Rodney Fitch named first president of Design Jury at Dubai Lynx 2011

The 4th Dubai International Advertising Festival will have a new Design category in 2011. It will be chaired by designer Rodney Fitch CBE, founder of Fitch and professor of Retail Design at TUDelft University, Holland.

The Design category will honour the creative and innovative use of design for brand and product communication and development. Categories will broadly include Packaging Design, Brand Identity and Environmental Design with entries being rewarded for Strategy, Creativity, Execution and Results.

“Design is a fundamental element in advertising and is at the heart of consumer engagement, so it’s appropriate that we should include Design to sit alongside all the other categories currently judged and awarded at the Dubai International Advertising Festival,” said Steve Lane, Dubai Lynx festival director, on the introduction of the new category.

Welcoming the appointment of Rodney Fitch, Philip Thomas, festival chief executive officer, commented, “We are delighted to be working with Rodney again. He chaired the inaugural Cannes Lions Design Jury for us, and therefore the launch of the Design category at Dubai Lynx could not be in better hands. Known for his brilliant work in Design throughout his impressive career, Rodney will be bringing a wealth of knowledge to the judging process.”

Fitch said, “Since Design is at the very heart of all creative work, I'm naturally delighted that it is now an integral part of the Dubai Lynx Festival. It is a very great honour to be the inaugural President and I look forward to working with my distinguished fellow jurors and to seeing some exceptional and original work both from the region and beyond."

Entries are now open for all categories - Film, Print, Outdoor, Radio, Media, Direct, Sales Promotion & Activation, Interactive, Craft, Design and Integrated advertising. The festival will be held from March 27-29, 2011. For more information, visit www.dubailynx.com.