Thursday 5 June 2008

New men's magazine

Our sources tell us that the first magazine from ENG Media will be a weekly men's magazine called QI and will be launched in about 2 weeks. Former Charged editor Alex Ritman will be heading it up. Regional men's magazine are of a notoriously low standard here (witness Arabian Man or Al Nisr's awful 4Men) so does this mag stand a chance? We are not too optimistic.

105 comments:

Anonymous said...

Arabian Man and 4Men are shocking, the latter has a female editor which might explain stories like 'find out what's going through David Gray's head', - a high-velocity round hopefully. Mind you, neither are as bad as Charged which is ITP's version of a mutant child locked away in the attic.

Anonymous said...

I for one welcome our new lanky-limbed scruffy style overlords.

Anonymous said...

A few more ITP hacks are heading over, including plenty from the Time Out Group: Andy Buchan, Matt Ross, Matt Pomroy... Time Out looks as though it's getting very low on established numbers. Anything to do with the 'I don't want to offend anyone' editors running the show?

Anonymous said...

4Men is a car crash. Absolutely awful. The problem with men's magazines here is that you cannot go for the "booze and birds" formula that worked so well elsewhere. So what you have is crap articles about the best male spas in Dubai and interviews with local rally drivers. The writing is nowhere near good enough and you get people like Alex "I am a child" Ritman and Andy "I don't plagiarise honest" Buchan who think they are a lot better than the are. QI might surprise us all, but I doubt it.

Anonymous said...

There's so much scope for men's mags out here to be a bit sexier out here, you just need the balls to do it. No pun intended.

It depends who you're targeting. Any Western guy with a few brain cells to rub together can pick out some innuendos and let his imagination run wild - the article is just the stimulus.

You can have "birds" in there, they just need to be the right ones. Let's face it, half the girls in Zoo and Nuts are right mingers until they get their tits out. Or is a good rack what it's all about?

Then again, what do I know? I'm just a "bird".

Anonymous said...

well.. for conservative countries, this might not be a hit.. let's all wait and see... =)

Anonymous said...

Years ago, when Arabian Man first launched, it was pretty damn good.

Anonymous said...

Don't you mean the second magazine? The first drab offering from ENG was BHW launched a few weeks ago and posted here.

Anonymous said...

anon @ 07.22 : Arabian Man was never good. In fact, it was embarrassing from launch issue onwards.

Charged, on the other hand, was actually a pretty good read a few years ago: some of the writing was great, and the covers had a reasonable totty quotient.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know what QI stands for?

Quick Idiots?

Quarreling Incessantly?

Any more for any more? C'mon lets 'Ave em..

Anonymous said...

Why bother with a local men's magazine when you can get GQ/Esquire/Arena etc here?

Anonymous said...

Like nobody buys Ahlan, because you can get Heat, Star etc over here? I,erm, take your point...????

Anonymous said...

Regarding local vs international magazines available here: it shows that people just want to see pictures of themselves/their mates, doesn't it? Shallow as it is, that's the first page many people turn to in several of the local rags. Being part of 'Society' I guess. It's practically Mondanite's reason for being.
Hello does a fair job of it, Ahlan has got much better at it recently (not sure how/why) and is now quite good at it. OK used to be okay, but does a very poor job in my opinion. Bad photograph selection/photograph editing? Maybe Ahlan just has better contacts/photographers. But I think it's a real plus for the magazines who get it right, in this market in any case. Don't think I've read Dubai Society for a while now, so can't comment on that one.
Who has the best photographers in town? I've seen the Motivate/ITP photographers everywhere, and all seem okay. I've never knowingly seen the Mondanite/OK photographers at events.

Anonymous said...

Could I suggest a new topic/poll in light of the above and recent posts:

The standard of journalism in Dubai has increased over the last year or so. Discuss.

I, for one, would argue that it has. Dubai now has several magazines to be proud of.

Time Out - has certainly raised it's game - interesting cover stories and less typos than it used to have. It's finally comparable with international editions. ('pub editor' or not)

Ahlan - also approaching international standard. Heat and several others would blow it away, but it does have local content which is harder to come by than it would be in the UK, where there is a TV culture.

