tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post5346663237187454616..comments2024-02-01T13:43:30.395+04:00Comments on Dubai Media Observer: Turning the mirror back on PRmediamonsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13462585789471094939noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-41499875810850548012009-09-08T21:31:08.816+04:002009-09-08T21:31:08.816+04:00PR agencies are not newswires! Press releases they...PR agencies are not newswires! Press releases they write are for the info of the journalists who are supposed to take the initiative and write their own stories using the press release as a background. If you don't like the quality of the press release pick up the phone and request for an interview to get more info and write it your way. Or dont publish it!Why else are you getting paid for, to copy paste the PR agency's rubbish release?<br />Most PR agencies have people who cant write neither Eng or Arabic. Agencies like the pompous ASDAA Burson Marsteller have an editorial team who try to cover up for the incompetency of its illiterate directors. I think H&K is a great agency exhibiting good quality work, so is TBWA which is probably one of the best agencies that treats its people well unlike ASDAA Burson Marsteller(from what I have heard from its ex-employees) who hires people at low salaries and fires them in unprofessional/childish manner according to the whims and fancies of Mr.John and his team of sycophant, incompetent,crooked team of directors whose job is to nod at everything he says!<br />If people are treated well they would be motivated to improve their quality of work!Unfortunately HR takes the backburner in this region.<br />Jiwin might be a crap agency but Malcolm is a good fellow who churns out very good quality work. But what can one person alone do?Like him there are some good people in the PR industry here but unfortunately the bad ignorant lot have given the industry a bad name!<br />- By a Freelancer who is trying to better the quality of PR in this region..tough ambition!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-61204568432240896042009-07-29T12:18:42.893+04:002009-07-29T12:18:42.893+04:00Well, Muhammed, sorry you feel this way but some p...Well, Muhammed, sorry you feel this way but some people find this topic pretty disturbing. I'm sure they didn't mean to be mean, they just have different opinion about the same thing.Juliettehttp://prodpromo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-47913974055295154422009-06-09T16:05:15.429+04:002009-06-09T16:05:15.429+04:00Hey guys..I came across this website and thought s...Hey guys..I came across this website and thought should drop in my opinion too for the PR agencies in Dubai. By far the worst that I have experienced is with O2.My last interactions with them was with the PR guys, and trust me they are nothing but a piece of shit.<br />I don’t understand, but for some odd reasons they carry this attitude of being the best in this industry, but unfortunately it is the other way round. <br />Their quality of work needs some serious attention.<br />02= 0 quality + 0 services ;)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14923244570257910587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-85304383718397009622009-05-24T15:04:24.002+04:002009-05-24T15:04:24.002+04:00I'am an Arab Journalist, and honestly i feel t...I'am an Arab Journalist, and honestly i feel that some of the comments made on this blog are more to do with racism.<br /><br />I personally have had shitty experiences with Spot On & H&K.<br /><br />Spot On: Very arrogant people, highly unprofessional & yes to mention their arabic quality -it is very poor.<br /><br />H& K: their arabic press releases are a total crap..Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714285704232564058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-38247003142613210972009-03-31T07:51:00.000+04:002009-03-31T07:51:00.000+04:00Communigate is the pushy agency. It is tiresome ha...Communigate is the pushy agency. It is tiresome having to edit their their press releases, which have the clients' name in caps at least 10 times throughout the release and very little substance.<BR/>Sahara sends the same release four times. Some of the agencies send the same release on different days hoping that a tired editor might just about use it.<BR/>When you call them, they tell you that it was the second list for the magazines and apologise.<BR/>Sweet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-67446270436506054682009-03-28T20:12:00.000+04:002009-03-28T20:12:00.000+04:00It is funny how the same applies to all media outl...It is funny how the same applies to all media outlets here.<BR/>"The trouble is, you can be bad at Journalism ie unprofessional, illiterate, lazy etc, but still be profitable".<BR/>The fact is, publishers can hire the cheapest possible people to churn out rubbish to print and for this they can charge their advertisers good money.<BR/>Here is a managing editor in a publishing house who managed to go international for his fifth grade language skills. enjoy and I dare you get the link to his story:<BR/>shortened URL:<BR/>http://tinyurl.com/6dkuex<BR/>full URL:<BR/>http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2008/11/why_are_michiga.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-64007144670686983912009-03-18T15:14:00.000+04:002009-03-18T15:14:00.000+04:00This is a peach from that PR agency we all love to...This is a peach from that PR agency we all love to hate, Asda'a: "KidZania® readies for opening at The Dubai Mall offering role-play edu-tainment for children." I work for a financial newspaper....'nuff said....