OMD appoints director of ideation and innovation

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OMD has recruited Haytham Zoghby as its Director of Innovation. He will be tasked with leading and revitalising Ignition, the media agency’s innovation arm. Haytham started his career at Leo Burnett in Jeddah, working mainly on the P&G portfolio, Al Marai and Savola and moved to Dubai in 2007 to take the creative lead on DPG, Dubai TV, DEPE, Bel and ADIB, among others. Operating at the intersection of technology, media, consumer and creativity, Zoghby will leverage his expertise to elevate OMD’s Ignition offering across the region.

“OMD has long thrived on innovation and creativity so this appointment is a natural progression for us,” says Nadim Samara, Managing Director, OMD UAE & Lower Gulf. “In our first decade, we led with the launch of OMD Digital in 2006, Ignition in 2007 and Annalect in 2010, to name but a few. Bringing in the first senior creative talent in a media investment and consulting firm will allow us to further sharpen our thinking and execution, allowing our clients to enjoy an even higher multiplier effect on their media investments.”

Haytham Zoghby adds, “This move is a very exciting opportunity for me to make a real difference to OMD’s clients. This new environment, with its various disciplines, offers a wealth of data and research, as well as content creation, digital communications and social media capabilities.”

Top nosh

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Having finally settled into our swanky new office in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, it was the perfect excuse for Team TMN to explore the area for some hidden culinary gems. But where to start? Having caught wind of a certain restaurant right on our doorstep offering the latest Friday brunch, the temptation was too hard to resist.

What – Nosh brunch

Where – Mövenpick Hotel, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

When – Friday afternoons, 12.30pm – 3.30pm

The promise – “Essential, delicious and welcoming, culinary expertise doesn’t get any better than nosh”

Did it deliver? Nestled in the centre of JLT, we found Nosh on the lobby level of the stylish and minimalistic Mövenpick Hotel. Dressed down and in search of a leisurely lunch after a busy week, we were warmly welcomed on arrival and led to our table.

The light and airy restaurant was alive with families relaxing on the terrace and friends catching up after the festive season getaways. Tables were spaciously spaced with a selection of high and low seating options to suit all tastes, plus the artfully decorated private dining room offered an extra level of privacy for guests seeking something more intimate.

Set up in traditional buffet brunch style, the sprawling food selection assured us even the fussiest of eaters would not go home hungry. Although it was tempting to dive straight in for the highly appealing roast beef dinner – complete with all the trimmings – we refrained, and started on a more simple note, by sampling the salad bar and bread assortment.

Next up, we opted for a truly international plate of Italian pastas, Indian curries, a healthy portion of poppadoms and a little sushi on the side. Adventurous eaters or just plain bonkers? The jury was out, but we were thoroughly satisfied. If only we had left room for the roast dinner.

A brunch wouldn’t be complete without a dessert station, and although the selection was limited, the chocolate fountain with its multiple streams of flowing white and milk chocolate more than made up for that.

Those looking for something a little more lively can head downstairs to UKB once eaten and enjoy inclusive beverages at the bar until 3.30pm.

The verdict: A pleasant change from Dubai’s rowdy Friday affairs, Nosh offers a mid-priced brunch in a sophisticated setting that can be enjoyed with friends and family. While service was a little slow at times, we’re sure this new brunch on the block will pick up pace – and popularity – in no time.

 

Would you like Team TMN to review your event, latest launch or product? E-mail roadtested@the-media-network.com with full details and we’ll be in touch to offer our verdict.

 

Ahlan! Hot 100 to celebrate 10th anniversary

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It has been announced that the annual coffee table book Ahlan! Hot 100 will be published on March 6, 2014, with 100,000 copies distributed across the UAE with Ahlan! and Ahlan! Arabia, and as a stand-alone publication in all leading bookstores throughout the month. Ahlan! Hot 100 celebrates the most talked-about people in the UAE and features entrepreneurs, style icons and personalities who are shaping the landscape of the Emirates.