Harpers - not a badly put together title, editorially if not commercially.

Viva - not a badly put together title. Some very good writing in there.

Emirates Woman - getting better. Not great, but not as awful as it used to be.

What's On - still an overall bad package, but better written than it used to be at least. You could take it to an international interviewer as a sample of work, if they hadn't seen the competitors.

The National - the ying to (what was once) Emirates Today's yang. It has editorial direction for a start. And provides good value.

Grazia - well written and well put together.

ID - beautiful. On my coffee table at all times, irresepective of the written content.

On the flipside -

Hello - dull, dull, dull. Full of errors. Lazy journalism and don't expect it to improve under the Motivate ethos.

OK - vastly improved for a while, it seemed to be getting better month on month. But full of lazy journalism and errors put it among the also-rans.

Society - See Hello, but with less grammatical errors. Tighter in terms of design.

7 Days - not sure who it appeals to, as a package. Bad editing, or bad mission statement?

Business 24/7. Does what it does, but essentially a whole paper of nothingness unless your PR is in it.

Arabian Man - oh dear.

For Him - see Arabian Man.

Charged - see Arabian Man.

Inside Out - bad design, in a design-driven magazine. Unacceptable.

Some titles are beyond redemption, but I believe there are several titles we, as a community, can be proud of. I've recently secured a decent job in England on the back of what I did in Dubai. Once upon a time, I would have been ashamed to have Dubai titles on my CV as it was seen as a low-budget, low competition market. But, on the basis my interview at least, everyone now looks upon Dubai as a thriving and decent (in terms of standards) market.

I'm out of it now, but would have no qualms about returning a few years down the line. And I'm sure we sure all welcome the added competition as a stimulus for standards to improve further.

Over to you bloggers...

Anonymous said...

So, most of what ITP puts out is good and getting better and most of what Motivate puts out is bad. OK then.

Anonymous said...

"ID - beautiful. On my coffee table at all times, irresepective of the written content."

twat

Anonymous said...

ID - is that the one that was a rip-off of Wallpaper's design?

Anonymous said...

Hi Norris, don't suppose you used to work for ID by any chance did you?

Anonymous said...

HI! Andy here. I've got a coffee table too, and its also got loads of magazines i used to write for on it.

(And a few copies of Raider, Rustler, Derriere, Brit Boys etc)

Anonymous said...

I think 4men does a decent job. You cannot possibly hope to find the kind of stuff GQ/Esquire or an Arena would, as mentioned by a blogger here. Besides, I think it still stands out among the other sorry publications that come out of this place. Does anyone know a half-decent magazine, apart from Time Out, with mostly local content? Let's get a decent daily first.

Anonymous said...

yes, and journos often put their bylines on press releases ... nothing new here ....

anon_hack said...

Two comments deleted on request after complaints of defamation by the subject.

Anonymous said...

Why would a journo even want to put their name on a press release? Press releases are shit. Granted, most journalism is shit, too. But a press release is obviously a press release. Do Dubai journos actually put their names on press releases?

meeja tramp said...

Just a note from the moderators: stop being twats and making accusations against other journos.

If it's true, you're going to have to start proving it. If it's not true, we end up having to remove the comments, which annoys us and makes us look stupid. We're perfectly capable of looking stupid by ourselves, thanks.

Anonymous said...

Well, I thought Norris' post was pretty on the money, apart from the ID comment (I'm guessing he's the ID designer and was being tongue in cheek...Norris?)

Anonymous said...

But what would DMO be without unsubstantiated, bitter attacks on everyone and every publication that these esteemed journalists feel is offensive to their discerning tastes?

Anonymous said...

A blog you'd never visit?

Anonymous said...

While it's well know that certain 'lifestyle/nightlife' writers are let's say, liberal, with the use of the cut and paste, that's not to say it should be accepted. Crap journalists are crap journalists, just because this is Dubai does not make plagiarism any more acceptable.

Anonymous said...

