Abu Dhabi Revs Up for World’s First Audi Sport Center

BROADCAST FEATURE ADVISORY

WHO:             Tom Kristensen, former racing driver and nine time Le Mans winner

                  Stephan Winkelmann, CEO Audi Sport

When:          Thursday 27^th October 2016

WHAT

The world’s first standalone Audi Sport Center devoted solely to Audi’s high performance sports cars is set to open on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.

The Audi Sport Center, run by Ali & Son’s, the official Audi distributor for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, will showcase its most exclusive, high performance and innovative models under one roof for the first time in history. The all new futuristic showroom will give customers a unique insight into the commissioning of these top of the range models, with the opening set to cater for the growing demand for high performance cars in the region.

To mark the milestone, legendary racing driver and nine time Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen will be arriving at the event in an R8 LMS race car, which has been specially flown over for the opening. Kristensen, who holds the record for the most wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will be taking part in a series of special events for the occasion. This includes giving one lucky VIP guest a masterclass in racing technique on the track, before heading to Abu Dhabi in style for the official opening of the Audi Sport Center.

Set against phenomenal growth, with more than 17,000 Audi Sport units sold worldwide in 2015, the opening of the new Audi Sport Center in Abu Dhabi is testament to the bourgeoning regional market. With a high number of performance car enthusiasts, and Ali & Sons’ own personal affinity for the brand (with the family all proud to drive Audis as their own personal cars), the opening in the capital of the UAE was a natural step.

In Abu Dhabi the Audi R8 is a top seller amongst performance car enthusiasts. Both the RS and R models have seen sales growth in Abu Dhabi of 44 per cent for the year to date, with the new Audi Sport Center showcasing the growing range of Audi Sport models by giving them a dedicated space to shine.

This is against a backdrop of a staggering 133 per cent growth for the Audi R8 Coupé in the region, with Audi Sport sales growing by 32 per cent in the Middle East alone for the year to date.*

Globally, Audi has doubled sales of its high performance cars in five years., The number of Audi Sport dealers is expected to grow from 370 today to around 600 by the end of 2017. In the Middle East, seven of the dealers in the region are Audi Sport Dealers and including Dubai, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. The growth in demand for the newly introduced RS 3 Sedan, RS Q3 performance, R8 Spyder, TT RS Coupé, , plus the roll out of the R8 Coupé are all set to help boost sales in 2016.  

Ali & Son’s have invested over US $60 million into the Audi brand over the last two years, with an Audi ‘Terminal’ showroom, a new service workshop and an Audi approved showroom being just some of the other facilities that their customers can now enjoy.

INTERVIEWEES                

Tom Kristensen, former Le Mans winner

Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport

Mark Austin, Dealer Principal of Ali and Sons

                              

FOOTAGE – WEB PACKAGE AND B-ROLL:

B-Roll for TV (loosely edited rushes) and an edited package, all shot to broadcast news standards with no copyright restrictions, will be available from markettiers free of charge:

Ø  B-Roll - available tbc

Ø  Website packages – available tbc

All footage will be sent via a download link to all websites and TV stations and websites who request it.

STATISTICS:

With more than 17,000 Audi Sport units sold worldwide in 2015

the Audi R8 is a top seller amongst performance car enthusiasts

Both the RS and R models have seen sales growth in Abu Dhabi of 44 per cent for the year to date

There has been a 133 per cent growth for the Audi R8 Coupé in the Middle East*

Audi Sport sales have grown by 32 per cent in the Middle East alone for the year to date*

Globally, Audi has doubled sales of its high performance cars in five years

Number of Audi Sport dealers expected to grow from 370 today to around 600 by the end of 2017 globally. In the Middle East, seven of the dealers in the region are Audi Sport Dealers and include Dubai, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi  

The growth in demand for the newly introduced RS 3 Sedan, RS Q3 performance, R8 Spyder, TT RS Coupé, plus the roll out of the R8 Coupé are all set to help boost sales in 2016.  Ali and Sons have invested over US $60 million into the Audi brand over the last two years.

