A creative copywriter is looking for a job – will you hire him? March 15, 2011

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising,Copywriting , 7 comments

How hard can finding a good freelance copywriter be, specially in a place like Abu Dhabi or Dubai, UAE?

Creative Directors, headhunters and recruiters in the region will tell you it’s not easy.

It’s easy to get a lot of CVs and resumes and people eager to show portfolios of work for copywriting.

But give a potential copywriting hire a piece of long copy to write, and everything starts to fall apart.

For me as an independent freelance copywriter and social media consultant based in Abu Dhabi, near Dubai, UAE – I’ve been seeing the demand for long copy rising even more with the increasing role of digital content in brand communication. Ironically, long copy writers are becoming an endangered species.

Good news for the surviving relics like me who love to string words together. Sentence by sentence. Who haven’t sacrificed their craft for prose at the altar of creative awards. Whose portfolio is not simply a series of mostly unpublished visual puns. Old fashioned wordsmiths who can write like they talk – and end up convincing people with ‘salesmanship in print’ as the ad legends preferred to call the art of copy.

Coming to the point of this post, here is an email I received from someone who wishes to apply for a copywriter job. This email is a good sign of the times.

And a serious reminder that if you do find a copywriter who can write long copy and write it well – hold on to him. Pamper him. Pay him well. And don’t let him out of your sight. Or…

Application received by CopywriterJournalist.com for a copywriting job

======================================================

Copywriter Job Application

======================================================

So, what do you think are the chances of our friend above landing a copywriting job? Would you be interested in seeing his 500+ ad concepts? I am really curious to read the 46 TVC scripts and press ads.

Freelance Copywriting Tip – How to spot a bad client in 60 seconds December 29, 2010

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising,Copywriting,Freelancing , 4 comments

1. Wants to know your fee BEFORE seeing your work

2. Wants a quote before explaining scope of work

3. Keeps repeating ‘it’s a very simple job’ (NOT)

4. Asks you to meet his ‘committee’ or ‘board’ first

5. Says ‘Actually, I can do it myself’ if I have time

6. Says ‘Don’t worry about the money – we always pay’ – even if you haven’t expressed your worry

7. Reluctant to pay anything upfront or even on delivery – and mentions ‘if approved’

8. Wants multiple options but only wants to pay for one

9. Does not have content and asks you to look up other websites to get content

10. Asks you to call him back if you want his business – great clients call you first if they have seen and liked your work

Got more tips to spot evil clients? Share them in the comments! Are you a client who does this? Confess!

39th UAE National Day Celebration Images from Abu Dhabi December 13, 2010

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising , add a comment

The 39th UAE National Day in 2010 was one of the most memorable with people from all nationalities joining in the celebrations as always. Buildings lighted up. Cars decorated in the most unexpected ways. And wars of foam. Here are a few moments captured in the capital – Abu Dhabi.

John Carlton’s Simple Writing System Workshop by Stan Dahl in Dubai, UAE November 12, 2010

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising,Copywriting,Events , 3 comments

Would you like to attend an intensive 6-hour interactive workshop based on John Carlton’s Simple Writing System right here in Dubai, UAE, with a 100% discount on the course fee? Read on…

For all those readers who’ve been asking for copywriting advice
Being one of the first blogging copywriters in the UAE, I’ve been asked so many times on my blog on advertising in the UAE and the Middle East about copywriting courses. I’ve been helping people with copywriting advice and tips myself but haven’t been able to point them to a course here because there isn’t any to my knowledge.

This week, it’s a different story.

John Carlton’s Simple Writing System comes to Dubai – all the way from San Francisco
On 14 November, three days from now, Stan Dahl who is the business partner of John Carlton, will be in Dubai to present John Carlton’s Simple Writing System. It will be an interactive 6-hour workshop by Stan that I think could benefit anyone to whom content is important – from traditional copywriters to people who market or communicate online.

Stan Dahl’s workshop is part of a paid event – the annual Unlimited Power Online event organised by Ernesto Verdugo, Gautam Ganglani, Elin Kilicarslan and Kim Wusten. I’ve been attending many events of this team since they first started three years ago and have blogged about it too.

The BIG NEWS, for which I am making this post is this…

20 free seats to Stan Dahl’s workshop in Dubai. Claim yours now!
Ernesto has offered a 100% waiver of the workshop fee for 20 readers of my blog.

Yes, readers of my blog can attend this rare 6-hour Simple Writing System workshop for free. If you act really FAST (only 2 days to go).

