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MENA Effie Award winners announced

Winners of the MENA Effie Awards has been announced following the conclusion of its ninth edition of the awards on November 15, 2017. Held at the Armani/Pavilion, Armani Hotel Dubai, the awards focused on establishing a gold standard of creative marketing brilliance across the region. The event saw major wins for FP7/CAI winning the Grand Prix, while other winners include PHD Dubai for Most Effective Media Office of the Year and FP7/DXB for Most Effective Agency Network of the Year.

“2017 saw tighter budgets, increasing pressure to deliver revenue and growing competition in the industry, but despite this high-pressure environment, marketing professionals have upped the ante with new levels of innovation, creativity and resourcefulness,” says Alexandre Hawari, Co-CEO, Mediaquest. “This is what we look for in our award-winners, who have all successfully faced the challenges by finding ever more strategic and targeted ways to reach audiences and deliver a solid return on investment.”

Five Minute Focus – Marcomms360

With Marrcomms360 coming up, Team TMN sit down with Austyn Allison, Editor at Campaign Middle East, to find out what to expect from the upcoming event…

When is the Marcomms360 conference and where will it be held?

The conference will be taking place all day on October 4, at the Steigenberger Hotel in Business Bay, Dubai.

Tell us about the concept behind the conference…

The conference is a partnership between Campaign Middle East and Haymarket, which publishes Campaign out of the UK and it is based loosely on Haymarket/Campaign UK’s very successful PR360 events, which have been running annually for a number of years now. The UK event is focused on public relations, but we have expanded our scope for a couple of reasons. One is that the marketing community here is smaller and it would be a little too exclusive to only talk to PR professionals. But the other reason is that the industry is also changing, and all of us – I include journalists, PR agencies, advertising shops and media buyers – are treading on one another’s toes and plying our trades in much the same area. So we are looking at marketing as a whole, which means that while we are keen to encourage as many PR professionals as possible to come along, we also expect to see people from advertising, client-side, media agencies and elsewhere in the audience and on the stage, discussing the challenges and opportunities the marketing and communications community faces as a whole.

Who is your target audience and how can they get involved?

Our target audience is basically anyone involved in marketing and communications. From interns to CEOs, PR agencies to media buyers, advertising creatives to journalists. We are all working to get messages across on different platforms and often we are working together or working in areas that might once have been the territory of those with other job titles. If you are a content producer or a client handler, register and come along and there will be something to interest you.

What is the registration process?

The registration process is simple. Go to www.marcomms360.com, and you will be directed to where you can buy tickets online.

Why did you feel the need to launch the conference in the region?

Haymarket’s PR360 has been very successful in the UK and we felt it was time to bring something similar to the Middle East. There are already excellent conferences on creativity run by the likes of Dubai Lynx and on technology, and innovation run by some of the agencies. Bodies such as the PRCA and MEPRA do a sterling job of bringing the PR community together, as does The Media Network. But we wanted an event that would look outside the silos we work in, and look at how integrated marketing and communications in the region works. This is why we are looking at topics like how to put together pitches and how to work in an integrated way with other agencies, among other topics. The industry used to be a pretty basic jigsaw with only a few large, simple pieces (strained metaphor alert!). But in recent years someone has come along and chopped those up into smaller pieces that can be put together in any number of ways. We want those pieces to talk to one another and make sure the picture they make up is the one the clients sees on his box.

Do you foresee any challenges in launching this conference?

There are challenges in launching any conference. Getting the right speakers, making sure that attendees are alike enough to get along but different enough that they learn from each other during the networking sessions. And I have to admit that as a mere Editor, more at home with a messy desk and a Word document, the logistics fill me with dread. But luckily we have not one but two experienced teams on the case: Haymarket and Campaign Middle East’s parent company Motivate (which runs events from the Gulf Business Awards to Party in the Park) have some ridiculously good people who have been soldiering away behind the scenes for at least six months now, making sure everything goes smoothly. As a result, we have a stellar speaker line-up, with some familiar faces and some fresh surprises, we have a great venue; and we have a programme that will offer something for everyone without trying to tell you what you already know.

