Campaign ME welcomes new Editor

/in , /by

Campaign Middle East, a Motivate Publishing publication, has welcomed Austyn Allison to the role of Editor. A graduate in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of East Anglia, Austyn has over 13 years of experience in writing and editing. Most recently Supplements Editor for MEED at Emap Middle East, he has also worked for titles including Communicate and XPRESS. In his new role, Austyn will be working alongside the Campaign Middle East team to produce the fortnightly advertising, marketing and media publication, chasing news, as well as producing and editing content and features.

Sony Music welcomes Brand Partnerships Associate

/in , /by
Sony Music Entertainment Middle East has appointed Kevin Harvey to the role of Brand Partnerships Associate. With over four years of experience in advertising in the Middle East region, Kevin was most recently an Account Executive at MullenLowe in Dubai where he worked across a range of brands including Red Bull and Majid Al Futtaim. In his new role, he will be joining the Brand Partnerships team to provide brands with expertise in creative music solutions through music consultancy, concept development and campaign execution. Kevin will be reporting to Anna George, Brand Partnerships and Licensing Manager for Sony Music in Dubai.

Media OnClick welcomes Zafer Abou Raid

/in , /by
Zafer Abou Raid has joined Dubai-based media and marketing company Media OnClick as Sales Director. Previously Sales and Marketing Manager at Kabayan Weekly, part of Al Hilal printing, where he was responsible for leading the development and implementation of all marketing programmes and strategic sales activities, Zafer has over six years of experience in media. He will now work to grow business for Media OnClick by driving sales and identifying new client opportunities.

In The Hot Seat – Tala Samman

/in /by

Tala Samman of myfashdiary.com tells TMN about how her blog has evolved and what she thinks of Dubai’s growing media landscape…

Name: Tala Samman

Age: 25

From: Syrian/American

Current Job Title: Editor of myfashdiary.com / DJ

When did you first arrive in Dubai?
When I was little – I’ve grown up in this city!

Where did you work prior?
I worked at Tom Ford’s headquarters in London, as well as at Grazia Magazine and with Halston’s Celebrity dressing department in NYC while I was studying at university. Then, in 2012, I joined a Conde Nast title, Style.com/Arabia, as Fashion Editor, before I decided to turn my blog into my full time job.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
The media industry in Dubai is tiny – everyone knows everyone!

Has your opinion changed much?
It’s slowly growing, but it’s still a much smaller market compared to other major cities.

Is blogging your full time job or a part time passion?
It’s pretty much a full time job!

Tell us about myfashdiary.com…
Back in 2009, myfashdiary.com was the first blog to come out of the UAE. At that time, I was a student at the London College of Fashion and the blog purely covered fashion. Seven years down the line, I’ve matured and so has my blog – it’s now more of a lifestyle portal, a curated guide to fashion, beauty, travel and food.

What’s the most rewarding part of blogging?
Getting the opportunity to inspire people. I love hearing my readers share how my blog has helped them – whether it encouraged them to take the leap and do something they love, or saved them when they needed recommendations.

Which international Bloggers inspire you?
I don’t know if they necessarily inspire myfashdiary, because I think diversity is key to the blogging world and it’s one of the reasons I love it. But a few of my favorite blogs include because I’m addicted and Man Repeller.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a blog/career in the media industry?
Don’t start it for the wrong reasons. Ask yourself ­– do you have something new and original to share with the world?

What do you think of the quality of media publications in the region?
In all honesty, I buy nearly every UK and US magazine on my iPad or in print. In Dubai, I don’t buy more than two or three a month. The content is getting better, but I like to read a magazine and get inspired; you don’t get too much of that here.

How do you find PRs in the region?
Like any city or market, we have some great PR agencies and some not so great ones!

What’s your pet PR peeve?
Whatsapping me for work. I respond to my emails within 24 hours, you don’t need to send me Whatsapp messages!

Do you accept press material from PRs?
Yes, but when I write about something, it’s going to have to be beyond whatever is in that press release.

How would you rather be contacted?
I would rather be contacted by email, please.

What’s your most overused saying?
 ‘I mean…’

Five things you can’t live without?
Iphone, iPad, coffee, my family and music.

If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?
Working at a school!

If you could change one thing about media in the UAE, what would it be?
 I’d make a rule against copying press releases.

How do you see online journalism/blogging changing in the UAE in the coming years?
The media industry is getting a lot more competitive, so hopefully magazine/blog content will become much stronger than it currently is. 

What would be the next step for you (would you look to launching a publication, collaborating with any brands/media etc.)?
I started DJ-ing over a year ago, so the foreseeable future will be spent focusing on music as well as myfashdiary.com.

Helen Farmer to go freelance

/in , /by
Helen Farmer has left good magazine, part of Motivate Publishing, in order pursue freelance work on a full-time basis. Having worked as Editor for good since its conception in 2013, Helen moved to a part-time editorial role in March this year, where she was responsible for writing, commissioning and editing features for the magazine, as well as handling social media and marketing the title through online and radio platforms. Helen will now be freelancing on corporate and lifestyle copy editing and writing, as well as radio journalism. She will also continue to work on her recently rebranded parenting website, The Mothership – www.themothershipdxb.com.
“I’m really excited about the flexibility my new way of working will offer and the opportunity to pursue passion projects as well as explore different avenues and media platforms,” says Helen. “I’m also looking forward to developing The Mothership and helping other working mothers in Dubai, whether its through events or online.”

Ahmed Galal joins TishTash

/in , /by

TishTash Marketing and Public Relations has appointed Ahmed Galal to the role of Arabic PR and Social Media Executive. With six years of experience in journalism, PR and social media, Ahmed has previously worked for companies such as Al Bayan, Ara Magazine and Apparel Group. In his new role, he will be working on Arabic PR and social media content for TishTash clients, as well as assisting with Arabic media relations and coverage placements.

“Ahmed is a significant addition to our growing Arabic and digital team,” says Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, Founder and Managing Director, TishTash Marketing and Public Relations. “I am confident that he is a great fit for the team and will be a valuable member of TishTash.”

CNN named number one international news channel

/in , /by

CNN International is the number one international news channel in daily, weekly and monthly reach, according to the Ipsos Affluent Survey Middle East. The independent industry research study shows that the CNN International TV channel reaches 20% of the Middle East’s elite population every month and this reach increases to 28% when CNN International‘s digital properties are added to the scale of linear TV.

“CNN has made a sustained commitment to the Middle East for many years now,” says Rani Raad, President, CNN International Commercial.”We launched CNN Arabic and have continued to invest in the service; in the last year we have unveiled new studios and facilities at our major production hubs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and we have moved our flagship show Connect the World to be produced and broadcast from the region. We are proud that our approach across TV and digital continues to resonate with Middle Eastern audiences as well as our commercial partners across the region.”

Motivate welcomes new Contributing Editor

/in , /by
Motivate Publishing has welcomed Stuart Todd to the role of Contributing Editor at Hype magazine. With over six years of experience in music journalism and PR, Stuart most recently worked as Editor at music website EQTV.CO.UK, where he sourced relevant and accurate content for the site in the form of artist interviews, event and track previews and reviews as well as features. As Contributing Editor to Hype, he will now be responsible for ensuring that all contributing writers return copy in a timely manner as well as checking that copy is factually correct and to brand specifications. Stuart will also undertake several key features per issue of the weekly music and nightlife magazine.
“Since moving to Dubai almost two years ago, joining the team at Hype has been a huge aspiration,” says Stuart. “I am very excited to be a part of the editorial team and look forward to what this season holds.”