SAINT HONORE COLOSEO VALJOUX: A CELEBRATION OF TIME

The “Valjoux” or ETA 7750 movement is the stuff of legends in watchmaking and now finds a natural home in the new Coloseo, a watch with clean lines and design that have garnered universal acclaim.

Imposing in both shape and size (44mm), the Coloseo’s refined features are equally impressive. Discovering the subtly of this exceptional piece requires careful observation of the chronograph’s three small discs at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock; the date window at 3 o’clock; and the three generously-sized Arab numerals engraved directly under the sapphire glass.

SAINT HONORE also kept true watch-lovers in mind when placing a sapphire glass on the case back, providing another means of admiring this new calibre. The mechanical self-winding movement can thus be freely viewed as the benchmark that it is. This opening lets true connoisseurs get a full sense of how carefully each detail and technical marvel was achieved: engraved oscillating weight, Côte de Genève décor, 25 jewels…

The Coloseo Valjoux is available in steel, pink gold, or titanium finish, and is further testament to Saint Honoré’s absolute mastery of the most cutting-edge timepiece techniques.

COLOSEO VALJOUX AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH, technical details:

LIMITED EDITION, 300 pieces

 

-          Automatic chronograph movement, VALJOUX 7750

-          Chronograph :

o    Counter 30 minutes (12h)

o    Counte12 hours (6h)

o    Counteur seconde

-          Engraved oscillating weight, Côte de Genève decor; 25 jewels

1/ Titanium PVD model:

-          Stainless steel, titanium PVD finishing, 44 mm

-          3 arab numerals engraved directly under the sapphire glass

-          Skeleton back

-          Water resistant 50 m

-          Black dial and stainless steel indexes

-          Stainless steel hands

-          Black leather strap, red stitching on deploying buckle

-          SWISS MADE

2/ 18 K pink gold plated model:

-          Stainless steel, titanium PVD finishing, 44 mm

-          3 arab numerals engraved directly under the sapphire glass

-          Skeleton back

-          Water resistant 50 m

-          Black dial, 18 K pink gold plated indexes

-          18 K pink gold plated hands

-          Black leather strap, white stitching on deploying buckle

-          SWISS MADE

MASDAR DRIVES GLOBAL DIALOGUE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA DURING WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT

·         ‘Tweetup’ And Interactive Virtual Wall at WFES 2011 Connect Attendees with Worldwide Digital Audiences to Discuss Future Energy Topics, Issues and Questions

·         Masdar Engages a Digital Audience Increasing Twitter Following by 170 Percent

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 1 February, 2011 – Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted initiative advancing the development and deployment of renewable energy and clean technologies, announced it significantly augmented its online social media footprint throughout the fourth annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, held from 17-20 January. Aiming to facilitate and enhance worldwide dialogue and discussion about the issues emerging from WFES 2011, Masdar employed social media-driven efforts including an interactive ‘Twitter Wall’ at the company’s exhibition stand, as well as a networking event commonly termed a ‘Tweetup.’

Capitalising on the international platform of WFES 2011 - the world’s largest conference and exhibition on renewable and future energy solutions - Masdar amplified its digital presence impressively throughout the week, particularly through Twitter, the social networking and microblogging service. Identified by the @Masdar handle, the company increased its global Twitter following by more than 170 percent and engaged digital participants from across the globe in conversation about critical energy and climate issues and topics.

“Innovation and cutting-edge concepts are at the core of Masdar’s vision, so using social media to connect and engage WFES attendees with a global audience for the first time is something we are extremely proud of,” said, Zainab Al Junaibi, Senior Officer of Digital Marketing at Masdar. “We recognise online and social media as an important tool for Masdar to use in sync with our broader vision to act as a global platform for discussion, cooperation and widespread awareness about future energy solutions.”

Masdar hosted for the first time a ‘Tweetup,’ an event that combined live networking with a social media discussion to unite conversation and collaboration between WFES delegates in Abu Dhabi and digital audiences from around the world. Held at the Saadiyat Story Gallery in Mararat Al Saadiyat, the event drew real-time digital participants from all over the globe and attracted live participants from business leaders, international delegates and journalists.