Stan Dahl’s workshop in Dubai – the details:
Date: Sunday, 14 November 2010
Time: 14.00 to 21.00 hrs (Timings subject to change)
Venue: DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

All you have to do to get a chance to attend this workshop for free and to stay updated with any such opportunities in the future for copywriting and related updates is to submit your details in the form below. Even if you miss the event or are not among the 20 lucky people to get the free seats, submit your details if you’d like to receive news of future copywriting events, courses and useful copywriting updates from me.

And if you are still wondering who John Carlton is…
John Carlton’s website calls him “the most ripped-off and respected copywriter alive”, he is the man behind rebelmarketer.com and SimpleMarketingSystem.com where he is recommended by the likes of Frank Kern, John Reese, Perry Marshall, Yanik Silver – the who’s who of the internet marketing world. He also seems to be the copywriter’s copywriter, with glowing testimonials from Dan Kennedy, Kevin Hill and Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero.

John Carlton Farrukh Naeem UPO Dubai

I had met John and Stan when they were in Dubai for the first edition of Unlimited Power Online in 2008. This time it’s going to be Stan, John’s business partner, who’s presenting. Looking forward to a useful workshop on Sunday.

Call me at 0507151722 if you want to attend but find the above very confusing.

GEMAS Effie Awards 2010 in Dubai showcase rising use of social media in the Middle East November 10, 2010

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising,Advertising Awards,Events,Featured Main Post,Marketing,Marketing Awards,Social Media , add a comment

The Middle East’s advertising effectiveness is put to test at the annual GEMAS Effie Awards every year in Dubai, UAE. This year, the Award presentation ceremony was held on 4 November at Joharah Ballroom in the enchanting Madinat Jumeirah complex.

The breathtaking Madinat Jumeirah venue

Siobhan Adams, the Managing Editor of Gulf Marketing Review and a good friend had extended a special invitation to CopywriterJournalist to attend, as always. And an event like this needs to persuasion, of course. So here is what it was all about. From a non-corporate, e-journalist point of view.

What’s different about GEMAS Effies?
It’s a great place to see effective advertising rising above the self-serving clever ads designed to win creative awards. It’s the right place to spot marketers who ask for results. It’s an advertising and marketing award where the jury is not composed of ad people alone but also people from the research and marketing side. It’s a hard award to win by chance.

Who’s behind the GEMAS Effies?
The people behind the award are Mediaquest – the publishers of Gulf Marketing Review (GMR) and Communicate. And if you’ve been reading the news – over the years they’ve acquired many good titles and added more variety to their portfolio.

Alexandre Julien Hawari Mediaquest GEMAS Effies

Alexandre Hawari and Julien Hawari of Mediaquest Corp with Roy Haddad of JWT MENA

Of suits, ties, and the-client-is-with-us effect
The function was like most advertising awards ceremonies. Suits. Ties. Miniskirts. Dinner. And the best part of it all – the coveted metal!

As opposed to the creative awards, maybe because we agency people tend to behave a bit when on the same table with our clients, some creatively-inclined people might have missed the sound of stadium horns that would be heard if this was a creative award. Oh yes, and the winners did not get to deliver any Oscar-winning speeches. Instead, time was given to showcase the numbers of the winning campaigns in the gigantic screens. All results. No BS. Nice.

Media-Marketing-Agency-Client – an award that pleases all
It was interesting to note that many awards were submitted by media agencies rather than advertising agencies. Is it because those were media innovation ideas. Did the media agencies create those campaigns? Or was it simply because the media agencies are in a better position to track statistics? It would be interesting to know.

Social Media has arrived in MENA. With a bang.
In the earlier edition of this award, CopywriterJournalist.com had been the rare tweeter live tweeting the event. But the rising power of social media was hard to miss this year – in award entries as well as in the volume in live tweets being generated as the awards were announced. The award had its own dedicated hashtag:

GEMAS Effies Awards 2010 Dubai UAE Twitter Tweets Hashtag

Facebook activations, site visits, registrations dominated the presentations. Of course, the entries also inspired, enlightened, entertained the audience.

Anything that’s online gets more bang for the bucks, or dirhams. We all know that. And while years ago this blog was posting about digital agencies lamenting the miniscule online budgets, digital and social is now where the money’s at.

That’s one good thing that has come out of the recession – well deserved respect for the digital landscape in the region. A greater focus on accountability for every dollar spent.

Digital campaigns offer measurable results

The awards and its winners are an indication that we are moving from exposures to engagement. From viewers to followers and fans. This was evident in most of the entries. And it made us digital addicts feel good all over.

Oh. And the funniest part was…
Not the one about an agency coming up and receiving an award only to have another agency sneak up and whisper in the MC’s ear that THEY were the real winners. So, the first group had to give back the award which was then presented to the actual winners. It wasn’t funny. Heartbreaking rather.

