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@AWM magazine launches in Abu Dhabi

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Yardstick Marketing Management has partnered with WhiteFox Media Group to launch a new quarterly magazine for Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. The print and digital magazine, named @AWM will feature a spectrum of products from Al Wahda Mall ranging from fashion, health, entertainment, cars, homeware, electronics, dining and travel. With 10,000 copies in circulation, @AWM will also include interviews, offers and promotions as well as feature editorial content. The magazine will be available as a complimentary publication, catering directly to the mall’s customers and online readers as well as the surrounding hotels and residential apartments.

Noel Ebdon, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of WhiteFox Media, will take on the role of Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of @AWM and Anishkaa S Gehani will also be joining Noel as Consulting Editor of the title. As the Founder of Yardstick Marketing Management, Anishkaa brings with her 13 years of media, marketing and PR experience. As the editorial heads of the new title, Noel and Anishkaa will oversee all the editorial content of the magazine.

“We are delighted to launch our very first official magazine, which I believe is another step forward in connecting our retailers to our visitors,” says Mohammed Nauman Thakur, General Manager, Al Wahda Mall. “With the launch of @AWM, we will keep our visitors abreast with everything that is trending in the fashion and lifestyle space, update them on the mall’s brands, as well as interviews and features relating to the wide range of products the mall covers.”

M&C Saatchi PR expands into the UAE

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Public relations agency, M&C Saatchi PR, part of M&C Saatchi has opened its UAE offices as a part of its expansion plan into the region. The new PR division will increase M&C Saatchi’s existing businesses in the UAE and offer clients across the region a range of fully integrated creative communications services. The new launch will also see the appointment of Amy Brill to the role of Head of PR, having worked with clients such as Hilton, Kimberly Clark and Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism, Amy brings with her a solid background in brand and multi-markets. In her new role, she will head all PR operations at the Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices reporting to the Global CEO at M&C Saatchi PR, Molly Aldridge, as well as drive new business growth and ensure the delivery of quality and creative work.

“M&C Saatchi PR is a close-knit, yet truly global agency with expertise in delivering some of the industry’s best campaigns for the world’s top brands,” says Amy Brill, Head of PR, M&C Saatchi PR, UAE. “I look forward to bringing the same passion and energy that the global M&C Saatchi PR family is known for to this dynamic and fast-moving market. Watch this space!”

Major restructuring at The National

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Following the announcement of International Media Investments (IMI) acquiring ownership of The National in November 2016, the title will commence operations from its new headquarters, in TwoFour54, on July 1, 2017. While the transition aims to increase emphasis on the publication’s digital presence, it has resulted in major job losses across the board, according to unconfirmed sources. Exiting staff members will be working until the end of June 2017.

Radio 1 and Radio 2 make a comeback

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Abu Dhabi Media has officially launched Radio 1 and Radio 2 stations, part of the Abu Dhabi Radio Network. Previously managed by Gulf News Broadcasting, the two radio stations ceased operations late last year and have now re-launched with an all new team of presenters. Radio 1 airs on 100.5 FM in Abu Dhabi and on 104.1 FM in Dubai, while Radio 2 airs on 106 FM in Abu Dhabi and 99.3 FM in Dubai. The stations offer six main programs:

Radio 1:

  • Daily, 6am – 10am: ‘Breakfast Show’, hosted by Nimi and Mark
  • Sunday to Thursday, 10am – 3pm: ‘Fresh and First’, hosted by Chiara
  • Daily, 3pm – 7pm: ‘Drive’, hosted by Dane and Gem

Radio 2:

  • Daily, 6am – 10am: ‘Morning Show’, hosted by Richard Allen and Laura Naylor
  • Daily, 10am – 3pm: ‘The Breeze’, hosted by Sonya Mac
  • Daily, 3pm – 7pm: ‘Drive Time’, hosted by Jason King

“The official launch of Radio 1 and Radio 2 under Abu Dhabi Media underscored our strategic efforts to create tangible change in media content at Abu Dhabi Media, and diversify the media brands under it’s umbrella,” says H.E. Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, Chairman and Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Media. “The addition of Radio 1 and Radio 2 reaffirms our continuous commitment to enhancing Abu Dhabi Media as a comprehensive and diverse media platform. It also highlights our on-going efforts to further advance the media sector in the UAE and the region by supporting all traditional and modern media.”

In The Hot Seat – Caitlyn Davey

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Team TMN catch up with Caitlyn Davey, Deputy Editor at Lovin Dubai, who talks about her new role and what she thinks of the media industry in the Middle East…

Name: Caitlyn Davey

Age: 28

From: Australia

Current job title: Deputy Editor, Lovin Dubai

When did you first arrive in Dubai?

I worked in Abu Dhabi from February 2013, then got a job with 7DAYS in September 2014 after which, I moved to Dubai in January 2015.

Where did you work prior?

I was working part-time in Brisbane media for a community radio station as well as freelance.

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

I didn’t know a lot about the local media. I was familiar with a few publications, but came over to stay with my mum so she introduced me to a lot of it.

Has your opinion changed much?

I’ve learnt a lot about the country and the media landscape – it’s an interesting time to be in media in the UAE as it changes and shifts towards digital. I don’t think my opinion has changed, so much as I have learnt more.

Tell us about your current role…

I’m the Deputy Editor at Lovin Dubai, which means I’m responsible for the editorial content on the site. It’s a digital product so I spend my days hunting down stories, writing them up quickly and working with our commercial team. I also work on the social media, running competitions, engaging with our followers and finding new ways to present information.

What challenges do you face?

Time is our biggest battle, we’re a small team and are producing a huge amount of content so it’s always a race against the clock to get enough well-written coverage. As a new brand, we’re growing rapidly and working to expand on our brand awareness.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Helping community initiatives have a voice is really enjoyable. I love hearing from our readers too – whether that’s through social media or personally. Our site gets a lot of feedback and it’s always exciting to know people are reading and engaging with our content.

How would you rather be contacted at work?

Email, always email!

What do you think of the quality of media publications in the region?

I think there are some excellent publications here that produce quality content. I would like to see more quality digital products, but I think that’s happening now.

Is traditional media still relevant in the UAE today?

Absolutely, I have worked in traditional media prior to my current job and it’s a fundamental part of life here. Revenue still comes from print advertising to a large degree and while that is shifting, it’s still a part of the makeup of a lot of companies. Plus I think there’s something so luxurious about the aesthetics of a piece of paper in your hand – it’s the same with books.

Describe yourself in five words…

Passionate, hilarious, enthusiastic, creative and loud

What’s your most overused saying?

That’s amazing…

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

It sounds corny, but getting the job at 7DAYS was one of the best things to ever happen to me, it opened so many doors. And because of that job – I inadvertently signed up for a boxing reality TV show for a story and ended up on the show, and in a boxing ring. Also, meeting Michael Buble was a highlight.

Five things you can’t live without?

Bottle of water, phone, laptop, my Converse shoes, a pen… and paper.

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

Something where I don’t have to sit down too long – I’m happiest outside, moving around and talking to people.

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

TV and video will always have a special place in my heart. I love that it has both visual and audio components and when it’s lifestyle content, I get to inject a bit of my own personality into the mix. In saying that, writing is always an important part of the equation because whether it’s TV, digital, radio or anything, there’s still an element of writing to it.

How do you see the media industry changing in the UAE in the coming years?

More digital presence from the existing brands, and more apps. I think with sites like Lovin Dubai leading the way, we will get more fast-paced products aiming to share information more rapidly. I’d also expect to see more online video and TV channels establishing themselves in the UAE as news providers.