In The Hot Seat – Nisa Tiwana

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Blogger Nisa Tiwana of nisatiwana.com talks to Team TMN about her blog and impressions of media in the UAE, as well as the advice she would offer graduates looking to begin a career in media…

Name: Nisa Tiwana

Age: 25                      

From: Pakistan     

Current Job Title: Blogger/Guest Editor

When did you first arrive in Dubai?
I was born in the UAE and have been living here since.

Where did you work prior?
I worked for Thomson Reuters in their financial sales department. I love the corporate environment and fast-paced jobs – you never get bored. The hustle and the bustle of the sales environment keeps you motivated.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
It seemed small. I remember when newspapers were the only source of fashion and entertainment news in the UAE.

Has your opinion changed much?
Oh yes, for sure! The industry has come so far. Now we have access to a huge range of international magazines, covering topics from fashion to business and lifestyle. There has also been a huge advancement in online media.

Is blogging your full-time job or a part-time passion?
A part-time passion 

Tell us about your blog…
I started off interning for Grazia in 2012 while I was studying at university. Working at Grazia provided a great opportunity for me and it meant I was well exposed to the fashion and media industries; I met so many people and worked with some amazing brands. When I left there, I started my own fashion and lifestyle blog as I was so inspired and wanted a way to express my personal opinions on fashion as well as my own style. I now work with brands on styling projects, blogger collaborations, lifestyle projects etc. It’s a fun blog that covers everything from fashion to lifestyle.

What’s the most rewarding part of blogging?
I love receiving feedback from my followers. They have so many nice things to say and you get more and more inspired everyday.

Which international bloggers inspire you?

There a few I really admire like Aimee Song of songofstyle.com, Marianna Hewitt of lifewithme.com and my dear friend Maria Alia of mariaalia.com. 

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a career in media in the UAE?
I think it is one of the best industries to work in, especially in the UAE. I would recommend that young graduates get as much work experience as they can, as it really does help. People think that working in media is easy and with loads of perks but there is so much work that goes into forging a career in this community.

What do you think of the quality of media publications in the region?
I think there is an on-going improvement in the quality of media publications in the region and things appear to only be getting better. 

How do you find PRs in the region?
Dubai has some amazing PR agencies, with very professional teams who know what they’re doing and can come up with incredibly creative ideas whereas some agencies can make you question PR altogether! 

What’s your pet PR peeve?
A lack of research from their side – annoying calls to confirm attendance or sending the same, irrelevant press releases a thousand times.

Do you accept press material from PRs?
Yes. I do. 

Would you rather be contacted by phone or email?
Email preferably, I think that phone calls are only for urgent issues and I would always rather get a work call on my mobile.

Describe yourself in five words…
Optimistic, energetic, friendly, driven and creative

What’s your most overused saying?
“Honestly” 

Five things you can’t live without?
My family, friends, mobile, tea (Yes, I’m a tea drinker!) and movies.

If you weren’t in your blogging, what would you be doing?
I’d be a lawyer or a TV host (I love to talk).

What would be the next step for you as a blogger?
Having already worked successfully with brands such as All Saints and Charles & Keith, I definitely hope to continue these kinds of collaborations. I’m always keen for opportunities to take the blog further and would definitely be receptive to ideas for collaborations on style features or style/street style campaigns.

GCC Food Photography Awards gearing up for second season

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After it’s successful debut in 2015, the GCC Food Photography Awards is gearing up for it’s second season in Bahrain. With support from UK-based Jamie Magazine, the official publication from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, this year’s awards will be based around the theme of ‘celebrating good food’ and participants are invited to enter original photographs that capture different forms, styles, preparations and occasions of food. The contest is open for both professional and amateur photographers, with a special category for junior photographers under 17 years of age added to encourage young talent to participate. This year’s competition has five categories in total; Earth’s Bounty, Fabulous Fish, Market Magic, Food Portrait and Junior GCC Photographer of the Year.

The judging panel for the awards will include Chief Editor of Jamie Magazine, Andy Harris; Food Photographer David Loftus, celebrity Chefs Kunal Kapur and Yann Bernard Leiard and Dubai-based food blogger Sally Prosser. Competition entry is free, and registration opens on June 1, 2016 with the the winners to be announced at an awards ceremony in November 2016. For further information on the GCC Food Photography Awards 2016, or to enter, head to www.photoawardme.com.

Matrix PR welcomes Anthony Caton

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Anthony Caton has joined Matrix Public Relations as PR Account Manager. Before joining Matrix, Anthony ran his own agency in the UK for 10 years, during which time he worked on a series of on and offline projects for brands such as the NHS, Ed Hardy and EVISU. In his new role, he will be responsible for handling the agency’s retail clients.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Matrix PR for seeing my potential and making me feel welcome in my new role as PR Account Manager,” says Anthony.