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-68024061324809559832009-03-18T13:54:00.000+04:002009-03-18T13:54:00.000+04:00Regarding best and worst PR agencies, it all depen...Regarding best and worst PR agencies, it all depends on who actually handles your account. I have worked with very good and very bad teams in three different agencies. <BR/><BR/>Having said that, i don't believe any PR Agency in the Middle East scores an A grade just yet. <BR/><BR/>Communigate is proactive and hands-on agency.<BR/><BR/>Four Communications is unprofessional and very pushy.<BR/><BR/>Orient Planet gets solid media coverage and turn out at press conferences out of all agencies i have dealt with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-16364050139333477812009-03-06T13:48:00.000+04:002009-03-06T13:48:00.000+04:00> the Jiwin bashing is fair and accurate.I was ...> the Jiwin bashing is fair and accurate.<BR/>I was doing PR for an IT company at GITEX one year. It was in a "themed zone" represented by Jiwin. Two of their reps had been briefed to try to poach the client from the firm I worked for. This hapless duo approached me in order to do this, as if I was the General Manager of the IT firm. Five fucking times. Finally, they tried again on the off-chance I might relent and given them the contract after TWO face-to-face to meeting where I told I was not the person they were looking for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-89008925997348502472009-03-05T20:39:00.000+04:002009-03-05T20:39:00.000+04:00Hello again.Thanks for the largely sensible feedba...Hello again.<BR/>Thanks for the largely sensible feedback. <BR/>Perhaps some of the titles I mentioned did seem rather random and yes, there are a few from each of the major publishing players. but i wasn't talking about the poor titles - I'm sure all those companies have a decent proportion of those too. <BR/>Not sending CVs out though - I have a job here, and would gain nothing from posting on here I'm sure!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-1311410361701261832009-03-04T11:36:00.000+04:002009-03-04T11:36:00.000+04:00"Time Out Dubai is possibly as good, if not b..."Time Out Dubai is possibly as good, if not better, than its UK (and certainly its international) counterparts."<BR/><BR/>You're having a fucking laugh me old china plate.<BR/><BR/>Time Out Dubai is very poor. The content is as weak as the Dubai economy, the writing average and the style/design non-descript. It doesn't even have it's own photographer!<BR/><BR/>It champions appalling campaigns (the golden heart thing or whatever the fuck it was called) and is ruled by sales to an unhealthy level (sales dudes screaming in writers' faces, anyone?).<BR/><BR/>The editor wouldn't know a story if it bit him on the arse while its guiding light, Rob Corder, is probably the most over-promoted, least-talented person in the whole of Dubai.<BR/><BR/>As for Time Out London (what is Time Out UK??), it is looking likely to go bust, its editor has just walked and the crappy, stifling building it is based in could soon be sold off.<BR/><BR/>Time Out NY is the one dim lightbulb in a diminishing brand that might not even exist in a year.<BR/><BR/>And the reason for that...? Well, Time Out London lost out to the internet in a very harsh way and failed to get on-board at the right time. <BR/><BR/>A similar problem could kill off Dubai's nascent media industry. At the moment Dubai is far too restrictive to unshackle the online world and thereby deliver new revenue streams. <BR/><BR/>The future of journalism and the media is multi-platform, multi-content and very flexible. Chris Cramer, the head of Reuters realises this (http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=6&storycode=43227&c=1) and you lot over there better wake up soon and realise that the tired old ways of working, producing content and the fucking awful management from the likes of Serafin etc are all history.<BR/><BR/>If you've never had a career outside of Dubai you're also like to be considered something of a leper. <BR/><BR/>My advice (ok, I'll shut the fuck up now)?<BR/><BR/>Learn Mandarin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-1159138087221948832009-03-03T15:13:00.000+04:002009-03-03T15:13:00.000+04:00the comment at 23.29 managed to praise titles from...the comment at 23.29 managed to praise titles from all publishers - someone that's trying not to burn bridges? Some of the comments are totally random and the praise for Insider and iQ is misplaced. What's the betting ENG has received this person's CV, either past or present?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-75679561400379629972009-03-03T14:50:00.000+04:002009-03-03T14:50:00.000+04:00To 23:29:"I last worked here a few years ago but I...To 23:29:<BR/><BR/>"I last worked here a few years ago but I've been back three weeks"<BR/><BR/>"Stuff - a worthy franchise.....but our audience just isn't wide enough to make it mainstream."<BR/><BR/>Our audience? <BR/><BR/>Welcome back Jason.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-51918019931254926682009-03-02T23:29:00.000+04:002009-03-02T23:29:00.000+04:00Hear ye and hear him, 18:20. Perhaps what this si...Hear ye and hear him, 18:20. Perhaps what this site needs is a 'positive' outpost??<BR/><BR/>Seriously people, there's a lot of decent media out here. (alongside the mediocre, as with any market). <BR/><BR/>Of course, the ME hasn't been going as long as the western market, but it is on fast-track. I last worked here a few years ago but I've been back three weeks, and I've been impressed with what I've seen in terms of development, and in terms of magazines that have launched since I've been overseas. I've spent the last three weeks dedicating my time to playing catch-up on rival publishers' titles, and I have to admit to being surprised at the quality of some.