What kind of changes are you hoping to promote and encourage with this conference?

I think we are trying to encourage conversation more than change. But in a way that is change in itself. If, as a result of the conference, PR agencies talk more to media buyers, who talk more to brand strategists who talk more to social creators… and so on down the line, then I think we will have done our job. Five years ago people talked about breaking down silos. Those silos are gone and the point of Marcomms360 is to lead the conversation about what comes next.

What has been your advertising strategy in the region?

We have been using digital and social a lot to reach relevant people in a cost-effective way. And we have been using that oft-underestimated method of simple word-of-mouth, calling up our contacts and industry friends and telling them why they should get along to the event. As Editor of Campaign, I write about marketing and advertising on a daily basis, but I’m glad I’m surrounded by people who can actually do it.

Can anyone attend the event?

Absolutely. And anyone who is thinking about it should head along to www.marcomms360.com to find out more. There will be more for those who are directly involved in PR, marketing and communications, but some sessions (fake news, I’m looking at you) are going to be interesting for all.

What does the future hold for Marcomms360 in the region?

We certainly hope to make this event an annual one. It’s a great way to expand the brand of Campaign Middle East, and also to bring the marketing and communications community together to tackle some of the existential questions we are all facing.

 

Panel of judges announced for Effies 2017

The MENA Effie Awards has announced its panel of judges for the 2017 edition. With the ceremony set to hold on November 15 2017, the panel of judges have been selected from across 147 sectors to judge the most effective marketing efforts in the region. The list of judges will include, Fahd Osman, Marketplace Leader at IBM MENA, Hani Alaita, Regional Marketing Manager at Danone Middle East, Abdallah Touqan, Director PR, Communications and Events at Dubizzle and OLX MENA. The full jury list is available on the MENA Effie Awards website.

“Our judges are absolutely crucial to the success of the Effies, because it is only by working with the finest minds in the marketing world that we are able to identify the best work that has been achieved in our sector this year,” says Alexandre Hawari, Co-CEO, Mediaquest. “Entries are open and the deadlines are fast approaching, so we urge all companies to seize this opportunity to display their innovative, effective approaches to everything, ranging from sector-specific marketing to branded content and media ideas.”

Effies 2017 open for entries

The MENA Effie Awards (Effies), hosted and organised by MediaQuest, is now accepting entries for its ninth edition, set to take place on November 15, 2017. Aiming to recognise effective and innovative marketing in the region, the programme will honour brands across 29 industry-specific award categories, including a newly launched addition for the 2017 ceremony, ‘Renaissance’. Winners of the MENA Effie Awards 2017 will become part of the ranking process for next year’s Effie Effectiveness Index, a comprehensive global ranking of marketing effectiveness. The first deadline for entries is September 7, 2017, followed by the second deadline on September 14, 2017 and the final deadline on September 28,2017.

“We are delighted to be opening the call for entries for the ninth edition of the MENA Effies, which has become one of the most prestigious award programmes in the region’s marketing calendar,” says Alexandre Hawari, Co-CEO, MediaQuest. “The programme has been designed to encompass the entire marketing world and gives companies a real opportunity to display their innovative and effective approaches to everything ranging from sector-specific marketing to branded content and media ideas. The entries have been of an increasingly high calibre year-on-year and we are confident that 2017 will be no exception.”

Shortlist announced for Seamless Awards

Seamless Awards, an upcoming awards ceremony for the finance, retail and ecommerce industries, due to take place on May 1, 2017, at The Armani Hotel Dubai, has announced the shortlist.

