Time Out Dubai, part of ITP Media Group has appointed Tim Skinner to the role of Deputy Digital Editor. With experience in the UK’s media industry, Tim previously worked with Telecoms.com as Features Editor before relocating to Dubai. In his new role he will join the digital team and contribute towards the brand’s growth across the Middle East, working with PRs to secure exclusive content and cross-platform projects.
Dubai-based fashion stylist, Chee Smith has launched cheesmithfashionstylist.com to support her new freelance fashion styling career. With over 20 years of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, Chee previously worked with VIVA magazine and most recently with Cosmopolitan Middle East as Fashion and Beauty Director. Her new website will feature her styling work across the categories of fashion, beauty, celebrities and still-life shoots to showcase her work to potential clients in the Middle East and across the World.
“I’m super excited to finally launch my website and have a digital platform where I can showcase my work both here in the Middle East and to the rest of the world,” says Chee.
Times of Oman has been awarded the Best Data Visualisation Award at the Middle East Digital Media Awards 2017 in Dubai. The awards were presented by the World Association of Newspapers (Wan-Ifra) and recognised Times of Oman with a gold for its microsite that explored Oman’s century old relation with Frankincense. The event also celebrated Times of Oman’s win for Best Website, Best Use of Video, Best News Mobile Service and Best Use of Social Media.
“I’m thrilled that Times of Oman has again been named as one of the best digital operators in the Middle East,” says Scott Armstrong, Chief Executive Editor, Times of Oman. “It’s a fitting reward for the hard work of the team across digital, as well as winning for data visualisation again for their amazing project it was great to see the Times TV team rewarded and essentially being named as the best English online video service in the region.”
Dubai-based marketing professional, Emma Norstrom has launched a new marketing and communications agency, Skandi Studios. Previously Senior Regional Communication and Marketing Manager at AlYasra Fashion for the DKNY division, Emma has over 15 years of experience in the industry. The new agency will provide services such as strategic planning, media relations, brand awareness as well as planning and analysis for fashion and lifestyle clients.
“It’s really daunting to take the leap of faith and start my own company,” says Emma. “but, the rewards are already so satisfying. The feedback about what I’m trying to achieve has been great so far and I’m super excited about what lies ahead.”
Dubai-based media company, Saffron Media Works has ceased operations following the closure of all its magazine titles. With the last issue of its titles published in January 2017, Saffron Media Works have finalised the closure and distribution of Saffron, Femina, Filmfare and Salt ‘n’ Peppa magazines across the UAE.
Hadley Newman, Managing Director at Omobono Middle East talks to TMN about his current role and the digital marketing industry in the Middle East…
Name: Hadley Newman
Age: 37
From: London, UK
Current job title: Managing Director, Omobono Middle East
When did you first arrive in Dubai?
2006
Where did you work prior?
Prior to my current position, I previously worked with Publicis as Director from 2011 until 2013 and most recently with Cheil Worldwide as Regional Director from 2013 until 2016.
What were your first impressions of the digital marketing industry in the Middle East?
It struck me that digitisation was uneven across the region and that a handful of countries were noticeably taking the lead in social media and smartphone adoption. Like in many other markets, governments and businesses needed to move beyond traditional forms of business for the digital age. It was clear at that time, that the UAE would be one of those countries transforming the region into a leading digital economy.
Has your opinion changed much?
Not that much. The disparity between those countries in the region who have not yet fully embraced the digital opportunity and the leaders in the digital space, such as the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, remains. The rich ambition and potential of the UAE positions it well for the accelerating forces of global change and so, with Qatar and Bahrain, it remains in a prominent place in accelerating digitisation across the region.
Tell us about your current role…
My role is to lead and grow Omobono’s regional presence, helping clients with the development of their B2B digital communication strategies to drive engagement with their key audiences such as, customers, employees, partners and stakeholders. We work to establish long lasting true-partnerships with our clients and having established Omobono’s fifth international office in Dubai, the first office in the Middle East, our best-in-class team continues to deliver some of the best specialised creative and strategic work in the region for our clients.
What challenges do you face?
The days tend not to be long enough.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Bringing new ideas to life is the most rewarding part of what we do. The concept-to-delivery is made possible by the people that I have the pleasure to work with. Our aim is to only hire people that are better than us in their respective field and we seek to work with clients who understand the value of partnership.
How do you measure marketing success in the UAE’s digital community today?
It’s clear that Google analytics led the way for many years, but with today’s tools and algorithms we are now able to provide unparalleled customer insight like never before. We can now ask the right questions and access the right answers at the right times. The opportunities for businesses are endless and we are helping our clients realise this potential within their digital communications strategies.