How are they expecting to sell any copies??? If the leading mens monthies sell amounts which would surprise most of us here(the ones with prominent locations at various POS sites in main shops and garages), how the hell will these sell hidden in the backshelves?

Oh, I forgot....the agencies and the 'habibi' salesguys dont mentioned this fact........

Anonymous said...

I was a senior management level staff member at a major dubai publisher on one of Dubai's 'premier' titles. Coming from a background of working in the international press across print/photography/broadcast what I witnessed was shocking. A blind eye was certainly turned to plagiarism and sales often bullied editorial into writing 'ad' friendly copy. This was at a title lauded by people on this blog. The editor certainly knew it was going on but seemed more intent on protecting his own position than fighting for editorial priorities.
I won't say who this was cos it will get removed by the mods but I found values to be very low in Dubai.

Anonymous said...

Wow - senior management at a major publisher on a premier title from the international press across all media.

You're the most qualified critic ever!

Anonymous said...

Hold on a minute...I was a senior management level staff member at a major dubai publisher on one of Dubai's 'premier' titles and I came from an international press background!

Don't tell me there's two of us! Christ, just what I need in my life right now.

Anonymous said...

Ad friendly copy happens all ovet the world and you're kidding yourself if you think it doesn't.

I'd be very interested to hear the top international titles you've worked on!

Anonymous said...

Why does this blog always descend into petty and pathetic comments such as anon @ 1231?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Why does this blog always descend into petty and pathetic comments such as anon @ 1231?

Because when people lead with their credentials cynical media types smell a rat.

Anonymous said...

Ha ha - bitter? Amused more like...

Enjoy your time in the 'desert' dude.

Anonymous said...

And this from a writer who whinged like a baby when his weak copy was subbed...

Anonymous said...

anon @ 1740 .. hold on, we don't laud anyone on this blog intentionally. We hate everyone and they're all far inferior to us.

Anonymous said...

http://uae.engworldwide.com/UserFiles/Active/d2b14e06-cd18-4552-adaf-4c97e802534a.pdf



http://uae.engworldwide.com/UserFiles/Active/c8ff52ae-4ed5-41fe-8c3a-781c93f3fb55.pdf

here ya go, two new mags for everyone to slag off (deservedly so on this occasion) and again let the blog descend into how awful ITP is....yawn...

Anonymous said...

'IQ is a truly unique magazine'

Love it. Not seen anything that unique since FQ magazine in the UK attached itself to GQ's loathsome readership like a remora fish.

anon_mediator said...

just seen the media pack for iQ (as distributed by a "crack in-house" team) ... shoot me now.

Anonymous said...

Anyone able to share the media pack for Insider? the two links above were both for IQ.

Anonymous said...

http://uae.engworldwide.com/UserFiles/Active/c8ff52ae-4ed5-41fe-8c3a-781c93f3fb55.pdf

Here ya go, link to media pack for INSIDE-HER

How long before Petch and his shining beacon of joy are splashed all over it along with his champagne swigging, Ferrari driving band of cronies? C*nts!

Anonymous said...

Front cover of Inside-her:

RUMOURS RIPE AS
KATE VISITS THE QUEEN

RIPE?


Don't they mean RIFE?

Anonymous said...

"Rather than relying on dated franchised content, Insider creates and sources its own, never-before-seen material."

Hmmm, that will be a first for the editorial team there.

Anonymous said...

There has been a lot of money spent on these media packs. This may explain why several new ENG staff either haven't been paid or been paid very late. Can anyone shed more light?

Anonymous said...

Daniel Craig based jumped from the Burj? Amazing.
I can't wait to see their brilliant coverage of politics. This has farce written all over it. Maybe they can cut and paste from GQ and hope no one notices. Wacky!!

Anonymous said...

Shed more light? Yes, the company they have joined is a joke and won't be around in a years time.

Anonymous said...

Funny that sure its been going since for about 30 years strong already

Anonymous said...

Of course it has mate. Well done.

Anonymous said...

The holding company has been around for a generation (it's a family company) but ENG Media is new.

Anonymous said...

Ashley "I think I'm Bruce Willis" Rees - another former ITP 'er has the auspicious title of International Media Director - whatever that means?