*Figures refer to the Middle East market, exlcluding Saudi Arabia

CMA Credential Achieves Record Global Growth

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 25, 2016 – (ME NewsWire): IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants), the association of accountants and financial professionals in business announced a record-breaking growth of its flagship certification, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) credential in fiscal year (FY) 2016, ending June 30.

The premier global management accounting certification reached a milestone of 50,000 holders since the program was created in 1972. In FY 2016, 3,838 CMAs earned the credential; a record number for any fiscal year. In addition, 18,761 new candidates enrolled in the program – a 20% jump from 2015 – which brings the number of candidates who chose to join the program in the past five years to 70,000.

"This rise in numbers – as well as respect and influence – confirms that the CMA continues to be the leading global management accounting credential in the world," said Jeff Thomson, CMA, CAE, president and CEO of IMA. "For more than 40 years, we have been building a professional certification program that is a true reflection of the global management accounting profession. We pride ourselves in providing a certification that represents credibility and competence in all of the most crucial management accounting skill sets."

The CMA's growth is all the more impressive due to its rigorous testing methodology and high standards to earn the credential, which, assures CMA employers on the mastery every certificate holder has in all areas of management accounting. This was significantly reflected in the global salary survey conducted by IMA for the second consecutive year, combining the global salary survey of its members for the year 2015, with a detailed report examining the responses of members located in the Middle East/Africa (MEA) region. Key findings indicated an increase in the number of CMA credential respondents compared to the previous year, with CMAs in MEA earning 37% more in median salary than their non-CMA counterparts. Globally, the median base salary and total compensation is 61% higher for CMAs over non-CMAs and CMAs of all ages earn more than non-CMAs. The findings also suggested that those aged 30-39 receive the greatest premium, with a median salary 50% greater than their non-CMA peers.

Not only does this analysis include comparisons to last year’s survey results, but it also incorporates the results from previous salary surveys that were focused only on MEA members. For more information on each region, visit http://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/salary-surveys.

The growing number of CMA applicants and candidates preparing for the exam in the Middle East Region has led IMA Middle East to launch a series of ‘CMA Exam Tips’ sessions conducted by Ella Suponitskiy, director of exam operations and grading in Dubai, Kuwait, and Qatar. The sessions were attended by 350 attendees from different regions, with the purpose of providing CMA students and potential candidates with a profound understanding of the CMA certification and exam structure.

“It was truly moving to meet this remarkable number of IMA members and CMA candidates from various cities in the Middle East, and to share with them CMA study tips and strategies,” said Ella Suponitskiy commenting on the tour. “I feel that the CMA program offers so many rewards to candidates worldwide and in the Middle East particularly, and I am confident that with the right amount of preparation and practice, these candidates can earn the CMA certification in record time”.

Lake Chad: Italy allocates 6.3 million euros for emergency actions in favour of Boko Haram victims

The actions will be carried out by Italian civil society organisations and other non-profit stakeholders working in the four Countries

ROME, Italy, October 27, 2016/APO/ -- 

Italy has allocated 6.3 million euros for emergency actions in the four countries of the Lake Chad Basin, namely Nigeria, Cameroun, Chad and Niger, which are facing the consequences of Boko Haram's radical and extremist violence. The actions will be carried out by Italian civil society organisations and other non-profit stakeholders working in the four Countries.  

Actions will especially focus on the most vulnerable segments of the community, large families, displaced people, refugees, women and children prey to malnutrition, with the aim of providing them immediate support and curb the migration flows headed towards Europe.

The entire Lake Chad region has in fact become a place of extensive violence leading to the forced displacement of the population, which is very difficult to help because of their lack of access to humanitarian aid.

Rasasi Perfumes Launches Exclusive Collection at Kuwait Autumn Perfumes Exhibition 2016

Kuwait, October 27th, 2016: Rasasi Perfumes, one of the leading names in the regional perfume industry, have recently launched their latest additions to the Boruzz Collection, new male and female fragrances to the very popular Rumz Al Rasasi family along with the trending Junoon fragrances for men and women, at the Kuwait Autumn Perfumes Exhibition 2016. New perfume editions, best-of-the-year deals and a wide choice of sprays, concentrated perfumes, bukhoor, agarwood and other allied products specially curated for the ten day exhibition are the highlight of Rasasi’s participation. Visitors have the opportunity to win daily prizes and gift vouchers worth KWD 200 by participating in competitions on Rasasi’s social media pages.

