September 2026 – LIONS has announced the launch of LIONS Riyadh, a new regional event which will be delivered in KSA by Tahaluf (organisers of LEAP and Cityscape Global), in partnership with the Ministry of Media. LIONS, home of Cannes Lions, Effie, Contagious and WARC, is evolving its global model to make its platform for creative marketing effectiveness more accessible to communities worldwide. Through LIONS Riyadh it will bring LIONS’ benchmarks, insights and networks closer to the Middle East region, giving creative and marketing professionals direct access to the evidence, tools and connections they need to drive growth in ways directly relevant to their markets.
Philip Thomas, Chair, LIONS, commented: “The Middle East’s creative evolution continues to accelerate. Creative sectors from film to fashion, and gaming to entertainment are expanding rapidly, with new platforms, talent and businesses emerging at pace. Creativity and marketing are playing an increasingly important role in how countries, brands and communities express themselves on the global stage.
“LIONS has always been a global platform for the world’s best creative thinking and marketing effectiveness. Bringing that platform to Riyadh is about making those global standards, insights and networks more accessible to the region’s creative community, ensuring Arab creative professionals have direct access to the benchmarks, learning and connections that can accelerate their impact and elevate their work on the global stage.”
The launch of LIONS Riyadh as the home of excellence for the region’s marketing and media ecosystem is intended to include a strategic alliance with Athar—the KSA event that is run by LIONS’ partner, Motivate Media Group—ensuring a cohesive approach to serving the entire regional creative marketing economy that complements the existing Dubai Lynx partnership. Thomas added: “This approach is designed to strengthen the region’s creative and marketing effectiveness, support local talent development, and position the Middle East as a global hub for marketing excellence.”
Taking place from 6-8 December 2027 at KAFD, LIONS Riyadh brings together the expertise of LIONS, along with the region’s most innovative minds in marketing, advertising, media and creative communications. Alongside keynotes, learning programmes and networking opportunities, LIONS will bring a series of established initiatives tailored specifically for Riyadh, reflecting the Kingdom’s investment in creative infrastructure and talent development.
Sophie Bailey, VP MENA, LIONS, said: “The Middle East has always been home to exceptional creative talent, and we’re seeing increasing demand for platforms that can help that talent connect with global networks and industry standards. LIONS Riyadh addresses that need by bringing our benchmarks, evidence and learning closer to the region. It’s about creating a space where local creativity is celebrated, regional challenges are addressed, and the community can connect with the insights and networks that matter most.”
Further information on the LIONS Riyadh programme and initiatives will be announced shortly. For details on the LIONS offering visit www.lions.co.