Anonymous said...

Emirates Neon is more than 3 times the turnover of ITP....look at all the unipoles around the UAE and that will give you some idea...

Big pockets to afford the new publishing enterprise...

Anonymous said...

of course, big pockets don't guarantee success....

Anonymous said...

If they've such big pockets, why have the gone out and hired Alex Ritman and co?

Just look at the recruitment drive at The National, taking in staff from the likes of The FT, Daily Mail, New Yorker, etc, etc and make your own comparisons to Ritman, Ross, Pomroy, Buchan and the gang.

Big pockets. Small ambition. No idea.

Anonymous said...

Anyone seen a men's magazine called The Handbook? Not many copies about but it's definitely worth a read. Almost like an underground magazine you'd get in London. 4Men is quite possibly one of the worst men's magazines I've ever read - apart from from Friday For men. It follows a tired old template for what people think a men's magazine should be, zero originality.

Anonymous said...

The Handbook is quite possibly the worst targeted magazine in the Emirates. Somebody's ego project...with no commercial value whatsoever. If you are talking about a publisher with deep pockets, then whoever does the Handbook must be reaching down to his ankles to pay his staff at the end of each month. If you are looking for conception, Desert Fish is better.

Anonymous said...

Desert Fish? You're kidding right. That's straight from Channel 4's Nathan Barley, self-indulgent horseshit. I'd love to know how it's pitched to advertisers. Vanity magazine publishing at its worse. And before you say it, no, it does not have great photography.
Third-rate, Lebanese art school project.

Anonymous said...

The Handbook? Is that a euphemism for jazz mag?

Anonymous said...

Jazz mag? I think that's 4Men you're thinking of. Biggest pile of w*** I've ever seen!

Anonymous said...

What is the deal with plagiarism in Dubai? Not only has a well-known local newspaper been caught out for literally plagiarising word for word from UK titles now IQ has jumped on the “lets copy directly from UK” bandwagon. I’m sure the content will be goodish but please IQ is merely GQ and Esquire combined. And it’s not even us blokes that are noticing this lazy attempt to creating a men’s mag, my female New Yorker pal even spotted the uncanny resemblance. Come on Dubai lets stop being lazyb**t**** and start getting our own ideas. ENG media have sadly produced a weak imitation. Be original in design and content, you have the money.

Anonymous said...

Finally The Handbook a magazine that doesn’t whore itself out. Christ what is it with Dubai titles selling their souls to advertisers? What has the publishing world come to when the front cover of the newspaper is an advert? Nothing like this would ever happen in the UK, because unlike Dubai all the journalists and sales people ARE qualified. I’ve actually forgotten what the front cover of OK! looks like what with all the gay chocolate ads gracing its over-hyped front every week.

The Handbook seems to cover every topic possible so there’s plenty of scope for sales. Finally a title that doesn’t bow down to advertisers, making itself a glorified press release. People seem to forget the purpose of a magazine is to entertain its readers not sell them something. The only issue with The Handbook is that no one really sees it, a shame really as it’s a magazine that Dubai’s residents have been crying out for since its media days began. It’s not ego it’s fresh talent something Dubai has been starved of so therefore doesn’t recognise so easily.

Anonymous said...

Finally The Handbook a magazine that doesn’t whore itself out. Christ what is it with Dubai titles selling their souls to advertisers? What has the publishing world come to when the front cover of the newspaper is an advert? Nothing like this would ever happen in the UK, because unlike Dubai all the journalists and sales people ARE qualified. I’ve actually forgotten what the front cover of OK! looks like what with all the chocolate ads gracing its over-hyped front every week.

People seem to forget the purpose of a magazine is to entertain its readers not sell them something. The only issue with The Handbook is that no one really sees it, a shame really.

Anonymous said...

"the purpose of a magazine is to entertain its readers not sell them something"

I hope Santa brings you a pony for Christmas!

"Nothing like this would ever happen in the UK ..."

The idea that the UK is the epitome of editorial integrity and resistance to advertising pressure is laughable. And parochial.

