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Bruce Clay MENA makes new appointment

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Dubai-based digital marketing agency, Bruce Clay MENA, has appointed Emmeline Brown to the role of Client and Strategy Director. With a wealth of experience in client services, Emmeline most recently worked with Jumeirah Group, Omobono and McCann. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading client growth and strategy while playing a vital role in the agency’s growth ambitions.

“I’m delighted to be joining such a vibrant, enterprising team,” says Emmeline. “In an ever-crowded market, the current prosperity and future ambitions of Bruce Clay MENA really stand out. I’m eager and excited to bring my regional experience to the mix to help realise the company’s goals whilst continuing to deliver performance driven success to our partners.”

New Editor-in-Chief at Men’s Health ME and Women’s Health ME

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ITP Media Group has appointed Danae Mercer to the role of Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Health Middle East and Women’s Health Middle East. Danae previously worked as a freelance journalist writing for CNN Travel, The Sunday Times, Afar, Shape magazine, Bloomberg Pursuits and others, and doing radio for the BBC World Service. Before freelancing, Danae was with Motivate Publishing as Editor of Jumeirah Magazine, where she oversaw publication production and worked closely with Jumeirah Group to shape the overall direction of its magazine. In her new role, she will oversee all editorial content of both titles and contribute to their brand development across the Middle East. She will also create cutting edge features to highlight the brand’s image and recognition across the region. Danae will be expanding WHME and MHME’s online brands as well.

In The Hot Seat – Raziena Cajee

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Team TMN catch up with Raziena Cajee, Director of Marketing and Communications at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray who talks about her role and what she thinks of marketing and communications today in the Middle East’s hospitality industry…

Name: Raziena Cajee

Age: 33

Nationality: South African

Current job title: Director of Marketing and Communications, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

When did you first arrive in Dubai?

July 2002

Where did you work prior?

I joined Jumeirah Group in 2005 and held several roles starting with Marketing Management Trainee from 2005 – 2006, Assistant Marketing Communications Manager from 2006 – 2008, Marketing Manager from 2008 – 2010 and most recently Corporate Brand Marketing Manager from 2010-2017.

What were your first impressions of the marketing and hospitality industry in the Middle East?

The hospitality industry is synonymous with luxury in the Middle East, where service standards make more impression, and going over and beyond to exceed guest’s expectations is at the forefront.

Has your opinion changed much?

I believe that as the hospitality industry continues to grow in Dubai, the personalisation for guests experiences have since been prioritised and it is remarkable.

Tell us about your current role…

I lead and develop the resort’s marketing and communications team across PR, marketing and partnership development.

What challenges do you face?

Having come from a corporate brand level, I’ve always approached all projects as opportunities to learn and enhance my expertise. At corporate, most of the projects were cutting edge with an everlasting goal orientated approach and at a property level, the dynamics are different with a fast paced tactical and commercial approach, which has exciting elements attached to it.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I thoroughly enjoy working with my team and mentoring them to enhance their skill set in alignment with their career growth objectives.

How would you rather be contacted at work?

I prefer meeting with people and having face-to-face discussions as this attributes to more insight rather than through email communication or telephonic discussions.

What impact does digital marketing have on the hospitality industry today?

Digital marketing allows us to connect with guests through every stage of the guest’s journey i.e. dreaming, researching, booking, experiencing and sharing. Throughout this journey, we as marketers are able to customise and personalise our communications to entice guests through a storytelling approach. Digital has really allowed us to be more accessible to our guests.

Has the culture in the region served as an advantage or limitation in marketing the hospitality industry in the UAE?

The heritage of the Jumeirah brand is clearly linked to the culture and this has had a positive impact on all marketing activities, whereby we ensure we bring to life our brand the promise of ‘STAY DIFFERENT’ through one of the brand pillars, which is ‘culturally connected’.

Who inspires you?

I’ve always been truly inspired by Nelson Mandela through his ambition, dedication and drive in working towards equality.

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

I have been offered the opportunity to work on Jumeirah Inside in collaboration with Google to create a digital immersive platform in the hospitality industry, which has won nine awards to date, including three honoree mentions. I also worked on the opening of 17 hotels globally during my time at Corporate Brand level and through the experience, I was able to travel to fantastic destinations around the world and explore new cultures as well as learn a lot about cultural marketing relevancy.