 Atheer Cambodia created as an ode to the finest and the rarest natural ingredients, chosen painstakingly, packages the romance of east meets west. The elegant sophisticated bottle holds a fragrance that is a refreshing new twist on luxurious oudh yet quintessentially reflective of the magical mystique of oriental alchemy. The sparkling notes of this fresh fragrance impart a boisterous freshness and flamboyance to the imperial and luscious trails of oudh and other rare ingredients.

The precious Junoon Satin oriental male and female editions are already proving to be a highlight amongst this season’s trending aromas. The new 9459 editions of male and female fragrances come added to the already popular Rumz Al Rasasi series, which has become a cult favourite amongst the younger audience. The newer additions of classic LaYuqawum series- Ambergris Showers and Jasmine Wisp along with the classic Tobacco Blaze & Orchid Prairie, the chic couture inspired Hawas along with Rasasi’s evergreen fragrances of Wisam, Enteeba, Attar Al Moabba are proving to be a huge draw amongst fragrance lovers.   

Salim Kalsekar, Managing Director at Rasasi Perfumes, said “Kuwait Autumn Perfumes Exhibition is the largest consumer fair in the region. Every year, we make an effort to curate not only the finest range of products but also something new that will add an exciting element- a sense of discovery to shopping with Rasasi at the exhibition. We have reserved some of the finest aromas for the 2016 edition, and I am very hopeful they will be well liked. Some of the best trending aromas globally have been made available across a wide variety of products from premium to popular, and price range.”

Salim added, “We have also saved the best deals-of-the-year for the exhibition. We want our customers to enjoy their shopping and save more as they shop. Great value deals across wide product range are something that costumers should take advantage of.”Visitors to Kuwait Autumn Perfumes Exhibition can find Rasasi Perfumes in Hall No. 5 (113) & 6 (149).

الرصاصي للعطور تطلق مجموعة حصرية في معرض الخريف للعطور في الكويت 2016

[الكويت، 27 أكتوبر 2016] – أعلنت الرصاصي للعطور، الاسم الرائد في صناعة العطور على مستوى المنطقة، عن قيامها مؤخرًا بإطلاق أحدث الإضافات لمجموعة "بروز"، لتضيف إليها أصنافًا جديدة من العطور الرجالية والنسائية لعائلة "رمز الرصاصي" التي تستحوذ على إقبال واسع، إلى جانب مجموعة عطور "جنون" للرجال والنساء، وذلك في معرض الخريف العطور الكويت 2016. وجاءت العطور الجديدة التي تمثل أفضل صفقات العام، ضمن تشكيلة واسعة من العطور البخاخة والمركزة والبخور والعود وغيرها من المنتجات المرتبطة خصيصا بهذا المعرض على مدى عشرة أيام، لتسليط الضوء على المشاركة المتميزة للرصاصي. وستتاح الفرصة أمام الزوار للفوز بجوائز يومية وقسائم هدايا بقيمة 200 دينار كويتي من خلال المشاركة في المسابقات التي نطلقها شركة الرصاصي على صفحاتها في قنوات التواصل الاجتماعي.

وتم تصميم "أثير كمبوديا" ليكون بمثابة رمز لأرقى وأندر المكونات الطبيعية التي يتم اختيارها بعناية بالغة، لتجمع بين رومانسية الشرق والغرب. كما أن الزجاجة الأنيقة بطابعها العصري تحتضن العطر الذي يمثل تطورًا جديدًا لروائح العود الفاخرة والمنعشة، لتجسد بدورها انعكاسًا جوهريًا للغموض السحري الذي يكتنف الكيمياء الشرقية. ومن شأن الصورة المتألقة لهذا العطر الجديد أن تضفي المزيد من النضارة الفاخرة على المواصفات الفاتنة المستوحاة من العود وغيرها من المكونات النادرة.