Nominees include Butcher and Still, Ding, el Grocer, insydo and Zomato for ‘Best Design and User Experience’; Bin Hindi Motors, Emirates NBD, Sayidaty.net and Xpress Money for ‘Best Viral or Social Campaign’; First Gulf Bank, Global Processing Services for Monzo and Qatar Airways for ‘Best Customer Insight Campaign’; and, Bebuzzd, el Grocer, Gemalto, HPS, ICICI Bank and Mahindra Comviva, Plantshop.ae, Radius Group, RAKBank, STC and Sprii for ‘Digital Transformation and Innovation of the Year’, among the rest. View the full shortlist here: https://goo.gl/rxvOIQ

 

 

Time Out Dubai Announces 2017 awards date

Time Out Dubai is set to host its eighth annual Music & Nightlife Awards on March 29, 2017 at the Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre. With the nominees to be revealed on March 8 exclusively on timeoutdubai.com, the award event will see high profile figures in the music and nightlife circuit in attendance to celebrate the past 12 months of independent reviews of the restaurant and nightlife industries across Dubai. The winners will be announced at the end of the event followed by an exclusive after-party that will take place at the Cavalli Club.

“The past 12 months have seen the music scene in this city hit more high notes than ever before, while its nightlife offering for both residents and tourists is, simply, best in class,” says Holly Sands, Editor, Time Out Dubai. “And we on Time Out have been there every step, every song and every sparkler of the way. We can’t wait to announce these results, results that will mean our 1.2 million readers will continue to spend their precious time out in the very best ways they can. We take that duty to them very seriously and can’t wait to announce these results.”

Nominations open for Grazia Style Awards

Hosted by Grazia Middle East, the 2017 Grazia Style Awards is now accepting nominees. Scheduled to take place on March 29, 2017, the awards ceremony aims to recognise and honour talent across the fashion and beauty industries in the region. This year’s event will feature new categories of awards including the best in hair and beauty and the most exciting emerging talent. Nominees can register themselves via the ‘click to nominate now’ tab on www.graziastyleawards.com.

Custard to set up meeting hubs at Dubai Lynx

Dubai-based event management agency, Custard has partnered with Dubai Lynx to set up meeting hubs at the upcoming event. Through the hubs, the agency aims to draw attention to the importance of being able to conduct meetings in a private and professional environment, while maximising time at an event. The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity is set to take place from March 5-7, 2017 at Madinat Jumeirah Arena.

“Dubai Lynx brings together clients and teams from across the region and the wider world for three days to celebrate creativity in MENA,” says Emma Farmer, General Manager, Custard. “Naturally this lends to many high level face-to-face meetings being arranged, but ends up with people heading back to their offices to conduct their meeting in an appropriate environment. The hubs will give people the opportunity to book a fully equipped and air conditioned meeting room on site, removing the need to host meetings off-site and allowing delegates more time to experience the festival.”

Five Minute Focus – PR Pressure

Team TMN sits down with Sarah Mohamed, Founder and Director at Secret PR to find out more about the second edition of PR Pressure…

 Tell us a bit about PR Pressure and when it will be held.

Launched in May 2016, PR Pressure is a series of conferences that address the challenges faced in the industry. Topics for the conference are chosen by the target audience to ensure that they’re relevant and up to date. Our aim is to bring media and communications professionals together to share their experiences and help the industry come up with pragmatic solutions for the region. The second edition of PR Pressure will take place on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the Metropolitan Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road.

What is the concept behind the conference?

PR Pressure is a place where everyone’s voice is heard. There are many existing conferences around the region that discuss similar topics and issues, however, speakers are usually redundant and many times, the smaller agencies are under-represented. We cannot grow without acknowledging different professional levels and this serves as a platform for students, freelancers, juniors and seniors to voice themselves.

Did you face any challenges when you launched the event last year?

I think our biggest challenge last year was setting the foundations for PR Pressure. Standing out from other similar platforms and creating a solid brand for PR Pressure was a priority. The team and I had to work on organising the event while also managing our existing clients, it was quite tough to manage our time internally while still maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Why do you think the Middle East PR industry needs a platform like PR Pressure?

PR Pressure is not just for the suits and ties, it is a casual open discussion where one can ask a question and not feel like they’re the only one who’s not in the know. I feel that the industry needed a platform like this, with a unique environment unlike other such events.

How will 2017’s PR Pressure be different from the first one that was held last year?

