Blue Apple appoints new PR Director

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Blue Apple has appointed Santripti Vellody to the role of PR Director. With 16 years of experience in the media and communications industry, Santripti previously worked with Globosat Entertainment in New York as Marketing and Advertising Manager before moving to Dubai and most recently working with BPG Cohn & Wolfe PR as Associate Director. In her new role, she will be responsible for expanding the PR division at Blue Apple through traditional, digital and experiential PR solutions, while growing its current roster of clients in the PR domain across industry practices.

“I look forward to my new role at Blue Apple and in building the PR business of the agency as well as bringing my experience to the clients at hand,” says Santripti. “The industry has evolved over the last five years and it is vital to remain relevant in an ever-changing market on how we are communicating brand messages. It will be exciting to merge both traditional and digital mediums as a part of the PR strategy moving forward for the clients of Blue Apple.”

ALISA PR launches in the UAE

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PR and communications consultancy, ALISA PR has launched in the UAE. The new consultancy aims to provide professionalism, strategic thinking, creativity and hands on experience in PR and social media in all areas of business across the region. The consultancy was founded by Alisa D’souza who brings with her 18 years of PR experience in the region, having previously worked with eKadaa Public Relations as PR Manager and most recently with Blue Apple Advertising as PR Director. ALISA PR will offer businesses in the region services such as strategic planning, content creation, media events, product launches, spokesperson profiling and interviews, crisis communication, influencer outreach, media outreach and media monitoring.

“PR has been my passion over the last 18 years – and I think once in your life one should gather the courage to take a calculated risk, go independent and do something you are passionate about and not fear failure as that can only help you grow as a person,” says Alisa D’souza, Founder and Public Relations Consultant, ALISA PR. “Today, Happiness is really all we want to achieve professionally and personally. Hence, I am proud to announce the launch of ALISA PR and look forward to working closely and joining hands with media, partners and clients in the region.”

In The Hot Seat – Raziena Cajee

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Team TMN catch up with Raziena Cajee, Director of Marketing and Communications at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray who talks about her role and what she thinks of marketing and communications today in the Middle East’s hospitality industry…

Name: Raziena Cajee

Age: 33

Nationality: South African

Current job title: Director of Marketing and Communications, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

When did you first arrive in Dubai?

July 2002

Where did you work prior?

I joined Jumeirah Group in 2005 and held several roles starting with Marketing Management Trainee from 2005 – 2006, Assistant Marketing Communications Manager from 2006 – 2008, Marketing Manager from 2008 – 2010 and most recently Corporate Brand Marketing Manager from 2010-2017.

What were your first impressions of the marketing and hospitality industry in the Middle East?

The hospitality industry is synonymous with luxury in the Middle East, where service standards make more impression, and going over and beyond to exceed guest’s expectations is at the forefront.

Has your opinion changed much?

I believe that as the hospitality industry continues to grow in Dubai, the personalisation for guests experiences have since been prioritised and it is remarkable.

Tell us about your current role…

I lead and develop the resort’s marketing and communications team across PR, marketing and partnership development.

What challenges do you face?

Having come from a corporate brand level, I’ve always approached all projects as opportunities to learn and enhance my expertise. At corporate, most of the projects were cutting edge with an everlasting goal orientated approach and at a property level, the dynamics are different with a fast paced tactical and commercial approach, which has exciting elements attached to it.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I thoroughly enjoy working with my team and mentoring them to enhance their skill set in alignment with their career growth objectives.

How would you rather be contacted at work?

I prefer meeting with people and having face-to-face discussions as this attributes to more insight rather than through email communication or telephonic discussions.

What impact does digital marketing have on the hospitality industry today?

Digital marketing allows us to connect with guests through every stage of the guest’s journey i.e. dreaming, researching, booking, experiencing and sharing. Throughout this journey, we as marketers are able to customise and personalise our communications to entice guests through a storytelling approach. Digital has really allowed us to be more accessible to our guests.

Has the culture in the region served as an advantage or limitation in marketing the hospitality industry in the UAE?

The heritage of the Jumeirah brand is clearly linked to the culture and this has had a positive impact on all marketing activities, whereby we ensure we bring to life our brand the promise of ‘STAY DIFFERENT’ through one of the brand pillars, which is ‘culturally connected’.

Who inspires you?

I’ve always been truly inspired by Nelson Mandela through his ambition, dedication and drive in working towards equality.

What’s the most exciting thing that has happened to you in your career?

I have been offered the opportunity to work on Jumeirah Inside in collaboration with Google to create a digital immersive platform in the hospitality industry, which has won nine awards to date, including three honoree mentions. I also worked on the opening of 17 hotels globally during my time at Corporate Brand level and through the experience, I was able to travel to fantastic destinations around the world and explore new cultures as well as learn a lot about cultural marketing relevancy.

Describe yourself in five words…

Passionate, ambitious, caring, strategic and motivational

What’s your most overused saying?

Passion and drive defines success

Five things you can’t live without?

Family, travel, iPhone, my team and laughter

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

Travelling the world and exploring new cultures.

What is your favourite form of media?

Television

How do you see the marketing industry changing in the Middle East in the coming years?

I believe mobile will continue to grow through personalisation and accessibility as well as technology enhancements. Visual content will evolve especially in the digital world by disrupting conventional marketing, whereby the speediness in creating amazing content will be more apparent. Social and user-generated content will heighten, and brands together with users will co-create content that intensifies brand relevancy.

Louise Da Costa promoted at TAG 91.1

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Arabian Radio Network has promoted Louise Da Costa to the role of Content Director of TAG 91.1. Louise has been a part of ARN for over ten years, having previously worked with Virgin Radio 104.4 as Presenter and most recently with TAG 91.1 as Host. In her new role, she will oversee all content to be presented on TAG 91.1 and work on the growth of the radio station within the Filipino community in the UAE and across the Middle East.

“It’s not all about awards and recognitions, but about touching lives,” says Louise. “UAE is one of the fastest growing radio markets in the world and TAG 91.1 will continue leading the way through innovative content.”

New Regional Communications Manager at Whirlpool EMEA

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Whirlpool EMEA, part of Whirlpool Corporation has appointed Layal Dalal to the role of Regional Communications Manager. Layal previously worked with MSL Group as Communications Manager and most recently with Hill+Knowlton Strategies as Account Executive – Technology Practice. In her new role, she will handle all communications for Whirlpool brands, which includes Whirlpool, Indesit Ariston and Kitchen Aid across the MENA region.

“I am thrilled to join the Whirlpool EMEA team,” says Layal. “Having worked with a number of multinational brands in the consumer technology space, I have found a genuine passion for the industry, which I am excited to bring to my new role. I look forward to further establishing Whirlpool’s PR footprint in the region.”

Logistics News ME makes new appointment

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Logistics News Middle East, part of BNC Publishing has appointed Mehak Srivastava to the role of Reporter. A recent graduate of Manipal University, Mehak holds a degree in Media and Communication, and previously worked as a reporter for the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). In her new role, she will be responsible for publishing and reading up on daily online news articles on anything and everything related to logistics. She will also write feature stories for the monthly publication and handle its social media activities by constantly updating it with the latest logistics information.

“It’s challenging, hectic and exciting all at once,” says Mehak. “As someone who has fallen into the lap of the office world straight out of college, I feel quite out-of-place now and then, but my colleagues are a sweet bunch, and I’m all pepped up to be working out in the field.”