What really was funny and a big hand to the organisers for making it happen was the funny thing called Sugar Sammy. He had the audience in splits with his live and interactive act about why he loves Lebanese girls. No prizes for guessing why he chose that demographic in this city. It worked. Big time. But before you get get carried away now – on to some serious business.

GEMAS Effies Awards 2010 Winners
TBWA\RAAD ME won the Grand Prix of the night for its uaeexplorer.com campaign for Standard Chartered.

$TBWA\RAAD ME GEMAS effie 2010 Grand Prix Winner$

TBWARAAD ME team jubilant after receiving their GEMAS Effie 2010 Grand Prix Award

Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communication of Emirates was declared Marketer of the Year.

FP7 Bahrain seemed to be stealing the show with their Batelco work with a certain Mr Fadi Yaish (you’ve seen him in the awards pictures in years gone by on this blog) making a comeback on the awards circuit, this time for effectiveness. And he was the best dressed man for the GEMAS marketing event in the eyes of CopywriterJournalist because this blogger has a weakness for social media. Here’s why:

Fadi Yaish wearing his brand's Facebook link

So, as you can see, Facebook and the rest of the digital amazingness was everywhere.

CATEGORIES

Cosmetics & Fragrance
Silver: Beiersdorf | How Nivea Angelstar wowed teens in the ME | OMD & Horizon Draftfcb

Non-FMCG
Gold: Henkel Arabia | Arwa3 Abaya Persil | OMD
Gold: Exotica | Valentine | Leo Burnett Beirut

Sports Marketing
Silver: Batelco | World Cup: Debate the Game | FP7/BAH
Bronze: Coca-Cola | FIFA World Cup Anthem Waving Flag | UM Dubai

Electronics/Computers
Silver: HP Middle East | touch GITEX Now | OMD
Bronze: Arab Business Machine | Love iPod | LOWE MENA

There were no winners in the Media and Travel, Tourism & Transportation categories. So brands in this category, take note.

Agencies not seen much in action this year were digital players Flip Media and direct players Wunderman – favourites of CopywriterJournalist.com. Digital and direct one would think have the best advantage in the effectiveness game.

So how has the year been for you? How did your agency fare? Let’s discuss this and more in the comments…

Important information if you are subscribed to my blog posts by email November 7, 2010

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising , add a comment

If you’re subscribed to CopywriterJournalist.com’s latest blog posts via email (Feedburner), please read this post.

I am moving my subscribers to the spam-free and reliable AWeber service.

All my Feedburner subscribers will receive an email (from AWeber) asking to confirm their subscription to Farrukh Naeem’s updates.

Please follow the instructions in that email so that you’re subscribed to the new emailing system.

A special gift awaits you when you’re done with the process…

20 free tips on using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google like a pro for better business leads and more productivity.

I’m sure you’d find it useful. Unless you don’t use any of the above. What’s your planet, then?

Why advertising in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE does not have more UAE nationals… May 13, 2010

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising , 14 comments

There’s something missing in UAE’s advertising.

Local flavour.

When was the last time you looked at an ad produced in the UAE and chuckled at the local touch in it? Never?

If a country doesn’t have its own homegrown talent in its ad agencies, how do you expect its advertising to have a uniquely local flavour? (Think Piyush Pandey of Ogilvy and street language.)

I have always felt that we need to have more and more young locals, meaning Emiratis, writing and designing ads in the UAE. If we can have a cartoon like Freej set in Satwa – why can’t we have ads celebrating UAE life?

In one of my earliest blog posts, I had a Creative Director of a large multinational company saying that UAE locals aren’t inclined towards advertising as a profession because of its overworked, underpaid culture compared to the other career options they have. That’s been the assumption in most ad circles I suspect.

But then, what if there are talented and willing Emirati youngsters eager and passionate to prove their creativity in advertising, like the rest of their global counterparts?

Should they not be given a chance? I’d say we should welcome them into agencies with open arms.

Here’s Ms UAE National (name withheld for privacy), a reader of my blog and someone really really passionate about advertising. She wrote to me about her experience as a UAE local in the local ad industry.

It was an eye opener.

And it broke my heart to see such passion not being acknowledged by the powers that be.

Here’s what she wrote:

Dear Farrukh,

I know you don’t know me, but I have been following your blog. I came across your blog when I was a student researching things on advertising here. I am probably the only national who is insane enough to be extremely passionate about advertising. (I haven’t met anyone with a similar ambition yet, and at the rate things are I am assuming I won’t for a very very long time) I don’t know why I am sending you this, but I guess I want a professional’s take on this given you’ve been in the industry for years. I would greatly appreciate your advice.