Aside from the different topics, we’ve decided to include more people on each panel to better capture the various sectors of our industry. Last year’s attendees requested for more in-house and media insight and that’s something we’ve worked to achieve for this year. Unlike last year’s conference, the sessions in March will also have live English and Arabic interpretation to allow more people to get involved despite our language barriers.

 What will be the topics of discussion at the second edition of the conference?

The topics for the conference are selected keeping in mind the common challenges faced and suggestions from our PR and media circles. There exists a level of uncertainty about the legal aspects of our industry and so this year, one of the sessions, ‘Maintaining proper form’ will feature lawyers who will shed light on the same. The conference will also address other topics such as complexities of the Arabic language and challenges it presents for copywriters as well as the future of PR in the ever-growing digital realm.

Tell us about your target audience.

Our target audience includes media, marketing and communications professionals as well as students who are looking to specialise in these fields. We have partnered with MEPRA and the PRCA this year to try and get more in-house representatives involved. In the future we would like to welcome more attendees from the client side as well – although I’d have to make sure our primary target is open to that first!

What is the reaction you expect following the event?

I am confident that our attendees will love PR Pressure but the real reaction I hope to achieve is proactive change. I want people to take what they learned at PR Pressure and implement it − that is when we will know that PR Pressure was a true success.

Tell us about the key speakers participating at PR Pressure.

We try our best to ensure that we accurately represent the industry in the region and give the audience a greater variety when it comes to speakers. This year we are lucky to have panellists from local, regional and international companies as well as freelancers, journalists, lawyers, consultants and government agencies. The speakers include industry professionals from companies such as Tactics, The Qode, IHC, Al Roeya Newspaper, Digital Ink, Cicero & Bernay, Procter & Gamble, Cedar White Bradley Group, MCG Associates and the Dubai Sports Council.

How does one register to attend the event?

People can register by filling out a form on our website and for group registrations, you can send through delegate and company names to info@prpressure.com.

 What does the future hold for PR Pressure?

Most of the audience and participants of last year’s event said that they wanted more PR Pressures, so we are looking at either increasing the frequency of our conferences or creating other smaller get-togethers through the year. While we haven’t yet thought about expanding into more countries within the region, it is something that we could consider in the future. For now, I would like to focus more on the UAE as there is still so much to be done.

Speakers announced for inaugural Let’s Talk event

Fekra Communications reveals speakers for the upcoming event, ‘Let’s Talk: Crisis Communications.’ Under the patronage of Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the event is set to take place from March 8-9, 2017 at The Address Hotel Dubai Mall.

The panel of speakers will include:

  • Samer Costantini, Advisor at UAE Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority
  • Mazen Nahawi, Chief Executive Officer at CARMA
  • Saada Hammad, Regional PR Director at Ogilvy PR
  • Hassan Fattah, Partner at Brunswick Group
  • Moustafa Hamwi, Author and Speaker
  • Fakher Daghestani, Communications Regional Director at Boeing
  • Ahmed Naguib, Founder and CEO at El Masna3
  • Hicham El Amrani, Managing Director at ACG Communication & Training Consulting
  • Alexander McNabb, Digital Media & Communications Consultant
  • Maya Hojeij, Senior Bulletin Editor & Presenter at Dubai Media Incorporated
  • Rasha Kashkoush, Head of Communications MENA at Facebook
  • Saad Al Rubaiaan, Government Communication Advisor
  • Leila Hatoum, Senior Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Newsweek ME
  • Angus MacCormick, Vice President of Emerging Markets at vArmour
  • Mamoon Sbeih, Managing Director – Arab Region at APCO Worldwide
  • Fadl El Tarzi, Chief Executive Officer at Socialeyez
  • Brandy Scott, Presenter at Dubai Eye
  • Jonathan Shillington, Managing Director at Grayling Middle East
  • Khaled Abdulla, Head of Corporate Communication at Barclays MENA
  • Mohamed Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer at Mawarid Finance
  • Khaled Hassan, Digital Marketing Director at IBM
  • Fadi Salem, Research Fellow at Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government.