The Ahlan! Hot 100 has its own dedicated microsite at www.ahlanlive.com and will have its own App and digital edition available for download.

This year sees ITP’s proudest product celebrating its 10-year anniversary, which will be marked with a lavish party on Wednesday 5th March, for an exclusive VVIP guest list. The event will be held at Warldorf Astoria, Palm Jumeirah.

Mark Frith offers his views on the UAE media landscape

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Team TMN caught up with former Heat magazine editor, author and media industry expert, Mark Frith, to hear his thoughts on the magazine landscape in the United Arab Emirates

What have you been working on during your time in Dubai?
I came over here to do some consulting for ITP’s celebrity weekly publications. Since giving up magazine editing as a full time role, I have been working with companies on reinventing and revamping existing titles. I look at great brands and work on making them super brands. The great thing about a super brand is that it leads the market and dictates the market. Super brands are strong and powerful and are very difficult to compete with.

What is your impression of the magazine industry in the UAE?
Out here there is a lot more positivity about magazines than there is in the UK. Back home it is more about trying to stem the decline and push things back up. It’s tough everywhere but it feels like a different environment here, which is why it’s so refreshing. One of the reasons I’m so excited about this market is because it still feels like early days. It’ll be very interesting to see how it develops.

You worked in the highly competitive celebrity magazine industry in the UK. Are you competitive and do you see competition as a good thing?
I don’t see myself as a very competitive person by nature, but my goodness, working at Heat brought that out in me. Competition is a good thing. It drives us to want to be better and I’m bringing that over here because it’s quite a small industry. I’ve been talking to some magazines who have no rivals at all, but it’s still very important to have that competitive spirit. That’s the kind of thing I’m doing. I’m trying to get that sense of competing and winning; outperforming what you’ve achieved before and building on that.

With so much competition in the market, how can magazines stay ahead?
You first need to identify what makes a good seller; how to see your editorial compared to others in the market and how to win those battles. At Heat, we had a fantastic rivalry with Now! magazine, which drove both titles to be better.  Those are the skills that I’m working on with the editors at ITP.

What do you think of the talent pool in the UAE?
The UAE is a place for ambitious people; a place for confident people. People who might find that they are underappreciated elsewhere can find a way to further their career and stand out over here. What I have noticed in the competitive London publishing industry is that a lot of journalists have good ideas, but aren’t able to progress as quickly as they would like. Over the last 10 or 12 years, Dubai has attracted some of those people and they have flourished.

What are your thoughts on the Ad-driven commercial set up of magazines in the UAE, compared to the copy sales driven UK market?
What we’re finding in the UK is that although magazine sales are down, advertisements are still quite buoyant. This is why the free market model for magazines interests me. The UK has picked up on this over the past few years and there are very good quality free publications. You’ve got Time Out, which is now free on a Tuesday, Stylist on a Wednesday, Shortlist on a Thursday and Sport on a Friday – all of which are doing well. I think that it is a more obvious market to have an Ad-funded model, like there is here in the UAE.

What should magazine editors do when a rival title lands in the market?
You certainly don’t lose your head. In reality, yours is stronger than a new rival. The panicky thing that people do when a new title comes along is that they worry; they lose direction. You need to have the confidence to know what you’re doing is right. Stay close to your readers and be true to yourself and to them.

What is the best piece of advice you can offer editors?
My main philosophy is to make the most of what you have. Know what you stand for as a magazine, deliver it and make sure you deliver it better than the competition.

So what’s next for you? Will you be a regular visitor to the Emirates?
Well it’s the first time I have visited the UAE and I can definitely see myself spending more time here, although as I have a young family, moving countries is not a consideration right now. I will continue consulting and I enjoy working with Speakers Corner in London who book me to host events, chair panel discussions and present award shows. I love that side of things and would welcome the opportunity to do the same in Dubai also.

For booking enquiries, contact Nick Gold at Speakers Corner, London on +44 (0)207 7607 7070.

