3 days left to vote for VIVA Beauty Awards 2014

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Voting for the 7th annual VIVA Beauty Awards will close May 10, 2014. This year there are 21 VIVA Beauty awards, which will be presented across 12 overall categories in the prestige and mass market respectively. These include – Best Foundation, Best Perfume, Best Mascara, Best Nail Polish, Best Hair Salon, Best Nail Spa, Best Anti-Ageing Product, Best Hair Product, Best Face Moisturiser, Best Lipstick, Best Body Product and the Editor’s Choice Cult Classic. The shortlist for each category was handpicked by the VIVA team, along with a beauty panel that included make-up artist Sophie Leach, presenter Gabriela Miloda and blogger Zahra Lyla Pedram.

The VIVA Beauty Awards will be held on May 22 at the JW Marriot Marquis Dubai, and the winners will be picked by readers who can see the shortlist and cast their vote at www.vivabeautyawards.com.

Sarah Jacotine joins Logistics Middle East

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Sarah Jacotine has joined ITP as Editor of Logistics Middle East. Sarah previously worked in public relations as Account Manager at Aziza Communications, and prior to this as Communications Officer with Norwich City Council in the UK.

As Editor of the B2B magazine, Sarah will report on all aspects of the logistics industry in the region, including IT, warehousing, distribution and transportation.

Harper’s Bazaar to launch first Arabic edition

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Leading fashion publication Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, part of ITP Publishing, is to launch Harper’s Bazaar: The Season – its first ever definitive guide to the fashion season in Arabic. Launching in late September this year, the oversize book will showcase the best of both international and regional A/W14 collections, from couture and ready-to-wear to accessories and beauty, and will become a coffee table essential that engages readers for the first time in the national language.

“Over the last seven years, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia has established itself as the Middle East’s leading luxury fashion title, blending regional style with international influence,” says Louise Nichol, Editor-in-Chief, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. “Retaining a regional voice and ensuring that content engages directly with a Middle Eastern reader is a central pillar of the magazine. It is therefore a natural step for Harper’s Bazaar to launch this bi-annual Arabic language publication, which will enhance the existing monthly product.”

With a comprehensive overview of key trends, iconic moments, regional designers to watch and top buys, combined with the unparalleled authority of Harper’s Bazaar, this new book will reach out to affluent and high-net-worth individuals across the GCC. The Season will be the ultimate Arabic language luxury fashion publication, offering Arabic-speaking readers a reference product in their own language, with the longevity of a six-month shelf-life that enhances the monthly magazine currently available in English. With an initial print run of 10,000 copies The Season will have a targeted distribution that includes all previous attendees and winners of the Arab Woman Awards in Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia, plus main newsstands, ladies clubs, five-star salons and spas.

 

Seeing stars

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After the official launch last month, Team TMN were invited to try out what is rumoured to be the most exclusive new dining destination in Dubai. But would the restaurant live up to the world-renowned reputation created by its two Michelin-starred Italy-based outlet? We wasted no time in finding out…

What: Don Alfonso 1890

Where: 2nd floor, Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

When: Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, 12 – 3pm and 7pm – 11.30pm

The promise: “Don Alfonso 1890 will draw on its impressive pedigree to serve authentic yet contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. A multitude of global accolades for Don Alfonso 1890’s ‘living off the land’ approach to five-star dining, including the Five Star Diamond Award from 2000 to 2013, confirm Don Alfonso 1890’s reputation for culinary excellence.”

Did it deliver? A warm welcome from the restaurant hostess won us over instantly as we entered the large marble-clad restaurant, while the long, imposing bar proved the perfect prop to start the evening with a pre-dinner cocktail.

With an extensive menu teeming with Italian favourites, we were spoilt for choice by the number of classic dishes, each given a twist that is signature to Don Alfonso’s recipes. We began with an amuse bouche, thoroughly enjoying the curious yet delicious combination of warmed Pumpkin Puree, with Caper and Cream Cheese on Toast.

Next came the Antipasti, with the Lobster and Mozzarella skewer with Lemon flavoured Lettuce Coulis and fresh shaved Black Truffle being a firm favourite among the TMN Team. As to be expected from traditional Italian cuisine, the courses kept on coming. A signature dish of Don Alfonso, the Homemade Potato Gnocci with Cherry Tomatoes and Smoked Scamorza Cheese was the perfect blend of an Italian staple with a tangy kick, and the Baked Bread Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Sautéed Spinach, Salsa Verde and Spicy Tomato Dip was a clear winner for the Secondi Piatti course, perfectly cooked with exceptional flavour.