“The ‘Tweetup’ hosted by Masdar was an innovative and unique stage to discuss important future energy and climate issues,” said Ken Westrick, CEO and Founder of 3TIER, a US-based firm providing global renewable energy information.  “After spending more than a decade in the renewable energy industry and attending dozens of summit, Masdar’s ‘Tweetup’ is one of the most creative approaches I’ve seen to engage in meaningful dialogue about the energy challenge and the viable solutions.”

Participants in the digital dialogue also included several prominent journalists from influential global online publications such as TriplePundit, Climate Progress and TreeHugger.

"The game changer with social media and Twitter is the inherent ability to stimulate widespread dialogue and discussion,” said Nick Aster, Founder of TriplePundit, a globally recognized online publication focused on economic, ecological and social issues. “Masdar recognized the power of these tools to encourage new voices from around the world to emerge and engage in important conversation and debate about future energy and climate issues.”

Brian Merchant, journalist for TreeHugger, the world’s leading sustainability-focused online publication stated: “The Masdar ‘Tweetup’ lead to the type of globe-spanning dialogue that only social media can make possible. Not only was it a unique idea for an event, but it truly enabled genuinely intriguing conversation.”

To complement the ‘Tweetup,’ Masdar featured the ‘Twitter Wall’ at its exhibition stand during each day of WFES, showcasing live Twitter conversation stimulated by questions of the day about the future energy challenge. The digital display connected active and passive attendees as well as online communities from around the globe interested in following the topics and events of WFES 2011. Conversations throughout the week were tracked by the #TweetMasdar hashtag.

Capitalising on the successes of the ‘Tweetup’ and ‘Twitter Wall’ during WFES, Masdar will continue to employ social media-driven communication to create accessible dialogue with clean energy advocates from around the world through its current activity on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

·         Masdar on Twitter: @Masdar

·         Masdar on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/masdar.ae

·         Masdar on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/masdarvideos

Arab world embraces the mobile Internet

45% of Internet users in the Middle East and North Africa use mobile phones to access the Internet: and 57% of those intend to buy tablet devices.

Dubai, 2^nd February 2011

A significant number of Internet users across the Middle East and North Africa are accessing the Internet using their mobile devices and using mobile applications. The finding comes from a new survey published by online marketing intelligence company Effective Measure and Spot On Public Relations. The survey of over 12,700 internet users across the Middle East and North Africa found that half of all Internet users in the UAE used mobiles to access the Internet, with over 71% of mobile internet users in the region ranking email as their biggest mobile internet activity.

“People are increasingly using mobiles as Internet access devices in the Middle East and are starting to access social networks as well as news, sport and other information services using their mobiles. The primary application for mobiles is still email, but over 85% of users have downloaded mobile applications for their devices and the spread of services being accessed is very wide,” said Brendon Ogilvy, VP Digital Insights of Effective Measure. “Social networking, in particular, is a strong and growing trend, with 40% of women who use the mobile Internet doing so to access social networks.”

The survey showed some interesting differences in the way men and women in the region use their mobiles. Women were more active on social networking sites using their mobiles (40% of women do, compared to 33% of men) and were more interested in photo & video sharing and information on hobbies, while men were more interested in news and weather information. Women were also more likely to use online games than men.

“With a new generation of smart mobile devices coming to the market, more people are expanding the ways in which they access Internet based applications and services,” said Carrington Malin, Managing Director of Spot On Public Relations. “The growing popularity of mobile applications that access internet services will create significant new market opportunities for not only hardware vendors, but also for Internet publishers, service providers and marketing organisations across the region.”

47% of Internet users surveyed said they intended to buy a tablet device in the coming quarter, while more of those already using the mobile Internet, 57%, having the same plan. 22% of all Internet users surveyed planned to buy an Apple iPad.