Describe yourself in five words…

Passionate, ambitious, caring, strategic and motivational

What’s your most overused saying?

Passion and drive defines success

Five things you can’t live without?

Family, travel, iPhone, my team and laughter

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

Travelling the world and exploring new cultures.

What is your favourite form of media?

Television

How do you see the marketing industry changing in the Middle East in the coming years?

I believe mobile will continue to grow through personalisation and accessibility as well as technology enhancements. Visual content will evolve especially in the digital world by disrupting conventional marketing, whereby the speediness in creating amazing content will be more apparent. Social and user-generated content will heighten, and brands together with users will co-create content that intensifies brand relevancy.

New appointment at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

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Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, part of Jumeirah Group has appointed Raziena Cajee to the role of Director of Marketing and Communications. With over 12 years of experience in corporate marketing communications, Raziena joined Jumeirah Group in 2005 and most recently held the position of Brand Marketing Communications Manager, where she lead the brand strategy and development as well as the management of Jumeriah Group’s Dubai team. In her new role, she will work alongside Katja Graf, Director of Sales and Marketing at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray to further develop and lead the resort’s marketing and communications team across PR, marketing and partnership development.

“I am pleased to welcome Raziena to the team and confident she will deliver continued success to the marketing function at the resort,” says Hakan Petek, General Manager, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

In2 Consulting welcomes new Director of PR

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Dubai-based strategic corporate communications consultancy, In2 Consulting has welcomed Louise Oakley to the role of Director of PR. A journalist for over a decade working on titles such as Hotelier Middle East and Caterer Middle East at ITP Publishing, Louise was most recently Director of Marketing and Sales for the Jumeirah Group, where she was responsible for the marketing, PR and digital strategy for a portfolio of 40 F&B outlets.

In her new role, Louise will support Managing Partner Anne Bleeker and the team with PR strategy and planning, account management, business development, media relations and content development for the agency’s hospitality PR accounts.

“At In2 Consulting, every client works with the Partners and Directors of the business and I love this personalised, collaborative approach,” says Louise. “I’m looking forward to creating exciting campaigns for our clients.”

Anne adds “Louise’s experience means she is uniquely placed to deliver a results-driven PR strategy for hotel, F&B and travel clients and create stories that cut through the clutter in today’s media. We’re delighted to welcome her to our talented team as we focus on growth in 2016.”

Sandra Farrero joins Madinat Jumeirah

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Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company, has appointed Sandra Farrero as the new Director of Marketing and Communications at Madinat Jumeirah. Having joined Jumeirah in June 2011, Sandra most recently co-led the pre-opening and launch phase of Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa in Mallorca, and brings to her new role a diverse portfolio of experience having worked across luxury hotels in Spain and England. Sandra will work alongside the Director of Sales and Marketing, where she will lead and further develop the resort’s dynamic marketing and communications team across PR, marketing and partnership development. From 2015 onwards, the pre-opening phase of Madinat Jumeirah’s expansion will become a crucial aspect of Sandra’s role, combined with an increased force on the resort’s digital strategy and brand development.

“I am very excited to have joined Madinat Jumeirah after spending the last three years in Mallorca,” says Sandra. “Madinat Jumeirah is the indisputable leader in luxury resort hospitality, and to be part of this incredible team of colleagues is an honour.”

Jenny Fajutag joins Taj Palace Hotel Dubai

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Jenny Fajutag has been appointed as Marketing and Communications Manager for the Taj Palace Hotel Dubai. Jenny joins the Deira-based hotel from the Jumeirah Group where she was Marketing and PR Communication Executive, and in her new role, she will be promoting the Taj Palace Hotel as an active supporter of local events as well as a business and leisure hotel of choice for regional and international visitors.

“While services and operations are essential selling points, the image of the hotel is vital to ensure good publicity and sales,” says Ahmed Badawy, Acting General Manager, Taj Palace Hotel Dubai. “As a result, we are delighted to enlist the skills of Jenny in marketing the Taj Palace Hotel Dubai.”