The Movie-Going Experience Is Redefined As Majid Al Futtaims Cinestar Cinemas Becomes VOX Cinemas

From today, Middle East movie-goers are set for their most dynamic cinema experience to date as newly rebranded VOX Cinemas sets about delivering exciting new seating, ticketing, dining and big screen cinema options directly based on customer feedback and research.

VOX Cinemas, formally CineStar Cinemas, is now wholly owned by Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, the growth engine division behind Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, and the incubator responsible for developing new opportunities that complement and reinforce the Group’s leadership across in its core businesses.

The VOX Cinemas brand, derived from the Latin word for ‘voice,’ has been extended to Majid Al Futtaim’s 50 screens in five locations across the UAE, including Deira City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall and Ajman City Centre. VOX Cinemas has significant growth plans across the region and will open the first of many planned VOX Cinemas outside the UAE, when Beirut City Centre opens in 2012.

“Majid Al Futtaim Ventures has seen an incredibly keen appetite for cinema-going over the last decade, and by researching the preferences of our customers across all backgrounds and nationalities, we have created the new VOX Cinemas brand to deliver the most engaging viewing experience as well as more choice in ticketing, seating and dining to further establish movie-going as one of the Middle East’s most popular forms of entertainment,” said Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures.

“With VOX Cinemas, we have refined every aspect of the cinema-going experience in the region to make it more engaging, fun and hassle-free, from the ease of ticket purchase to innovative seating alternatives, and more delicious food and beverage options. Our customers have said that they see the cinema as an affordable way to unwind, escape and spend time with family and friends, and VOX Cinemas have anticipated these needs to offer an experience that is more stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable by offering the latest cinema technologies, not available elsewhere across the region,” said VOX Cinemas CEO Cameron Mitchell.

Delivering the United Arab Emirates’ only 4K digital projection systems for superior viewing of this summer’s major 3D blockbusters, VOX Cinemas’ 4K digital projection systems have four times the number of pixels and resolution than any other digital cinema in the region, creating a more immersive and compelling cinema experience. This enhanced resolution, will boost the popularity of the eagerly anticipated summer releases such as The Green Lantern, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Cars 2 and Transformers – Dark of the Moon, all of which will be screened on massive new VOX MAX mega screens.

Majid Al Futtaim were the first company in the region to introduce premium cinemas, which will be further enhanced through the new VOX GOLD brand, offering fully-reclining arm chairs, a comprehensive cafe style menu, and table service within these luxurious cinemas. Another first for the region, VOX Cinemas is also the first cinema company to offer 3D movies in this premium cinema environment, ensuring that VOX Cinema guests can see every film, including explosive new 3D content, in their preferred cinema environment.

Addressing customer feedback, VOX Cinemas is also dramatically improving customer choice by offering additional ticketing options including online ticketing through their website (www.voxcinemas.com), an iPhone ticketing application, a mobile website, and kiosk and onsite sales.

The new loyalty programme, VOX Rewards, will reward loyal cinema goers through providing complimentary tickets, food and beverages as well as a range of special offers and movie updates. The VOX Cafes and candybars, have similarly been upgraded to offer guests a large variety of traditional cinema favourites, coupled with more contemporary food and beverage favourites such as home made gelati, crepes, fresh juices, salads, sandwiches, French fries, coffees, muffins and gourmet popcorns.

“VOX Cinemas has strong aspirations to roll out its innovative and customized cinema experience to key markets and malls across the Middle East & Levant regions, and we’re currently in discussion with numerous entities across new and existing malls throughout the region,” concluded Ismail.

VOX Cinemas intends to further enhance the entertainment experience by offering alternative content options including major sporting events (World Cups, UEFA Champions League matches, Wimbledon & much more), coupled with forthcoming concerts and children’s events, ensuring that UAE residents are given a variety of entertainment alternatives through their local VOX Cinema.
 