One of the key factors that has been inhibiting uptake of mobile Internet in the MENA region is cost. While 26% of people who choose not to use mobile Internet cite cost as the primary factor, only 5% say that not knowing how to access the Internet is stopping them. With smart phones using high amounts of data, it’s hardly a surprise that something like 41% of users in the GCC have unlimited data packages.

The Effective Measure | Spot On PR survey was carried out between November 20^th and December 5^th 2010 across over 300 websites in the Middle East and North Africa using Effective Measure’s survey technology to select a random sample using intercept invitations. The total sample was 12,754. The report is available for download under a Creative Commons Licence at www.spotonpr.com

Emirates Enhances its Northern European Network

DUBAI, UAE- 1st February 2011- Emirates is strengthening its operations in Northern Europe by adding more flights to Austria and Germany on the back of new route announcements into Switzerland and Denmark.

Four extra flights will be added to the airline's daily service to Vienna from 27th March. The additional Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday flights will be served by an Airbus A340-500, offering 12 First Class Private Suites, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 204 seats in Economy.

From 1st September, Emirates' daily flight to Hamburg becomes double daily. The extra frequencies are supported by a Boeing 777-200, also in a three-class configuration.

“By providing these extra flights, we are responding to strong demand for additional capacity on the Vienna and Hamburg routes. The strengthened services will foster new business and tourism to two of our key European destinations and provide even more convenient connections to onward travel through our international hub of Dubai," said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation.

The airline has offered flights to Vienna, The City of Music, since 2004 and has flown to Hamburg, home of its A380 finishing work, since 2006.

Emirates has also announced two brand new routes for Europe so far this year. In Switzerland, where the airline has served Zurich for nearly 20 years, a new daily service will start to Geneva from 1st June.

On 1st August, flights will start to the Danish capital, Copenhagen, representing the airline's first passenger service into Scandinavia. Elsewhere on the network, a new flight to Basra in Iraq starts tomorrow.

Currently, the airline serves 109 destinations with a fleet of 151 aircraft, including 15 A380s

Young Future Energy Leaders Initiative Hosts Successful Program for New Participants at World Future Energy Summit

 Masdar Institute led initiative provides platform to nurture the brightest young talent in

the UAE and world-wide

ABU DHABI – February 1, 2011 – The Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL), an initiative led by the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, held a highly successful program during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), in Abu Dhabi. This year, nearly 100 YFEL nominees took part in the four day program, from January 17-20, which was established to engage with, mentor and champion future leaders in the alternative energy sector. YFEL is a key element of WFES, the world's foremost annual meeting for the renewable energy and environment industry.

The YFEL initiative nurtures the brightest young talent in the UAE and beyond. During this year’s program at WFES, participants attended from Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Sweden, USA and across the Middle East. The participants are also made up of a mixture of students from international universities and UAE universities including Masdar Institute as well as young professionals from local and international companies.,. Companies represented in the YFEL program at WFES 2011 included Mubadala, Al Dar Properties, ADCO, Dolphin Energy, ENOC, ADIA, NDC and Fist Gulf Bank.

An important part of the YFEL initiative is to ensure that participants have the opportunity to meet and engage with the leaders of today. During WFES 2011, VIPs that visited the YFEL stand and met with participants included Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary-General; Dr Susan Hockfield, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; HRH Princess Victoria of Sweden and Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

 

During WFES, YFEL participants were given the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in renewable energy by participating in debates at the YFEL stand. Debated topics including : Enforcing Recycling on a Global Scale and The Challenges that USA Faces in Reducing their Carbon Footprint. YFEL participants also displayed some of their own research projects, including one on offshore renewable energy and biofuels. With approximately 26,000 attendees at WFES 2011, the YFEL initiative provides an important platform for its participants to showcase their intellectual capital.

Mohammed Salem Bin Kardous Al-Ameri, an Emirati philanthropist and recent donor to YFEL, had this to say about the initiative: “Making an investment in initiatives such as YFEL is extremely important, particularly here in the UAE, where we are seeking to develop and nurture the future leaders in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors. This year’s program at WFES was highly successful, gaining recognition from many highly respected, international figures. I hope that YFEL can build on this success and continue to develop the leaders of tomorrow.”

