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Havas Worldwide Middle East appoints new General Manager

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Havas Worldwide Middle East has promoted Bronson Smithson to the role of General Manager of its UAE operation, following the departure of Piero Poli. Previously Global Planning Director, Bronson brings over 16 years of experience with strategic brand development across five continents to his new role. As General Manager, he will work to further establish Havas Worldwide Middle East as a creative business partnership agency and build on the Havas global network to consolidate the newly integrated Havas village concept.

“I would like to congratulate Bronson on his new role,” says Rachid Mtaini, Middle East Regional Managing Director, Havas. “He is an experienced leader who knows our business extremely well. Bronson and his team will work alongside myself to foster the integration. I would also like to thank Piero Poli for his hard work over the past year and wish him all the best in his new endeavors.”

Bronson adds “I am thrilled to have this new opportunity and challenge. There has never been a better time to set our agency up for the future. We need to understand the importance of creativity for business as opposed to chasing awards or answering the next media and creative brief. Creativity should be at the core of our client’s business.”

Mindshare MENA appoints new CFO

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Global media agency network Mindshare MENA, part of WPP, has promoted Jihad Hachem to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Previously Senior Finance Director at Mindshare MENA, Jihad has over 12 years of experience in media and finance. As CFO, he will continue to look at multiple ways in which to improve revenues by accelerating new offices and specialist functions, he will also play an active role on the board of Mindshare MENA.
“My time at Mindshare has presented me with many unique challenges in the field of finance and I’m ready to approach any that come my way with the company’s signature spirit of collaboration and innovation,” says Jihad. “I always say where there’s a will there’s a way.”
Ravi Rao, CEO, Mindshare MENA, adds “I see Jihad as an able partner in Mindshare MENA and value his judgement and skills in contributing to our growth strategies for the region. His mission-driven attitude and proven track record of results will aid him well in his newly-appointed position as CFO.”

OMD appoints Head of Analytics

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OMD MENA has welcomed Walid Hadid to the newly created role of Head of Analytics, Previously Head of analytics at OgilvyOne, Walid has over 20 years of experience in developing, implementing and leading analytics solutions. In his new role, he will be working to provide clients with a holistic, integrated service delivering business results as well as media performance.

“We have developed a strong experience in data and analytics to better inform our clients’ investment decisions for well over a decade now,” says Nadim Samara, Managing Director, OMD UAE and Lower Gulf. “An appointment of this caliber reflects our ardent commitment in this field and will see us strengthen the data and analytics conversation with our clients. Thanks to the expertise, systems and processes we have in place, we can help them extract even more from their marketing initiatives.”

Walid adds “I am really excited by everything that I’ve seen at OMD so far with regards to the talent and systems they have built to date. I look forward to extending this impressive analytics offering and stimulating our client’s growth further through stronger data partnerships that provide timely and powerful insights.”

In The Hot Seat – Hussein M. Dajani

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Hussein M. Dajani, Chief Operating Officer at Hug Digital tells Team TMN about the challenges he faces working in the digital industry in the Middle East and the rewards of effective management…

 

Name: Hussein M. Dajani                   

Age: 36                                          

From: Beirut, Lebanon               

Current Job Title: Chief Operating Officer – Hug Digital

When did you first arrive in Dubai?
My journey in Dubai started in 2004, when I was a Senior Account Executive with Leo Burnett, working on the Dubai Holding group of companies. Leo Burnett gave me an amazing opportunity to interact with and understand the people behind Dubai’s amazing success.

Where did you work prior?
I have over 15 years of experience with multinational agencies such as JWT, Leo Burnett, and TBWA. I’ve also worked on the client side for Virgin Mobile as well as Red Bull, across the Middle East and Africa region.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
I was still young and easily impressed when I moved here. Back then, outdoor billboards were considered an innovation and moving from Saudi to Dubai felt like jumping 20 years into the future in a time machine. I remember when 7Days newspaper came out and its size was innovative by comparison to the other big, bulky newspapers on offer. That was the golden era for the media industry over here. 