PR Account Manager, Farah Zoghbi

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Name: Farah Zoghbi
Age: 31
From: Egypt
Current job title: PR Account Manager, The Qode

When did you arrive in the UAE?
I first arrived in Dubai in 2002 where I completed my first internship at two flagship properties, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and InterContinental Dubai. The year I spent here got me instantly attached to the city, as it was the perfect blend of Middle Eastern culture with Western influences. I kept coming back every winter break until I graduated from École hôtelière de Lausanne in 2006 and re-launched my career once again in Dubai. Having lived here, on and off, for over 12 years, I have witnessed the ups and downs of the city and it has been an incredible experience to be part of all its accomplishments.

Where did you work prior?
I was freelancing for start-up businesses (business plan development, report writing, strategy, etc) and prior to that I was part of the Marketing Communications team at The Fairmont Dubai.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
Coming from Switzerland, I was impressed by the fast pace and number of different media titles in the local market. Over the last few years, it has been great to see the number of international publications that have opened local offices in Dubai, which has further strengthened the quality of PR in the region.

How has your opinion changed now after all these years?
I see more niche media these days. With the dramatic growth of various business segments, the number of industry focused publications has increased dramatically, so we are able to target more publications with our brands, opening up more opportunities and giving businesses greater exposure as they appeal to more media.  Online media has also changed the role of the industry, making it even more fast paced and creating even more opportunities to communicate both internally and externally.

Tell us about your new role…
With Dubai making its cultural mark in the region, the hospitality industry has witnessed a boom in the city. All leading hotel chains and food and beverage concepts are racing to be part of this success. With my background in the luxury services industry, I will be focusing on creating unique PR approaches to set these brands apart within such a competitive market.

What challenges are you facing?
As mentioned previously, Dubai is extremely fast paced, so you don’t have the luxury of time. Things need to be done right away or you miss out on great opportunities. Therefore, when working with new concepts, sometimes things are delayed, so you end up losing out on great exposure.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Representing unique brands and being part of its development and success in such a highly competitive market. In the PR and media industry, you also have the chance to work alongside a very diverse group of people, so you become more familiar with different work styles/cultures and ethics.

What do you think of the quality of media publications in the region?
Its amazing how when I first used to go to supermarkets, over ten years ago, to pick up my magazines, the selection used to be quite limited and the foreign magazines would dominate the locally produced ones. Nowadays, its amazing to see the wide variety and number of publications that are produced locally and also come in so many different languages. I have seen the quality of the media change completely parallel to the growth of the city. As Dubai has positioned itself as a pioneer and leader in the region in so many areas, this has both challenged and enhanced the quality of the media.

Work calls via landline, mobile or both?
Mobile, whatspp or email! My iPhone is always with me so its the easiest way to instantly connect with people.

Describe yourself in five words…
Easy going, honest, fun, dedicated and passionate.

What’s your most overused saying?
I always believe “good or bad; it happens when you least expect it!”… So just live in the moment and never wait for things to happen, because if they’re supposed to, they will.

Five things you can’t live without?
My family, friends, music,  gym shoes and iPhone.

If you weren’t a PR, what would you be?
Just like my father, I would be a hotelier. Retiring and running a cute boutique hotel in the middle of the mountains of Lebanon. That would be a dream.

DABO & CO announces key appointments

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Independent integrated communications agency, DABO & CO has announced a series of key appointments to its growing multi-national team. The move will significantly add to the existing talent at the firm as it looks to meet the growing demand for sophisticated communications services in the market.

Leading the series of strategic appointments, Alexandra Williams joins the agency as Digital Director and will play a key role in supporting the continued expansion of DABO & CO’s integrated offering. She arrives from Grayling in the United Kingdom, where she was Associate Director and played a central role in making the firm the number one ranked agency in the UK for digital PR by PR Week magazine in 2011 and 2012.