While the dessert choice was slightly unusual, the Basil Infused Minestrone with Fresh Fruits and Green Apples Sorbet was a delicious surprise, and the Signature Concerto of Lemon Fritters and Yogurt Cream was Don Alfonso using the combination of citrus flavours at its best – definitely one to come back for!

A live Italian singer accompanied the evening using a set list that ranged from soft opera to Adele – a nice addition, although the strange stage set up didn’t fit well with the otherwise classic decor.

The verdict: If you’re a fan of authentic Italian cuisine, this new addition to the Dubai dining scene is anything but your typical spaghetti house. A Michelin star menu with a pleasantly affordable price tag, Don Alfonso 1890 is one that we certainly won’t be saying ciao to for very long…

Middle East Event Show 2014

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With the Middle East Event Show remodelling for 2014, Team TMN caught up with Exhibition Director Richard Brook, to find out what we can expect from the region’s most anticipated events industry exhibition…

When is the Middle East Event Show 2014, and where will it be held?
This year the Middle East Event Show will be taking place at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, and it will run from May 20 – 21, with the seventh annual Middle East EVENT Awards taking place on the evening of the May 21.

Tell us a bit about the concept behind the Middle East Event Show…
The Middle East’s event industry is ever expanding, basing its foundation on entertaining and bringing new and innovative concepts to the region to cater for the masses. With this in mind, this year we’ve decided to take the show and give it a whole new look, feel and focus. We’ve listened to what the industry has to say and have put together an event that focuses on knowledge sharing, education and networking. For the first time, the event will consist of six different, dynamic zones each addressing a specific business objective:

The Link offers a dedicated meeting space and is made up of meeting rooms, corporate hospitality and networking lounges. The dedicated areas can be used to not only showcase products, but to invite and host top clients for the afternoon.

The Showcase is the events main floor space, where visitors can come and see an impressive list of exhibiting companies showcasing their products and services. This year we have a wide range of industry sectors represented such as venues, technology providers, AV/equipment rental, as well as entertainment and event agencies.

The Know encompasses our conference programmes, and has been rebranded this year for the first time as MKTG Live. It provides marketing professionals with the platform to learn, deliberate and debate amongst the most influential industry leaders.

The Deck is a dedicated outdoor space, and something that we are introducing for the first time ever. With so many events in the UAE happening outside during the cooler months, we thought it made sense to offer the industry somewhere they could promote their products in the environment that they’re designed to be used in. The products being showcased on The Deck will vary from outdoor furniture and temporary structures to the truly wild n’ wacky. Definitely one to watch.

The Hub and EVENT Central is a Middle East Event Show take on ‘mingling with the industry’. It is a fully operational restaurant where the industry can take a break, grab a bit to eat and some drinks, network with industry leaders and work on building further connections (and ultimately solid business leads) with fellow industry peers.

How does the event differ from other event-industry related exhibitions in the region?
The Middle East Event Show is one-of-a-kind in the MENA region. There are other shows that focus on meetings, and meeting space, but the Middle East Event Show is the only one dedicated to Event Management, AV Rentals, Event Rentals, Event Technology and Catering Solutions, among others.

This will be the first time the Middle East Event Show is held in the JW Marriot Marquis. What was the reason behind the move?
The show was previously held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. We felt that holding it in a space that is not only trade focused, but has a trade feel to it, did not work with the essence of the show. The decision to move it to the JW Marriott Marquis allows us to be more flexible with the way that we connect our visitors with the product and service suppliers that they want to meet. At the end of the day it is not an exhibition, it’s an event created solely for the event industry, and not only will people be able to see products and services in action, the move means that they can also benefit from expanded content sessions and informal networking.

What can we expect from MKTG Live?
MKTG Live’s digital marketing conference, DIGICONF, will have a heavy focus on social media this year, and also deliberate on the trends expected to pop-up throughout 2014. It will also cover a wide range of topics from content and cross-channel marketing, to CRM and gamification.

The conference is set to welcome some of the region’s most prominent industry experts, such as Nicolaas Langereis, Director Social Media, MENA, Starcom Media Vest; Ibrahim Ahmed Elbadawi, Managing Director, Exantium and Former Senior eGovernment & Social Media Consultant, e-Government; and Tom Burrell, Head of Social, CRM & Analytics, LBi MENA.