Three Training Programs Launched Through Majid Bin Mohammed Training Initiative During Careers UAE 2011

In a climate of increasing competition and change, there is a need to provide ideal working environments to attract local talent and encourage creativity and excellence. It is in light of the ongoing efforts of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, to encourage qualified nationals to participate in the labour market that the Private Office of His Highness has announced its participation in Careers UAE 2011 for the third consecutive year in order to launch the Majid bin Mohammed UAE Nationals Training Initiative.

Careers UAE 2011, in its 11th edition, is being held from 21 to 23 March, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The most affluent recruitment, education and training event for all UAE nationals, it is considered to be an event of the utmost importance as it contributes to the empowerment of UAE nationals by providing suitable employment opportunities along with its promotion of Emiratisation.

Within this framework, Careers UAE is the perfect platform to launch the comprehensive training initiative aimed at strengthening the confidence of young nationals and securing their future, thus providing stability and improved livelihoods for themselves and their families. Under this initiative, young nationals are given a choice to join between three programs: Management Training Program, National Coaching Program, and Initiatives Management Training. The Management Training Program allows young candidates the opportunity to experience professional training in leading global companies; the program starts in June for a period of no less than six months. The National Coaching Program will also commence in June for a period of no less than three months, allowing qualified nationals a chance to train intensively to hone their skills, among a group of leading national companies in the country. The Initiatives Management Training program provides an opportunity for its members to participate in an array of future initiatives throughout the year.

The ultimate strength of the initiatives is that they open the doors for professional training opportunities for all qualified UAE nationals, as they work under the guidance of major companies, institutions, and consultancies, and private institutions. This will equip them with the right skills and requirements to secure the best jobs in the market. This is noteworthy because it has been shown through studies that training leads to improved and enhanced performance, which in turn translates to increased wages by as much as 4 to 11%. Companies that hire trained employees will also bear the fruit of this success with increased profit rates brought in by more efficient employees. The same studies also show that an increase in training expenditure by 10% translates into an increase in productivity of up to 3%, which ultimately means training programmes are of vital importance when it comes to Emaratisation in various business sectors across the UAE. This initiative will also interject more qualified nationals into the labour market, and promote local production.

The initiative is being held in partnership with major global and national consulting firms and companies including: "Deloitte Middle East", "Ernst & Young", "IMG", "KPMG", "Price Waterhouse Coopers", "Profiles International Middle East,” "Desert Group", the Emirates Medical Group, "Sharaf DG," and “Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group of Companies”. These partnerships ensure that the training programmes are operated according to the highest International standards.

Through this initiative, Careers UAE 2011 will provide the ideal platform to improve and hone in on the skills of young nationals allowing them a competitive edge in the market by meeting with a range of exhibitors who specialize in training and human development. They will also be able to meet face to face with representatives of leading national and international companies to achieve their desired employment aspirations.

Applications and interviews for admission into the different programs of the initiative will be carried out during Careers UAE 2011, 21-23 March, at the pavilion of the Private Office of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
 

Majid Bin Mohammed Watersports Championships  Traditional 22ft Sailing Dhow Race Final

Raced as the seventh event of the Majid Bin Mohammed Watersports Championships the final of the Traditional 22ft Sailing Dhow Match Race was held on Saturday in Mina Seyahi. Emaar, skippered by Salim Ali Salim Adidi took first place after a shaky start left them last at the first mark, in second place was Serab, skippered by Abdul Aziz Mohammed Abdul Aziz and third was Humaid Ali Al Muhairi on Al Asifa.

‘Our win today was significant,’ said Salim Ali Salim Adidi. ‘We were last at the first mark but used our tactics well to come back and win the race.’

This seasons match race series has been plagued with bad luck and unfortunate rule breaches; the first round earlier in this month saw unfavourable conditions with the wind speed increasing as the boats waited on the start line. Gusts exceeding 20 knots forced the organisers at Dubai International Marine Club postpone the race.

