David Balfour

INSPIRATION | This month, THINK EQUAL Project Director Leanne Foy met with Alina Waite, Strategy Lead for Zenith MENA. With 19+ years of global marcomms experience, including work with Coca-Cola and Nike, Alina excels in brand and performance marketing and team development. In this episode, Leanne and Alina delve into  🎙 The crucial role of leaders in fostering environments that celebrate individual achievements.  🎙 Research by McKinsey & Company and Harvard Business Review that highlights how women often hesitate to self-promote.  🎙 How hesitation is heightened in collaborative settings and why leaders should cultivate a culture of recognition. Alina also shares practical tips for women to improve their confidence, including the use of a "feelgood folder" to document and celebrate accomplishments. Don't miss this insightful conversation! Listen now and empower yourself and your team. 🎧✨ Listen here: https://lnkd.in/edAKA23x #Marketing #leadership #THINKEQUAL  

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The strategic efficacy of brand visual characters in marketing 👉 https://bit.ly/3KtmUMJ Sameh Al Tawil سامح الطويل, chief creative director and managing partner at Hive Innovative Group, Dubai, discusses the importance of brand visual characters, and offers a deep dive into his agency’s work for LikeCard’s Cards' Monster. 🗣 "Brand visual characters, often realised as mascots, are essential in sculpting and amplifying the identity and emotional appeal of a brand. These characters, whether depicted as humans, animals or inanimate objects, serve as central figures in marketing narratives, embodying the ethos, values and strategic goals of the brand. They transform abstract corporate identities into relatable and engaging personas that resonate deeply with consumers." #branding #brand #rebrand #design #strategy #transformmagazine

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Dubai Stays Ahead of the Storm: How they’re Minimising Bad Weather Impact ☔️ Dubai recently faced some wild weather, with record rainfall causing flight disruptions and city-wide challenges. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, authorised a series of initiatives, demonstrating the city’s commitment to its people. Here are some highlights: Citizens First: A committee addresses requests from citizens, prioritising repairs and home rehabilitation. Residents Supported: Collaboration between government and property developers provides alternative housing, food distribution, and pest control – all FREE for affected residents! Swift Action: Dedicated committees involving key departments ensure fast and efficient support for everyone impacted. I am impressed by Dubai’s resilience in the face of this challenge. The city’s quick and decisive actions have minimised the impact of the bad weather and ensured that those affected receive the support they need. #Dubai #UAE #Weather #Community #Support #Resilience

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🚀 Day 2 of the #DubaiAIWeb3 Festival was a whirlwind of innovation, insights, and thought-provoking discussions, showcasing the intersection of AI and Web3. 🌟 Opening Remarks The day began with Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC, setting the tone for a deep dive into the future of technology and innovation. 🔍 Shaping the Future with Diversity and Inclusion A fireside chat featuring Caroline Yap (Google Cloud) and Reda Nidhakou (VentureOne) explored how sustainability and inclusion are vital to driving technological advancement, moderated by Jane Witherspoon of Euronews. 🌍 📊 Governance and Data Quality in the Age of Generative AI A dynamic panel with Sachin Dev Duggal (Builder.ai) and Rodrigo Liang (SambaNova Systems) debated the importance of ethics and governance in managing data in AI, emphasizing responsible practices in this evolving landscape. 🔐 🎥 Generative AI for Deep Fakes Maja Pantic from Meta presented an eye-opening keynote on the rise of photorealistic AI and its implications. She highlighted the potential and challenges of deep fakes in transforming industries. 🤖 🔓 Equal Opportunities in an AI-Driven Era Julie Stack from Coursera delivered a powerful keynote on ensuring equal access to AI technologies, driving home the message that AI must be inclusive to unlock its full potential for everyone. 📈 Getting Value from Data in the AI Era A panel featuring Abhinav Shashank (Innovaccer) and Quentin Reyes (HyperFusion) discussed how businesses can extract actionable insights from their data, leveraging it to drive innovation and growth. 📱 Super Apps and AI: A New Era in the Digital Ecosystem Faraz Khalid (Noon) and Abdallah Abu-Sheikh (Astra Tech) explored how Super Apps are transforming the digital ecosystem, with AI playing a pivotal role in enhancing user experiences and operational efficiency. 🌐 Decentralization: Why It Matters In a forward-looking panel, Naveen Gupta (Crystal Intelligence) and Jonathan Victor (Ansa Research) emphasized the importance of decentralization, particularly in Web3, as a key to building more secure and trust-based systems. As the day concluded, one thing was clear: AI and Web3 are reshaping industries and Dubai is at the heart of this transformation. #ArtificialIntelligence #DubaiAIWeb3 #FutureTech #Innovation #DataQuality #DeepFakes #SuperApps #Decentralization #Sustainability #AI Trescon Sharath Ravi Shadi Dawi Prerna Arora Saurabh Singla LAKSHAY GUPTA Tushar Singla Vikas Kaushik ZEX PR WIRE®