Another new feature to take the stage at this year’s MKTG Live is the Digital Marketing Training Course. Allister Frost, Founder of Wild Orange Media and former Head of Digital Marketing Strategy at Microsoft, is known for his high energy, visually impactful talks and presentations. He will lead a concentrated two-day course that will focus on digital marketing knowledge and skills. The course covers a broad range of topic areas from how to develop your overarching strategy to hands-on implementation techniques for business success.

What can you tell us about the Middle East EVENT Awards 2014?
Hosted this year by Phil Jupitus of Never Mind the Buzzcocks (a popular UK panel show), the awards will take place at the JW Marriot Marquis.

The awards are our way of giving back to the industry. The deadline for nominations has actually just passed and we received a record amount of submissions this year for the 20 categories, each designed to showcase the diversity and excellence of the events and suppliers operating in the Middle East’s event industry. The categories range from Best Exhibition – Trade or Consumer, Best Events Venue, Best Meeting or Conference, Best Festival to Employer of the Year, Young Achiever and Outstanding Contribution to the Middle East Event Industry. As you can see we try to cover all aspects of the event industry to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance to be rewarded for their efforts.

We have also introduced a new category this year – Outstanding Brand Activation Event. This award is designed to recognise an outstanding brand activation event that created effective touch-points between the brand and consumers.

How can we attend the Middle East Event Show 2014?
The event is free to attend and is open to the public. Visitor pre-registration is open and can be found at – www.me-eventshow.com/register

What do you think the future holds for the events industry in the region?
With EXPO 2020 firmly in sight the regions event industry is going to be in the spotlight. Suppliers of products and services will be challenged to push the boundaries to deliver some of the most spectacular and successful events in the world! The Middle East Event Show is here to help – introducing local and international suppliers with the buyers that need to impress.

 

For further information, visit www.me-eventshow.com

Are bloggers true journalists?

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With an ever-increasing list of bloggers appearing on the PR radar, we ask, should bloggers be viewed with the same legitimacy as traditional journalists?

“NO” says Camellia Bojtor, Senior Account Manager, FleishmanHillard

CamelliaBojtorAny Joe Bloggs (excuse the pun) can post a blog today… they need not adhere to any of the rules governing journalism

Bloggers have become a central element to be considered in the majority of public relations campaigns rolled out today – they have a very specific role to play in influencing public opinion, and as such they must be incorporated. Do they however offer the same authority as a journalist would on a specific subject matter? The simple answer – well – that depends on the blog!

As a general rule of thumb, bloggers are not bound by the same rules of reporting as a traditional journalist. A journalist’s ‘Code of Ethics’ requires each news article that is written and published to be objective, accurate and impartial. Blog articles on the other hand, and perhaps more prominently in the region, are none of the above.

Most professional media houses will have rules in place to ensure that these values are not compromised among their journalists. Impartiality and objectivity for example, will be governed by a rule that prevents journalists from accepting bribes, or more relevantly gifts, which above a certain value could be construed as a bribe. One of the UAE’s publishing houses for example collects all gifts provided to media and auctions them off for charity, since media gifts can sway journalists to unfairly provide positive reviews. Accuracy too is governed by the requirement that a journalist uses reliable sources in any story. They are required to double-check all facts and print corrections when required.

There are no such rules governing a blog. Any Joe Bloggs (excuse the pun) can post a blog today, and by their very nature they are based on an individual’s opinion, laying it in bare opposition to a traditional journalist writing an article say, for a daily newspaper. They need not adhere to any of the rules governing journalism, and there is nothing to say that this is wrong. Of course however, the blogger that does follow these rules will be more respected in their respective field, and will often be viewed as a greater authority.

There are many bloggers in the region as most PR’s will attest (most of the time so called ‘fashion bloggers’ – sorry don’t mean to bash), who often ask for freebies (we are sometimes hounded for these), and publish their reviews on this basis. This does not make for an impartial blog. There are on the other hand, food bloggers for example, who only review restaurants on an anonymous basis, paying for all their meals, to ensure that their review accurately reflects a paying customers experience.

On a final note, there are many great bloggers out there who are an authority on their subject matter – but many on the other hand who are not. Bloggers certainly hold a key role in the media field, however since they are not bound by the same standards a journalist, we cannot consider them one and the same. As such, a blog should always be treated with caution.

