Active DMC makes new promotion

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Dubai-based agency, Active (Digital. Marketing. Communications) has promoted Yasser Zeriz to the role of Senior Account Executive. Having joined Active DMC in 2015, Yasser previously held the role of Account Executive, where he grew and supported the team in Arabic media relations. In his new role, he will continue to work with the team and take a deeper role in client management as well as digital strategy.

“Yasser has taken an impressive role in agency – quickly winning the respect of many of our clients,” says Lauren Brush, Senior Communications Consultant, Active DMC. “He is a pleasure to have on this team and we are very lucky to have him!”

Pinpoint Media Group welcomes Rob Chilton

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Rob Chilton will be continuing his role as Editor of Edgar Middle East after Pinpoint Media Group’s recent acquisition of Lux Media Group. Having joined the magazine in 2015, Rob oversaw its print and online editions, and also represented the title during a weekly radio slot on Dubai Eye. Rob will continue to work across Edgar Middle East’s print, digital and radio platforms, covering men’s fashion, restaurants, watches, travel, sport, film, grooming, motoring and culture.

Tonic International appoints new Managing Director

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Dubai-based independent creative agency, Tonic International has promoted Jacqui Hewett to the role of Managing Director. Having joined Tonic International in 2015 as General Manager – Media, Jacqui worked on transforming the agency’s media division into a fully-fledged digital operation. In her new role, she will oversee Tonic International’s group of companies across all departments, including branding, communications, digital and media, ensuring everyone works in an integrated way as one team. She will also manage the agency’s new focus and strategy to further build digital capabilities that will deliver a fully immersive experience for the clients and consumers.

“We have transformed our digital performance business over the last few years and our clients perceive us as true pioneers in this space,” says Jacqui Hewett, Managing Director, Tonic International. “Our fully integrated, end-to-end offering gives us the ability to guide our partners through the ever-evolving marketing environment, by ensuring that our team of experts across branding, advertising, digital and media are trained to focus on their business results.”

Rachel Lewis gets promoted at markettiers

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Broadcast and specialist agency, markettiers has promoted Rachel Lewis to the role of Account Manager. Having joined markettiers in 2017, Rachel most recently held the role of Senior Account Executive, where she supported the team with creative consultancy and worked with both PR agencies and clients across key projects such as the Guinness World Record breaking live stream for Al Marjan Island over New Year’s Eve. In her new role, she will be responsible for delivering quality video content and harnessing both agency and direct client relationships to deliver outstanding broadcast campaigns with content at their heart. She will also produce live streams, video news content, directing as well as managing film shoots and creating video content that mobilises audience behaviour and delivers a tangible ROI for clients.

“With a background in video production and PR, markettiers was a perfect fit for me right from the start,” says Rachel. “I’ve been lucky enough to work with some fantastic brands on some ambitious, innovative projects that have video content at the heart, from creating video news content to delivering outstanding international and regional coverage, to engaging with new audiences through video content on social channels. I truly believe that the media landscape is changing and I’m proud to be part of a forward thinking agency that specialises in the power of broadcast.”

In The Hot Seat – Rahman Risilia

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We chat with Rahman Risilia, Managing Director at MCG& and Kemisry HR, who talks about his current role and offers his thoughts on the media recruitment industry in the Middle East…

Name: Rahman Risilia

Current job title: Managing Director, MCG& and Kemistry HR

When did you first arrive in Dubai?

2015

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

Vibrant, fast and financially strong.

Has your opinion changed much?

Yes unfortunately. The industry is facing challenging times with global market conditions and the likes of Facebook and co. disrupting the market.

Tell us about your current role…

I see myself as a hands-on Managing Director. Still very involved in day-to-day recruitment, driving the growth of the brands (MCG&, Kemistry HR, Hopscotch and Ampersand) into different industries and strengthening our position as the leading agency within marketing, communications, PR, digital and Technology.

What challenges do you face?

We could be here all day! Managing candidates’ expectations when relocating from abroad and consulting with clients on how best to run a recruitment process, stands out for me.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I do love it when we’re able to truly work with a client to determine exactly what they need through strategic meetings and fulfill the requirement. I must also say, seeing the progression and development of our consultants over time is extremely satisfying.

Are social platforms enough to source talent in the Middle East?

They’re definitely a good starting point. The levels of engagement on these platforms will determine how successful they can be. Not many recruitment agencies truly understand why and how to use them. LinkedIn recently named MCG& the most socially engaged staffing agency in the Middle East.

How effective is online recruitment advertising compared to traditional advertising for talent acquisition in the Middle East?

It’s hard to compare the two as their target audiences are different. Traditional advertising still receives a massive number of applicants but that doesn’t necessarily mean the quality is better.

What are candidates looking for?

Digital jobseekers want to work for innovative businesses that value the ability of digital to improve customer experience. They are not as focused on an organisation’s brand but want to know the details of the projects, the future for digital and what they can learn in a particular role.

What advice would you give employers?

Speed to market and realistic salaries remain the keys to success. However, throughout 2017 we found many employers were not meeting the candidates’ salary expectations, thus employers must act quickly and provide a positive recruitment process experience if they are to secure their ideal candidates.

What is the most common CV faux pas that you see today?

The big one that stands out to me is when a candidate’s CV doesn’t match their LinkedIn profile. That’s a red flag.

How important is a candidate’s online footprint when job seeking?

Now more than ever, the candidates’ online footprint is as important as their CV. You now see employers looking people up on LinkedIn, FB, Instagram and so on before the first interview stage. It’s a regular topic of conversation in our industry. You wouldn’t believe the horror stories I could tell.

Describe yourself in five words…

Ambitious, determined, obsessive, compulsive and focused.

Who inspires you?

My wife. Yes, I know it’s cheesy but she truly does. A mother of two, qualified Sleep Scientist reinventing herself as a Social Media Manager. A big thank you to Hopscotch ME for their support. Plus, she puts up with me…

What’s your most overused saying?

Where are the doughnuts?

Five things you can’t live without?

I have two. Faith and family. Everything else is manageable.

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

Can I say joining MCG? The entire journey has been exciting. It has had its ups and downs but never a dull moment.

If you could have one work wish granted, what would it be?

To be given the power of a photographic memory.

What’s your favourite form of media?

TV wins that one hands down.

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

Running an advertising agency would have been the alternative, but being a football pundit would be nice.

How do you see the quality of candidates changing in the coming years?

Digital, Digital, Digital.