I am very frustrated because advertising has failed me. I believed in advertising more than anything. I studied it, graduated with honors, the first in my college, I love it infinitely. I landed an internship with [name of multinational agency brand] in 2007.

They were so fascinated with the fact I am a UAE national that does art direction, understands & thinks advertising and is very conceptual. The feedback I got from people there was great and it felt really like I have found my true calling. Some people even mistakenly took me for an employee.

I was the only national in the building, but I proved many stereotypes wrong. I really never wanted to leave that building. Towards the end of my internship, they offered me a job, but since I hadn’t graduated yet, I couldn’t accept it, as my university was a full-time institution.

After graduation, I contacted them again for a junior art director position, but for a while there were none.

I tried with other agencies and not a single response.

In any case, eventually I needed to accept a job. So, I worked as a graphic designer with a very prestigious multicultural real estate company.

I never stopped asking [name of multinational advertising agency in Dubai] if they had any vacancies though, kept in contact, and tried with other endless agencies. After almost two years, it seemed that the GD job wasn’t where I wanted to be and there was nothing more to learn. I resigned in hopes of finding an agency job.

I am well-aware of the economic crisis and have seen its impact first hand while in the company. However, I believed that if a man opened up an agency during the great depression, then there’s hope and miracles could happen.

Things have picked up since I was relentlessly trying last year, as we were unfolding a crisis. I have seen few openings at agencies, I have had initial responses, very few.

Only two, out of the lists I have contacted.

I filled every annoying web application and found out every possible vacancy that exists in Dubai.

However, I am afraid there’s more to it than that…

It’s not the crisis- no vacancies-no jobs excuse anymore. Obviously, they won’t be posting if they weren’t hiring. I think agencies are scared of hiring a national or worried or blinded by the negative stereotypes. Perhaps agencies assume nationals aren’t used to the hours, or the pressure, or the deadlines…or..etc.

I don’t know what it is, but it’s killing me.

Many agencies claim on their websites that they are equal-opportunity employers, but I came to realize that if they really really were, there would be more diverse nationalities at agencies than we currently have here. People would be represented better and the quality of ideas wouldn’t be as biased and from a single source or mindset.

I know that everywhere there’s discrimination and preferences based on nationalities, or gender especially in this region. It’s unfortunate, but I believe we’re all human though.

In any case, I know it’s not the ideal time to be looking and hoping for an agency job. But, I won’t be young, willing, and able forever. I tried waiting, but it only pushed my dream further away… until someday.

I don’t appreciate those who complain about nationals not being too into this business, because now I know why even if they wanted to, it seems near impossible. I know, impossible is nothing. I majored in creative advertising because I saw a gap and hoped to be able to make a difference, I knew it wasn’t easy, but I never seemed to like easy things. I was prepared for all that the job would bring, except the fact that it would never come in the first place to bring with it anything for me to be up against.

I am at a crossroad again. I have a few offers with non-agencies for a design or a regular media job. Somewhere ordinary, doing ordinary things.

I have zero potential offers with agencies.

Those initial responses turned into deliberate ignores after I sent over my CV & portfolio. So, I am really trying to decide whether I should continue believing in advertising or abandon my dream & stop planning my life around it?

I dream of becoming a CD one day, the first national who have ever made it in ad land. I dream of achieving, teaching, and writing on all things advertising.

I don’t know why I chose to write this ridiculously long email and feel extremely idiotic, but perhaps it’s my SOS before this dream dies away with time, frustrations, and failed attempts. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to eventually be another talent the industry fails to see.

Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Ms UAE National

So, here’s someone challenging the notion that UAE nationals do not want to work in advertising. But who’s going to give her a chance to prove it? Your comments invited…

Copywriter in UAE completes four years of advertising blogging January 27, 2010

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising , 14 comments

It’s a special day for CopywriterJournalist.com – one of the first English advertising and copywriting blogs in the Middle East. My blog. Today this blog has completed four fruitful years.

This blog started its journey on 26 January 2006. Then, 98 posts and more than 2800 comments later, it’s still going strong.

The Guardian, UK has cited this blog. Regional ad publications and editors follow my blog and stories. Most have approached me to write for them at one point or another – and often, I have.

I was the first blogger to receive an official Press Accreditation for Cannes Awards managed Dubai Lynx, a great win for the ad blogging community in the Middle East. Numerous requests for insights, comment, reports, research and collaboration came my way through this blog.

There was even a time when I had to remove my telephone number from the pages here because my colleagues at work found my incoming calls ‘disturbing’. Needless to say – I loved it. To me, it is proof that my copy works. And I am always happy to help an ad friend in need.

