Ian Akerman, Author at Campaign Middle East

TaskSpotting founder Karim Aly on people power and brand advocacy

Ian Akerman — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 09:25:48 +0000

In February this year Karim Aly and I met in Cafe M at the Media One hotel. We were there ostensibly to discuss the harnessing of consumer advocates and the mobilisation of word-of-mouth, but ended up talking identity for much of the tail-end of the meeting. Identity is key for TaskSpotting, the company he co-founded and […]

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Sound and vision: BKP Media Group targets growth and millennials

Ian Akerman — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:00:21 +0000

Douglas Palau has joined BKP Media Group with ambitious plans for growth. Iain Akerman caught up with him to find out more If there’s one thing you can rely on, it’s Douglas Palau’s sense of occasion. Word of his impending departure from Impact BBDO had begun to emerge in February, but it wasn’t until May […]

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‘We live in a region where human rights are often at stake’

Ian Akerman — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 04:30:45 +0000

Leo Burnett Beirut’s ‘Legally Bride’ won a Glass Lion at Cannes. Jo Chemali explains why more agencies should be involved in the fight for social change and the battle against archaic practices. Kafa, a Lebanese NGO that fights for women, children and familial rights in Lebanon, approached us last November to create a campaign against […]

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A Cannes Lions to remember?

Ian Akerman — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 04:28:43 +0000

The region walked away from Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity with 26 Lions, but can the haul be classified as a success? It was an eventful week in Cannes for agencies across the Middle East and North Africa, but sometimes it’s hard to live up to the success of previous years. No titanium awards, no […]

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King Tut courts controversy with ‘Talking babies’ ads

Ian Akerman — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 11:12:52 +0000

Cairo agency King Tut’s Playground has caused controversy in Egypt with one of the most talked about campaigns of Ramadan. Juhayna’s ‘Talking babies’ went viral, leading to millions of Facebook and YouTube views, as well as the creation of numerous memes, hashtags and remixes before being taken off air by the country’s Consumer Protection Agency […]

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Can Mike Shackle help Grey matter?

Ian Akerman — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 04:30:24 +0000

Some 10 years ago, Grey was nowhere. Not regionally or globally. For years, it was at the dog-end of the agency scale and looked like it would remain there for eternity. It was characterised by bland internationalised work and a clammy air of defeat. Then something happened. It began to be good again. Thanks largely […]

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Why we’re loving: Myriam Boulos

Ian Akerman — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 04:00:21 +0000

WHAT SHE’S DONE The young photographer recently snapped Lebanon’s new generation of young creatives for high-end clothing retailer Aïshti. She also participated in Ras Masqa Artists in Residence and is the woman behind two projects detailing Beirut’s underground nightlife – Vertiges du matin (Morning Vertigo) and Nightshift. Tell us about yourself. My name is Myriam […]

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Leo Burnett Beirut wins Glass Lion for ‘Legally Bride’

Ian Akerman — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 22:12:17 +0000

Leo Burnett Beirut has won a Glass Lion and a bronze in direct for its hugely successful ‘Legally Bride’ campaign for Lebanese NGO Kafa. The win came during the first night of awards at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Memac Ogilvy Dubai also won gold in print & publishing thanks to Ikea Saudi Arabia’s ‘It’s that affordable’ […]

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SocialEyez wins Dubai Parks and Resorts brief

Ian Akerman — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 05:33:23 +0000

Digital engagement agency SocialEyez has won the social media brief for Dubai Parks and Resorts. Situated opposite the Palm Jebel Ali, the region’s largest integrated theme park destination is scheduled to open in October this year. The Dubai-based agency will manage all social media activities, monitoring and content creation for the overall destination as well […]

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Industry shocked by the death of MullenLowe’s Mark Lewis

Ian Akerman — Sun, 29 May 2016 10:41:28 +0000

Tributes have poured in for Mark Lewis, executive creative director at MullenLowe MENA, who passed away suddenly last week. A visibly shocked industry reacted to news of his death with disbelief, posting condolences on social media and questioning the suddenness of his passing. “The most committed, loyal, positive, pure person I have ever met. We […]

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