In The Hot Seat – Loubo Siois

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Team TMN sits down with Loubo Siois, TV Host and Executive Producer of The Dubai Talk Show, who talks about his new TV show and his view of the media industry in the region…

Name: Loubo Siois

Age: 26

From: Greece

Current Job Title: TV Host and Executive Producer of The Dubai Talk Show on Fox Channel

 When did you first arrive in Dubai?

In 2011, I was inspired after watching a movie about Dubai.

Where did you work prior?

My career has evolved around brands such as The Walt Disney Company, Nestle and Nike from the Marketing side, but nowadays I’m aiming for a TV salary of Jimmy Fallon’s level.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?

My first encounter with the media industry was during the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in 2011. I was fascinated by the variety and diversity of the people involved in the media and film industry here and around the region.

Tell us about your new late night talk show…

The Dubai Talk Show is an English-speaking late night talk show, showcasing celebrity interviews, topical monologue jokes and comedy sketches. In summary, giving a reason for celebrities like Nicki Minaj to look at my face for one hour and not feel awkward about it.

What challenges do you face?

Multitasking. Just think that The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon has 200 permanent employees, I won’t say how many we have.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The influence, instead of having a coffee at Costa with hundreds of different people to pass on a message. I just have two to three interviews with well-known celebrities and pass on the message much faster.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a career in media in the UAE?

Be prepared to knock on every door in Media City, Internet City, Business Bay etc. to promote yourself.

What do you think of the quality of TV shows in the region?

Very many people have ideas and try to pursue them but only a few succeed in the long run like Arab’s Got Talent and Arab Idol, I wonder why.

How do you find PRs in the region?

I find them to be decent people.

What’s your pet PR peeve?

Example of a recent communication with PR agency, regarding product placement in our TV Show
Loubo: Can we do paid produce placement?

Client: Sorry, no money but we can offer a barter deal (suits)

Loubo: OK, give me suits

Client: Sorry, no budget

Loubo: Budget? as in money or suits?

Client: Both

What advice can you offer PRs seeking coverage on your show?

I am a very business-minded TV Host. Just get in touch through our website, Facebook, Instagram and we can create a win-win situation.

What’s your most overused saying?

At the end of the end, it doesn’t matter.

Five things you can’t live without?

Internet, beef steaks, hair gel, cotton socks and greek yogurt

If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?

Either working for a corporate brand or a small agency.

What is your favourite form of media (i.e; TV, radio, print)?

Radio when driving, newspaper in the toilet and TV at night.

What’s your favourite TV show?

House of Cards, Narcos, Suits

What’s your most used social media platform?

Instagram

hug digital promotes Ramy Kandil

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Regional digital agency, hug digital has promoted Ramy Kandil to the role of Deputy General Manager. Having joined the agency’s Dubai offices in August 2015 as Senior Social Manager and then Head of Social in Dubai, Ramy will now be in charge of operations within hug digital’s Egypt branch.

“I’m beyond honoured to be chosen for this role in hug digital,” says Ramy Kandil, Deputy General Manager, hug digital, Egypt. “After more than a year and a half with hug digital, I can proudly say that there’s no other team I’d rather belong to and I’m very excited for what’s to come and what this team can accomplish together on transforming the digital front, locally, regionally and globally.”

Hussein M. Dajani, Chief Operating Officer, hug digital adds, “hug digital is fuelled with talent so it is hugely gratifying to see Ramy’s accomplishments being rewarded with such a promotion. This move to Deputy General Manager of our Egypt operation reflects Ramy’s hard work, dedication and commitment over his time with hug digital. Ramy will play a key role in facilitating our continued growth in Egypt and our commitment to the region as a key hug digital market.”

House of Comms makes new appointment

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PR and digital integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed Roa Saghayroon to the role of Arabic Influencer Relations Executive. In this role, she will lead the growth of the agency’s Arabic influencer outreach team and identify new opportunities for their clients.

“Since day one Roa has exceeded our expectations,” says Tryphena Greenwood, Senior Account Director, House of Comms. “She is incredibly well-networked as she has grown up in the UAE so matching this with her vibrant personality and insatiable passion for PR makes her the perfect fit for House of Comms.”

BPG Group makes new appointments

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Following BPG Group’s creation of a new leadership structure across the region, the group has made major appointments in its digital and social media, as well as advertising and public relations division.

In the leadership role, Nitin Puri, previously Chief Executive Officer at BPG Bates, will now assume the role of Chief Operating Officer at BPG Group, where he will oversee the growth of the agency’s regional capabilities and work along side Strategy Director, Kevin Jones and Business Director, Chad Hussain to oversee a group-wide strategy team and manage new business functions.

The agency’s major divisions have also gone through structural changes with the advertising and creative division seeing Suneesh Menon, previously General Manager at BPG Group, appointed to the role of Managing Director BPG Bates, where he will ensure a highly relevant and stimulating offer is delivered. The public relations businesses division will see Kevin Hasler, previously General Manager at ZEENAH PR taking on the role of Managing Director at BPG Cohn & Wolfe, where he will focus on a greater digital offer and further develop as well as grow corporate communications and consultancy strength across the region. The digital and social media division will see Hammed Yousuf previously Senior Manager, Digital at BPG Maxus move to Account Director, Digital at BPG Cohn & Wolfe, where he will lead the agency’s social media to a more integrated and developed social media offer.

“The changes we have made will ensure that the BPG Group can become more nimble than ever in the way we focus our energy, creativity and passion to deliver solutions for our clients while helping us become an even more contemporary company for the future,” says Avi Bhojani, CEO, BPG Group.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi appoints new PR Manager

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St. Regis Abu Dhabi has appointed Annie Turnell to the role of PR and Communications Manager. Previously PR Manager for Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Annie will now be responsible for St. Regis’ PR, marketing and digital communication strategies.

“We are thrilled to have Annie join The St. Regis Abu Dhabi,” says Katie Malone, Director of Marketing, St. Regis Abu Dhabi. “We are very confident that her previous experience and extensive communication network and capabilities will be hugely beneficial to the hotel.”

The Entertainer wins App of the Year Award

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The Entertainer has been named App of the Year at the first Shortlist Mobile App Awards on November 6, 2016 at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. The event saw The Entertainer along with 18 of UAE’s best mobile apps including, Etihad, Emirates NBD and Hype Ten being awarded for the technological advancement and innovation of their apps across the UAE.

“When I printed the first Entertainer book in 2002, I couldn’t have imagined the technological advancements on the horizon,” says Donna Benton, Founder and Chairman, The Entertainer. “The development of the app launched the brand into the digital and social age, which has been invaluable to both our customers and merchant partners. Thank you to Shortlist for the recognition.”