Posts

Five Minute Focus – Top CEO Conference and Awards

/in , /by

With the Top CEO Conference and Awards coming up, Team TMN sit down with Julien Hawari, Co-CEO at Mediaquest Corp., to find out what to expect from the upcoming event…

Tell us about the Top CEO Conference and Awards…

The Top CEO Conference is a very unique concept – It brings together people from across the region to discuss the important issues that are making an impact today. This year’s theme is ‘Adapting to disruption: New Roles, new realities’. Regionally, low oil prices have had a huge impact on businesses and governments, leading to a tremendous number of changes, including new laws, regulations and taxes, plus a more open market. In addition, businesses and governments in the region have had to adapt to the introduction and impact of new technology and the fourth Industrial revolution. Attracting businessmen and women from the region, as well as key government officials and top academics, the Top CEO Conference discusses all of these topics and more, to help find solutions and drive businesses forward. Meanwhile, the Top CEO Awards celebrate the region’s best business leaders.

When did the Top CEO Conference and Awards launch in the Middle East?

The Top CEO Conference and Awards were launched almost four years ago, the result of a very simple premise, which was that the region was transforming and we needed to acknowledge and celebrate the people and companies that are helping in this transformation, creating growth and enabling good corporate governance and transparency in the region.

What were the challenges you faced when you first launched the event?

The first event was quite a challenge, because we did it in order to change things, to bring transparency to the awards and bring in-depth conversations to the conference. It took a lot of energy to ensure that our message was clear and the execution, perfect.

As a Co-CEO at Mediaquest Corp., why did you feel the need to launch Top CEO in the region?

The idea of starting the awards came more than four years ago, following a conversation with a friend. He mentioned how the GCC and Middle East are transforming and said the future is about the people, companies and CEOs that are creating value for shareholders and growing the regional business landscape by creating jobs, and also ensuring more corporate governance as well as more transparency. Along with the team behind TRENDS media, we created an awards ceremony that was very unique. There is no opt-in or opt-out, all publicly listed companies are evaluated and there is no fee for this evaluation. The Top CEO Awards were launched to put forward and celebrate the companies and their CEOs who are taking the region to the next level. The awards are based on hard facts and the listing is arrived at using a formula that was developed by us in collaboration with INSEAD Business School. We also worked with Hawkamah to find out how best to measure some of the corporate governance transparency criteria. One of the Big Four auditors help ensure that we have the same level of rigor and transparency on our side.

When and where will this year’s event take place?

The event will take place from April 10 – 11, 2017 in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia.

Why did you choose Saudi Arabia?

For the past two years, Saudi Arabia has been going through a magnificent transformation, economic regulation and a complete uplift of the economy that is helping make the fantastic Vision 2030 a reality. Saudi Arabia is also the largest market in the region, so it makes sense for a conversation that looks into the future of the region to be held there.

How will 2017’s conference be different, compared to the previous years’?

The conference this year takes the best of the previous years and builds on it. We have a very strong conversation that will discuss not just the challenges the region is facing, but also the opportunities being created, from the consequences of slow growth, to adapting to the new technology that is transforming business. Other additions this year include round-table sessions, as well as private sessions and meetings that will take place on April 10. These sessions will help the region formulate some answers to the question of what is going on globally in the world of business and how this impacts business in the region. These sessions will also look into anti-dumping and anti-trust laws.

For the media industry, one of the most important conversations that we will have at the Top CEO Conference looks at the need for the region to put in place some regulations to create a more level playing field, in terms of competition between global digital players and the regional ecosystem.

What has been your advertising strategy in the Middle East?

The Top CEO event is very particular. It reaches a very specific audience in the region, CEOs, board members, C-level executives and managing directors. It was extremely complicated to find a cost-effective way to reach this entire population – we relied on many different approaches such as, direct marketing and direct shipment, thanks to the help of our partner DHL, TV advertisements on several TV channels across the region, advertisement on print media, as well as regular above-the-line advertisements, digital advertisements and social media campaigns.

Please elaborate on the topics of discussion.

As mentioned, this year’s discussion is on adapting to disruption, what businesses and governments need to do in an age of complexity, where every single part of business is being disrupted by new challenges and how this should be done while maintaining and growing the customer base.

Can you tell us about the speakers at the event? Will it feature speakers from the media/communications/advertising industries?

There will be more than 40 different speakers at the Top CEO Conference and Awards. What makes the list very special this year is that all of the speakers, both from the region and abroad, will address fundamental disruptions that are impacting the market and share ideas on how best to adapt to these changes. They will also touch upon digital disruption and the fourth industrial revolution, as well as some other, more fundamental issues impacting the region and how all of these are modifying the way business is being conducted. The full list of speakers and agenda is on our website, topceo.me

How will Top CEO benefit businesses and professionals in the media industry? Why would you recommend that leaders from the industry attend the event?

