ITP Media Group has appointed Jeremy Lawrence to the role of Editorial Director of Arabian Business. With a wealth of experience in journalism, Jeremy joined ITP Media Group in 2003 and has worked across its titles including Time Out Dubai as Editor and Esquire Middle East as Editor-in-Chief. In his new role, he will oversee the brand development of Arabian Business across its digital and print portfolio.
Edelman Dabo has appointed Yi-Hwa Hanna to the role of Senior Content Manager. Bringing with her a wealth of experience in journalism, Yi-Hwa previously worked with ITP Media Group, as Deputy Editor for Good Housekeeping Middle East and most recently as Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health Middle East. In her new role, she will be working with the brand teams on content management, strategy and creation.
“Content strategy and management is a relatively new discipline, and is one that continues to evolve as content creation and the way we communicate continues to do so in the changing media landscape,” says Yi-Hwa. “It’s an exciting role to be in and a great way to utilise a diverse skill set in creating impactful, lasting, and effective perceptions whether that’s in the scope of branding, communications marketing, or indeed, even the broader publishing industry. I’m thrilled to be entering the next phase of my media career not only in this great position, but also with such an innovative, thought-leading, progressive and creative company like Edelman Dabo, where both the company itself and the staff are among the most well-reputed in the industry.”
We chat with Samuel Turner, Managing Director of Those Social Guys, who talks about his current role and offers his thoughts on content creation and the content marketing industry in the Middle East…
Name: Samuel Turner
Age: 25
Nationality: British
Current job title: Managing Director, Those Social Guys.
When did you first arrive in Dubai?
My family first arrived here around eight years ago and I was between here and the UK. However, since 2013 I’ve been fully based in Dubai.
Where did you work prior?
My first job in Dubai was actually in 2013 with Arms & McGregor International Realty, a real estate company, where I worked in the marketing department. I followed this with time at ITP from 2014 – 2015 working across brands such as Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar and ShortList, and most recently with MO4 Network as Strategy and Social Manager.
What were your first impressions of the content marketing industry in the Middle East?
We’re so behind. Even looking at social media – there are a lot of companies who were operating in a different area and kind of said ‘oh look, social is the way to go let’s add that to our services.’ There was never the care, focus or expertise to be able to offer value to a client or customer with that service. For any agency to not have in-house content creators is a crime!
Has your opinion changed much?
Not massively – we’re still so far behind what is being done and produced in the US and the UK for example. Therein however, lies a big advantage for me and the team as we look to compete with those companies and produce work that’s ahead of the market there, let alone here.
Tell us about your current role…
I take care of the day-to-day running of an exciting content and social house in the Middle East. What that really means is I watch a lot of amazing, hard working and incredibly talented people do what they’re the best at every day and simply find new outlets for them to create for.
What challenges do you face?
Adding to the points before about content in the Middle East, it would be education and risk management. Education of new technologies and services that we want to offer before putting them into action, and the risk management versus rewards behind a client investing into something that no one else in the region has thought about.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Constant creativity. The ability to work with great people and great clients on a whole host of projects is like having ten jobs in one day. Seeing the success and response to a crazy idea we’ve had, or the feedback of a live stream that we promised would work is always amazing. Having all the guys with me who are such experts in their field allows me to learn more in a day about colour correction, or after effects, or 360 photography than I would ever have if I had taken a course for example.
How would you rather be contacted at work?
Any and every way. Whatsapp is number one, but feel free to Skype, email, or even drop into the DMs!
Does the region’s cultural diversity pose as a limitation or advantage to content creation and marketing?
It is a limitation in the way that an individual piece of content will not reach the entire population. Different nationalities and demographics also all use different platforms in different ways. This is simply a challenge that we enjoy overcoming, creating specific content in different languages and making sure our targeted advertisements are hitting each and every demographic.
How has content marketing influenced consumer behaviour today compared to traditional marketing?
It allows a potential consumer to have an incredible amount of background knowledge of a product or service before making a purchase decision. Videos for example, can show off every facet of a new product, or help you get a real feel for a new restaurant or café. A brand that is honest and proper with their content on social media will always win.
What are the most common digital marketing mistakes companies make?
One of a few things would be – first, not exploring new opportunities. Social media and content moves so fast, that if you’re not running full pelt ahead, you’re dead. The second would be going 100% off what they know, or going 100% off the advice of an agency or consultant. The best work and results comes from offering real value to one another and working as part of the same team.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends on social media?
We’re lucky enough to have a distribution platform that reaches millions of people – 7.9 million in the last week for example. Access to such an audience allows us to keep a finger on the pulse of what’s really going on. Imagine having a focus group of eight million people available 24/7 – It’s a huge competitive advantage for us.
Describe yourself in five words…
My least favourite question ever!
What’s your most overused saying?
Trust me.
What’s the most exciting thing that has happened to you in your career?
This one will sound cliché, but it’s so true. The most exciting thing is the current day. We learn things at Those Social Guys every single day. These things come from experience and delving into new strategies and tech, and cannot be taught by traditional education. Try and tell me that an 18 year old studying marketing can learn more in class in one day than he could with us working on a Facebook live campaign, a video shoot and an Instagram story campaign in one day.
Five things you can’t live without?
My phone, my second phone, the team I work with, a creative outlet and Chips Oman.
If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?
I watched the movie ‘Chef’ yesterday, so right now it would be a food truck or restaurant owner. Ask me again tomorrow though.
What is your favourite form of media?
Social Media, but of course I would say that!
What’s your most used social media platform?
Instagram, definitely. It’s my ‘five-minute platform’ – the one I will go to with five minutes to spare before a meeting, or to do a five-minute check on a new brand or product.
