Editor, Georgina Enzer

Name: Georgina Enzer
Age: 33
From: UK and Zimbabwe
Current Job Title: Editor, FinanceME

 When did you first arrive in the UAE?
I moved here in 2008.

Where did you work prior?
Previously I was Editor of Oil & Gas magazine here in Dubai, and prior to this I worked for GEO English, an English-language TV channel in Karachi, Pakistan.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
Having grown up and worked primarily in media for developing countries in Africa, the media industry here seemed far more organised and advanced in terms of quality of magazines and quality of coverage.

How has your opinion changed?
While the Middle East region is streaks ahead of countries like Zimbabwe and Pakistan in terms of quality of coverage, I believe there should be a stronger emphasis on hiring journalists with a degree in media, and companies should also be willing to train journalists in areas such as media law, particularly pertaining to UAE laws.

Tell us about your role…
I am the Editor for FinanceME, a business finance publication published by CPI Finance. I am in charge of all editorial content and am basically in charge of ensuring I produce a good quality magazine.

What challenges do you face?
Finance is a new sector for me, having recently transferred from an oil & gas title, so it is going to be a very fast learning curve to get up to speed on what I need to know.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing the printed magazine and finding no mistakes in the copy! It’s also great to be able to learn something completely new every day.

What do you think of the quality of media publications in the region?
In the magazine sector I think there are a lot of great titles, but I think the newspapers here let the side down.

How do you find PRs in the region?
Over the years I have met a handful of really great PRs who you can pick up the phone to at 9am with an emergency page to fill, and they will get something back to you the same day.

What’s your pet PR peeve?
Sending me a press release, calling five minutes later to ask if I have read it and why I haven’t responded, followed by another call a few hours later to ask if I’ve read the release and why it hasn’t been published. If I am not busy I will reply to you, if it is appropriate it will be published. At least give me a day or two!

 What advice can you offer PRs seeking coverage your magazine?
Do your research before you contact me, so you know what our target audience is and whether your client will work in the publication.

Work calls via landline, mobile or both?
Landline.

Describe yourself in five words…
Innovative, driven, passionate, excitable, adventurer.

What’s your most overused saying?
No worries.

Five things you can’t live without?
My son, my parents and my cat – I can live without everything else!

If you weren’t a journalist, what would you be?
A private safari guide in Africa.