THE BIG BALL AIMS TO RAISE MORE THAN $250,000 FOR THE BETTER EDUCATION OF UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN


Dubai, January 17, 2007 - Following last year's unprecedented success, The Big Ball is gearing up for the second edition of the annual charity event to be held on 27 March 2008 in Al Bustan Rotana Hotel with an aim to create a better future for children through education.

Spreading rays of hope to poor and marginalised children, The Big Ball donated $103,270 from sponsorships, donations, and auction proceeds from the 2007 event to the UNICEF-Adopt-A-School Programme in Lebanon . The money was allocated to rehabilitate Al-Abdeh Mixed Public School in Akkar.and to provide clean water, sanitation facilities to all the children in addition to trainings and capacity building Programmes for teachers.

The inaugural event in 2007 was attended by the Who's Who of the media and entertainment industry as well as guests from the region's top blue chip businesses and corporations and was supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), International Advertising Association (IAA) and endorsed by the Consulate General of Lebanon in Dubai .

Tarek Shayya, Chief of Fundraising and Partnerships, UNICEF, commended the organising committee for the launch of the second edition saying: “We are honoured to be part of such a passionate project and to be able to work with such a dynamic team of creative professionals. Last year's event was a huge success and helped secure a child friendly school and quality education for the children in Akkar and we are looking forward to an even more successful collaboration this year.”

The committee headed by Barry Kirsch of BKP Music, aims to raise a total of $250,000 in order to reach out to more children under the auspices of the Children Victims of War, through UNICEF (the Adopt-A-School progam in Lebanon) and the Dhaka Project, an all-round education and care program for children and their parents in Bangladesh.

“The overwhelming support extended by members of the marketing , communication and production industries in Dubai showed the magnanimity and solidarity of the group. What is more important is the fact that we have been blessed to be able to share part of our good fortune with the less privileged for the second consecutive year,” said Barry Kirsch, founder of The Big Ball Project, and Owner of BKP Music.

Jyoti Rana, project director for The Big Ball promised a bigger spectacle in 2008 and said: “We're targeting more than 700 guests to attend one of Dubai 's most important social events. The evening will include impeccable dining and entertainment as well as a unique auction similar to what took place last year with the sole aim of raising more funds for this worthy cause. Significantly, this will be the occasion when marketing , production and communications professionals in Dubai gather as one family to create a difference in the lives of others.”

The Big Ball 2008 has opened up sponsorship opportunities to companies who wish to be involved in the project. Further information is available on: www.thebigball.org .

About The Big Ball: The Big Ball is an annual opportunity for those in the creative industry to gather and celebrate, not for recognition, but to uphold the nobility of the human spirit, and mobilise resources for charitable causes. Founded by Mr. Barry Kirsch, a veteran music composer and owner of BKP Music, The Big Ball 2008 includes an appointed hands-on committee of only 12 opinion leaders from the advertising, marketing, public relations, production and communications sectors to undertake various responsibilities within the organisation of The Big Ball event and help create a difference in the lives of underprivileged children.

About UNICEF:

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.  The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments

For further information, please contact:

Jyoti Rana

Project Director

P: + 971 4 391 4848

M: + 971 55 949 6200

E: jyoti@thebigball.org

Farah Ibrahim

TRACCS Public Relations

P: + 971 4 367 2530
F: + 971 4 367 2531

E: farah.ibrahim@traccs.net