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Creator Sessions

Creator Sessions

By Create Group

'The Creator Sessions' are candid interviews & conversations with like-minded industry folk, entrepreneurs & start-up founders, sharing their experiences and swapping stories over coffee at our office. That’s it! Hosted by Create and Create Production founders - Tom Otton and Dia Hassan – this is where we talk all things digital, content and start-up culture and share some valuable agency insights. Join our audio community today.
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Daily Digital Updates 03-06-18

Creator SessionsJun 04, 2018

00:00
01:06
In Conversation with Kim Jerbo

In Conversation with Kim Jerbo

Tom & Dia sat down with our new Executive Creative Director, the one and only Kim Jerbo, to talk about his diverse and exciting career trajectory, his approach to the creative process and the dynamics of client-agency relationships across different markets.

Mar 05, 202449:48
In Conversation with Moadh Bukhash

In Conversation with Moadh Bukhash

Tom & Dia had an inspiring conversation on creativity and the new era of digital marketing with Moadh Bukhash, Chief Marketing Officer of Emirates NBD.

 

From his unexpected career journey to sharing insights on the evolving marketing landscape, this episode is a must-listen for all creatives and industry enthusiasts.

Feb 16, 202401:08:20
In Conversation with Majed Al Mansoori

In Conversation with Majed Al Mansoori

Majed Al Mansoori, Deputy Executive Director of the Museum of The Future, joined us for a chat about his career growth for the latest episode of Creator Sessions. From youth delegate to engineer to creative marketer and then climbing the ranks at MOTF from Project Manager, Majed has accomplished a lot in just 13 years. 

Jan 10, 202444:12
 Create Echo - Episode 2

Create Echo - Episode 2

Welcome to Episode 2 of Create Echo, the mini podcast that’s on its way to becoming your go-to source for anything company, community and industry-related.


In this episode, Kate gives us updates about TikTok's Creator Programme, some new developments over at X (formerly Twitter), and more.


Dec 11, 202302:53
In conversation with Katie Golding

In conversation with Katie Golding

Meet marketing maven Katie Golding, Chief Marketing Officer of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG). We had a blast chatting with her on the podcast about everything from her passion for trail running, women’s empowerment in the region, and many anecdotes from her illustrious career.


Oct 17, 202333:32
Create Echo - Episode 1

Create Echo - Episode 1

Introducing: Create Echo 📢

This bi-weekly mini-podcast is your new go-to scoop on all things Create (plus the latest in tech, innovation and much more to keep you in the know)!


In this episode, Tala gives us updates about the latest Whatsapp features, some special Emirati Women's Day Episodes of the Creator Sessions, and some developments over at Create.



Oct 05, 202302:10
Emirati Women’s Day: In Conversation with Aysha Al Hamrani

Emirati Women’s Day: In Conversation with Aysha Al Hamrani

In the final Emirati Women’s Day episode, Tala invited artist and illustrator Aysha Al Hamrani to the podcast. You may know her as @mnawrah online, and her charming illustrations have been featured in everything from cosmetic campaigns to children’s books.


They spoke about Emirati culture, Aysha’s highly self-reflective journey as an artist from the days of yore on Flickr & MySpace, and where she is today as a pioneer in her domain. 


Find her on Instagram: @mnawrah

Fellow artist and friend Maitha Hamdan’s Instagram: @maithahamdan


Aug 28, 202301:01:30
Emirati Women’s Day: In Conversation with Aida Al Busaidy

Emirati Women’s Day: In Conversation with Aida Al Busaidy

In the second episode of our special Emirati Women’s Day series, Tala had a fascinating conversation with Aida Al Busaidy—a woman who’s worn many hats (or should we say sheilas?) in her career. 


Aida’s impressive journey through the marketing and communications sphere has spanned close to 2 decades and has taken her from journalist to TV presenter to managing campaigns against 30 markets in consumer marketing, featuring everyone from key opinion and community leaders to celebrities. She’s not only the AVP of Consumer Advocacy at Dubai Economy and Tourism but also founded and runs two consultancy firms. She’s a columnist at Harper’s Bazaar too. 


Her illustrious career has been recognised through her nominations in the prestigious Ahlan Hot 100 People to Watch in 2011 and Promise of a Generation in 2015. She was also recently recognised as a “Marketing Game Changer” by Campaign Middle East last year.


Aida is also a very passionate advocate for women’s rights and social issues.


Find her on Instagram: @aidaalbusaidy

Aug 28, 202356:21
Emirati Women’s Day: In Conversation with Mariam Al Meraikhi

Emirati Women’s Day: In Conversation with Mariam Al Meraikhi

It’s Emirati Women’s Day and this is episode 1 from our three-episode series to celebrate this special day.


