbents

• New York Festivals Advertising Awards: Long-established international advertising awards competition covering creative, media, and effectiveness. Comparable peer serving agencies and brands with multi-category awards programs.
• ADC*E Awards (Art Directors Club of Europe): European creative awards and festival for advertising, design, and digital craft. Comparable as a regional creative awards platform, though broader in geographic scope than Dubai Lynx's MENA focus.

Regional players

• Campaign Middle East: Regional trade media and event organizer covering advertising and marketing in MENA. Comparable peer as a regional MENA media/events platform; co-organizes some Dubai Lynx editorial coverage (Brand Breakfasts).
• Transform Magazine MENA Awards: MEA-focused awards program covering brand transformation and creative communications. Comparable as a regional creative awards platform in the same geography; listed as a community partner of Dubai Lynx.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dubai Lynx - International Festival of Creativity