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Insignia launches Traverger

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Insignia Worldwide Group has launched Traverger, a digital brand engagement agency dedicated to the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. The agency aims to propel travel and destination brands to the forefront of online conversations through equipping clients to engage with increasingly elusive guests and time-poor travellers.

“Travel and hospitality brands have complex and unique marketing needs that are different from traditional FMCG products,” days Gaurav Sinha, Founder and CEO, Insignia Worldwide Group. “Online visibility and engagement is at the heart of driving innovation in brand communication and marketing Our expertise in strategic planning and understanding of key feeder market dynamics is complimented by our insights on how potential guests or customers interact with online brand messages.”

Q Communications and PRCA MENA launch Qcademy

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Q Communications, in partnership with PRCA MENA, has launched Qcademy, a training academy that will provide each member of Q Communications‘ 18-strong team with access to PRCA MENA events alongside a rigorous, tailored programme of both internal and external training. PR and Communications professionals will be allocated a training budget as well as a bespoke guide and staff will be able to learn new skills, develop best practice and stay abreast of the latest developments in areas that they already operate in. The CPD-acredited programme includes both face-to-face training in the region as well as webinars and will be overseen from PRCA MENA’s office in Dubai.

“We are delighted to launch Qcademy, the first of its kind in-house training academy in the region,” says Katie Harvey MPRCA, Managing Partner, Q Communications. “In collaboration with PRCA MENA, the Qcademy initiative has been in the works for several months and we have designed a programme tailored for the UAE market and our team. At Q Communications, our team is the most important component of the agency; so developing a training academy is high priority for Elsa and myself.”

Leanne Foy MPRCA, General Manager, PRCA MENA, adds “I am thrilled that Q Communications have put together a comprehensive training plan and are investing in their staff with both internal and external training, developing talented PR and communications professionals.”

In The Hot Seat – Anna Sadeghpour

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We chat with Anna Sadeghpour, Founder of newly-launched community blog, Anahata Dubai, who talks about the most rewarding part of blogging and offers some advice to those looking to launch their own blog…

Name:  Anna Sadeghpour

Age: 30

From: Australia

Current Job Title: Founder of Anahata Dubai and freelance Writer/Marketer

When did you first arrive in Dubai?
I moved to Dubai in June 2013, from Sydney, Australia.

Where did you work prior?
In Australia, I worked in marketing communications exclusively for humanitarian organisations ranging from government entities set up to represent the rights of adolescents, to projects supporting education for marginalised children, to human rights work through Amnesty International Australia. Since relocating to the UAE, I’ve worked in the digital marketing team at DMCC and as a freelance Marketing Consultant.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
My first impressions were that digital media was quite behind compared to international markets. That things move and change really fast, and that relationships in this region are paramount.

Has your opinion changed much?
Middle Eastern culture is very warm and hospitable, so the relationship-centred approach to business is still dominant. It’s something I’ve grown to really enjoy and appreciate. In terms of changes, I’ve seen an increase in innovative digital campaigns coming out of this region, which is promising.

Is blogging your full-time job or a part-time passion?
It’s a part-time passion. When I’m not working on Anahata Dubai, I’m doing a mixed bag of writing, blogging and marketing work for a variety of clients.

Tell us about Anahata Dubai…
Anahata Dubai (www.anahata.me) is a community service blog for Dubai, which connects residents with all of the social and environmental initiatives taking place in the emirate. The blog covers a range of themes – from offering every day advice on how to make a difference, to promoting social impact events and campaigns taking place in the city, to featuring some of our local changemakers. It aims to inspire every individual in Dubai to give back to the community.

What’s the most rewarding part of blogging?
The most rewarding part of Anahata Dubai is being able to combine my skills and passion into an enterprise that helps others. I also can’t complain about working on my own time and being able to pursue my own stories!

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a blog/career in the media industry?
If you’re passionate, committed and have something that’s truly useful or relatable to offer others, just do it. Start the blog and start living the life you want today. When you overcome your fears and truly give in to something bigger than yourself, you will be blown away by what the universe gives back to you.

Do you accept press material from PRs?
Yes of course, but I’ll only write about products and initiatives that are ethical and that I believe in.

How would you rather be contacted at work?
Email is the easiest and best way to contact me.

Describe yourself in five words…
Passionate, independent, friendly, detailed, spiritual.

Five things you can’t live without?
My family, kitty, phone, yoga pass and hair straightener.

If you weren’t in media, what would you be doing?
I have to say, I’m now doing exactly what I want to be doing. However, in an alternate universe, I’d love to travel the world watching wildlife with Sir David Attenborough. His nature documentaries absolutely blow my mind!

How do you see online journalism/blogging changing in the UAE in the coming years?
I see a surge of new homegrown bloggers and a move towards vlogging.

What would be the next step for you (would you look to launching a publication, collaborating with any brands/media etc.)?
I’ve just started my journey with Anahata Dubai, so my immediate priority is building a community of changemakers that can make a real social impact. Beyond that, I’m very open to collaborations that can help to further this mission.

gourmet gets a new look

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The latest issue of gourmet magazine, part of ITP Publishing Group, has been given a new look that features more up-to-the-minute content from a new editorial team. The home-grown monthly publication was redesigned over the summer to celebrate its fifth birthday this month and will now be headed up by Editorial Director Mark Dinning, Editor Paul Clifford and Art Editor Elizabeth Stanley.

As well as a new design, a number of new regular features have been created including; a gadget section, barbecuing guide The Grill and Your Kitchen Nightmares, in which celebrity chef Greg Malouf answers readers’ questions about kitchen conundrums. The updated September 2016 edition of the magazine will also be the last issue helmed by former Editor-In-Chief, Jasmine Bandali.

Elie Saab guest edits Architectural Digest

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The September/October Fashion Issue of Architectural Digest Middle East, part of the APP Group, will be guest-edited by Lebanese couturier Elie Saab, in celebration of a growing connection between interior design, architecture and fashion. The fashion designer has opened the doors to his Paris and Beirut homes and atelier headquarters for photo shoots and was also closely involved in the making of the issue, which will be available from September 4, 2016.

“I have always had a passion for architecture and believe that if I had not orientated my career towards the proportions of the silhouette, it would have been towards the proportions of our environment,” says Elie. “For me, architecture and fashion draw upon a similar creative source or, at the very least, have many common objectives. I would like to thank Architectural Digest Middle East for inviting me to contribute to this edition and to share my passion with a publication that I have always resonated with in terms of style and substance. I am delighted to support it and its efforts to promote the many talented architects in the region who add beauty to our everyday lives.”

Senior Executives promoted at PHD

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PHD, a division of Omnicom Media Group MENA, has promoted both its UAE Managing Director and General Manager in Dubai. Elda Choucair, previously Managing Director at PHD UAE, will now take on the role of CEO, PHD MENA which will involve her replicating her performance across new, as well as existing, offices in the region and, on top of this adding to her UAE responsibilities.

Luca Allam, previously General Manager for PHD Dubai, will now take on the role of Managing Director, PHD UAE. In this role, he will utilise his eleven years of experience in media in order to oversee the agency’s offices in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“In Elda’s and Luca’s hands, PHD has gone from strength to strength,” says Elie Khouri, CEO, Omnicom Media Group, MENA. “The talent they’ve attracted and nurtured, the vision that has guided them and the energy they’ve deployed has made PHD the success story it is today. I have no doubt that they will find in their new role even more opportunities to stimulate further growth.”