The next endeavour to run the 23 boat race saw the complete opposite conditions with little wind forcing the organisers to move the course out to sea. But the racers luck was not with them again as the wind died as the dhows approached the finish line and in their quest to complete the race competitors took to using oars to propel them contravening the rules and eighteen of the boats were disqualified leaving only five boats and none of the top teams in the competition.

‘We have a lot of work to do,’ said the DIMC Sports Committee Chairman, Huraiz Al Mur Huraiz. ‘The development of watersports in the region has been excellent and we want to enhance what has been done so far. We are going over all aspects of each of the sports to see what we can introduce to make further developments.’

The 22ft sailing dhow was designed as the teaching class of the traditional dhow and rules dictate that only the skipper can be over 17 years of age. The rest of the crew must be 17 and the team must be from the UAE. The traditional class are part of the Emirates culture and heritage programme. The 22ft boat is part of DIMC’s youth into sports incentive and was introduced in 1988 to encourage local youngsters to sail and join their fathers and grandfathers initially as crew on the 43ft and 60ft classes before they take over the helm to continue the legacy of the graceful dhows, which started their days as, work boats for the pearl and fishing trade.

Saeed Hareb, CEO of DIMC, Huraiz Al Mur Huraiz, Sports Committee Chairman and Marwan Al Tayer, Sports Committee member for Traditional Sailing, presented trophies for the race,

The next round of the Majid Bin Mohammed Watersports Championship will be on Friday 6th May.
 

Majid Bin Mohammed Watersports Championships  Traditional 60ft Sailing Dhow Race

The Traditional 60ft Sailing dhows will take to the water this Saturday to race in the penultimate event of the Majid Bin Mohammed Watersports Championships. The Championship, which is an annual event and incorporates a series of races under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who presents trophies to the competitors to encourage and develop watersports in the region.

The last 60ft dhow race was extraordinary; it was during the Louis Vuitton Trophy (LVT), held at Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) in November 2010. The ‘Heritage Race’ as it became known was a great success and was the first time ‘foreigners’ had ever been allowed to race on the traditional dhow of the Emirates. Teams comprised of six local crewmembers and fourteen international sailors who were competing in the LVT on the version 5 Americas Cup Class (ACC) boats. The contrast between the wooden dhows with their triangular sails and little in the way of modern comfort was a stark contrast compared to the 85ft state of the art carbon fibre ACC boats and made an historic race.

The Heritage Race in November comprised of only six dhows, but this Saturday the sea offshore from Jumeirah will host up to a hundred dhows racing towards the iconic Burj Al Arab. The start line of the thirteen-mile race won’t be determined until Saturday morning as it will depend entirely on the direction of the wind as the dhows favoured direction is either sailing across the wind or with the wind behind them.

‘We have many aspects to consider when organizing races,’ said Saeed Hareb, CEO of DIMC. ‘There is the media, as the race will be televised live on the Dubai Sports Channel, and we have to coordinate communications, safety, logistics, civil defense, the coastguard and the police amongst other things. It’s a big operation and requires a lot of support. This race is also key for the teams and organizers as it is used as prep race for the final and biggest race of the season, the Al Gaffal, long distance race at the end of the month which is from Sur Bu Na’air Island, 54 nautical miles off the Dubai coastline.’

‘We will use this race to check everything on our boat,’ said Sultan Hareb who skippers Shamardel. ‘We will test everything especially the rigging, ropes and the settings to make sure the boat is ready and set up to race in the race on Saturday and in the Sur Bu Nair race to make sure nothing goes wrong.’

The race is on Saturday 7th May and will start at 2pm and is expected to last for about 90 minutes. The final 60ft race is on May 21st.
 

Majid Bin Mohammed Training Initiative Draws Significant Interest From Young Nationals During Careers UAE 2011

The Majid bin Mohammed Training Initiative is proving to be a pivotal success, as illustrated by the influx of candidates and the significant number of applications that have been received at the stand of The Private Office of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Careers UAE 2011.

