In The Hot Seat – Rosa Bullock

/in /by

SOCIATE’s Founder, Rosa Bullock tells TMN about her current role and what she thinks about the PR industry in the Middle East…

Name: Rosa Bullock

Age: 31

Nationality: British

Current Job Title: Founder, SOCIATE

When did you first arrive in Dubai?

August 2013

Where did you work prior?

I was a PR and Marketing Expert for Club Fit for Business.

What were your first impressions of the PR and marketing industry in the Middle East?
I found that the local PR and marketing industry was the opposite of SOCIATE’s brand values. Companies offered minimal flexibility and maximal starting figures, completely ruling out start up entrepreneurs.

Has your opinion changed much?
I’m trying to be the change I want to see. SOCIATE strives to make up for what the UAE’s public relations and marketing scene lacks. We add a personal touch to our professionalism.

Tell us about your current role.
As Founder at SOCIATE, I currently oversee the mechanics of the agency. Dedicated to business development, I spend a significant chunk of my time out on the field. Backed by a solid senior management team, I’m knee-deep in growing the SOCIATE brand.

What challenges do you face?
Balancing cash flow and ensuring I have the best team.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Working closely with our clients, from start to finish, essentially as an extension of their in-house marketing team. Intimately understanding their objectives, achieving the results and celebrating the successes.

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

Tracking a campaign’s progress is more instant now. This helps us keep our finger on the pulse of the status of a campaign, in both the public relations and marketing industry.

What are the most common digital marketing mistakes companies make?
Creating content that doesn’t relate to the target audience, rushing the planning process of a campaign, not making a campaign’s core message clear and not having a smooth-running website.

How has social media in the region evolved over the years to become an integrated part of the PR industry?
Bloggers have heavily influenced the way PR campaigns are designed now. They’re an important element we consider. Sharing content on social media now impacts the way products are promoted.

How would you describe yourself at work?

I have a tight bond with my team. I’m permanently approachable and am always happy to lend a helping hand to any team member that could use one. I quite often enjoy accepting a helping hand too.

What’s the most exciting thing that has happened to you in your career?
It would have to be the opportunity to start my own agency. The independence you feel when owning and running your own company is invigorating and occasionally petrifying.

Describe yourself in five words.

Optimistic, sociable, approachable, tenacious and tall.

Who inspires you?
Karen Brady. She’s also charmingly known as the First Lady of Football. She’s made massive contributions to a highly competitive industry that is and has always been primarily dominated by men.

What’s your most overused saying?
It’s just Dubai.
Five things you can’t live without?
My daughter, my husband, my daughter’s nanny, laughter, oh yeah, and water.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to go to fashion college. My mother would buy me the most expensive magazine at the time, Vogue. I knew exactly what I wanted to be doing as an adult at age 13. I went on to attend the London College of Fashion and pursued a degree in fashion management, specialising in marketing.

What’s your most used social media platform?

Instagram

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

Network, network, network. As the famous saying goes, ‘your network is your net worth’.

Viu makes new appointment 

/in /by

PCCW Media’s Viu from Vuclip has appointed Abe Shady Abdul Naga to the role of Middle East General Manager. With over 17 years of experience in broadcasting, he most recently worked with Middle East Broadcast Corporation (MBC) as Director of Digital Business. In his new role, he will lead a region-specific growth strategy and oversee all of its operations in the region.

“Viu has been on a trajectory of success, and its local approach to the region combined with its remarkable local and global teams is a clear recipe for continued success,” says Abe Shady Abdul Naga. “Increasing demand for digital entertainment from youth proves that the market for such services in the MENA region is promising. It’s an exciting time for the industry as a whole, and I am particularly excited about the days ahead.”

Salman Hussain, Chief Revenue Officer, Vuclip, continues, “Abe’s leadership and digital media industry expertise is a strong match for Vuclip. This is a very exciting time for Viu with our rapid expansion to various markets and millions of raving fans. In this region we are just getting started and our first set of Arabic Viu Original shows such as Hob El Tayebin and Wahid:Wahid saw an overwhelmingly positive response from both consumers, as well as the industry ecosystem and partners. With Abe’s leadership, we look forward to bringing a compelling wave of on demand entertainment to the region, and Viu’s rapid expansion across the Middle East.”

GQ Middle East announces launch Editor

/in , /by

With GQ Middle East due to launch this September, ITP Media Group has announced the appointment of Adam Baidawi to the role of Editor-in-Chief. With a wealth of experience, Adam previously worked with GQ Australia as a writer and photographer, where he profiled celebrities, athletes and politicians, and wrote feature stories from Colombia, Iraq, the United States and North Korea for the magazine. He most recently worked with the New York Times where he held the role of Australia correspondent.