Noura Al Dhaheri, a PhD student at Masdar Institute and YFEL participant, who displayed her research titled A Mathematical Programming Approach to Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Petroleum Refineries, said: “YFEL is a highlight of WFES for both participants and delegates. It is an opportunity for YFEL to showcase their intellectual capital on a local and an international platform, as well as meeting with some of the current leaders that are an inspiration to us all.”

Further support for YFEL has come from recent sponsors of the initiative. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), said: “We are pleased to be supporting this important program. Developing the next generation of engineers is a major priority for the UAE’s nuclear energy industry, and many other high-technology industries across the nation. By encouraging the development of young and emerging talent in the energy sector, we will ensure a strong pool of Emirati leaders to deliver the safe, clean and reliable electricity needed to support the nation’s growth.”

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, CEO, Dolphin Energy said: “The Young Future Energy Leaders Program will develop talented individuals into tomorrow’s business leaders and government representatives and provide them with the tools required to develop solutions that address challenges associated with clean energy and climate change. Our sponsorship endorses this effort and the plan to nurture students and young professionals today so that Abu Dhabi maintains a leading position in the area of future energy in the long term.”

GARY PLAYER HOSTS LAUREUS GOLF CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY MERCEDES-BENZ AT 2011 LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS AWARDS

ABU DHABI, February 1, 2011 – Laureus World Sports Academy Member Gary Player, one of the greatest golfers of all time, is to host the Laureus Golf Challenge, presented by Mercedes-Benz, at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, as part of the 2011 Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi.

The Laureus Golf Challenge, which will take place on Sunday, February 6, is one of several high-profile sports events taking place in the lead-up to the Laureus Awards Ceremony at the Emirates Palace Hotel the following evening.

Among the great names of sport competing in the event will be Laureus Academy Members Bobby Charlton, Sean Fitzpatrick, Franz Klammer, Morné du Plessis, Hugo Porta and Steve Waugh.

Gary Player, one of only five professionals to have won golf’s grand slam of all four major championships, designed the Saadiyat Beach course and will play the 17^th hole with each of the pairings.

Gary said: “I am delighted to be at Saadiyat Beach, which is a course I am very proud of, to spend time with the golfers taking part and maybe even giving them a tip or two. Golf is booming in Abu Dhabi and the Gulf region and it is fitting that we should be able to enjoy a high class golf day as part of this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards. I would like to thank everyone who is taking part and especially Mercedes-Benz for supporting this event. It should be a great day.”

The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement, are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar.   The winners, as voted by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 46 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time, will be unveiled at a globally televised Awards Ceremony staged at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The Laureus World Sports Awards is returning to Abu Dhabi thanks to the support of Aabar Investments PJS, who will once again be Host Partner for the event.  His Excellency Khadem Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Aabar, said: "The Laureus World Sports Awards is a unique event. It was magnificent, a great success for Abu Dhabi when it was held here last March. The whole event was really superb. We will certainly try to do something special for this year’s Awards.”

Kevin Spacey will once again host a glittering Awards Ceremony to be attended by leading sportsmen and women from around the world. In the audience at a packed auditorium at the Emirates Palace last year were Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, British film stars Hugh Grant and Clive Owen and American actors Kyle MacLachlan and Michelle Rodriguez.  Among the names of the winners of the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards announced in Abu Dhabi were Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, Jenson Button, Kim Clijsters, Natalie du Toit and Stephanie Gilmore.

Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, offers a fascinating combination of the old and the new; a blend of Arabic hospitality and mystique where a mixture of culture and tradition come together against a backdrop of the most modern world-class infrastructure. Abu Dhabi is developing a reputation as a great sporting venue as host city for the FIFA Club World Cup, the Etihad Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, all highlights of the sporting calendar in the city.