Marwan bin Bayat, General Manager of the Office of HH Sheikh Majid, said: “Today’s business environment is constantly evolving and advancing, with immense pressure on organizations, employees, and potential candidates to stay versed with new developments. The initiative was conceptualized to equip UAE nationals with the tools required to stay on top of the competition and as a gateway into leading companies and a beneficial career.”

Visitors are able to interact with HR managers and recruitment executives from 10 leading global and national companies for a chance to join their ranks, with comprehensive assessments carried out by “Profiles International”, one of the prestigious partners. In a bid to ensure the highest standards feasible, and to aid in the selection process, candidates will undergo Psychometric testing that will objectively measure candidate attributes and subsequently direct their abilities along the most appropriate career path. A select 20 applicants will also be chosen to carry out a one week seminar to become ‘Certified Psychometric Assessors’ themselves.

Bin Bayat, added: “These assessments work to benefit the employer and the employee. The employer is given a competitive edge as they are able to select, hire, and retain great talent that will continue to develop over time; and the employees who will be directed to roles that match their skills, and their aptitudes, beginning their journey on the right path.”

The initiative is creating paramount opportunities for nationals as they are able to coalesce with prime organizations for a chance at an internship or career with leading organizations including the foremost four accounting and auditing firms in the world, "Deloitte", "Ernst & Young", “KPMG" and "Price Waterhouse Coopers", that will enhance their personal and technical skills for building a stronger career. Those interested in the medical field can apply with “EHL Health Systems Limited” (EHL) to train in management of healthcare facilities, including human resources, finance, marketing, IT, and patient administration. EHL has 68 hospitals worldwide, with two in Dubai, including The City Hospital and Wellcare Hospital, along with eight clinics.

Potential candidates will also have the opportunity to train with "IMG", and the leading national organizations, "Desert Group", the Emirates Medical Group, "Sharaf DG," and “Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group of Companies”. These, along with the initiative’s other partners, represent the standards and quality of opportunity the initiative hopes to provide for nationals.

The importance of training had been expressed by the participating partners, who stress the importance benefits of training. Companies continually seek out candidates who have developed their skills through training and experience. This consequently relates to the Majid bin Mohammed Training Initiative’s core value, in presenting the opportunity for nationals to access the adequate tools that will enhance their careers.

The Majid bin Mohammed Training Initiative includes three training programmes including The Management Training Program, the National Coaching Program, the Initiatives Management Training to maximise their development in the work force through training, education, and experience.

Applications and interviews for admission into the three different programs will be carried out during Careers UAE 2011, 21-23 March, at the pavilion of the Private Office of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

 

The UAEs Most Discerning Shoppers Get A Head Start At Majid Al Futtaims Flagship Retail Destinations

The UAE’s most discerning shoppers, keen to get a head start in the post-winter holiday shopping season, will benefit from more than 1300 retail outlets at Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ flagship destinations in the UAE, including Mirdif City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, and Deira City Centre. Starting on 5 January, spending a combined total of AED 300 across any of the three malls will give you a chance to win weekly shopping sprees worth AED 300,000.

Highlighting the continued buoyancy in the UAE’s retail sector following strong Eid and festive season foot traffic, Majid Al Futtaim Properties is rewarding the loyalty of its clients through additional promotions and fun entertainment to all the family throughout the extended winter shopping months.

In addition to the combined AED 300,000 weekly shopping sprees to be won starting as early as 5 January all through DSF, until 20 February, visitors to Mall of the Emirates can shop their way to one of two luxury getaways for 2 to Paris, while Deira City Centre has solid gold bars on offer in its weekly bonus draws. Mirdif City Centre will underscore its reputation as a family entertainment hub by hosting exciting events throughout the winter shopping high season.

“Many of our retail partners at Mirdif City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, and Deira City Centre are already anticipating the excitement of the winter holiday shopping season through fantastic sales and offers, which encouraged Majid Al Futtaim Properties to give our customers a head start on winning via our weekly shopping sprees and bonus draws from 5 January,” Yousif Al Ali, VP Mirdif City Centre.