<BR/>Examples: <BR/><BR/>Emirates woman is as good as anything in its category I have seen in markets outside the UK. Viva isn't far behind, to be fair.<BR/><BR/>iQ is an original concept I haven't personally come across outside of the UAE. Impressive writing and original-sounding content on a weekly basis.<BR/><BR/>Hello is a decent immitation of the international versions. In many ways, it's better (ie more local content - some rely heavily on the franchise because they can). The editors have done a decent job.<BR/><BR/>iD is as good as it gets in terms of lifestyle/home content and look, outside of Wallpaper. Emirates Home has had to close down as it pales in comparison.<BR/><BR/>Time Out Dubai is possibly as good, if not better, than its UK (and certainly its international) counterparts.<BR/><BR/>Ahlan is a decent local alternative to Heat. If Heat hadn't developed as it has, Ahlan could have launched in the UK. It's very 'not on the spot' with celebrities, but it reports everything. The website and the distribution certainly 'power' it. <BR/><BR/>The Insider is a unique magazine (ie somewhere between Grazia and Heat) with actual news other than rehashed celebrity content. Impressed by its international writers, as they break stories ahead of (local?) Ahlan writers.<BR/><BR/>Arabian Business actually breaks stories. I check the site every day. Beats The National to the story every time.<BR/><BR/>Windows ME - I was asked to launch a rival to tap into the PC user market and I don't think I could. It seems to have the market nailed in terms of breaking stories and that can't be broken overnight. I don't think there's an international title that could rival its content in the region. In fact, that's as about an established/unbreakable title as I could name.<BR/><BR/>Close but no cigar merits go to:<BR/><BR/>Communicate/Media Week and to a lesser extent Campaign - in my opinion all look the part but lack in real breaking news. They all look nice enough for the niche but rely on Arabian Business for stories. <BR/><BR/>Stuff - a worthy franchise that trumps Charged every time. Good local writing staff and good international content in a presentable format, but our audience just isn't wide enough to make it mainstream.<BR/><BR/>Car - does what it says on the tin so will always appeal to its audience. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, that's what I have garnered so far. I suggest you purchase a copy of each before passing judgement. If there were to be a fair reflection of media in the UAE/Gulf region, from an international observer, I don't think this would be fair from the reality. Of course, I may have missed some out. And, to qualify, I'm in a predominantly editorial role - so I'm not judging on sales/revenue performance. <BR/><BR/>I don't write on here often, but I will check back for opinions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-91087623783120289072009-03-02T21:57:00.000+04:002009-03-02T21:57:00.000+04:00The winner--not returning calls, emails and repeat...The winner<BR/><BR/>--not returning calls, emails and repeated requests for an interview after being promised one - Asdaa Dubai with their Emaar account<BR/><BR/>Second runner up<BR/>02 - you might interview the second in charge who you know nothing about nor has seen your qts<BR/>and then never get back<BR/><BR/>Third - Communigate's copywriters for fooling them with a standard three page release full of BS.<BR/><BR/>Four - Landmark PR for not even knowing what is wrong with their release. sweetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-69855822887524047912009-03-02T18:38:00.000+04:002009-03-02T18:38:00.000+04:00I thought du was going to sign up with MS&L no...I thought du was going to sign up with MS&L not H&K before the shift happened.<BR/><BR/>For those not in the know, Hill & Knowlton is the official PR agency for the Government of Dubai/Executive Office. They manage the whole Dubai brand both in UAE and globally.<BR/><BR/>Just ask Dave Robinson - he's been working on this for the past 3 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-18861672689028656112009-03-02T17:10:00.000+04:002009-03-02T17:10:00.000+04:00Government bodies go through the motions of holdin...Government bodies go through the motions of holding pitches then give the work to jiwin anyway. They're not given a choice. That's common knowledge - just ask any of their clients. <BR/><BR/>I assume the previous poster is referring to du. Again, it's common knowledge they were about to sign with Hill and Knowlton - GHK had already staffed up - when they were told to switch to jiwin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-24853121728391010002009-03-02T15:38:00.000+04:002009-03-02T15:38:00.000+04:00the Jiwin bashing is fair and accurate. They are s...the Jiwin bashing is fair and accurate. They are shite. I worked for a PR agency that had won a govt account before it was gifted to Dubai Press Club/Jiwin an hour before contract signing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-64191658325005909682009-03-02T15:12:00.000+04:002009-03-02T15:12:00.000+04:00"Jiwin has just won the Mohammed bin Rashid Founda..."Jiwin has just won the Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation brief in a four-way pitch."<BR/><BR/>Well that is certainly absolutely staggering and perhaps the most impressive thing I have heard in many months, if not decades.<BR/><BR/>A government-owned PR agency wins a government-owned account.