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The second edition of Athar — Saudi Festival of Creativity, the Kingdom’s largest gathering of the creative marketing industry, has officially announced the launch of the Athar Awards 2024. The entry period for the awards runs until Sept. 5. Submissions are encouraged from some of the region’s most creative campaigns from the public and private agencies, entrepreneurs and freelancers.

The awards champion the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by fostering and celebrating creativity as a key driver of economic growth, spotlighting the creative marketing ecosystem, and recognizing its outstanding work that promotes education, sustainability, and innovation.

Hosted at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel and Convention from Nov. 5-6, the festival will gather experts and decision-makers from across the globe and celebrate the power of creative marketing as an enabler and accelerator of Saudi Arabia’s sustainable and thriving economy. The festival will culminate with the Athar Awards ceremony on Nov. 6.

Ian Fairservice, chairman of Athar Festival and managing partner of Motivate Media Group, said: “As Saudi Arabia’s foremost and most prestigious creative industry recognition, Athar Awards 2024 is a show-stopping opportunity for the Kingdom’s marketers and creatives, and an unprecedented platform to showcase the country’s efforts in using creativity and innovation to become a global powerhouse.”

Mohamed Al-Ayed, vice chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, added: “Creativity lies at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity, and the potential of our nation’s youth, who are both creatively and technologically adept, significantly bolsters the growth of the creative economy, which is crucial in achieving the goals of Vision 2030.”

As the first of its kind to recognize and celebrate creative marketing excellence in the country, the Athar Awards 2024 are setting a new benchmark for progress.”

The 2024 edition of the awards is set to honor campaigns, individuals, and organizations through categories designed to reflect Saudi Arabia’s unique cultural and strategic imperatives. The campaign awards include Best Empowerment Campaign, Best Innovative Campaign, Best Cultural Campaign, Best National Holiday Campaign, Best Sustainability Campaign, Best Environmental Campaign, Best Destination Campaign, Best National Development Campaign, Best Transformation Campaign, Best Campaign for The Future of Saudi Arabia, Best Business Growth Campaign, Best Not for Profit Campaign, Best Partnership Campaign, and Best Governmental Campaign.