وتمكنت نسخ العطور القيمة في مجموعة "جنون ساتين" الشرقية الموجهة للذكور والإناث من تحقيق مكانة بارزة لها بين الروائح السائدة في هذا الموسم. وتأتي النسخ الجديدة من مجموعة 9459 من العطور الرجالية والنسائية لتعزز تشكيلة "رمز الرصاصي" ذات الشعبية الواسعة، لتستهوي على وجه التحديد تلك الفئات من الشباب الأصغر سنًا. وهناك أيضًا إضافات جديدة على المجموعة الكلاسيكية "لا يقاوم"، بما في ذلك "أمبرغريس شاور" و "جاسمين ويسب"، فضلاً عن "توباكو بليز" و "أوركيد براري"، تشكيلة "حواس" المستوحاة من الأزياء الأنيقة وعطور الرصاصي، مثل  "وسام" و "انطباع" و "عطار المحبة"، التي تمكنت جميعها من إثبات جاذبية عالية بين عشاق العطور.وقال سالم كاليسكار، المدير الإداري في الرصاصي للعطور: "يعتبر معرض الخريف للعطور في الكويت من أكبر المعارض الاستهلاكية في المنطقة. ونسعى كل عام لتقديم أفضل مجموعة من منتجاتنا، إضافة إلى طرح الأصناف الجديدة التي ابتكرناها لعملائنا لتكون إضافات مثيرة، ولتضفي المزيد من المتعة لاستكشاف فرص التسوق مع الرصاصي للعطور في المعرض. لذلك، سنفاجئ زوارنا بمجموعة من أرقى الروائح لنسخة العام 2016 من المعرض، ونحن على ثقة تامة من أنها ستستحوذ على إعجابهم، فضلاً عن قيامنا بتوفير أفضل الروائح العالمية المتاحة عبر مجموعة واسعة من المنتجات الراقية والجذابة بأسعار تناسب الجميع".

وأضاف سالم: "سنقدم في هذا المعرض أفضل العروض، لأننا نتطلع إلى تحقيق متعة التسوق وتوفير المزيد لعملائنا الذين سيكون بمقدورهم الاستفادة من الصفقات الرائعة بأسعار جذابة على جميع منتجاتنا".

ويمكن لزوار معرض الخريف للعطور الكويت زيارة جناحي الرصاصي للعطور في القاعة رقم 5 (113) والقاعة 6 (149).

Ericsson’s BOARD names Börje Ekholm new President and CEO

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Börje Ekholm President and CEO, effective January 16, 2017. Börje Ekholm will also remain a member of the Board of Directors of Ericsson.
Chairman of the Board Leif Johansson says: “I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Börje Ekholm. He has a solid understanding of both the technology and business implications of the ongoing convergence of telecoms, IT and media. Having served on Ericsson’s Board of Directors for the past ten years, Börje Ekholm has full understanding of the challenges and the opportunities Ericsson currently faces.”
Börje Ekholm joins Ericsson from his current position as CEO of Patricia Industries, a division within Investor. Prior to assuming this position in 2015, Börje Ekholm held the position as President and CEO of Investor AB between 2005 and 2015. Previous positions also include President of Investor Growth Capital Inc., as well as positions with Novare Kapital AB and McKinsey & Co Inc.
Johansson continues: “In the middle of a significant company transformation I am confident that Ericsson will benefit from Börje Ekholm’s world-class ability to forcefully execute on strategic direction and plans. Börje Ekholm brings years of experience from leading a publicly listed company with a strong track record of driving shareholder value.”
Börje Ekholm says: ”I am very excited about this opportunity. As the networks and applications become even more important in a 5G connected world, our customers, and the industry, look for continuous innovation. I look forward to joining the great team at Ericsson and work closely with existing and new customers around the world in shaping the future of our industry.”
Börje Ekholm is a member of the Board of Directors for Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Alibaba Inc., NASDAQ OMX Group Inc. and Trimble Navigation Ltd. He is also a member of the University Board of KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
Born in 1963 Börje Ekholm holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, as well as a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD, France.
Jan Frykhammar will remain interim CEO until January 16, 2017.
 