 

“YES” says Farah Ibrahim, Senior Media Relations Manager, TRACCS UAE

FarahIbrahim

With the acceleration of the 24/7 news cycle, bloggers have introduced a more flexible, freewheeling approach to information gathering

Content is king and always has been. Blogger-developed content often scores hits not only because it’s not driven by deadlines and word counts, but often by a genuine interest in a topic and a voice that sparkles with both passion and wit.

Bloggers today are some of the most zealous producers of content, the most successful self-promoters and the most vocal – so yes, they need to be considered a force to be reckoned because they shape opinion.

True, there is a fair share of blagging that passes for blogging, but unfortunately that could be said of many unethical journalists too. Taken at its best, blogging often expresses points of view that are popularly held but not regularly expressed by publications due to a variety of constraints – some editorial, some monetary and some ethical.

Blogging offers an insider’s view on a variety of topics such as fashion, food, technology, art and travel, all driven by a personal interest and knowledge developed from a lifetime of living, as opposed to academic fact-collecting and a desire to share something that stirred or struck.

Blogging also offers immediacy and a touch or irreverence – and who can deny that they would rather read something that tells it like it is? The fact that a number of mainstream publications run blogs corroborates the fact that today’s audience like their facts with a dash of opinion. A blog allows you to combine the best of all the popular elements of journalism – reportage, editorialising and multimedia – all handily packaged by topic for today’s time-poor reader who wants it all.

Bloggers today have already earned a legitimacy and influence that is impossible to ignore. The better bloggers work hard at setting down ethical guidelines and sticking to them to build greater credibility. As blogging becomes increasingly incorporated into mainstream media, there will inevitably be more regulation, for better or worse. With the acceleration of the 24/7 news cycle, bloggers have introduced a more flexible, freewheeling approach to information gathering, rapidly curating and posting content at a pace that matches and sometimes beats their counterparts in print and broadcast.

Some bloggers are like columnists, preaching on issues that interest them. Others disseminate news and information. Others entertain. They either do it well or they don’t. But that’s true of regular journalists too, isn’t it?

Khyara Ranaweera joins Expose Communications

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Khyara Ranaweera has joined the Expose Communications team as PR and Digital Executive. Khyara joins Expose Communications from DABO & CO, where she worked with the boutique consumer team on a range of clients, such as Jumeirah Restaurants and ARTE Madrid.

“I am thrilled to be joining Expose Communications; with some great new additions and the growing demand for digital it’s an exciting time,” says Khyara. “I look forward to bringing my digital experience to the table and helping create targeted, creative campaigns for a diverse range of clients.”

Dana Abdelhadi, Co-Founder and Director of Expose Communications adds, “We are delighted to have Khyara join our team, and we believe her talent and experience is a great asset to the growth of our business.”

Communications from the Inside Out

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Anne Bleeker, Managing Partner at In2Consulting, offers her thoughts on internal communications as a necessity for companies in the region…

There are far too many organisations out there that still see internal communication as they used to see public relations: as a fluffy, soft-skill, nice-to-have department

Is silence really golden? Certainly not when it comes to internal communication. Sadly, many organisations still believe it is best not to tell employees what’s going on or to share important information. But guess what? You communicate whether you like it or not through formal communications, policies and procedures, systems and the behaviour of management. And more importantly, you can communicate through silence. There is no ‘opt out’, so if we are communicating anyway, we may as well think about it and do it well.

It’s surprising that not more organisations see the immense benefit that internal communication and strong employee engagement can bring to the table, and the bottom line. There are far too many organisations out there that still see internal communication as they used to see public relations: as a fluffy, soft-skill, nice-to-have department that sits anywhere but around the boardroom table.

I see internal communications as communication ‘from the inside out’. Not using your most credible colleagues, your most passionate people and your most active advocates to reach out to your audiences seems ludicrous. It’s a lost opportunity, and a costly one.

According to the UAE Executive Summary of Towers Watson’s 2012 Global Workforce Study, “23% of UAE employees are investing energy to overcome ‘substantial obstacles’ to get their work done, but less than half (49%) feel they have their supervisor’s support in doing so. Only 57% believe they have the necessary tools and resources to achieve exceptional performance and even fewer feel they have access to the training they need to be productive.” What about the other roughly 50% of employees? How are they getting through the day? A scary thought.