One of the topics being addressed at Top CEO Conference, which is particularly important for the media industry, is how to regulate the media industry, especially in light of global events impacting the region. Is it time for the region to implement the equivalent of anti-dumping laws? Are global players selling at a fair price or have they amortised most of the infrastructure and selling at discounted prices in the region? These are fundamental questions that the region needs to address. China has put a Chinese twist on different media, Europe has looked into more legislation and taxation. So the region perhaps needs to consider a mix of both. This is an important conversation that needs to take place, and naturally, it is important that the media and communication industry are part of the conversation.

Who is your target audience?

The target audience for the Top CEO Conference and Awards comprises of decision makers, CEOs, C-Level management and managing directors, people who have important business in this part of the world and look into ways to improve the overall economies in the region.

What is the reaction you expect, following the event?

The greatest result following the Top CEO Conference and Awards would be that important conversations essential for the future of the region take place between industry players, with a focus on improving each region at the heart.

Can anyone attend the conference and awards ceremony?

The conference is open to all decision makers from across the region.

What is the registration process?

Simply log on to our website, topceo.me for full registration details, the full agenda and speaker biographies.

What should the press and media expect at the event? How can they get involved?

Media and press are welcome to the Top CEO Conference and Awards. They are an important part of the conversation and the event is a great opportunity for them to meet decision makers and speak with them on the future of the region. Media and press can log on to topceo.me to register.

New appointment at The Digital Foundry

/in , /by

Dubai-based boutique creative agency, The Digital Foundry has appointed Urvashi Bhat to the role of Manager, Business Strategy and Clients Relations. With over ten years of experience in retail marketing and brand management in the GCC, Urvashi previously worked with several global brands including Aldo, Kenneth Cole and bebe, and most recently with Inglot as Brand Manager. In her new role, she will work on developing existing accounts as well as finding new business and working on strategies for the expansion of the agency.

“I am so excited to be working with The Digital Foundry team,” says Urvashi. “We share a mutual passion, and the energy we create makes working here fun, dynamic and engaging. I’m looking forward to working with the team and using my knowledge of the retail business in the GCC to launch new and exciting collaborations.”

Sept PR welcomes new Account Manager

/in , /by

Dubai-based lifestyle and communications agency, Sept PR has appointed Karima Karmouzi to the role of Account Manager. With over ten years of experience in marketing and PR, Karima previously worked as Marketing and PR Manager in the UK, Morocco and Oman. In her new role, she will focus on developing strong PR and communications strategies across GCC networks and secure top tier Arab media opportunities for client campaigns.

“Sept PR has an outstanding reputation in the market and looks after an exciting portfolio of clients,” says Karima. “We’re seeing a shift in the PR landscape which incorporates a consolidated digital element to campaigns so it’s exciting to be a part of an agency that recognises this and drives this forward.”

Saudi Arabian news channel closes

/in , /by

Saudi Arabian-based news channel, Al-Arab has announced the closure of its news channel after two years of operation. Launched in 2015 by Al-Waleed Bin Talal, Al-Arab will cease operations with immediate effect after being shut down from its headquarters in Bahrain.

New Regional Content Director at Action

/in , /by

Action Global Communications has appointed Barry King to the role of Regional Content Director for the GCC. With over 15 years of editorial experience, Barry was most recently Editor at 7DAYS UAE. In his new role, he will be responsible for creating and curating content for the agency’s clients across the region.

“Having worked as a journalist for the past 16 years, I’m very much looking forward to developing new skills and developing content for Action Global and our clients,” says Barry. “I’ve known some of the team for more than 10 years and having been on the ‘other side’ for so long, I’ve always been impressed with how the agency has operated. It’s exciting times for Action Global and I’m looking forward to helping the agency grow and develop.”

New Communications Director at TKD Lingerie

/in , /by

GCC retail brand, TKD Lingerie has appointed Andrea Gissdal to the role of Communications Director. Previously Associate Director at Four Communications, Andrea will now manage all marketing and communications activity for the brand across the region.

“As TKD Lingerie has evolved as a brand, so has our need for strategic, on-brand communications,” says Kate Kikano, Owner, TKD Lingerie. “It is a pleasure to welcome Andrea to the TKD Lingerie team, and I am looking forward to working together as we face the next phase of our development.”

 

FIVE MINUTE FOCUS – LET’S TALK!

/in , /by

With the launch of the new industry event series, ‘Let’s Talk!’, TMN sits down with Mohammed El-Batta, Managing Director, Fekra Communications to find out more about what the industry can expect from the upcoming events…

Tell us a bit about Fekra Communications and your new event series.

