Copywriting jobs in the UAE January 31, 2006
Posted by Farrukh Naeem at copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising, Advertising in Dubai, Advertising in the UAE, Copywriter Job in UAE, Copywriter job, Copywriter job in Dubai, Copywriting, Copywriting Job in UAE, Jobs in advertising, Marketing, advertising jobs in uae, copywriting job in dubai , 74 commentsIf you’re looking for a job in advertising in the UAE, these are the usual routes:
1. Spot the vacancies in the local newspapers
Gulf News and Khaleej Times are good places to start. The print editions have supplements dedicated to ‘Appointments’, while the usual classified ads can be browsed online.
2. Look for your dream job in an advertising/marketing community website
My friend Zeid Nasser’s mediame.com is a good place to begin.
3. Go through recruitment agencies and headhunters
Most advertising vacancies are posted in the papers through recruitment agencies. Many advertise the jobs available on their own sites and you can apply online.
SOS and Kershaw Leonard are currently looking for copywriters. You can visit them online and apply.
4. Contact your dream agency directly
Sometimes, the best thing to land a good job in advertising is to meet the Creative Director of your dream agency directly. Even if a CD does not have a copywriting position waiting to be filled, a few minutes with a good one can get you valuable feedback on your portfolio.
Visiting an agency and meeting its creative head helps you understand the agency and its expectations better.
But be warned: CDs are very busy souls and you must not be pushy in trying to arrange a meeting with them. Most will be happy to give you a few minutes of their time, when they have a few to spare. Which is rare. It rhymes, eh?
5. If you apply everywhere and nothing seems to work, don’t get mad…
Get even. Start your own agency. Or freelance copywriting business.
Dubai Media City and RAK Free Zone can help you establish your own advertising/copywriting operation with minimum red tape.
There are many other ways to stay in touch with the advertising world.
Networking helps. Knowing people in the industry will keep you updated on the trends: who’s moving, who’s scouting for talent, etc.
In a multicultural place like Dubai, a few advertising decision makers have a tendency to try and pull in their ex-colleagues from back home, whichever country they are from. Unfortunately, I have seen this sometimes leads to groupism in the agency, so this is an option I do not personally admire or encourage.
Even though I usually have a friend or two in most top agencies but I don’t use friends to pull any strings. Because if one is good at what one does, getting spotted in a crowd of applicants isn’t usually a problem.
Of course, there are Murphy’s laws. And luck too.
A creative Dubai copywriter blogs January 26, 2006
Posted by Farrukh Naeem at copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising , 12 commentsHi,
Welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy your stay here and look forward to your feedback.
Here’s a little background about my professional life, for those who would like to look up my credentials.
I am Farrukh, an advertising copywriter and journalist based in Dubai, UAE.
Global brands I have worked on:
In the 10 years that I have been writing professionally, I have written for some of the hottest brands in the world, including:
Hewlett-Packard
Microsoft
Adidas
Compaq
Thomas Cook
Honda
Jaguar
Millennium Hotels
Sheraton Hotels
LG
Philips
Jacuzzi
Rodeo Drive
Carrera
Writing across all media:
My copywriting exploits have covered a wide range of media: from press and magazine ads to TV commercials and radio spots; from direct mailers to press releases; from corporate brochures to online catalogues.
Power-packed BTL edge:
I have beefed up my above-the-line credentials with stints as TV commercial scriptwriter in a production house and a direct marketing writer in one of the largest integrated marketing solutions companies in the world under the Y&R banner.
Multi-industry, multicultural experience:
Having had the privilege to work for multiple industries and a multicultural audience across a wide spectrum of media, it’s easy for me conceptualise and craft attention-grabbing and insightful communication campaigns for various brands that arrive at my desk day after day.
Journalism credentials:
As a journalist, again, I have covered a wide range of industries including telecom, cosmetics, health, transport, internet, education, finance, and more. I have had the privilege to meet and interview the opinion leaders, the movers and shakers of these industries in the Middle East region. My features and analytical articles have been published offline and online by some of the most reputed names in business.
Plans for this blog:
I would like to use this blog to post thoughts, ideas and information on advertising, marketing and other creative pursuits.
Your feedback would be appreciated and your views valued.
Let’s get on to the posts then…
