Long advertisements are often a turn-off for many consumers - but for one mobile-phone manufacturer, they are something to shout about.
Motorola Mobility, which was recently acquired by Google for US$12.5 billion (Dh45.9bn), says it has created what it believes to be the world's longest indoor advert.
It is based at Dubai International Airport, in the latest superlative for a city that already boasts the world's tallest building and the biggest mall.
The advertisement spans 222.65 metres - the length of 26-and-a-half old London double-decker buses. It takes more than five minutes to pass the advert on the airport's moving walkway, or about three minutes if you walk in a conventional manner.
Motorola is applying to Guinness World Records over its advertisement, which runs the length of the walkway between the Terminal 1 check-in area and duty free.
"In terms of an indoor visual advertising piece, I'm not aware of anything bigger than this," said Mahmoud Sayedahmed, the head of marketing for Motorola's mobile division in the UAE. "We're in the process of submitting an application to the Guinness Book of Records."
The advertisement features nine illuminated panels, which tell the story of Motorola's formation 80 years ago. Milestones include Motorola providing radio equipment for Nasa's 1969 Moon landing, the world's first commercial mobile phone, and the launch of ultra-thin Razr mobile handsets.
The advertisement - along with associated branding in the Dubai Duty Free area - is already paying off, Mr Sayedahmed said. "It's only been three weeks. But we've seen about a 40 per cent uptake in our sales in Terminal 1 as a result."
He declined to say what the advertisement cost.
"At 222 metres, it is one of the longest advertisement of its kind anywhere in the world," said Eugene Barry, the senior vice-president of commercial at Dubai Airports.
"We'll have to wait for Guinness to tell us," said Mr Sayedahmed.
bflanagan@thenational.ae
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
MATCH STATS
Wolves 0
Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90 4' pen)
Red cards: Joao Moutinho (Wolves); Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
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The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
