DUBAI: 30 August, 2004

Dubai Media City announced today that FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company has been named as the official courier of the new international Ibda'a Media Student Awards.

As the official courier of the fourth annual Ibda'a awards, FedEx will ensure that all project submissions are delivered to Dubai Media City for judging.  In this, the first year that the awards are open to international submissions, FedEx will ensure delivery of entries from as far afield as the USA and New Zealand, as well as coordinating all regional submissions through its extensive global network.

"We are proud to be associated with a scheme that is raising standards in the media industry", said Hamdi Osman, Regional Vice President, FedEx Middle East, Indian Sub-Continent and Africa. "Now that the Ibda'a Media Student Awards have been expanded as a worldwide programme, we are pleased to be able to use our extensive global transportation network and logistics and transportation expertise to facilitate this initiative." 

"We are delighted to welcome FedEx Express on board as official courier of the new international Ibda'a Media Student Awards," said Abdulhamid Juma, CEO of Dubai Media City and Coordinator General of the Ibda'a Media Student Awards. "As a company with an outstanding reputation for customer service, FedEx Express will no doubt make a valuable contribution to this initiative."

This year, the scope of the Ibda'a Media Student Awards has been expanded to include entries from around the world. 

With the competition's new global reach and appeal, Ibda'a has launched a massive international campaign, which will see road-shows taking place in 23 countries - United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, UAE and the GCC countries, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan.

Additionally, the Awards have been expanded to include two new categories for photography. The 10 Award categories are: Journalism, Radio, Digital Photography, Analogue Photography, Film/TV feature, TV Documentary, Graphic Design, TV Advertising, Print Advertising and Animation.

Other official sponsors for Ibda'a 2004 include ARN, BBC World, Khaleej Times, Motivate Publishing, Network Productions, Seven Star, Showtime, and Virgin. Dubai Media City will also continue its strong association with the International Advertising Association (IAA) in organizing the Awards.

-Ends- 

About FedEx Express
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., connects areas that generate 90% of the world's gross domestic product in 24-48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service and a money-back guarantee.  The company's unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast, reliable and time-definite transportation of more than 3.1 million items to 215 countries each working day.  FedEx Express employs more than 136,000 employees and has approximately 50,000 drop-off locations, 645 aircraft and approximately 42,000 motorized vehicles in its integrated global network.

About FedEx
FedEx Corp. provides customers and businesses worldwide with the broadest portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services.  With annual revenues of $25 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brands.  Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 240,000 employees and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.

For more information on:
Ibda'a Awards, please contact:
Mohammed Abdelmonem
Media Relations Manager
Dubai Media City
Tel:  00971 4 391 4552
Fax: 00971 4 391 4589 
Email: mohammed.abdelmonem@dubaimediacity.ae 

FedEx, please contact:
Rasha Kashkoush
Senior Account Executive
Hill and Knowlton
Phone: (9714) 3344930
Fax: (9714) 3344923
Email: rasha.kashkoush@hillandknowlton.com

© Press Release 2004