“Digital engagement is becoming increasingly important in the region and our clients are realising the value of investing in a truly integrated communications strategy that incorporates this platform, along with PR and events,” says Managing Partner Camilla d’Abo. “To this end, we are delighted to bring Alex on board and her expertise will be essential in enhancing our multi-faceted communications offering.”

Other key recruits include Iman Issa, who joins the team as Corporate Account Director overseeing the corporate team, responsible for flagship accounts such as BMW Group, DHL and Marriott International, and Dawn Barnable who joins as Consumer Account Director, responsible for overseeing accounts including Yas Waterworld, Ritz-Carlton, Dubai Cares and Jumeirah Restaurants.

Natalie Johnson, who has extensive digital PR experience, joins as Account Manager, and Ellie Keane joins as Account Executive. Saudi national Maha Alhamed and fellow AUS graduate Mahitab Hosni have joined to provide greater regional insights and expertise, while Sherin Bodekji joins the team as a Senior Account Executive, and brings with her three years of UAE agency experience and expertise in the NGO, B2B and aviation sectors.

Camilla d’Abo added: “We have focused on growing our team by maintaining a focus on adding to and further strengthening our existing talent. We are genuinely pleased to have been able to bring some of the region’s leading practitioners to our team, as we continue to endeavour to provide the high quality of communication services our clients have come to expect from us.”

The impact of online development for editorial content

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Not a new argument, but certainly still a controversial one, the digital impact on editorial content is already significant. Karen Osman looks at the latest updates on print versus online publishing…

Mobile devices have been one of one the main drivers in the shift to online content consumption, not only in terms of how we receive our information but also how we read it

“Print is dead.” Quite a strong statement but not one I hadn’t heard before. As a lover of books and magazines, the thought of not being able to browse my favourite book shop in the future fills me with horror but having just downloaded the recent Good Housekeeping magazine on my iPad, I can fully understand the allure of online content. Depending on who you talk to, there are stalwarts out there who will only enjoy their editorial content in hard copy form, but are there enough of them to justify the print runs?

The Pew Research Centre’s Project for Excellence in Journalism states that news publications have been hardest hit by the digital impact, with ad pages falling by an average of 10.4 per cent in 2012 with sales of single issue copies dropping 16 per cent on average. One of the biggest challenges facing print publications is that advertising demand is moving online with print advertising revenue just 45 per cent of what it was in 2006, according to the centre. And while digital advertising is a requirement, it’s slow, growing just 3.7 per cent for newspapers in 2012, and doesn’t even begin to address revenue losses from print.

Rapid development of social media and of course, the access of mobile devices – the Arab region has a 96.7 per cent penetration rate, ahead of the world average of 86.7 per cent (source ITU News) – have no doubt been one of one the main drivers in the shift to online content consumption, not only in terms of how we receive our information but also how we read it. Cited as a reading revolution, editors now have to look to adapt their material for digital channels. Online content needs to be brief and to the point to address the skimming nature of the reader. According to a study compiled by Dr. Jakob Nielsen, 79 per cent of users scan the page instead of reading word for word, focusing on headlines, summaries and captions. He also noted, that the longer the content, the less likely it is to be read. Quite a different story, when comparing the leisurely relaxation associated with a printed magazine or book.

But is it all bad news? Perhaps for those who refuse to adapt, but for many, it’s an opportunity to be relished. Publishers will be forced to review their traditional structures to one that has a stronger relationship with the consumer. Debating at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2013, George Lossius, Publishing Technology CEO, sums it up well when he says, “Generally, publishers were a long way away from the consumer, but it is getting closer, and it will get closer and closer and closer. This is the effect of technology.”

Many predict that the future of publishing is a mix of print and online rather than just a one-way digital street. But as today’s young generation grow up on tablets and mobile phones, there’s no doubt that technology as a whole will continue to play a large part in our reading future.

 

Karen Osman is Managing Director of content creation company, Travel Ink. Follow her on Twitter @TravelInkME