“With a number of new brands coming to Dubai for the first time at Mirdif City Centre and Mall of the Emirates, along with Deira City Centre’s extensive array of mid-market popular brands, there are more than 1300 stores and retail outlets from which to choose, we’re making this an extremely memorable winter shopping season in Dubai,” added Yousif Al Ali.

January and February are traditionally strong shopping months in the UAE. In 2011, factors including the Chinese New Year, Russian Christmas, school holidays, resilient hotel occupancy and the concentration of luxury as well as value-centric brands in Dubai are expected to contribute to a robust winter shopping season.
 

His Highness Sheikh Majid Officially Inaugurates SIKKA Art Fair In Al Bastakiya

His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), inaugurated the SIKKA Art Fair, dedicated to Emirati and contemporary local art in Al Bastakiya, the heart of Dubai’s cultural scene, on March 14, 2011.

The first of its kind initiative by the Authority, the SIKKA Art Fair showcases artworks, by Emirati and UAE-based artists, and opens doors for visitors, students, and art enthusiasts to actively engage with the artist community through discussions, in addition to dedicated art workshops to be held over the nine-day event.

Guests can visit the Art Exhibitions from 10am to 7pm and the Evening programme ‘After Dark’ from 7pm – 8pm. Art related workshops and discussions, held at The Courtyard and House 9, will be held from March 15 – 17, and March 19, from 12.30pm to 1.15pm.

Families can take advantage of ‘Family Day’ with a spectrum of activities for adults and children hosted by the local artists on March 19, from 10am to 1pm, while art enthusiasts can tour Dubai on the ArtBus to the Sikka Art Fair, as well as the Art Week held as part of Art Dubai across the Emirate, from March 17 to 19.

To participate in the discussions and the ‘Family Day’ please register by email: sikkaartfair@dubaiculture.ae

The closing party of SIKKA Art Fair will be held at Al Bastakiya on March 19, from 7pm to 10pm. Guests can RSVP to sikkaartfair@dubaiculture.ae. For more information visit www.dubaiculture.ae, or contact 04 3417303.
 

Dubai Taxi Launches Pre-Service Initiative In Coop With Juma Al Majid Est. (Hyundai)

The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC), Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with Juma Al Majid Establishment (Hyundai), has recently launched ‘Pre-Service’ initiative to run for a week’s time with a view to improving the services rendered by the DTC and educate technicians.

According to DTC Director of Fleet Operations Yousef Al Ali, this initiative, which is run in coordination with Juma Al Majid Establishment in the context of cooperation with the strategic partners & vendors, aims at educating technicians on diagnosing Hyundai vehicles before being referred to maintenance, and screening drivers to know their opinions about the vehicles and the services rendered to them on board.

“Drivers have been educated on the diagnostic procedures, and directed to carry on regular checkups of vehicles and how to check various parts of vehicles before dispatching them to maintenance in order to preserve and ascertain the condition of the vehicle,” said Al Ali.

He continued: “This initiative has been well received by technicians and drivers alike as it has a considerable impact on maintaining the vehicle at the required standard, and minimize the faults sustained by taxicabs of DTC fleet which comprises 3504 vehicles driven by more than 7500 cabbies 24 hours a day on shift basis”. Al Ali pointed to the crucial role of maintenance, regular checks of vehicles & tires in safeguarding the safety of the vehicle and accordingly the driver and passengers. “DTC is seeking to provide all security and safety aspects and realize the best results to realize the Vision of the RTA and DTC of providing Safe & Smoot Transport for All.”

“The workshop has been well prepared and provided with all services, necessary equipment and technicians to carry out regular checkups and maintenance of taxicabs with the aim of enhancing the technical efficiency of the workshop through increasing the number of personnel to commensurate with the volume of the required jobs to be done on daily or monthly basis including repairs, maintenance, and cleaning of taxicabs. The operational efficiency of the workshop has soared this year to 93%, and the workshop is manned by 145 administrative & technical staff specialized in auto mechanics deployed on shift basis. The workshop has 54 bays for maintenance of vehicles and is fitted with modern equipment and repair systems.
 