Ericsson will hold a press briefing, which will also be available via a live webcast, starting at 10:30 AM CEST / 4:30 AM EDT on Wednesday 26, 2016, at Ericsson Headquarters, in the Ericsson Studio, Grönlandsgatan 8, Kista, Sweden.
Chairman of the Board Leif Johansson, and Börje Ekholm, will comment and answer questions. The press briefing is open to journalists and analysts.
You can follow the press briefing and ask questions via the live webcast at: www.ericsson.com/investors and at: www.ericsson.com/press.
The replay will be available shortly after the event, via the same link.
Direct URL for the webcast: http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/h6sa99p6

تعيين بورية إيكهولم في منصب الرئيس والمدير التنفيذي الجديد للشركة

القاهره 26اكتوبر 2016:
أعلنت إريكسون (المدرجة في ناسداك باسم: ERIC) عن وصول مجلس إدارتها إلى قرار تعيين بورية إيكهولم في منصب الرئيس والمدير التنفيذي للشركة ابتداءً من 16 يناير 2017 وسيواصل إيكهولم أداء مهامه كعضو في مجلس إدارة شركة إريكسون أيضاً.
ويقول رئيس مجلس الإدارة لييف جوهانسن: "يسعدني الإعلان عن تعيين بورية إيكهولم كونه يتمتع بتفهم قوي لتطبيقات التكنولوجيا والأعمال في رحلة التغيير المتواصل التي يعيشها قطاع الاتصالات وتكنولوجيا المعلومات والإعلام ومن خلال عمله في مجلس الإدارة خلال السنوات العشر الماضية، يمتلك إيكهولم إدراكاً متكاملاً للتحديات والفرص التي تواجه إريكسون في المرحلة الراهنة".
ويتولى بورية إيكهولم منصبه الجديد بعد عمله كمدير تنفيذي لشركة باتريشيا إندستريز للصناعات، وهي إحدى شركات إنفستر وقبل توليه هذا المنصب، عمل إيكهولم في منصب الرئيس والمدير التنفيذي لشركة إنفستر AB بين العامين 2005 و2015 وتضمنت مناصبه السابقة رئاسة شركة ’إنفستر جروث كابيتال‘، إضافة إلى مناصب أخرى في شركة ’نوفار كابيتال AB‘ و’ماكينزي آند كو‘.
وأضاف جوهانسن: "في خضم التغيرات الكبيرة التي تعيشها الشركة، أنا على ثقة تامة بأن إريكسون ستستفيد من قدرات وخبرات بورية إيكهولم العالمية المستوى لتطبيق التوجهات والخطط الاستراتيجية وإيكهولم يأتي إلى إريكسون بسنوات طويلة من الخبرة التي جمعها من قيادة مجموعة مشهورة من الشركات، وسجل قوي من الإنجازات في مجال تعزيز القيمة للمساهمين".
ومن جانبه قال بورية إيكهولم: أنا متحمس للغاية لهذه الفرصة ومع زيادة أهمية الشبكات والتطبيقات بالنسبة إلى العالم المتصل شبكياً بشبكات الجيل الخامس، والمستهلكين، والقطاع بشكل عام، فإننا نتطلع للمزيد من الابتكار المستمر وأتطلع قدماً للانضمام إلى فريق إريكسون الرائع والعمل معاً مع العملاء الحاليين حول العالم لرسم معالم مستقبل القطاع".
بورية إيكهولم هو عضو في مجلس إدارة شركة ’تيليفوناكتيبولاجيت إل إم إريكسون‘، ’علي بابا‘ وهي (إحدي الشركات الأسيوية )، مجموعة ’ناسداك أو إم إكس‘، وشركة ’تريمبل نافيجيشن المحدودة‘ وهو أيضاً عضو في المجلس الجامعي لكلية KTH الملكية للتكنولوجيا ويواصل يان فريكهامر مهامه كرئيس تنفيذي حتى 16 يناير 2017.
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