phocal Media launches new image collection

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Dubai-based photo platform, phocal Media has launched a new image collection that aims to illustrate the recent changes in attitudes in Saudi Arabia regarding women driving. A regionally-authentic visual media specialist, phocal Media is best known for its arabianEye collection that covers the Arab world. The company also works with a portfolio of strategic international partners including Alamy, Reuters and Magnum Photos.

“We’ve been gathering market feedback for some time, and it became clear from our creative partners that some fresh perspectives and faces were needed for client projects,” says Greg Aslangul, Managing Director, phocal Media. “The changes in Saudi Arabia have resulted in a shift in content needs for the region, and we wanted to adapt our content to reflect this.”

 

In The Hot Seat – James Pass

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We chat with James Pass, Managing Director at JPd, who talks about his current role and offers his thoughts on the marketing industry in the Middle East.

Name: James Pass

Nationality: British National

Age: 42

Current job title: Managing Director at JPd

When did you first arrive in Dubai? 1998

Where did you work prior? Landor Associates

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

The PR and marketing industry has come a long way from my early days in the region. Previously, the industry was still in its infancy stage with few players around, however, today it has evolved into an extremely competitive environment. Considering the entry of many international brands into the Middle East, the PR and marketing industry has moved much further than just the traditional approach.

Has your opinion changed much?

Over the years, I have seen the industry grow and produce ground-breaking and revolutionary work and some key campaigns. The change has definitely been welcoming – be it in print, digital or social media. The level of creativity has also grown with some extremely talented young professionals producing exemplary work.

Tell us about your current role…

Being the Managing Director at JPd, I oversee client’s progress and work delivered. I make sure we accomplish our set tasks to make sure all the client’s needs are met.

What challenges do you face?

With JPd being well known for Strategic Branding & Design, the PR division was recently launched. Building creditability and awareness within a competitive landscape for the PR division which is a fairly new offering is something that we are tackling every day.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

At JPd we pride ourselves on the quality of work we deliver – quality over quantity any day!

How would you rather be contacted at work?

Via e-mail.

What are some of the corporate communications strategies you have used that led JPd to become an award-winning agency?

Building clarity amongst ourselves about a client’s expectation and from there working towards those objectives has been our winning formula.

 

How have clients’ expectations in today’s digital community influenced PR and marketing in the UAE?

Reduced lead time on project completion for start! Digitalization has also encouraged us to be a bit more visual and adopting a 360-degree approach across all the platforms.

How has social media in the region evolved to become an integrated part of the PR industry?

Brands are taking their presence on social media much more seriously. Earlier, social media presence was just an add-on, but brands are now using these platforms to reach out and engage with their customers. This has allowed the PR industry to get more creative with their campaigns and approach too.

Describe yourself in five words…

Creative, Ambitious, Passionate, Driven and Humble

What inspires you?

Creativity and distinctiveness

What’s your most overused saying?

“Let’s Rock”

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

Winning Gold’s, two years in a row at the Transform Awards MENA

Five things you can’t live without?

iPhone, MacBook, Flipbook, Instagram, Coffee

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

The ability to speak multiple languages.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Astronaut.

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

I love a well-executed campaign regardless of the platform.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a career in PR and marketing in the UAE?

Attention to details! We work in an industry where most of the work is open and in spotlight. Paying attention to those details can help you a lot in your career.

 

 

Instinctif Partners Middle East secures MENA Transform Award

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International business communications consultancy, Instinctif Partners Middle East was recognised at the MENA Transform Awards that took place on May 8, 2018 at St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor City. The agency secured the award for Best External Stakeholder Relations during a Brand Development Project in recognition of a comprehensive IPO communications programme executed by the team and for support of ENBD REIT’s Dubai IPO.

“We are very proud to have received this award,” says Samantha Bartel, Managing Partner, Instinctif Partners Middle East. “We worked closely with the ENBD REIT team during the months and weeks that led up to the IPO, to ensure that all communications were aligned and that each workstream directly addressed the client’s key objectives. The result of this close and constructive relationship was the delivery of a widely-covered and well-received transaction. We have since been retained by ENBD REIT and look forward to passing future milestones together.”

FP7/DXB makes new appointment 

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Full-service advertising agency, FP7/DXB has appointed Olly Robinson to the role of Executive Creative Director. With a wealth of experience in advertising, Olly previously worked in the UK and most recently with FP7/DXB as Senior Creative Director. In his new role, he will continue to build the agency’s creative reputation with clients and oversee the development of new initiatives within the creative department.

“I am stoked to be named as FP7’s Executive Creative Director,” says Olly. “In FP7’s 50th year the agency is still going from strength-to-strength, we’re winning new business and doing effective, award-winning work for our clients. My role is to keep that momentum going, hire great talent and do work that makes us and our clients famous.”

TMH secures MENA Transform Award 

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Part of ONE Communications and Marketing Group, The Message House (TMH) won a gold award at the MENA Transform Awards that took place on May 8, 2018 at St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor City. The agency secured the award for Best Strategic and Creative Development of a new brand after the launch of the team game room company known as Jumble.

“We’re extremely proud to have received recognition at these prestigious awards for excellence in rebranding and brand development,” says David Wright, Managing Director, TMH. “Our gold award for Jumble is testament to our passionate team here at TMH with a brand that presented numerous challenges including engaging an audience more accustom to online gaming than offline and to ensuring cut through in Dubai’s saturated entertainment market.”

Omnia makes new appointments 

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UAE-based digital agency, Omnia has made structural changes to its team as a part of their expansion plans. Aurélie Fornara-Baurain has been appointed to the role of Senior Digital Project Manager. With over ten years of experience in media, Aurélie has worked across a variety of sectors including automotive and technology accounts and will now be responsible for managing a number of high-profile digital transformation projects.

Ed Dickson has been promoted to the role of Creative Director. Ed most recently worked with Omnia as Associate Creative Director where he worked across a variety of clients and delivered award-winning work. In his new role, he will be responsible for ensuring Omnia’s creative output is of the highest standards and recruiting new international creative talent.

Omnia will also see the promotion of Ashling O’Leary to the role of Client Services Director, having most recently held the role of Group Account Director where she led client services and built relationships with the agency’s portfolio of clients. In her new role, she will ensure the quality management of each account and will be responsible for the agency’s client services team.

“Our people are central to everything we do at Omnia and something that we feel is apparent through the strong partnerships we build with our clients,” says Steve Haysom, CEO, Omnia. “We are extremely proud to recognise both Ed and Ashling for their achievements and contribution to our business and by virtue, our clients, and to also welcome Aurélie to the team. Attracting, fostering and developing the best talent in the industry has always been a priority for Omnia – something that will only grow in importance for us as we expand further afield across the region.”

Publinet makes new appointment 

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Dubai-based communication consultancy, Publinet has promoted Jamal Iqbal to the role of Executive Creative Director. With 19 years of experience in the communication industry, Jamal previously worked with Spark Middle East as Associate Creative Director and most recently with Publinet as Director of Innovation. In his new role, he will establish creative new-age tactics and concepts across Publinet’s companies.

“I have dedicated my career to Publinet for the best part of a decade, and going forward I will continue to work towards keeping us at the forefront of our industry by focusing on the future, which I believe lies in strategic creativity, bold innovation, pioneering new-age tactics and achieving unprecedented levels of consumer engagement,” says Jamal. “As Executive Creative Director for the group, I will continue to instil our teams with the confidence to envision the impossible and bring it to life for our clients.”