Golin MENA wins MENA Young Lions competition

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The Golin MENA team of Baseem Ayache and Anisha Sharme has won the MENA Young Lions PR competition with their ‘Mirror Mirror’ campaign, and will go on to represent the region at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, sponsored by the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO). This year was the inaugural competition, and saw over 20 entries from teams of two, all under the age of 30. Competitors were asked to respond to a brief from Friends of Cancer Patients, which performed as the client, and each team had 24 hours to form a creative and effective campaign.

“There was some really, really great work on display from PRCA MENA members,” says Frances Ingham MPRCA, Director General, PRCA MENA. “Sitting through the eight presentations, it was obvious that the future of our industry here in the Middle East and North Africa is incredibly bright. Many deserve to be in Cannes, but only one team could win and that team was, deservedly, Golin. Golin’s duo went all in – great ideas, rigorous strategy. Literally pitch-perfect presentation. And now they have the honour and the burden of representing all of the MENA countries in Cannes. Good luck Baseem and Anisha.”

Ylannis Vafeas, Managing Director, Golin MENA, adds “There is nothing more inspiring than being recognised for creativity, especially when creativity leads to change and good. We are so proud of Baseem and Anisha who will be representing the Golin MENA region in the Young Lions PR competition.”

Lion MEC launches

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Darine Hounaine, Co-Founder of Mother, Baby and Child magazine at CPI Media, has moved on to launch Lion Media, Events and Consultancy (MEC) firm in Dubai. The firm aims to meet the needs of companies that require marketing and digital consultancy as well as events work. Lion MEC will launch its own set of events such as the International People’s Festival which will celebrate and flaunt the different cultures that the UAE has to offer in a carnival setting, as well as the Women’s Entrepreneur Awards and the Health and Wellbeing series of events.

The media arm of the firm will also be launching new publication Family Tree, targeting parents with children from 0 – 18 years of age with an initial print run of 15,000 copies distributed around supermarkets, clinics, hospitals, schools, hotels and more. The magazine will be available online and have its own app which will feature events, articles, news updates and a chat room. Family Tree will also have its own monthly network of events alongside a yearly channel of events.

“Success comes in a can, not a can’t; I believe that whatever you set your mind to, with persistence, passion, devotion and commitment can be possible if executed correctly,” says Darine.”I’m proud to be launching Lion MEC and to be incorporating all of my networks and talents under one roof to offer businesses the best possible service and ROI .”

Stylist Social Media Awards UAE winners announced

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The first ever Stylist Social Media Awards UAE, presented by The Apparel Group, took place last night at the Palazzo Versace Dubai. Curated by Stylist Arabia, part of APP Media Group, the Awards recognised digital innovators in fields of fashion, beauty, food, vlogging and travel and the winners were chosen by a public vote. The event was hosted by Kuwaiti social media star and make-up artist Fouz Alfahad and notable winners included Joelle Mardinian, who won Beauty Social Media Star of the Year as well as Most Inspirational Social Media Star; Taim Al Falasi, who won Travel Social Media Star of the Year and Vlogger of the year and Natalia Shustova who won Fashion Social Media Star of the year. Nominees for awards included Aiisha Ramadan, My Custard Pie, Mona Kattan and The Mothership.
“This is the first time that the UAE’s social influencers are being properly recognised, with the winners chosen by over 11,000 members of the public who voted for their favourite social media stars,” says Sue Holt, Executive Director, APP Media Group. “The growth of social media influencers has been phenomenal across the world and these awards honour the individuals making the biggest waves in a range of sectors.”

InsideOut Awards winners revealed

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UAE-based homes and interiors magazines InsideOut, part of Gulf News Publishing, revealed the winners of its second reader awards at a gala dinner held on Sunday, May 14 at the Music Hall, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. Over eight weeks, 18,421 individual reader’s votes were cast over 12 categories and winners this year included; Four Seasons Ramesh Gallery, Rattan House, Home Centre and Dubai Garden Centre. This year’s Editor’s Choice Award was presented to RAK Ceramics, in recognition of the UAE company’s successes in the region as well as on a global scale.

“These awards were established to give our readers – the industry’s customers – a voice,” says Sharon Parsons, Editor, InsideOut. “We know from the solid relationship that we have with them just how passionate, discerning and smart they are when it comes to their homes. This knowledge has allowed us to refine the awards this year, introducing new categories to reflect how and where our readers shop. The fantastic results speak for themselves.”