Here, Tala Mukaddam sat down with Mariam Al Meraikhi, the Communications and Media Consultant for the UAE Year Of team, for a chat about Year of Sustainability, COP28 and Mariam’s own journey in her life and career.


Mariam has many titles to her name outside of Consultant, including CEO and co-founder of Astrocloud Studios, National Experts Program Fellow, and UAE 51 National Day committee member. She’s also a passionate sustainability advocate, artist, and storyteller.


Find her on Instagram: @mariam.meraikhi

Follow UAE Year Of: @UAEYearOf

Aug 28, 202349:48
In conversation with Mark Jan Kar - General Manager of the Coca-Cola Arena

In conversation with Mark Jan Kar - General Manager of the Coca-Cola Arena

In this episode of the Creator Sessions, Tom & Dia visit Coca-Cola Arena with General Manager, Mark Jan Kar, in the 17,000-capacity venue to talk about everything from absurd rider requests from artists to how the live entertainment landscape has evolved and changed leading up to the establishment of the impressive arena.


About Mark: 

Mark Jan Kar is the General Manager at Coca-Cola Arena, spearheading the team in bringing some of the biggest acts and live performances from across the world to Dubai’s home of live entertainment.


Having held a number of positions within the senior management team at Coca-Cola Arena, Mark joined as Commercial Director in November 2018, and shortly after took on the role as Head of Commercial and Live in June 2021, overseeing all elements of commercial business and live shows at UAE’s first multipurpose indoor events venue – before being appointed to General Manager in 2021.

Aug 11, 202339:28
Interviewing Richard FitzGerald- Founder of Lovin' platforms

Interviewing Richard FitzGerald- Founder of Lovin' platforms

For this episode, we were joined by Richard FitzGerald , CEO & Founder of Augusts Media. He’s the man behind all your favourite Lovin’ platforms! 😍

 

Tune in to hear all about the struggles and wins of rapid growth, how to succeed in the content creation industry and a lot more.

May 19, 202339:14
The Rise of New Tech in Production

The Rise of New Tech in Production

We got three of our production superstars—Dia Hassan, Shona Royston and John Hassan—together for a chat about the rise of new tech in production. 

 

They spoke about the potential and challenges around AI, VR and AR, and the best tools you need in your production tool belt.

 

Tune in and keep an ear out for our next episode!

Apr 19, 202326:21
The Integration of Traditional and Digital Advertising
Apr 07, 202331:22
Special Episode: The Impact of AI on the Creative Industry

Special Episode: The Impact of AI on the Creative Industry

Ever wonder how AI will shape the creative process over the next few years?

Earlier this month, we let AI behind the wheel of our social channels in a week long experiment, every visual posted, every word you read—it was all AI. So we invited a few of the creative minds behind the project to talk us through the process and share their thoughts on how AI is already having an impact on the industry.

Tune in to hear how it went.

Nov 30, 202255:48
 Inside The Metaverse: Talking Tourism, Brand Experiences and More

Inside The Metaverse: Talking Tourism, Brand Experiences and More

How is the metaverse changing how we communicate with our audiences? How can brands add value in this space?

Tune in to our latest episode with the founders of
illusorr.com, the world’s first meta-architecture and technology company.

We chat about creating cross-platform, virtual brand experiences, what the metaverse means for the #tourism industry, and how it can impact the future.

What did you think? Message us on IG (@creategroup.me) for a chat!

Nov 03, 202250:03
Trevor McFarlane - Founder of Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research (EMIR)

Trevor McFarlane - Founder of Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research (EMIR)

We sat down with Trevor McFarlane, founder of Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research (EMIR), to record a new episode of the #creatorsessions podcast. 

Trevor brings his wealth of knowledge, regional understanding, and mind-blowing insights to this episode. We discussed:

  • the origin story of EMIR
  • the global economic environment
  • driving factors of positive economic growth in the GCC
  • challenges and opportunities for business leaders in the market


About EMIR:
Emerging Markets Intelligence and Research is an advisory firm that serves senior business leaders of multinational companies, local family trading conglomerates, SMEs, and government.

Driven by a belief in the value of local, high-profile connections and a deep understanding of regional markets, EMIR is a firm that delivers actionable intelligence, connections, and content to over +1,000 decision-makers.

