Copywriter Journalist

Advertising blog by Farrukh Naeem, journalist and copywriter in UAE (Abu Dhabi, near Dubai)

• Home
• Copywriter Journalist - Who is it?

Advertising agencies at the IAA World Congress March 27, 2006

Advertising agencies had their stalls at the IAA World Congress in Dubai, in the exhibition area strategically placed between the presentation hall and the dining area.

So, on all three days of the Congress, we had to pass by the agency stalls to get to the food and the coffee.

The Euro RSCG Promopub stall with its list of clients plastered on its wall. Literally. For stalls like these, I had to wait for the people to disappear to shoot the entire design.

The Fortune Promoseven stall - with a massage sofa. Hmmm… this I think was a good idea - but just one chair for 2000 delegates?
Much could have been done to make this massage idea stand out, and in turn, the stall. The copy on the wall caught my attention.

The Horizon FCB stall. Lots and lots of text. Like a 3-D version of a corporate leaflet. And something about "full_contact". Underscore seems to be the in thing, these days, what with Nissan's "shift_the future", etc.

And, I had to take a picture of this promo ad I have earlier seen in print. Being a copywriter, all the world's design cannot lure me away from good copy. This one is: credits to Shahir Ahmed of Team Y&R who I was told at the stall is the writer of this ad that was displayed at the Y&R stall.

The 40th IAA World Congress: The Opening March 25, 2006

The 40th IAA World Congress was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (picture: in the centre) at the Dubai International Convention Centre on 21 March 2006.

On his behalf, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group (picture: first from left), welcomed the speakers, delegates and other guests to the event. The inaugural address was given by our very own Joseph Ghossoub (picture: first from right), the new IAA Chairman and World President.

The picture above was taken by me. This is the closest I have ever come to our visionary leader, Sheikh Mohammad. Well, good picture I think - considering I was hesitant to get too close.

Coming back to business. In his speech Sheikh Ahmed said,”There could hardly be a better time or place to address the ‘Challenges of Change’ other than right here in Dubai.”

I found this to be a common feeling across all delegates I met and networked with at the Congress. People were amazed at what they saw across the cfity of the Congress - at the pace of change and development.

“We will not stop building ourselves a truly world-class communications capability to encompass advertising, marketing, branding, public relations and all other related disciplines,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

He praised the current talent pool in our city thus: “Here in Dubai we have access to some of the best and brightest minds in the region, and from around the world.”

“The time is right for us to tap into this creativity, and take up the challenge of growth to create a city that is truly unique in the world: not just a city made of glass, steel and concrete, but a city made of ideas, creativity and opportunity,” he noted.

This was the part of his speech I really liked, and look forward to seeing - not just cold concrete, steel structures but a city buzzing with the warmth of innovation and creativity.

Whatsay you?

40th IAA World Congress in Dubai: Missed it?

The 40th IAA World Congress held last week in Dubai was so packed with events, ii is not possible for me to put it all in one post. There is so much to share with my advertising and marketing readers on this blog. And the creative guys and girls. I hope to do it in a series of posts.

For every one delegate who attended there must have been be 99 others who might have wanted to but couldn’t, because of deadlines, client commitments, and the young ones - because of their position in the agency hierarchy and the steep entry fee.

I was surrounded by the big-wigs and missed the young torch-bearers of tomorrow at the Congress. They are the ones who will live to see the change and perhaps the ones to usher it in - but mostly what I saw was grey hair. I have feeling the young ones would have come on their own, these fresh talented ones, if they could afford the few thousand dollars.

Not to worry - here are people like me - bringing you what you might have missed. Sharing the learnings and knowledge with you.

It’s going to happen in many posts - not just one. But a series of posts. Starting now.

If you are lovin’ it, show me some TLC with your comments on this blog, and spread the word. Link to me and maybe I’ll be encouraged enough to post the pictures of the desert safari on Day 2, or rather, Night 2 of the Congress. It was naughtayyy, me lad. Very naughty, indeed.

The 40th International Advertising Association (IAA) World Congress in Dubai March 22, 2006

The Venue of the 40th IAA World Congress
Dubai International Convention Centre

I reached the venue just after 8 am. Things were quite. But the event host team, in their black uniforms were ready to receive guests - an hour beforehand. Right at the very beginning I saw the Gulf News counter and was tempted to take a copy of the day’s paper - but it looked like a lot of pages to carry. Later, I told myself.