My readers usually got immediate responses over the phone and as I write this, I think I have answered more than a thousand comments on my blog. Hard work? Yes. Waste of time, definitely not.

During these four years, creatives found jobs through this blog. Companies found talent. Freshers got guidance. Researchers picked up useful nuggets. Ad veterans found a place to share their wisdom. And rant too. Freelancers found amazing gigs.

Spammers found another place to sell more Viagra – but of course got caught by my spam filter. Sorry guys – I don’t need it. Yet.

Advertising icons of our time honoured this blog with their comments and feedback. People like the copywriting legend and Booker-nominated Indra Sinha and Drayton Bird – the king of Direct Marketing. I am humbled!

All of this has been possible thanks to you, dear readers.

Most blogs die when passion demands its price – hard, gruelling, selfless commitment. My posts were few and far between too at times when I just didn’t have the time.

But you, dear reader, kept coming back to my blog. Reading, commenting, checking if all was well. And asking for more.

You made me come back and write for you – and I was happy to do so. Even during the days when my personal life was falling apart and my career was going through its most challenging year. You kept the faith. So, I did too.

Thank you.

Here’s my tribute to you – your feedback and comments on my copywriting blog <— click here to read

As for all those people who thought I was a fool spending too much time on this ‘blogging thing’, here’s my answer to why I blog and hope to continue doing so…

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And in passing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints that perhaps another
Sailing over life’s solemn main
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Dear readers, once again, thank you for keeping this blog and me going… stay that way!

As always – your comments are invited and looked forward to – comment on this post by clicking here

farrukh

Copywriter job in Doha Qatar – Immediate posting January 5, 2010

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising , 7 comments

A copywriter job for a month is available starting immediately at a well known through-the-line advertising agency in Doha, Qatar.
The agency is looking for a copywriter with 5 to 7 years experience handling reputed brands
.You need to be a people person, with loads of passion for advertising and ideas.
Someone who is self motivated, and needs no supervision.
Your job would involve:
• Developing/revising creative ideas and concepts, in partnership with the art director/ art team and client servicing team.
• Writing original, clear, persuasive copy
• Proofreading
• Keeping up to date with clients’ products/services, target audience and their competitors’ activities;∙
• Overseeing campaigns through the production stage to completion
• Working on several campaigns at once, meeting deadlines
• Keeping up to date with popular culture and trends
The compensation would be 6000 Qatari Riyal plus bachelor accommodation + return air ticket + temporary visa
This is a temporary position for 30 days, with the possibility of long-term employment based on calibre and work results.

If you’re interested in this copywriting job in Qatar, mail your CV to farrukh.copywriter(at)gmail.com immediately or call Farrukh on +971507151722

Christmas Tree Made of Toblerone Chocolate in Dubai, UAE December 26, 2009

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at www.copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising , add a comment

A Christmas Tree made of chocolate

Here’s a treat on the occasion of Christmas for all my blog readers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE and around the world… a Christmas tree made of Toblerone chocolates… treating chocoholics since 1868. Enjoy!

Christman Tree Made of Toblerone Chocolate

Christmas Tree Made of Toblerone Chocolate in Dubai, UAE

I had taken this picture last year at the Unlimited Power Online Conference at the Mövenpick Hotel Bur Dubai. That’s where I met Michael Koenigs of Traffic Geyser, John Carlton – the copywriting legend, Mike Filsaime known for his Butterfly Marketing, Russell Brunson, Barry Dunlop, Dean Hunt, Andrew Lock, Reg Athwal – active people in the internet marketing world.

If this tree isn’t intelligent, delicious advertising, what is? There was even a prize for guessing how many bars are in that tree. What was your favourite Christmas ad idea? Comments are open…

older posts »

A creative copywriter is looking for a job – will you hire him? March 15, 2011

Freelance Copywriting Tip – How to spot a bad client in 60 seconds December 29, 2010

39th UAE National Day Celebration Images from Abu Dhabi December 13, 2010

John Carlton’s Simple Writing System Workshop by Stan Dahl in Dubai, UAE November 12, 2010

GEMAS Effie Awards 2010 in Dubai showcase rising use of social media in the Middle East November 10, 2010

Important information if you are subscribed to my blog posts by email November 7, 2010

Why advertising in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE does not have more UAE nationals… May 13, 2010

Copywriter in UAE completes four years of advertising blogging January 27, 2010

Copywriter job in Doha Qatar – Immediate posting January 5, 2010

Christmas Tree Made of Toblerone Chocolate in Dubai, UAE December 26, 2009

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