Oct 12, 202259:37
Manal Rostom- Chasing Goals & Summiting Everest
Sep 05, 202201:11:25
Talking to Anja Petrovski, Marketing & PR Director of Volkswagen Middle East
Aug 01, 202237:04
Supercharging workplace culture with Lucy d'Abo

Supercharging workplace culture with Lucy d'Abo

We know how to pick 'em! Tune in with our very special guest, award-winning entrepreneur and culture evangelist, Lucy d'Abo to learn more about how Lucy and her team at Together are helping companies across the region to shape their culture and move forward in this new normal that we are all navigating since the start of the pandemic.

We discuss and share experiences around:

- Leadership and building a business, going through a sale and starting again - we love hearing about those aha moments that lead people to exciting places

- What's happening in workplace culture in the region as well as global trends

- Why investing in the best culture is critical for success and longevity

We loved this conversation and definitely wanted to pick Lucy's brain for more! Let us know what you think.
 

Apr 15, 202253:56
John Sanei - Futures Strategist - Who do we become

John Sanei - Futures Strategist - Who do we become

Welcome back to the podcast with a very special guest, Futures Strategist, bestselling author and one of our favourite people to chat to about mind-blowing 🤯 ideas, it's John Sanei

Tune in with our hosts Tom, Dia & John as they discuss: 

  • The psychology for the future: Understand the neuroscience needed to shift your mindset
  • Learn how and why we need to move from complicated to complex and the imagination of new
  • How best to seek discomfort to inspire growth - Victory conditions!

We hope you get some great take aways from this talk, it's definitely got us inspired and thinking ahead.

Apr 04, 202248:05
Talking to Hattem Mattar, king of BBQ

Talking to Hattem Mattar, king of BBQ

He's the UAE's first pitmaster and one of our favourite people to talk to, it's Hattem Mattar! We had an awesome time catching up with Hattem in this episode, tune in for some good laughs and inspiration as Hattem shares more about his story and how he's built such a beloved and authentic brand, centered around community, friendship and family while cooking a BBQ in his backyard.

Hattem shares the important life lessons and work ethic that have helped him embody his personal brand - and that's when business really started to grow. We also talk about some of the effects the pandemic has had and learn that some things, like a BBQ brisket, really can't be shared online and shouldn't be. 

Join the conversation and let us know what you think! 

Nov 17, 202137:37
Talking to Victor Dalmau, MD of Volkswagen Middle East

Talking to Victor Dalmau, MD of Volkswagen Middle East

Tune in with us as we sit down with Victor Dalmau, Managing Director of Volkswagen Middle East, in this episode Tom & Dia ask questions about the adoption of Electric Vehicles in the region and the direction that the automobile industry is moving in, how organisations can lead the way and take responsibility for the impact on our planet. Swapping stories in growth & leadership along the way. 🚀

Oct 06, 202139:24
Identifying biases and making better decisions

Identifying biases and making better decisions

Tom and Dia discuss the biases that hinder effective decision making and why identifying them within ourselves is key to sustainable growth, both personally and professionally.

Sep 29, 202125:46
How to build resilience & crush your goals

How to build resilience & crush your goals

It’s always a good chat when Tom & Dia get together and start talking about mindset, building resilience, setting goals, and finding support structures as they both embark on some exciting/ difficult / maybe crazy challenges in the months ahead.

If you’re interested in personal development, performance & growth in general, this one is for you! 🤓

Sep 07, 202130:06
Unpacking Facebook Business Products with Liliane Assaf
Sep 02, 202151:58
Interviewing Fizo, Head of FACEBOOK CREATIVE SHOP MENA

Interviewing Fizo, Head of FACEBOOK CREATIVE SHOP MENA

Tune in with Ahmed Younis (aka Fizo), Head of Facebook Creative Shop MENA, and explore some exciting trends & technology with us.
We talk about Fizo's team, how they can support agencies in the region, future content creation with AR & VR, audio-first content, and more.


More about Fizo:
Fizo has left his mark on some of the Middle East’s biggest brand names with local and international agencies. He co-founded the FC studio, joined Cairo Elephant - the 1st creative hub/independent agency in Egypt, and became the Executive Creative Director in FP7 Cairo/McCann’s world group and head of McCann’s Creative leadership Council for MEA, all the while, orchestrating a plethora of award-winning campaigns for the likes of Coco-Cola, Nestle, Mini Cooper, Fanta, McDonald’s and Orange at Cannes Lions, D&AD and LIA. In 2017, he joined the tech giant, Facebook, as head of Creative Shop for MENA.

Jul 28, 202143:48
Interviewing Vishal Badiani, Creative Strategy Lead at Snapchat MENA

Interviewing Vishal Badiani, Creative Strategy Lead at Snapchat MENA

We're talking to Vishal Badiani, Creative Strategy Lead at Snapchat MENA, for first-hand insights to keep up with shifting consumer behaviors and trends through creative activations and AR experiences.