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O3 Empowering brands to shine in a crowded marketplace. Let’s make waves together. 🌊 #o3Branding #Exhibitions #Events #o3creatives #o3 #o3dubai #o3saudi  #uae #branding #exhibition #digitalmarketing #work #business #dubai #visualidentity

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The global advertising industry plays a key role in tackling the climate crisis—and Ad Net Zero is leading the charge. Here in the UAE, we’re driving action across our 5-Point Action Plan, working hand-in-hand with agencies, brands, and media to build a sustainable future. From reducing carbon emissions in production to promoting sustainable consumer choices, every step counts. Join us on this journey toward a net-zero advertising industry. Let’s make sustainability the standard. 🌱 💬 What steps is your team taking to make a difference? Share your thoughts below! #AdNetZeroUAE #SustainableAdvertising #ClimateAction

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Understanding the nuances of digital marketing costs is paramount for businesses aiming to thrive in the Saudi market. This comprehensive guide sheds light on various facets, from website development to influencer marketing, providing invaluable insights for informed decision-making. Key takeaways include the significance of investing in a well-designed website as the cornerstone of any digital strategy, alongside the nuances of SEO, PPC advertising, social media marketing, content creation, and email marketing. Moreover, the potential of influencer marketing to forge authentic connections with audiences underscores the evolving landscape of digital outreach. Crucially, the article emphasizes the importance of measuring ROI and optimizing costs to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness. By leveraging data-driven strategies and aligning budgets with objectives, businesses can navigate the competitive Saudi market with confidence. How do you tailor your digital strategies to capitalize on the diverse opportunities in Saudi Arabia's market? #strategy #marketing #roi #SaudiArabia

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Full episode is LIVE! 🎙️ Do you wonder what separates the dreamers from the achievers? For me, it’s always been about the continuous pursuit of big, bold visions. Over the years, my journey with Mystic has been filled with ups, downs, risks, and rewards – but that continual pursuit to keep pushing forward is what’s brought me to where I am today. I recently had the chance to reflect on my experiences in a conversation with Walid on his latest podcast, where we dive deep into an entrepreneur’s journey – out now! Whether you're chasing your own dreams or looking for some inspiration, there’s something valuable in this conversation for everyone. What do you think? #News #Podcast #Agency #Marketing #Advertising #Entrepreneurship #Success #Growth

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We craft stories that spark conversations and conversions.🌟 Reach out to Brown and Green advertising to create content that resonates & elevates your brand story.🙌🏻 #BrownAndGreenAdvertising #BrownAndGreenAdvertisingME #CraftingStories #Branding #ContentCreation #DigitalAdvertisingDubai #TraditionalAdvertisingDubai #MarketingAgency

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🌍 Understanding Cultural Nuances in Branding 🌍 Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, making it a unique market for brands. Successfully navigating this landscape requires a deep understanding of cultural nuances and local sensibilities. Brands that invest in cultural insights are more likely to create authentic connections with their audience, leading to stronger brand loyalty. At Vowels, we prioritize cultural awareness in every branding strategy we develop. How do you incorporate cultural insights into your branding efforts? #Branding #CulturalStrategy #DubaiBusiness #VowelsAgency

