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Motivate Publishing welcomes Tamara Djorem

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Motivate Publishing has appointed Tamara Djorem to the role of Senior Sales Manager for good magazine. Tamara brings with her five years of sales experience haven most recently worked with ITP Media Group as Sales Manager for it’s consumer magazines OK! Middle East and Ahlan!. In her new role, she will be responsible for driving sales for good magazine and executing bespoke events for its clients across the region.

“I am thrilled to be part of Motivate Publishing and really look forward to working with such a dynamic team and developing new ideas and possibilities,” says Tamara.

New Features Editor at NPI Media

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NPI Media has appointed Stacey Siebritz to the role of Features Editor. Stacey brings experience from the publishing industry, having previously worked on What’s On Dubai and good magazine, part of Motivate Publishing. In her new role, she will work across NPI’s entire magazine portfolio in both print and digital edition including Concierge, client publications and business titles.

“After nearly five years in Dubai’s publishing industry, I’m looking forward to bringing what I’ve learned to my new role as Features Editor at NPI Media, working across a range of titles,” says Stacey. “I know there are some exciting new developments in the works and I’m thrilled to be a part of that growth.”

Farooq Salik goes freelance

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Farooq Salik, former Senior Photographer and Studio Manager at Motivate Publishing has gone freelance. Having joined Motivate Publishing in 2005, Farooq has over 15 years of experience and has worked across a number of consumer and customer publications including Hello!, Emirates Woman, What’s On, Golf Digest, Emirates Man, Dubai Voyager, good, Gulf Business and Campaign. He will continue to work as a professional photographer for studio, on location and for events as well as offer creative social media content and services.

“I had a fantastic time working at Motivate, but I felt like the time was right to move on and make use of the experience I gained from working for a period of over 11 years at Motivate,” says Farooq. “I’m really excited about taking this next step and seeing what challenges lie ahead. I want to establish a reliable and efficient image and work as a social media content provider in the market which I feel is very rare here in Dubai.”

good welcomes new Editor

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 good magazine, part of Motivate Publishing, has welcomed Jennifer Gibson to the role of Editor. With 13 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism, in the UK as well as in Dubai, Jennifer has previously worked at VIVA and HELLO! Middle East. Most recently she worked as a freelance writer, contributing to titles such as Good Taste, What’s On Dubai, Cyclist Middle East, The National and Gulf News, she has also worked in broadcasting for Dubai 92 and Dubai Eye. In her new role, Jennifer will be responsible for the monthly lifestyle magazine, handling all editorial content including; writing, commissioning and editing features as well as promoting the magazine via social media and radio.

“I’m delighted to be joining Motivate as Editor of good and am looking forward to working more with the fantastic team here,” says Jennifer. “I’ve lived in Dubai for nearly five years now and have watched the city grow and evolve dramatically during that time, so I’m very excited about getting out there and seeing what’s new, exciting and homegrown in our city.”

Helen Farmer to go freelance

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Helen Farmer has left good magazine, part of Motivate Publishing, in order pursue freelance work on a full-time basis. Having worked as Editor for good since its conception in 2013, Helen moved to a part-time editorial role in March this year, where she was responsible for writing, commissioning and editing features for the magazine, as well as handling social media and marketing the title through online and radio platforms. Helen will now be freelancing on corporate and lifestyle copy editing and writing, as well as radio journalism. She will also continue to work on her recently rebranded parenting website, The Mothership – www.themothershipdxb.com.
“I’m really excited about the flexibility my new way of working will offer and the opportunity to pursue passion projects as well as explore different avenues and media platforms,” says Helen. “I’m also looking forward to developing The Mothership and helping other working mothers in Dubai, whether its through events or online.”

In The Hot Seat – Helen Farmer

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The Mothership’s Founder Helen Farmer tells TMN her views on the UAE’s ever-changing media landscape, offers advice to others looking to start blogging and talks about how she sees blogging evolving in the Middle East…

Name: Helen Farmer

Age: 33

From: Northumberland, UK

Current Job Title: I’m the Founder of parenting blog The Mothership (themothershipdxb.com), as well as a freelance Writer, Editor and Radio Presenter.

When did you first arrive in Dubai?January 2007

Where did you work prior?In the UK I was in broadcasting, print and PR before moving to Dubai to work for Explorer Publishing as a Writer and Deputy Editor of their guide books. I then went to Motivate Publishing as Deputy Editor of What’s On, before launching and editing good magazine which I’ve now being doing since 2013.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?How nice everyone was. When I arrived it was even more social than it is now, with a lot of people from both media and PR going out almost every night.