We asked Vishal about:

- the ‘Try before you buy’ trends in online shopping

- how brands can build a camera strategy,

- the AR lens studio and more

Tune in for the full scoop!

Apr 26, 202145:59
Performance, longevity & fasting - Dr Alan Goldhamer

Performance, longevity & fasting - Dr Alan Goldhamer

Tune into this episode with Dr. Alan Goldhamer, as we dig into the topic of medically supervised, water-only fasting. Learn what it's all about, and how it works. Dr. Goldhamer share's how this work has helped thousands of patients to overcome chronic disease and transform physiology and psychology to live a healthier, happier, and longer life.

This episode has some eye-opening facts and takeaways for anyone who wants to learn more about the effects of fasting. With Ramadan approaching soon, it's a good time to learn more about all the positive effects it can have on the mind and body too. Tune in to join the conversation and let us know if you found this episode helpful.

About:
Dr. Alan Goldhamer is one of the world’s leading experts on medically supervised, water-only fasting. Articulate, inspiring, and energetic, he is a frequent lecturer and speaker on fasting, diet, and treatment of chronic diseases to achieve optimum health.

Dr. Goldhamer is the founder of True North Health Center, one of the first (and largest) facilities in the world that specializes in medically supervised water-only fasting, along with medical and chiropractic services, psychotherapy and counseling, and more.

His work and studies have appeared in countless medical journals. He was featured in the Netflix documentary What The Health. And his book The Pleasure Trap (co-authored by Dr. Doug Lisle), has helped thousands transcend their prison of compulsivity when it comes to food choice.

If you would like to know more about whether this is the right approach for you, please reach out to experts in this field such as Dr. Alan and the True North Health Center, do the research, and make sure it's the best fit for you.

Mar 30, 202135:46
David Guetta United At Home DXB - How we made it work

David Guetta United At Home DXB - How we made it work

Get the full scoop on what it takes to create such an immense show, 212m in the sky, with a world-famous DJ.

In this episode, Matt (3DB), Tom, Dia & Shona share how the team made it work, the highlights, the challenges & what this means to the entertainment industry.

Check out the incredible performance by David Guetta and the team here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaurMcGqZHU&feature=youtu.be 

Feb 15, 202123:31
Behaviour & Performance Coach - Brian Bogert

Behaviour & Performance Coach - Brian Bogert

Step back for a moment and see the world through a lens of gratitude and higher self-esteem with our next guest Brian Bogert

In this episode, Brian share's his inspiring story with us including his mission to help people unlock their highest potential and flourish in personal and professional life. Tune in now and let us know your thoughts about it. 

About: Brian helps executives, entrepreneurs and athletes learn this transformative approach that cultivates perspective, motivation, and direction to align their life with their true purpose and exceed their own expectations. He teaches not just to accept change, but to embrace pain in order to avoid suffering. Before becoming a full-time performance coach, Brian and his business partners successfully grew their office (in a global insurance brokerage firm) into a $15 million revenue business.

Jan 28, 202152:03
Productivity hacks for all remote working teams - Peter DeBenedictis, CMO Microsoft

Productivity hacks for all remote working teams - Peter DeBenedictis, CMO Microsoft

In 2020 we learned a lot from staying home and being connected to people primarily through technology. Connectivity is more blended with our everyday lives than ever before. In this session, we talk to Peter DeBenedictis (CMO Microsoft, Middle East & Africa) to discuss how this affects marketers and all business operations moving forward. Exploring all the opportunities and innovations we might see down the line.

Peter describes Microsoft's role in enabling organisations and schools to shift their operations online, enabling people to adopt the technology available and achieve the most out of it. We also talk about how to avoid digital burnout, sharing some key productivity hacks for a more balanced, healthy, and efficient remote working environment.

We hope you enjoy the discussion as much as we did!

Jan 12, 202152:50
Manal Rostom - Creating Change

Manal Rostom - Creating Change

Surviving racism, harmful stereotypes, discrimination, and fighting all of these things with grace and a positive attitude takes a true fighter.

This guest is at the helm of building the @survivinghijab community - almost a million members and counting in a private FB group, one that's taken her to stand on stage at the FB HQ in front of 5000 people as well as championing the cause as a global brand ambassador for Nike.

If you haven’t guessed by now, we can only be talking about the highly admirable Manal Rostom.

We didn’t sit down to discuss her numerous achievements: her marathons, the Everest trek, or her insta-fame. This was a genuine conversation about how things are slowly changing, coupled with the clear realization that there is a whole lot more that needs to be done.

