Dubai Lynx, the self-proclaimed top-tier platform for creative excellence and effectiveness in the MENA region, has decided to shake things up this year. They’ve tweaked a few award categories — Audio & Radio Lynx, PR, Social & Influencer — so they can keep up with whatever’s trending. Oh, and they’ve added a brand-new category: Humor. Because, apparently, advertising just got funnier.
But wait, there’s more. Dubai Lynx is ditching the old-school annual festival model and is branching out to year-round events, networking sessions, and educational opportunities. Sounds fancy, and it keeps people engaged. The idea is to keep the marketing and comms industry in the region buzzing with activity.
The grand finale will be held during a live awards ceremony in April 2025, where the industry’s best will gather to celebrate, mingle, and pat each other on the back. This year’s jury features members from a whopping 28 markets — and Croatia has a seat at the table for the first time ever with Sean Poropat (Studio Sonda), who’ll be evaluating work in the Direct, Outdoor categories.
This invitation to be part of a major global jury — organized by the same folks who run Cannes Lions — is a huge milestone for our industry. It’s proof that our relentless effort and dedication aren’t going unnoticed on the global stage, and that Croatian creativity is finally earning its place at the big kids’ table, says Poropat.
But what really gets him hyped? The fact that Studio Sonda just scored a creative industry hat trick. First, their Creative Director Jelena Fiškuš became the first Croatian juror at Cannes Lions, then the first Croatian juror at Eurobest, and now Poropat himself is taking on Dubai Lynx.
This is a massive boost for us. It confirms that our focus on pushing creativity beyond the usual cookie-cutter communication models — especially with an emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility — is paying off. We’re not just following trends; we’re setting new standards. And the fact that Sonda has now provided Croatia’s first-ever representatives in three major international juries? That says something.
Want to see the full jury list? Click the link.