Born in Abu Dhabi but raised in Australia, at the age of 28 Adam joins GQ Middle East as the youngest Editor of the global brand. In his new role, he will oversee the editorial direction of the brand across various platforms including a bi-lingual website, social media platforms and a monthly magazine.

“GQ has been an integral part of my life for nearly a decade,” says Adam. “It’s a huge honour to be chosen to launch the brand into the region where I was born. We’re looking forward to creating a magazine that’s relentlessly smart and stylish – and also something that will start and support important conversations in the region.” 

MSL Group opens office in Turkey

/in /by

Dubai-based communications and engagement company, MSL Group Middle East, part of Publicis Groupe, has expanded into Turkey. Being its 107th office worldwide, the new office will be a part of a strong integrated offering in Turkey that will feature the capabilities and expertise from Publicis Istanbul, Publicis Healthcare, Leo Burnett, Starcom and Zenith. The new office will see the appointment of Mehin Öner as CEO, making Istanbul the 34th branch in the MSL network led by a woman.

“The move links the PR capabilities in Turkey to MSL’s global practice and sectors as well as best-in-class strategic counsel, creative services and best practices that MSL provides around the world,” says Mehin Öner, CEO, MSL Group, Turkey. “By working as part of the MSL global network, and closely with our local Publicis sister agencies, we offer our clients a distinct strategic, data-driven and holistic solution that meets their broadest communication and business needs.”

Guillaume Herbette, Global CEO, MSL Group, continues, “The addition of Istanbul is strategically important to our global network as it is situated at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Asia, all where the MSL network is exceptionally strong.  We have been eager to move into the Turkey market for some time now. Clients across our global network will benefit from our presence in Turkey where we now have a solid on-the-ground team with a deep understanding of the local marketplace and strong relationships, community ties and social connections.”

 

Omnia expands into Jordan

/in , /by

UAE-based digital agency, Omnia has launched its Jordan office as part of its expansion plans. Located in Amman, the new office is in response to the growing demand for Omnia’s digital expertise and will act as a digital development hub for the company’s growing roster of digital clients which, at present includes the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Emirates NBD, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and ACWA Power.
“Given the breadth and scale of digital consultancy and transformation work that we regularly undertake and deliver on behalf of some of the region’s, and world’s, biggest brands, we are committed to attracting and developing world-class talent,” says Adam Booth, Managing Director, Omnia. “Our new Jordanian office and the talented Arabic speaking team that comprise it – coupled with our regular investment in the latest industry tools – reinforce our ability to successfully deliver a range of digital services that not only positively impact our clients’ businesses but transform them for the better.”

M&C Saatchi PR welcomes new Account Manager

/in , /by

Global communications agency, M&C Saatchi PR has appointed Melinda Mesiano to the role of Account Manager. With a wealth of experience working across corporate and consumer segments, Melinda has handled clients such as Emaar, Hilton Hotels, OSN and Jumeirah Golf Estates, where she specialised in content creation and media relations. In her new role, Melinda will oversee a range of client accounts with an emphasis on driving and facilitating new businesses.

“The team has recently hit its one-year milestone in the UAE, so it’s a really exciting time to join,” says Melinda. “I can’t wait to see where we can take M&C Saatchi PR in the UAE.”
Amy Brill, M&C Saatchi PR, Head of PR, UAE, continues, “Melinda is the perfect addition to the team – strategic, creative and fearless – we are delighted to have her on board.”

TishTash makes new appointment 

/in , /by

Dubai-based marketing and PR agency, TishTash has appointed Jean Therese to the role of Social Media Manager. With a wealth of experience working across digital and content creation agencies, Jean most recently worked with AZUR BLUE as Marketing Specialist. In her new role, she will handle day to day social media and work across a selection of clients.

“I am beyond thrilled and excited to join an organisation that is beaming with creativity and good vibes regardless of how crazy this industry can be,” says Jean. “I am looking forward to creating more exciting and innovative content for clients to help make amazing things happen at TishTash!”

Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, TishTash, Founder and Managing Director, continues, “The demand for digital services and creative content continues to boom and our digital team is growing at a face pace in line with this, doubling in size in the past 6 months. We loved Jean’s style and passion for creativity and communicating in a fun and outside the box kind of way and we feel she’s the perfect addition to the TishTash Team.“