Aabar Investments PJS is an investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi. It invests in various sectors including aerospace, real estate, automotive and financial services. Its largest stakeholder is the International Petroleum Investment Company, which is wholly owned by the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which supports 83 community sports projects around the world. Since its inception, Laureus has raised €40 million for projects which have helped to improve the lives of more than one and a half million young people. 

To apply for accreditation for the 2011 Laureus World Sports Awards, go to www.laureus.com/accreditation

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES INTO ONE OF THE WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING BROADCAST MARKETS

CABSAT MENA Conference Highlights Latest Technical Business Solutions

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

With the Middle East television audience set to rise by almost 20% over the next three years[1], 19 new satellites due for launch by 2013 and 90% satellite TV penetration[2], there has never been a more important time to be aware of the latest broadcast technology and business practices.

To address those trends and assist in realising the potential in the Middle East, CABSAT MENA, running from 8 – 10 February 2011 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, has transformed its conference for 2011, making it more detailed and more international in its scope. The two-day programme will feature industry leaders from some of the most experienced markets in the world, including Europe and the USA, plus the most recent papers from the International Broadcasting Convention.

Produced on behalf of CABSAT by a team from Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), International Association of Broadcast Manufacturers (IABM) and Middle East Communications Industries Association (MECIA), the programme includes sessions for both engineers and managers, with a clear focus on innovation and technology.

Cutting edge concepts such as cloud services for broadcasting feature in the programme, along with papers on content creation workflow and will empower local service providers to take their place in global collaborative production and post production. Other sessions look at the migration to IT for broadcast and the potential for video over IP, as well as important sessions on challenge of maintaining profitability in the multi-platform marketplace.

A panel discussion on training and skills development led by Peter White, the Director General of IABM the body which represents manufacturers and suppliers in the industry, will focus on a major training initiative aimed at filling the skills gap globally.

 Key speakers at the conference include Dr Fares Lubbadeh, Technical Director, Arab Radio & Television, Thomas Heinzer. CTO, Nevion and Gavin Campion, President, KIT Digital Inc amongst others.

Finally, a special programme will be presented in association with the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) – the largest industry event of its kind in the world. The half day session will include a number of IBC papers which were recently presented in what is recognised as the industry’s leading forum for debate and innovation.

“CABSAT has traditionally included conference sessions, but as the market and our event matures we needed to take the conference to a new level,” said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions and Event Management of Dubai World Trade Centre which organises CABSAT & Satellite MENA. “Working in partnership with bodies who have their fingers on the pulse of the region we have developed a programme which offers real insight, challenging opinions and stimulating discussions.”

The CABSAT Broadcast Conference team is led by Kevan Jones, Executive Director of the Middle East Communications Industries Association and a well-known figure in Middle East broadcasting. “Thanks to great support from the industry we have been able to plan a programme which includes real, in-depth information on both a technical and a business level,” he said. “Top decision makers from some of the largest and most important companies in our business are giving presentations because they want to engage the CABSAT audience. The conference will equip delegates with the information they need for their future planning, which in turn will help them as they discuss new technology with the exhibitors on the show floor.”

The conference is one part of the learning opportunities that are available under the broad umbrella of the CABSAT Academy, sponsored by twofour54 tadreeb. The GVF Satellite Summit in turn supports the satellite sector and is presented in conjunction with industry body, Global Vsat Forum on 9 February. The exhibition has also expanded in 2011, moving to the Sheikh Saeed Hall within the Dubai World Trade Centre and its associated outdoor exhibit area.

CABSAT & Satellite MENA are the most established and respected trade platforms for the digital media and satellite sectors across the region. Together, they welcomed 8,837 visitors from 104 countries with 11 national pavilions in 2010. The 2011 edition is sold out and is set to be the biggest CABSAT ever.

CABSAT & Satellite MENA 2011 will run from 8-10 February 2011 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Show opening hours are 10am – 6pm on 8 & 9 February and 10am – 5pm on 10 February. The exhibitions are strictly for trade and business only. Visitors under the age of 18 will not be permitted entry. Pre-register now at www.cabsat.com.