Employees want to be informed, and in order to do their jobs well they need to understand how they contribute individually to the overall success of the organisation. Communication around strategy therefore needs to be clear, transparent, regular and honest, and that’s exactly what a strong internal communications capacity provides.

Strong internal communication gets everybody ‘on the same page’ so they can work effectively towards common goals; it helps create a workplace that motivates people – and one they don’t want to leave; it enables everybody to do a better job, so you have happier customers and a more successful business.

I group the business benefits of internal communication into five core areas:

  1. Line of Sight: “I know where the company is headed and the part I am expected to play.”
  2. Reputation: “I say good things about my company and am a good ambassador.”
  3. Change Management: “I understand what changes are happening and why, and how I should respond.”
  4. Regulation & Compliance: “I follow all the rules and regulations associated with my role.”
  5. Engagement: “I am motivated to perform well at work.”

And here is how it impacts your bottom line: the Towers Watson 2013–2014 Change and Communication ROI Study Report states, “a continued strong relationship between superior financial performance and effective communication, and change management. Companies with high effectiveness in change management and communication are three and a half times more likely to significantly outperform their industry peers than firms that are not effective in these areas.”

Internal communication is no longer ‘nice to have’, but a ‘must-have’. It’s a true business enabler that optimises the flow of information within the organisation and helps improve individual and organisational performance. Communication matters.

“Like a human being, a company has to have an internal communications mechanism, a nervous system, to coordinate its actions.” – Bill Gates.

 

Anne Bleeker is Managing Partner at In2 Consulting. Follow her on Twitter @Annedubai 

Features Editor, Danae Mercer

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NAME: Danae Mercer

AGE: A lady never tells…

FROM: California, but recently UK

JOB TITLE: Features Editor at Motivate Publishing, focusing on Jumeirah


When did you first arrive in Dubai?
I arrived not long ago – on April 7, 2014.

Where did you work prior?
Sunny London. I worked as a freelancer covering a range of topics ranging from romance, fitness and high-end luxury through to beauty and profiles. I wrote a book with The Guardian, features for Marie Claire, USA Today, The Independent, The Atlantic, THE, The Telegraph and so forth. I was also a corporate and financial PR focusing on content creation.

What are your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
In general, I think the media world here is exciting. There’s the potential for rapid growth, to do new things, to work hard and see things happen. People seem very open minded and outgoing, not to mention very kind and welcoming – nice for a new expat.

Tell us about your role…
I am a Features Editor, which means I manage and write long form content for Motivate. Right now I’m focusing primarily on the luxury magazine Jumeirah, which I know is going to be fantastic.

What challenges do you face?
I need to get to know about all things luxury. In London, I knew whom to contact, but out here it’s a whole new process.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Wrapping up a feature that feels well written, and just constantly learning. I also enjoy meeting fascinating people, which I get to do with features and profiles.

What do you think of the quality of media publications in the region?
I think things have developed extensively since I lived in Doha five years ago, and that they’ll only continue to do so.

How do you find PRs in the region?
A few very clever ones have contacted me already, listing their relevant clients and pointing out those in the luxury space. I really admire such targeted initiative. As long as PRs keep passing me relevant information, I’ll be happy to work with them.

What’s your pet PR peeve?
I don’t like presumptuousness. And I once had a PR ask me what fee I would give the spokesperson for their time. I found another.

What advice can you offer PRs seeking coverage your magazine?
Jumeirah has amazing room for in-depth features that look at not just the latest thing or sparkling new bit, but rather at the history, heritage and story behind brands and people. It’s luxury with depth. It also has a long lead-time.

I’d love PRs to get in contact with me early, let me know what in general they do, point out any relevant clients, keep me updated with relevant news releases and events, and so forth. Right now, especially as I learn the Dubai industry, I’m keen to get out and meet as many individuals as possible, and just start developing that in-depth knowledge of what’s going on. So please do get in touch (with relevant clients, of course!).

Work calls via landline, mobile or both?
Landline. Mobile feels intrusive. Or email me – I’m always connected, and read every email, even if I don’t respond.

Describe yourself in five words…
Optimistic, curious, hopeful, sporty, bookish.

What’s your most overused saying?
I don’t really have a tagline, I’m afraid.

Five things you can’t live without?
My laptop, running shoes, my kindle, cereal and my best friends.

If you weren’t a journalist, what would you be?
An author or a yoga instructor.