Is traditional media still relevant for effective branding in the region today?
The media itself – yes, to varying degrees (by discipline) and for the time being. What is important is the understanding that we’re on an evolutionary journey and this region is well positioned to be leading the advance. Brands that do not fully embrace the latest technological developments and engage through new media are at risk. However, many of the processes from traditional media, research, analysis, translation in to the creative brief and the importance of message in the story we tell, are relevant and will remain so – even as the written word becomes increasingly dominated by video – and it should be noted that certain disciplines of traditional media carry a higher level of weight and credibility than many new media channels.
We’re at an exciting point in the journey from the Gutenberg press of the 15th century to today’s fourth industrial revolution. Today’s work on online audience sentiment analysis such as IBM’s Watson or cognitive technologies and natural language interfaces, including chatbots – as well as demands for mobile-first strategy, means that pressure for traditional media to remain relevant is growing.
Has social media taken over the marketing industry in the UAE?
Many of the global brands that we work with have social media as the principle target for their digital investment in the coming year. However, the split between social and other types of digital marketing is not great enough to state that it’s taking over. The UAE is now innately digital and increasingly social. The rapid adoption of social media in this market means that brands are now able to engage with people in more meaningful ways and the role of social media is paramount to achieving marketing goals for global business brands.
Describe yourself in five words…
Quirky, responsible, resilient, amiable, decisive…and rule-breaker
What’s your most overused saying?
“Yallah” which is particularly noticeable when I’m in Europe and catch myself saying it!
Five things you can’t live without?
The arts, books, eccentricity, my bike, pencils and satire – see my earlier answer.”
If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?
I’d be working in the field of diplomacy.
How do you see the digital marketing industry changing in the Middle East in the coming years?
The future is exciting. Middle Eastern countries, most notably the UAE and Qatar, have ambitious and individual aspirations. Significant progress has been made to embrace the digital opportunity – with 78% of the population owning at least one smartphone and the penetration for UAE nationals rising to 85%. Compare this with the EU for example, where smartphone penetration is not expected to reach 68% until 2018 and that social media adoption in the UAE is over 70% (which is higher than the US). We will see continued ownership transfer of content and stories from brands to audiences as investment in the production of content and sharing stories is becoming less relevant for brands in the challenge of authenticity. Finally, interest in cognitive technologies and natural language interfaces will increase and will be one of the most interesting developments in my opinion.
UAE-based communications consultancy, Q Communications has secured the account to handle all PR activities for Aloft Al Ain. Located at Al Towayya, Aloft is a hotel that offers loft inspired rooms and hotel facilities as well as real-time tech solutions with an aims to create a modern, stylish and personalised experience for its guests. Q Communications will be responsible for the pre-launch activities, official opening and ongoing media relations for Aloft.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Aloft Al Ain,” says Katie Harvey, Managing Partner, Q Communications. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to team up with such a widely respected brand and create some real buzz and talkability around Al Ain.”
St. Regis Abu Dhabi has appointed Sona Shah to the role of Director of Marketing. With over 13 years of experience in marketing, Sona previously worked with Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel as Marketing Manager and most recently with The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa as Director of Marketing. In her new role, she will be responsible for managing the marketing department, overseeing all aspects of strategic planning, public relations, advertising and content development as well as the hotel’s digital landscape, brand activation and loyalty programs.
“It’s a great pleasure to welcome Sona to the team,” says Moustafa Sakr, General Manager, St. Regis Abu Dhabi. “Marketing and innovation have always been a fundamental core focus for our hotel and we are confident that her expertise will continue to drive and enhance our awareness and success in Abu Dhabi’s competitive hospitality market.”
CNN has launched new virtual reality platform, CNNVR. A journalism unit and platform within CNN Digital, CNNVR will cover major news events in a 360 video, transport users to the front row of global events through VR live streams and produce weekly VR experiences. The new platform will be overseen by Jason Farkas, Vice President of Premium Content Video and will see Dubai become among the first cities to have trained VR producers and access to CNNVR through mobile phones, desktops and VR headsets.
Dubai-based legal marketing and communications agency, Auxilium has appointed Andrew Berridge to the role of Account Manager. With ten years of experience working across national and multinational PR campaigns, Andrew previously worked in Singapore with Baldwin Boyle Shand as PR Consultant and most recently in the UAE with Cicero & Bernay. In his new role, he will be responsible for client consultation, strategic communications plans and content, as well as reputation management and new business generation.
“I am thrilled to join this exciting new agency, where I will work with an energetic and talented team,” says Andrew. “I look forward to developing some great ideas to support this pioneering concept for the GCC’s legal industry.”