<BR/><BR/>Huge congratulations to Jiwin for such a stunning example of merit. Actually it's the most amazing thing I have heard in centuries, and I am sitting here weeping with wonder and admiration for them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-65999957074864436912009-03-02T14:45:00.000+04:002009-03-02T14:45:00.000+04:00For those who think that Jiwin can't win any a...For those who think that Jiwin can't win any accounts on their own merit, please think again. Jiwin has just won the Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation brief in a four-way pitch. <BR/><BR/>Jiwin also won the NASDAQ Dubai brief after beating out 3 other financial PR agencies.<BR/><BR/>No, I don't work for them, and no I don't have any vested interested in how the company performs. <BR/><BR/>I just don't think that the Jiwin bashing on this blog is completely fair or accurate.<BR/><BR/>ps. H&K does seem to use a lot of pretty girls. But can they deliver?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-52669874192796538662009-02-27T18:20:00.000+04:002009-02-27T18:20:00.000+04:00These idiots who get on blogs and beat off about h...These idiots who get on blogs and beat off about how great their "free world" media markets are and how mediocre it all is here are just boring neo-colonialist lightweights cowering behind their long since expired perceptions of cultural superiority. Stay in your village, we all left to get away from boorish fools like you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-6493092896209417862009-02-26T16:13:00.000+04:002009-02-26T16:13:00.000+04:00There is so much wrong with PR in the Middle East ...There is so much wrong with PR in the Middle East (slow to comment, inane press releases, expectation that a paper will 'print our release please', but very little of it is due to the agencies. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Equally, there is a lot wrong with journalism here (unimaginative, overstretched, unwilling to ask real questions) but I rarely blame the journalists themselves.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Face it- there's very little consequence to anything published in the papers here, and a horrible politio-corporate mess which has everyone rushing for the easiest way out of any problem. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Which gives journalists and PRs alike no desire to do their jobs properly. <BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Anyone complaining should either do something brave and get deported/sacked, or leave of their own accord and go to work in a country where 'quality' isn't just a press release synonym for 'luxury'.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Either way, if you're keen to do a proper job, you're heading home. I know I am.<BR/><BR/><BR/>ZD, BedfordshireAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-18882719550586138752009-02-24T14:59:00.000+04:002009-02-24T14:59:00.000+04:00I agree with 13.27, as a PR consultant, I can info...I agree with 13.27, as a PR consultant, I can inform and advise my Client that he/she should speak to the media, but that's not to say they'll take my advice. <BR/><BR/>Quite often, when dealing with global brands, the decision is not often made by the regional Marketing Manager / Managing Director etc, but by the global legal team in the U.S or Europe. This process itself can take two weeks, and whilst we follow up and plead for an approval to give you guys what you want in a timely manner, quite often it just doesn't make a difference.<BR/><BR/>Saying that, not answering emails and phone calls, making up media attendance lists for events and general lack of common sense is inexcusable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-88352563129427466022009-02-24T13:27:00.000+04:002009-02-24T13:27:00.000+04:00I find this whole discussion counter-productive to...I find this whole discussion counter-productive to say the least. Bashing PR agencies or even 'hack' journos does not reflect professionalism at all; in fact most of the comments here are downright nonsensical and bordering on farce. <BR/><BR/>The responsibility for improvement lies with everyone working in the media, either as a journalist or a PR professional. <BR/><BR/>As a PR professional, you know that it is an uphill battle to get a client to comment on an issue you know they should be commenting on (and doing it on time). As a journalist, respect the fact that a PR person is limited by their client's willingness to talk and share information. If a client says no - despite my advice - I'm sorry, but I can't help you get what you need.<BR/><BR/>I'm proud of the agency that I work for. Like all agencies in this country, we are not perfect and sometimes not even good - but we are trying and hopefully it will pay off in the long run.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3096398547821208840.post-58822073798178704682009-02-20T10:49:00.000+04:002009-02-20T10:49:00.000+04:00I have dealt with a fair share idiots in PR agenci...I have dealt with a fair share idiots in PR agencies .. but there are certain companies that exceed, by light-years, the acceptable realms of incompetence.<BR/><BR/>I remember NettResults once submitted a media list that confirmed attending a press conference which Nick Leighton (the company owner/MD) was organizing for us the next day. <BR/><BR/>The list included the following:<BR/><BR/>1. a dead journalist<BR/>2. a journalist who is based in London<BR/>3. an editor that left the country a year before<BR/><BR/>Mind you, only 2 people attended the conference on the following day.<BR/><BR/>"You get what you pay for," I told my boss on that hilarious day. <BR/><BR/>He fired them that afternoon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com