Anonymous said...

"Nothing like this would ever happen in the UK"

Not true. The Mirror turned itself red to promote a soft drink (read Piers Morgan's book for his thoughts). The Sun regularly changes its entire website to promote something - I believe it was green for the first Hulk movie. At least get your facts straight.

And while I agree that only writing positive things about advertisers is wrong, is having an ad on the cover really compromising your ethics? Why? You could say the same about newspapers selling the back cover, but magazines do it all the time and no eyebrows are raised.

Anonymous said...

So where can I get my hands on this Handbook then?

Anonymous said...

I think the reality of the Handbook lies somewhere between these recent posts. I’ve only seen one copy and yes, perhaps it could be a little more ‘advertiser-friendly’, but at least someone’s trying to produce a magazine that’s different. Surely some diversity is what the region needs?

Anonymous said...

The purpose of a magazine is to deliver eyeballs to advertisers. Simple as that. Anyone who thinks it's any different in the UK, or anywhere else for that matter, has clearly never worked at a senior level there.

Anonymous said...

Senior level is the key there. I think the situatiuon is more that publishers in the UK are more adept at disguising their operations so the editorial staff labour under the miconseption that it's all about the relationship between their content and the readers. Makes them work harder, thinking they're driving the bus.

Magazines are simply Trojan horses for ads.

Anonymous said...

Out today - IQ sets the standard for mens mags - well done ENG

anon_mediator said...

Once you've seen a copy of IQ, please post comments: we don't anticipate getting to a shop before they all sell out.

Anonymous said...

cotrolled free are in the market now, you probably are not on the mailing list! check out the competition on page 19 its worth an sms. let me know if you need the answer.

Anonymous said...

anon 12.30 - if that's the standard of English we can expect from IQ, then the mag quite clearly doesn't have one.

Anonymous said...

http://www.tbreak.com/forums/console-freaks/41931-iq-magazine.html

Anonymous said...

at least they're doing some research, what's wrong with that?

Anonymous said...

Can’t find this mag anywhere, anyone seen it yet? How much does it cost? What’s the production quality like etc..?

Anonymous said...

I believe IQ did surprise us, its all over Dubai, pretty goos standard of articles.

It looks as if its inspired from GQ but pretty much spot on for UAE Men.

Anyone else got a chance to see it?

Anonymous said...

Oh fucking dear.

Design-wise, it looks like it's been put together by an epileptic mid fit.

And the writing? Well, let's just say, it's clearly an Alex Ritman production.

Well done Alex, you didn't let us down.

Anonymous said...

Design is nice, decent flow, not sure about a lot of the front of book, seems quite random, and also a lot out of date.
Careers piece was good - not sure about Daniel Craig cut and paste job - again why bother when you can read actual interviews in UK publications.
UAE soccer player - whos cares?

Liked the shoots and fashion pages.
Overall a nice package, challenge will be to do it every week.

Editor's Letter should have been subbed properly and who thought it was a good idea to include the following:

"iQ is the first magazine of its kind, not just in the Middle East, but as far as we're aware - the world."

It goes on to justify this by saying:
"First off it's written for someone who's after more than just big pictures and gossip."
What, there are no other magazines in the world that fit that bill??

Big team, nice product, but maybe save the hyperbole until after issue 1.

Anonymous said...

Finally got hold of a copy. Saddend to say it's pretty bloody awful. Worst aspect is the sheer laziness of the product, there is very little significant local content and no original ideas in design or tone. In fact, it's very similar to 4 Men. There is a palpable sense of boredom on every page. Clear the room and start again.

Anonymous said...

Seen a copy of IQ and must say it's actually better than I expected. Pretty decent bits to flick through (not had the chance to sit down and properly read it yet).
Yes, the design is a little lacking in freshness, but as an earlier poster pointed out - that's what happens when you make a photographer head of design.
On the whole not bad. Especially considering it's a weekly. Look forward to seeing if they can reproduce enough content of interest on a regular basis without going down the ITP 'local Dubai "celebrities"' line that only the interviewees themselves care about.
Point of interest, the Insider is undercutting Ahlan by a couple of dirhams a week, be interesting to see if that brings a response.

