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RIYADH: Creative minds from across the Kingdom have gathered in Riyadh for panel discussions, seminars and exhibitions.

The Advertising and Creativity Forum takes place as the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center hosts the 15th edition of the Creative Industry Summit, organized by the Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Balaconah, from October 30 on November 1.

The three-day summit features approximately 46 local and international speakers, in addition to seminars, workshops and exhibits.

The event gives people the chance to meet and chat with creative industry leaders and influencers in the Saudi and Egyptian markets.

It also offers creative and advertising experts from both countries the opportunity to share ideas and upgrade their skills through events.

Riyad Al-Zamil, Board Member of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, said, “This event is part of the changes the advertising industry is experiencing due to Saudi Vision 2030.”

Al-Zamil added that the Saudi market is one of the largest and most diverse in the world and its purchasing power can help the advertising industry grow.

Mai Salama, founding partner of the Creative Industry Summit, said she finds creativity everywhere in Saudi Arabia.

She added: “The local talent here is doing amazing things, and there is a synergy between Egyptian and Saudi spirits.”

She said she was proud to partner with Balaconah, the publicity committee of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, to present the first regional edition of the summit in the Kingdom.

Saudi and Egyptian companies participating in the event include The Bold Group, NU Digital Awards, Lavad, Matter Brand Consultancy, ANB, Al-Sefer Group and the General Commission for Audiovisual Media.

For those interested in marketing, the General Commission for Audiovisual stand offered visitors the opportunity to register for a Mawthooq license. Recently launched, they allow users to obtain licenses to advertise independently on social media platforms.

Shouq Al-Harbi, a marketing specialist for Saudi-based marketing firm Lavad, told Arab News the summit was important to help forge links with other creative businesses in the country and clients.

“Lavad is influencer marketing. We introduce the influencer to the business and have a plan for the client that identifies the best fit influencers for the business based on ad analysis.

“We participate in this event right here at the interactive booth, where we play a game and distribute gifts to guests,” Al-Harbi said.

Saudi marketing firm Bold Group hosted a creative booth giving visitors the chance to hear the thoughts of its creative team.

The band’s creative designer, Ahmed Al-Dosari, said, “Our idea in the booth is that everyone here is competing to show their ideas, but we want to show you what we believe in the band, which is the ideas.

“Ideas, big or small, can be refined in Bold Group, and we believe in empowering our people, which is why it’s important to listen to their ideas,” he added.

To The Point is a company that works on marketing strategies and campaigns with clients such as Mrsool and government procurement authorities.

Mohammed bin Khamis, Business Development Director of TTP, said, “Our goal in attending this event is to show attendees what we can do for their brand as a 100% Saudi company.

“Our philosophy is to approach each client with a communication strategy and to fully understand their brand before moving on to the creative brief.”

Eslam Shaker, COO of animation studio REP, said, “We are a Saudi company that produces anime television series and we can deliver high quality work using animation.

“Being Egyptian, I believe Saudis and Egyptians share the same sense of humor and understanding, so this is the right place to be.

“We came to this summit because arguably it’s one of the greatest places that connects people of creative interest, and that doesn’t happen often,” he added.