Has your opinion changed much?
Yes, very much so and for various reasons. One being, I have changed but also, consumers’ behaviors have changed, media consumption has changed. Yet the media industry didn’t evolve with these changes and so now it is starting to pay the price.

Tell us about your current role
When I first joined Hug Digital, I was in charge of uplifting the agency’s social offerings across the region. Six months down the line, I was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the agency, where I now report directly to the Chairman and CEO. I’m responsible for maintaining relationships with clients, expanding the agency to new markets and elevating offerings from digital, innovation, research, social, and content. It’s like wearing many hats at the same time.

What challenges do you face?
The biggest challenge I face is finding the right talents, recruiting them and retaining them. The new generation is so different from my generation when we started working. They don’t have the “mojo” for work and they aren’t ready, nor do they want to go the extra mile.

Another challenge faced by the whole region – financial, political and economical instability. When Saudi suffers, the whole region does, and so far Saudi is witnessing the biggest hit as a result of overall negative market sentiments.

A third challenge I face is convincing clients to go digital, regardless.

Lastly, staying updated with the latest trends, innovations and breakthrough’s happening in digital, which is one fast-paced industry, is a challenge. But you’re either ahead of the game or you’re a follower. 

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing staff happy at work and witnessing the agency grow. Managing the reputation of an agency isn’t an easy task, but it is definitely rewarding when you hear positive news, even from strangers. That’s when you know that you are doing the right thing.

On March 25, 2016 we celebrated the sixth anniversary of Hug Digital. We are now in four markets (Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, and Trivandrum), employ 13 different nationalities and have a local, regional and multinational roster of clients. It is really rewarding to be part of something small that is growing by the day. 

Work calls via landline, mobile or both?
What’s a landline? Work calls are either on mobile, Skype, Gtalk or Whatsapp.

Describe yourself in five words…
I can do so in two: Happily Dissatisfied.

What can’t you live without?
My wife, my mobiles, water and my Apple TV.

If you could have one work wish granted, what would it be?
More transparency, ethics and honesty in the industry. I would like the communication industry to return to its glory days. 

What is your favourite form of media?
Digital all the way. Unfortunately, TV to me has just become decor, radio is for passing time when in the car and not on the phone and print, oh dear, CO2. I honestly can’t remember the last time I held a newspaper or a magazine.

Nervora moves offices to d3

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Nervora, the media company behind Style.com/Arabia and POPSUGAR Middle East, has moved offices from Dubai Media City to Dubai Design District. The agency has a portfolio of web properties that span genres of luxury, lifestyle, travel and technology and works with publishers as well as advertisers to deploy media over a number of these sites.
“We’re bullish on the future of media and design here in Dubai and the MENA region at large.” says Shashi Menon, CEO, Nervora. “d3 has assembled a collection of like-minded organisations and individuals, and is also a strategic supporter of ground-breaking initiatives like our flagship Fashion Prize. We’re excited to see what’s to come of this growing community.”

McGettigan’s Group welcomes Chanelle Tourish

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Chanelle Tourish has joined the McGettigan’s Group as PR and Communication Manager. With over six years of experience in journalism and PR, Chanelle previously worked for Time Out Dubai, part of ITP Publishing, as Music and Nightlife Editor. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing all public relations and communications for the McGettigan’s brand around the world.

“With the recent McGettigan’s growth, we are very pleased to have Chanelle join the team,” says Dennis McGettigan, CEO, McGettigan’s Group. “Her years of experience in journalism and nightlife is a great combination for us and we’re sure that she’s going to play a key role for us as we look to further expand the brand worldwide.”

Chanelle adds “I’m thrilled to take on this new role with McGettigan’s and to be representing a brand I feel so passionate about. This is a very exciting time for the group, who are going from strength-to-strength with the launch of two new venues in Dubai.”