Dubai Lynx expands talent training program Young Lynx Academy to Saudi Arabia

Two-day event to challenge ‘young professionals to think creatively & push their boundaries,” says organizer. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 January 2025
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Dubai Lynx expands talent training program Young Lynx Academy to Saudi Arabia

  • Winners will be recognized at the Dubai Lynx Awards ceremony on April 9 in Dubai

DUBAI: Dubai Lynx, a prominent creative festival and awards program organized by Cannes Lions, has announced the launch of the Saudi edition of its annual Young Lynx Academy, in partnership with multinational advertising conglomerate Publicis Groupe Middle East.

“Saudi Arabia’s creative industry is at a pivotal moment, driven by ambition and a growing appetite for world-class creative excellence,” Adel Baraja, CEO of Publicis Communications KSA, told Arab News.

He added: “The market is brimming with untapped potential, and we believe initiatives like Young Lynx Academy will play a crucial role in shaping the future of creativity in the Kingdom.”

The Dubai edition will be held on April 7 and 8, and the Saudi edition will take place at Snap Inc.’s Riyadh office from Feb. 18 to 19.

“The Riyadh edition of the Young Lynx Academy, in partnership with Publicis Groupe Middle East, is designed to be an immersive experience that challenges young professionals to think creatively and push their boundaries,” Kamille Marchant, director of Dubai Lynx, told Arab News.

On the first day, participants will meet the mentors who will guide them through the event. The day will also feature keynote speeches from industry experts, networking opportunities, and an introduction to the “centerpiece” of the event, a 24-hour hack challenge, Marchant explained.

On the second day, participants will focus on tackling the brief and present their ideas to a panel of judges. They will be required to work collaboratively on a real-world brief under time constraints, which encourages not just innovative thinking but also teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving under pressure, she added.

The event will conclude with the announcement of the winning presentation.

Applications are now open, and the winners will be recognized at the Dubai Lynx Awards ceremony on April 9 at the Emirates Golf Club.


Tunisian journalist Chatha BelHajj Mubarak freed after sentence cut

Updated 14 January 2026
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Tunisian journalist Chatha BelHajj Mubarak freed after sentence cut

  • The court cut her sentence from five years to two, ‌making her eligible for ‌immediate release, ‌her ⁠brother ​told ‌Reuters

TUNIS: A Tunisian appeal court on Wednesday ordered the release of journalist Chatha ​BelHajj Mubarak, jailed since 2023 in a conspiracy case, after reducing her prison sentence, her family said.
The court cut her sentence from five years to two, ‌making her eligible for ‌immediate release, ‌her ⁠brother ​told ‌Reuters.
She was convicted in the so-called “Instalingo” case, which involved politicians, media figures and other defendants accused of conspiracy and financial crimes. BelHajj Mubarak denied the charges.
“Chatha ⁠is free and leaving prison,” ‌her brother, Amen BelHajj Mubarak, ‍said.
He said ‍her health had severely ‍deteriorated during her time in prison. She suffered serious complications, including significant hearing loss, and was diagnosed ​with cancer in detention, he added.
Tunisian authorities have said the ⁠case stems from judicial investigations into alleged financial and security-related offenses, and have rejected accusations by opposition groups that the prosecutions were politically motivated.
Tunisian prosecutors are pursuing a number of high-profile conspiracy cases involving politicians, journalists and activists. Several opposition ‌leaders have received lengthy prison terms.