Al Majid Motors Launches Kia Optima 2011 At Lavish Party At Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

Al Majid Motors Co. (Kia UAE) has launched the all new 2011 Kia Optima at a lavish party held at Atlantis the Palm, Dubai.

According to Marketing and Business Development Manager of Al Majid Motors Co. , Shehadeh Ahmad: “The all-new high performance Kia Optima has literally been transformed and now boasts a fresh new design that embodies a bold, athletic and sporty attitude combined with state-of-the-art engineering and technology. It’s these top notch features that inspired Al Majid Motors to launch this luxurious car at an equally-luxurious venue, Atlantis the Palm.”

Under the direction of Kia’s Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer, the third generation Kia Optima – which made its public world premiere at the New York International Auto Show in April 2010 – is a high performance sporty sedan that offers more space for people and cargo, a unique exterior with a driver-oriented interior, down-sized but more efficient engines with six-speed transmissions, a new and longer wheelbase platform and high-tech options.

According to S.K Ahmad : “Our global design team has created a vehicle with distinctive dimensions and proportions that stand apart from everything else in its segment. Using an all-new platform and body, our latest state-of-the-art Optima moves our mid-size sedan product up to the next level in Kia’s design revolution.”

The new Optima will be available in four variants in the UAE; two in LX and two in EX transmissions.

The line-up of Kia’s new Optima models will be available with a choice of two Theta II gasoline engines (covering a 165 to180 ps power spread), and six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Optima’s Theta engine line-up will comprise the 2.4-litre MPI multi-point injection unit and a 2.0-litre version, both from Kia’s Theta II family of gasoline engines.

EX Optima models will include dual-zone automatic climate-control air-conditioning, floor console mounted rear air vents (AT only), front fog lamps, an artificial leather centre console and armrests, keyless-entry with alarm system, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, outside mirror LED turn signal, automatic folding outside mirrors and steering wheel, audio remote controls, a 60/40 split folding rear seat backrest and auto light control.

A new rear-view camera has also been fitted to assist drivers while undertaking reversing manoeuvres. The camera uses a wide-angle lens to transmit images to an LCD display set within the interior rear view mirror. This system enables the driver to check the rear view and blind spot immediately behind the car simultaneously.

According to S.K Ahmed: “Kia is now the fourth largest auto-manufacturer in the world with market research indicating that Kia sales in the UAE are on the rise.”
 

Majid Al Futtaim Properties Continues To Set Footfall Benchmarks With Eid Trading Figures

Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ leading UAE shopping malls, Deira City Centre, Mirdif City Centre and Mall of the Emirates, have continued to record success this year, as they set new benchmarks for shopping traffic during the Eid period, with almost 850,000 visitors to the malls over the three days of Eid.

Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties said: “The strength of Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ unique shopping malls is in our ability to constantly adapt and add to the exceptional shopping experiences already on offer at our malls. The footfall numbers for our three leading UAE shopping destinations over Eid are proof of this, and our continuous innovations and expansions play an important part in achieving these records.”

Iconic retail destination Mall of the Emirates continued to set the bar for shopping centres in the UAE, as it marked the highest ever trading weekend in the mall’s history between the 10th-12th of September. Almost 150,000 customers visited the mall on the Saturday alone, drawn by the opening of the mall’s exceptional new luxury wing – the Fashion Dome, and the addition of the Pullman hotel.

Mirdif City Centre also broke its own record with the highest day’s footfall since the mall’s high-profile opening in March. Crowds of shoppers poured into the shopping centre to enjoy the promotions and array of special Eid entertainment held in conjunction with the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment.

Deira City Centre continued the trend by surpassing its previous Eid trading figures for 2009, and welcoming throngs of visitors to join the Eid festivities.