Rob

Anonymous said...

Any thoughts on Insider? Have just seen the cover in passing - having Dion Mavath, the bald Indian DJ as a coverline did not fill me with confidence.

Anonymous said...

Some very similar features as the first issue of the ghastly 4Men mag. How to Tie a Windsor Knot being the most glaringly obvious … anyway, any knot favored by Wayne Rooney and London estate agents should be avoided at all cost.

Anonymous said...

Just seen a copy of IQ... pretty average really. Hardly anything of note that has come in-house, despite the large (in Dubai terms) staff. All in all it's one big bored sigh and finds comfortable space next to 4Men in the originality stakes. Is this really the best we can expect from local magazines?

Anonymous said...

11.14 - I Agree

ENG started recruiting the publishing team last November and this is all they can come up after well over 6 months? Shameful ripped-off logo straight from GQ, design style 10 years out of date, dull uninteresting color scheme and the "tip of the week" on page 40 'how to tie a windsor knot" is laughable. Who are you speaking to, what's your message?

80 pages of drab boring averageness left me completely underwhelmed - and this is a weekly. Pah!

Hope you're proud of yourself Petch? Well done!

Anonymous said...

Really lazy effort boys. It’s a shame, publishing standards here are slowly inching forwards and crap like this puts the cause back no-end. As much as I hate focus groups a quick glance at this product could have saved it from itself. Your launch issue should really be something to shout about and a declaration of things to come, even if you can’t sustain it in future issues at least have your day in the sun.

Anonymous said...

Personally I think both IQ and the Insider are fabulous products. May I congratulate all the team involved in putting these two masterpieces together. Ignore the criticism you are getting from DMO - you know yourselves just how good you are.
I can't wait for Wednesday and Issue No.2. To be honest, that's probably all I am living for these days.

Anonymous said...

here this 21:40

You are deluded mate.

I bought a copy IQ:


Can I get my 9AED back please?

Anonymous said...

All in all, IQ and Insider are great pieces. The designs are clean and unpretensious. Glad it did not try to compete with its obvious competitors 4men and Ahlan with their masala of colors, fonts, icons. ENG has raised the standards of local works, overall. And, if the head of design is a former photographer, the designs are damn good as a start up. Mabruk!

Anonymous said...

Considering what are locally published and the obvious competitors Ahlan, 4men, Dubai Society...IQ and Insider are great alternatives. Love the last page of IQ called debrief...sarcasm and humour are great combination! The absence of stupid icons that is all over 4men (ear/hear, nose/smell!) is refreshing. IQ's design doesn't assume me, as a reader, to be stupid. This alone makes me appreciate the overall design. Insider, too, is not a bad alternative to Ahlan that seems to always want to show all the colors in a palette, all the artworks any kid can do with their crayons!

Anonymous said...

The writing in IQ still got a long way to go. It is quite obvious that IQ's content will still evolve as they go along and perhaps come up with better headlines than Quantum Leap. Or come up with better articles altogether. But for a local launch, it's writing is not that awful compared to most magazines in Dubai such as 4men, Car Middle East, etc. IQ's design is an excellent return to classic magazine design. It is said that a really good creative person is more interested in sincerity than glibness and takes more satisfaction out of converting people than in 'wowing' them. With all the cacophony of clashing designs and when most designers are more interested in showing everything they know about design (like Ahlan, 4men, Xpress, BoatOwner, etc.) and bombard readers with all sorts of artworks than actually making the readers do exactly what they\re meant to to...read. So, hats off to the entire ENG team for this great product. Could this be the beginning of the end of ITP's dominance in publishing?

Anonymous said...

Crikey! Just seen the first issues of Insider and IQ...and I'm blown away! Honestly. I'm a cynical sod (and I work for a 'rival' publishing house) and - in my opinion - both are a great alternative to what's here. IQ is as good as anything I've read i my home country, and the content of Insider is far better than Hello or OK by a country mile. Ahlan is, I guess, a different market -much more low-end (which it serves well).
I welcome the upping of stakes in the UAE. Well done mr/mrs editor....7/10

Anonymous said...