How do you see the role of content marketing changing in the Middle East in the coming years?
In less than five years we will be having this conversation over virtual reality (VR), and a little later after that through holographic images. Voice activated marketing is also exciting. We’ve already seen Burger King use Google’s Alexa device in a very clever way. This will continue, not only with voice, but also with artificial intelligence (AI) in general. AI will know more about us than we do ourselves. It will read our mood from our facial expressions and know that we’re in a rush as we’ve entered the kitchen later than in the previous week. The willingness to adapt to these changes, and produce specific content and strategies using their advantages will directly relate to a companies success in the coming years.
Bauer Works has appointed Vineetha Menon to the role of Digital Editor. Vineetha has worked with several local media brands including Aficionado, Dubai Calendar and ITP Media Group’s publication, Time Out Dubai. She most recently worked with NPI Media as Senior Editor, where she worked across the Concierge luxury and lifestyle portfolio. In her new role, she will work with the content team at the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for VisitDubai.com and related channels with the aim of ensuring visitors remain up to date on the best places to eat, where to shop, things to do and what to experience while in Dubai.
“I am thrilled to join the team at Bauer Works, working in-house with the DTCM team,” says Vineetha. “As Digital Editor, I look forward to presenting the very best for visitors to see and experience in Dubai with a focus on ‘always-on’ content.”
Arabian Business has been barred for a month following the publication of false news. The weekly business magazine and online publication published by ITP Media Group will now be inaccessible in the UAE following a statement released by the Dubai Media Office. It is stated that the title published a factually incorrect story, which was subsequently reported in Qatari media outlets, relating to the liquidation of real estate projects in Dubai. The magazine will now face a temporary ban on its print publication and its digital platform will be blocked for a month
After eight years with ITP Media Group, Yi-Hwa Hanna is moving on from her position as Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health Middle East. Yi-Hwa joined ITP Media Group in 2010 and worked across a number of publications including VIVA Magazine as Features Editor and Good Housekeeping Middle East as Deputy Editor before taking on her most recent role of Editor-in-Chief at Women’s Health Middle East. Having been a key member of Women’s Health Middle East’s launch team and as a part of her role, she conceptualised the features of the magazine from start to finish, worked with emerging talents in the creative fields, handled photoshoots and represented the brand on several occasions to lead it towards becoming one of the region’s most recognised titles.
Yi-Hwa will be moving on to a full-time position in content management at a leading agency, and continue to work on her lifestyle blog, intotheether.me, where she will write and feature contributors time to time on a number of thought-provoking topics, interesting information, practical advice and inspirational stories.
“Launching and then working on Women’s Health Middle East as the Editor-in-Chief for the past four years has been a dream role for me in many ways, where I was able to combine both my skill set and personal passions and work with some of the most inspirational people I’ve met throughout my career,” says Yi-Hwa. “I’m so proud to have been able to grow the brand into what it is today and it will always remain a highlight of my career. However, it’s time for a new adventure for me and I’m thrilled to be moving on to a new chapter, at an exciting position with an amazing team of people.”
Cosmopolitanme.com, part of ITP Media Group has appointed Farah Andrews to the role of Digital Editor. Farah previously worked with ITP Media Group’s magazine, OK! Middle East as Features Editor and will now take on her new role at Cosmopolitanme.com, to work across digital content for the magazine. She will also contribute editorial strategies to further develop the Cosmopolitan brand across the region.
Architectural Digest Middle East, part of APP Media Group has appointed Talib Choudhry to the role of Editor-in-Chief starting September 2017. With extensive knowledge in the magazine industry, Talib started out in the UK with ELLE’s features team and moved on to Sunday Times Style as Interior Editor. He also worked with Arena as Associate Editor and with ELLE Decoration as Deputy Editor, after which he most recently worked with Telegraph Media Group as Design and Interior Editor, and with ELLE Decoration as Editor-at-Large. In his new role, he will oversee all of Architectural Digest Middle East’s editorial content and contribute to its strategic development across the region.
“It is an honour to become part of the global Architectural Digest Middle East family and there has never been a better time to celebrate creative excellence in the Arab region,” says Talib. “The GCC is at the cutting edge of the international design scene and confidently establishing a unique visual signature, which Architectural Digest Middle East will showcase in suitably innovative ways, both in print and online.”
Stylist Arabia and OK! Middle East are set to close down. Falling under the umbrella of ITP Media Group, women’s lifestyle magazine Stylist Arabia will discontinue production with its July/August 2017 edition being its final issue. In addition, celebrity lifestyle magazine, OK! Middle East will also follow suit with its last volume to be published at the end of this month. The two lifestyle magazines will also discontinue all digital operations on their mobile applications following the closures.
Time Out Abu Dhabi welcomes Paul Clifford to the role of Editor. Formerly Group Editor of Guides and Food, Paul will now lead the team of Deputy Editor, Liz Cookman; Food Editor, Vanessa Fitter and Section Editor, Chris Maxwell. Shaikh Saleh, previously Digital Marketing Executive for the Time Out GCC group will now take on a new role, which will focus specifically on Time Out Abu Dhabi.
Following Melanie Smith’s appointment as Deputy Editor in January 2017 and Tim Skinner’s appointment as Deputy Digital Editor in March, Time Out Dubai has appointed Amy Mathieson, former Guides Editor at Time Out GCC, to the role of Food and Features Editor. Previously Editor at Time Out Doha, Sofia Vyas joins the Dubai team as Music & Nightlife and Art Editor. The new members will work with the existing team of Editor, Holly Sands; Digital Content Executive, Jeffrey Casiño and Editorial Assistant, Rodelito Mamuad.