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Every epic journey in film begins with a vision, a spark of creativity that ignites the storytelling process. At Al Bait Al Aswad Art Production, we embarked on a project that aimed to blend our rich MENA heritage with contemporary cinematic techniques. Yet, we encountered a significant obstacle—integrating cutting-edge AI tools into our traditional workflows. This challenge felt daunting, but we saw it as an opportunity for growth. By collaborating with tech innovators and tapping into AI’s potential, we transformed our processes—from scriptwriting and storyboarding to post-production. The result was not just a seamless film production experience but a masterpiece that resonated with audiences. What we learned through this experience is invaluable: embracing change fosters creativity and innovation. It’s vital to remain open to new ideas and partnerships, as they can lead to breakthroughs that elevate our narratives. For anyone standing at the crossroads of tradition and innovation—remember that every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. Keep pushing boundaries, collaborate with those around you, and let your stories inspire the world. 🌍🎥 #AlBaitAlAswad #FilmProduction #CreativeCollaboration #CinematicInnovation

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🧐Which brands are the most talked about so far in 2024?👀 YouGov’s new report highlights the 10 brands that have registered the greatest increase to their word-of-mouth exposure scores across multiple markets including the UAE and KSA. Find out which brands topped the list during January, February and March 2024! The data is taken from YouGov BrandIndex, a syndicated brand tracker which continuously collects data on thousands of brands around the globe every day. Check out the report now👉https://okt.to/QsL3A4

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Abu Dhabi is attracting film producers to the city by offering them up to 50 per cent cashback rebate, the emirate's Creative Media Authority and Abu Dhabi Film Commission announced on Monday. The increase in cashback rebate from 35 per cent to 50 per cent for international, regional and local production companies on in-market production and post-production costs will be applicable based on certain criteria and a point-based system. Studies show that visiting production teams significantly contributes to the local economy through transport, logistics and accommodation, but leads to unbeatable showcasing opportunities for the destination, which in turn contributes to several sectors, including tourism. Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission, said: “As an Emirati, leading the film commission of Abu Dhabi, it gives me great pride to see that the new rebate guidelines will provide specific incentives to those who support Emirati talent on and off-screen from the film and production industry. With these incentives, I look forward to seeing increasing Emirati narratives, created by Emiratis and told by Emiratis, which will transcend geographical borders and support the Emirati cultural legacy for generations to come” #FilmFraternity #IndianFilmmakers #CreativeEdge #Production #Talent #Filming #AbuDhabiFilmCommission #CreativeMediaAuthority

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🚀 Just wrapped up an amazing ROBLOX Roadshow for Magna MENA and what a blast it was! 🎮✨ Hosted by Ravi Arya Dutt. We dove deep into how ROBLOX is shaping the future of digital marketing and the huge potential it holds for brands looking to engage with Gen Z and beyond for the MENA and GCC region. Some key takeaways from the session: 🔑 Short-Term Wins: • 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 to ROBLOX’s massive global community of 80 Million daily and 360M+ MAU • Create 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 that engage, entertain, and build loyalty in a fun, interactive way. • Reach 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆—from MENA to the world! 🌱 Long-Term Gains: • 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 with Roblox: brands can lead the charge in innovative digital engagement. • Build 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 and long-term relationships with younger audiences who are native to virtual spaces. • Set your brand up for 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 with platforms that blend the physical and digital worlds seamlessly! Shoutout to Magna MENA and thank you Santadip Roy for bringing your team and in embracing the future of digital marketing! 🎯🚀 The future of entertainment, travel, and hospitality marketing just got a whole lot more exciting! 🌍 #Roblox #GenXMedia #MagnaAgency #DigitalMarketing #Metaverse #FutureOfMarketing #GamingMarketing #VirtualWorlds

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It’s exciting to see how fast marketers worldwide are adopting Flam’s AI infra to 10x the impact of their ads 🚀 Al Karama, one of Dubai’s oldest and very prominent names in retail, goes live with our publishing partner Dar AlKhaleej for Press, Printing and Publishing. This speed of penetration is just unbelievable!

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Our team is all set for hosting the Adjust Growth Workshop in Dubai. This event will bring together marketing experts to delve into the latest in Adjust growth features and SKAN best practices. Looking forward to a day of innovative marketing strategies and engaging with professionals on top of their games. Stay tuned for updates! #AdjustGrowthWorkshop #MarketingInnovation #DigitalMarketing #Martech #Adjust #eCENS #IndustryInsights #DubaiEvents

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Levelling up: tapping into the brand and marketing benefits of the booming esports and gaming sector in KSA. Full article and contributing voices, including Dan Lord. 👇

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