Hahahah...the Eng Media crew have decided to post finally. Nice work guys, but by the content of the last four posts, you clearly know nothing about magazines or design..

Car Middle East's writing is excellent and Boat Owner's design is anything but flashy. That statement alone shows you don't know much about magazines.

Overall iQ is poor, with lazy writing, average design, and most crucially, a dearth of original ideas - who thought having motoring pages was a good idea??

Not that it matters, there are some great magazines out there, so why waste time on dross?

Anonymous said...

finally, a post from ITP camp. Car Middle East writing is excellent?! Boat Owner design is good?? what next, Ahlan is masterpiece?! or that Harper's Bazaar Middle East is original?! ENG has obviously kicked ITP out of its comfort zone.

Anonymous said...

"who thought having motoring pages was a good idea??" anon @10:34

Er, men's mags the world over have motoring pages because blokes tend to like cars and it brings in ad revenue. Simple, really.

Anonymous said...

Just look at the 'talent' ENG has hired. Not sure why anyone was expecting anything better. Stick to TV mate.

Unknown said...

some nut just posted this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRDbZ6UD-J8

Unknown said...

Check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRDbZ6UD-J8

Anonymous said...

What a awesome collection of failure. No wonder the media industry here is so long suffering. You guys (the negative ones) are obvious toothless rejects. Re-write your CVs. Try again.

Anonymous said...

Realise there's been a significant lull in proceding with regards this thread. However, it has been priceless to read. I'm just wondering... I got offered some work coup o days ago writing a blogspot - artificially generating blog content so that it gave the illusion that there was a thriving community interacting behing th scenes. Just wondering if this may have been the job - as it wasn't specified at the time.
This months GQ cover celia walden sits on a harley and goes FULL THROTTLE 'GIBBER GIBBER' very viz sh*t* article, lost interest after second sentence. 'meet the actioneer driving the cont'ary art boom' - would rather not, thank you tho. Interview wit Christian Bale - boring as Batman's batsh*t. How to seduce a starlet - well, it's either a. fat wallet or b. phat cock, don't have to have that one explained to me by some anony-hack. plus! on th beach with Marisa miller. I see no pink in any of the images - what a waste of film.
Take Rod Liddle and Parsons out of th mag and it's dull as dishwater pap almost half-decent feature on Dean Martin and AAGill's still worth five minutes while you're half asleep. To be honest would rather read a copy o 4MEN. At least, there's no advert of thank from the Elton John 'in AIDS we trust' Trust, one of Emin's little scribbled verses or the sight of that farkin cnut Piers 'You just know I'm gonna land in Dubai one day and make it my bitch' Morgan. IQ and 4MEN and a few other notables. Just splash the cash on layout, fonts, creativity and grow some kahunas to take on the this self-imposed 'don't want to push it too far' mentality. Wha Dubai mags need are pages of proper, stylish ads gin and tonics, malt whiskeys and draught beers.

Anonymous said...

Alex Ritman is a big girl!

Anonymous said...

It seems like you got a lot going on here guys, I respect your opininon and agree Men's magazines are....ot great at all here...

Could anyone suggest good press release writer in Dubai? Men's fashion related of course?

Anonymous said...

This thread has been dead for a while, and yet I think it's as fresh today as it has ever been, what with ITP jumping on the mens' market bandwagon.
I used to work about four desks down from Alex and yes it is true that he's a 'big girl' about 90% of the time. Personally, I can't stand him, and I know most of us here couldn't either. BUT I do think that the writing in iQ is very good. Good luck to him.
Men's Health is very hit and miss, to me. Andrew is a decent guy, but the subject matter is quite restrictive I suppose.
Personally, I enjoyed our Men's Handbook most of all. Best put together and best content.
What happened to Motivate's offering?
(And yes, I'm an ITP-er and I'm a minion, so you can all jump on me for having an opinion)

Bradly Jones said...

I am not a big fan of this magazine, it totally spells out boring as well as tabloid.


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