Has your opinion changed much?
It has matured a lot on both sides, with fewer fresh graduates and more experienced talent. Now with cool, home grown titles, international magazines and bigger agencies, we’re starting to see more collaborations rather than the standard press release model, which is great. And the UAE is finally starting to catch up with digital.

Is blogging your full time job or a part time passion?
A bit of both! It’s a part time job, but a full time passion.

Tell us about your blog…
I started The Mothership last year, when my daughter was six months old. I simply wanted to connect with other new mums, through honest, real posts about the good, bad and downright mind-blowing truths of parenting in the UAE. I fear I might have put some women off pregnancy…

The Mothership then grew to become a Facebook page and recently I had the website rebranded and redesigned to make it more user-friendly, as well as having the capacity to include reviews, news and recommendations.

I now work with brands that I admire, have held workshops to support other working mums and have built a great community.

What’s the most rewarding part of blogging?
When another mum comments saying “Yes! Me too! Thank you.” Motherhood can be really lonely at times and I truly appreciate that moment of realisation and connection, when my followers share their own similar experiences.

Which international Bloggers inspire you?
I love Joanna Goddard from Cup of Jo, who mixes stylish inspiration with normal living and Sarah Turner from The Unmumsy Mum, who made it acceptable for mothers to admit that parenting isn’t always cuddles and candyfloss – it’s frustrating and often very messy.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a blog? 
Write from your heart and don’t try to be someone you’re not. I’m more high street than high fashion, couldn’t offer makeup tips to save my life and definitely shouldn’t be sharing recipes, but people understand what I’m really about. Start writing and you’ll find your tribe.

Do you accept press material from PRs?
After being in magazines in the UAE for more than six years I’m on a few press lists! I’ll always check out something relevant, but am more responsive when a PR gets in touch with a personalised suggestion for collaboration.

How would you rather be contacted?
I prefer email, and can be reached at Helen@themothershipdxb.com

Describe yourself in five words…
Working mum. A bit tired.

What’s your most overused saying?
“Have you heard about that new… ?”

Five things you can’t live without?
Family, phone, giant CamelBak water bottle, BBC television and the beach.

How do you see online journalism/blogging changing in the UAE in the coming years?
If bloggers are monetising a site or social feed, there needs to be some form of regulation in terms of sharing their numbers and data. This is so new for the UAE, that some people (no names) mislead potential clients and it can have a negative effect on those who are more transparent.

What would be the next step for you as a blogger?
I’m planning to hold further events and workshops after the summer, as well as continue to work with more brands that are in line with my values and really benefit my followers.

Motivate welcomes Courtney Moorfield

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Courtney Moorfield has joined Motivate Publishing as Senior Sales Manager for good magazine. Courtney has over eight years of experience in sales, having previously worked for APN News and Media in Australia, before moving to boutique media representative agency Intermedia in Dubai where she worked as Regional Director. In her new role, she will be accountable for developing the suite of products under the good brand as well as spearheading capabilities for custom content, creative executions and targeted event activations.

“I’m really excited to take on this new role with Motivate and to be representing a brand I feel so passionate about,” says Courtney. “As a longtime reader of good, I’ve seen firsthand the role the magazine plays in setting talking points throughout the UAE expat community every month. The connection with our readers is un-paralleled in this market and the scope for us to partner with the local business world to engage with this audience is enormous.”

TishTash welcomes new Account Manager

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TishTash has welcomed Cherith Nicholl to the role of PR Account Manager. Cherith joins the agency from Motivate Publishing, where she was most recently Stylist and Lifestyle Writer for good, Emirates Man and What’s On. As Account Manager, Cherith will be working on the agency’s portfolio of beauty accounts such as Johnson’s, Neutrogena and Lipstick Queen.

“After working with TishTash on the other side, I am thrilled to have been invited into the family,” says Cherith. “I’m so excited to follow Natasha’s inspiring lead and forge even greater relationships within the industry.”

Motivate promotes Kerry McDermott

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Motivate Publishing has promoted Kerry McDermott to Deputy Editor of the Emirates Woman Group. Having previously worked as Features Editor for What’s On and Good magazines, Kerry has experience covering everything from nightlife and restaurant reviews at What’s On, to food, lifestyle advice and interiors at Good. She has also contributed to Jumeirah Magazine.

In her new role, Kerry will oversee features content including interviews, as well as all things health and travel related. She will predominantly be working across emirateswoman.com, Emirates Woman Mini, Emirates Woman Bride and Harvey Nichols – Dubai magazines.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of the fantastic team at Emirates Woman and contributing to a great brand, both in print and online” Says Kerry.