Tag Archives: introduction
Didier Drogba attends Vogue Cafe launch in Dubai
Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba joined a number of top international models to launch the glamorous Vogue Cafe in Dubai.The establishment is Conde Nast's first restaurant in the region and the company pulled out all the stops to ensure the grand opening was an occasion to remember.Drogba – who played for Turkish club Galatasaray last season – shared the red carpet with renowned models Karolina Kurkova and Petra Nemcova at the glitzy even in the Dubai Mall.The 35-year-old Ivory Coast striker told the National he was glad to be back in Dubai.”I love being here, especially right now when the weather is so bad in Europe,” he was quoted as saying.Drogba made his name playing for Chelsea in the English Premier League, having signed for the Blues from Marseille in 2004.He won numerous trophies during his time at Stamford Bridge, most notably the Uefa Champions League in 2012. The powerful forward scored the goal that took the final against Bayern Munich to extra time and then later stepped up to take the decisive penalty in the resultant shootout. Dubai is accustomed to welcoming such high-profile stars and there is a strong chance you will see a celebrity during your stay in the city, especially if there is a swanky new club or restaurant being unveiled.This is the second Vogue Cafe launched by Conde Nast, as the firm previously opened one in Moscow and the organisation's director of restaurants Stuart Nielsen said plans are in place to expand even further in the UAE.”The Middle East is a very exciting market for us and one that we are proud to be a part of,” he commented.It is fair to predict the high-end Vogue Cafe will be a big hit among the rich and famous holidaymakers who flood into Dubai every year and it will certainly be very interesting to see exactly where Conde Nast opens its next Gulf-based venue. Continue reading
Emirates secures shirt sponsorship deal with Real Madrid
Emirates – one of the fastest growing airlines in the world – has announced a massive shirt sponsorship deal with Spanish giants Real Madrid.The company, which has played a major part in helping Dubai International Airport to become the second busiest on the planet, confirmed that its logo will appear on the team's famous white shirts for the next five seasons.Indeed, some of the world's best players, including Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo, Spanish defender Sergio Ramos and German international Mesut Ozil will have 'Fly Emirates' written on their chest during training sessions and when they play in matches.This is the latest in a long line of lucrative football sponsorship arrangements for Emirates, as it has already struck deals with Arsenal, Paris Saint Germain, Hamburg, Olympiacos and AC Milan.As part of the Real Madrid tie-up, the airline will benefit from more high-profile branding at the club's Santiago Bernabeu stadium.Emirates had already nurtured a strong relationship with the Madrid side, but chairman and chief executive of the organisation Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said this announcement takes the partnership “to a whole new level”.”Aligning ourselves with an international powerhouse like Real Madrid helps to amplify our brand message by creating more meaningful connections with sports fans around the world,” he remarked.”In this case, we are engaging with one of the largest fan-bases in the world.”There is no doubting Real Madrid's pedigree and they are undeniably the most successful club in Europe.Not only have they won 32 La Liga titles and 18 Spanish 'Copa del Rey' trophies, they have also lifted the European Cup on a record nine occasions.The club will remain under the spotlight in the coming months, as current coach Jose Mourinho looks set to leave and there has been plenty of debate about his successor, with Paris Saint Germain manager Carlo Ancelotti said to be one of the favourites.Madrid have also been heavily linked with a move for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in the last few days.Regardless of what happens, there is little doubt that the link between Emirates and one of the biggest football clubs on earth will be great PR for Dubai. Continue reading
Arsenal trio visit Emirates Aviation College
Three Premier League footballers were given a special challenge when they visited the impressive Emirates Aviation College in Dubai.Arsenal trio Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were asked to land one of the airline's huge A380 planes at Dubai International Airport.Of course, the talented youngsters were not tasked with landing an actual plane, but they did take to the cockpit of an incredibly realistic flight simulator.Emirates' chief A380 instructor Warren Coles was on hand to guide the footballers through the mock descent into the second busiest airport on earth and it was Oxlade-Chamberlain who was first to take control.The 19-year-old England striker managed to bring the plane down smoothly, although his teammate Gibbs was not quite so astute.”I don't think I'll be a pilot anytime soon,” the fullback remarked after a somewhat hairy landing.His effort was still better than Jenkinson's, who managed to bounce the A380 down the runway after getting a little carried away.”I was more excited to be honest going in there, but then, when I was actually in the seat, I was yeah quite nervous to be honest,” the 21-year-old former Charlton Athletic defender commented.Arsenal have a sponsorship agreement with Emirates and the three stars also held a special training session at a soccer school during their stay in Dubai.Emirates is one of the fastest growing airlines on earth and the firm recently unveiled a brand new training centre at the Dubai Silicon Oasis.The state-of-the-art facility was launched by the company's chairman and chief executive His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and the event was attended by customers and officials from all over the world.It is the latest joint venture between Emirates and flight simulator specialist CAE, who have been working together for a decade. The two organisations have invested a total of US$260 million (£172.7 million) in the region to date and the partnership is really blossoming. Continue reading