Fekra Communications is a marketing communications consultancy offering communications and creative services to clients across the Middle East.

We’re launching a series of industry related events across the region under the title ‘Let’s Talk!’ that aims to bring together top communications and media experts, senior officials and policy makers to shed light on the hottest topics in the industry.

‘Let’s Talk!’ is designed to present today’s professionals with an expert perspective and learning opportunities on the latest trends. From preeminent thinkers whose work has defined the industry, to the rising stars who will redefine the way we think about business. It will provide a platform for the industry’s leading minds to share insights and best practices on how to protect an organisation’s reputation.

What inspired you to launch this new event series in the Middle East?

The Middle East is a highly diversified region where culture, media practices and expectations vary to a large degree. While the region hosts a growing number of talented professionals and experts with invaluable experience, unfortunately, this type of experience often goes undocumented. For that reason, we were inspired to launch this new franchise out of the need to connect the dots and fill in the gaps.

We believe that the best knowledge in any field is the knowledge accumulated first hand. One can read so many books, but we tend to learn better in an interactive environment. Learning also happens when one shares experiences and listens to different perspectives, via conversation.

We do not claim that our events focus on educating the media industry. Rather, we feel that there is a wealth of experience untapped and we’re stepping in to highlight it for everyone’s benefit. We learn from each other.

What will be the topic of discussion of the first series of events?

There will be an industry-specific topic for each event. The first series of events will focus on crisis communications. With the continuing evolution of communication platforms, news and word of mouth spread faster and even wilder than it used to a decade ago.

Today we live in a world where both government and corporate reputations are more fragile and where crises seem to be occurring more frequently. One of the biggest challenges for communication professionals is the early recognition of crises and how to successfully manage it using effective communication techniques.

‘Let’s Talk: Crisis Communications’ will bring together top communications and media experts, senior officials and policy makers to shed light on the right steps to take in a crisis and how to turn them into opportunities for exposure, marketing and enhancing corporate image. The conference will also be held in Cairo, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia this year.

Can you give us details about your target market and audience?

Our target market is the UAE, the GCC region as well as Egypt and Levant. The targeted audience are communication professionals, whether in the government or corporate world. The event should bring together PR agencies, government officials, journalists, social media strategists and bloggers which makes an interesting mix for fruitful and invaluable discussions.

When and where will the first event of the series take place?

The first event will take place from March 8 – 9 in Dubai, The Address Hotel Dubai Mall. Registration is now open online through our website. We have two registration options: Day one conference only and two days conference + workshop training.

Please tell us about the speakers and presenters that will participate in ‘Let’s Talk!’?

We have a wide array of expert speakers from the corporate world, government, PR & digital agencies and consultants in addition to media.

Our list of speakers currently includes names from Boeing International, Facebook, Brunswick Group, Ogilvy PR, Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority, Grayling, Dubai TV, Newsweek ME, Dubai Eye, APCO Worldwide, Carma, Social Eyez, vArmour, DarkMatter, ACG Communication & Training Consulting, El Masna3, in addition to renowned government advisors and digital consultants.

We are constantly updating this list and still in the process of adding more speakers!

Can industry professionals of the region participate as speakers or presenters at the event?

Yes, of course, we welcome professionals from the region to come on board as speakers or presenters. You can email us and and tell us a bit about yourself and what you would like to speak about. Someone from the organising team will get in touch with you as soon as we receive the expression of interest.

Did you face any challenges while launching the event across four countries?

Not really, thanks to Fekra’s extensive network and partners, launching the event across the four countries has not been difficult. We look forward to seeing the events come to life one after another this year and the years to follow.

What is the reaction you expect by hosting these events?

We expect valuable sharing of knowledge, experience and best practices, intensive networking to take place, probably leading to the emerging of new business partnerships or cooperation between the attendees and most importantly, enhancing the experience of communications professionals and making an impact on the collective performance of the industry.

What does the future hold for ‘Let’s Talk!’?

Depending on the right market, topic and demand, we may consider other markets in the future.

New Account Manager at Impact Porter Novelli

/in , /by

Dubai-based PR agency, Impact Porter Novelli has appointed Laura Vessier to the role of Account Manager. With over six years of experience, Laura previously worked with Porter Novelli Paris as Junior PR Consultant and most recently in Dubai with Top Chef Cooking Studio as Business Development Coordinator. In her new role, she will oversee and manage Robinsons and P&G beauty brands including Gillette, Gillette Venus and Braun.

“I am so excited to join Impact Porter Novelli,” says Laura. “I’m going back to the basics with this amazing agency and having worked on P&G in Paris I am looking forward to comparing the two different markets, Europe with the GCC. I am sure I will learn a lot more from this new role.”