Tune in and help us push that change forward by joining us in conversation with the one and only Manal Rostom.

Nov 26, 202047:51
Advertising catch up with Austyn Allison - Campaign Magazine Middle East

Advertising catch up with Austyn Allison - Campaign Magazine Middle East

Navigating the Industry cycles, the pandemic, and much more in 2020 brands and agencies are having to redefine their identities and discover what it really means to be digital. Tune into this episode with the Editor of Campaign Middle East, Austyn Allison, discussing all things marketing and advertising in the current environment:
- How the Campaign publication has adapted to a growing digital audience
- Advertising on the side of caution, sensitivity, and authenticity
- How some brands have found a way into the conversation
- We discuss what a new model of agency might look like in a few years

There are definitely some thought-provoking points that resonate with us. We hope you enjoy the conversation! Let us know in the comments if you have any questions! 

Aug 19, 202001:05:18
Communication Strategy in a time of COVI-19 with Spencer Lodge and Tom Otton

Communication Strategy in a time of COVI-19 with Spencer Lodge and Tom Otton

In this episode, Tom joins Spencer on the Spencer Lodge Podcast to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the SME sector In the Middle East.

Tune in to hear their advice on how brands can enhance their communications strategy during a pandemic, how organizations can add value to their communities, and ways of giving back in times of crisis.

May 12, 202055:22
What we can learn from TikTok during COVID - Rami Zeidan

What we can learn from TikTok during COVID - Rami Zeidan

We have a very special guest in this episode, it's Rami Zeidan, Head of Video and Creative at TikTok in the region. We're thankful Rami agreed to join us on zoom so we could record this talk, safely from our homes. Tune in for a first-hand view of how the platform has been adapting to the changes of COVID, helping communities to feel more connected and helping organizations like WHO and UNICEF to connect with a younger audience in a meaningful way. We also talk through his perspectives on:
- TikTok usage and trends since COVID-19 quarantine started
- working from home, while running a team, enjoying family time and connecting with new and old hobbies
- dive into how, in this situation, Digital/ Tech companies might be more positively affected right now

- and the outcomes that we, as communities, might see as a positive impact after COVID-19

If you're listening to this and feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or anxious about where we are heading, we hope you find as much joy and inspiration in this episode as we did! 

Apr 23, 202046:47
What are 'everyday influencers'? Social chat with Dirk Stevens and Daly

What are 'everyday influencers'? Social chat with Dirk Stevens and Daly

Dirk Stevens, CEO of TaskSpotting joins Daly in our studio to share his journey from FinTech to starting his business.
TaskSpotting (recently acquired by Crowd Analyzer) works with brands to activate consumer-created content, at scale. It’s cool.

- Dirk compares entrepreneurship to Breaking Bad (surprising, yet accurate)
- We find out how brands can activate "everyday influencers" to test their products in new markets

These startup stories are absolute fuel for the brain, tune in and let us know what YOU think!

Mar 16, 202028:59
Future for thought with John Sanei

Future for thought with John Sanei

Uncovering key strategies to become future-ready in business and all areas of life with John Sanei. John is a best-selling author and Singularity University faculty member, with insights that stem from a deep understanding in psychology, tech and disruption. In this episode, we explore how to follow our curiosity and approach the future with all the creativity, flexibility and optimism that it deserves.

His latest book is called FOREsight, check it out here:

How do we thrive in a fast-changing world in which we are torn between the rigid rules of industrial society and the flexible creativity that the future demands, between the certainty and safety of yesterday and the freedom and anxiety of tomorrow?

FOREsight is a collection of 20 scenarios that combine human psychology and futurism to help you connect the invisible dots between the reality we perceive and the abundant, optimistic future we can create.

His unlimited fascination with the future has seen him become Africa’s first faculty member at Singularity University in San Francisco, a lecturer at Duke Corporate Education in Johannesburg, and a Partner Associate at the Copenhagen Institute of Future Studies in Denmark.

Hope you enjoy this session, please comment below and let us know your feedback on the topic and what you think. 


Dec 19, 201945:08
Dukkan talk with OT

Dukkan talk with OT

Catching up with Omar Tom, the brilliant, storyteller, founder, and co-host of the Dukkan Show

In this episode we talked about the intersectionality of culture and the youth. We tapped into some insightful content creation tips for brands aiming to speak to the varied subcultures across the city. This episode speaks to brands, artists, marketers, influencers and anyone in the creative space. Ideas have been sparked!

We can’t wait for you to tune in and listen to these pioneers in their element!  

About:
The Dukkan Show is a podcast that delivers a sonic experience, showcasing the great conversations friends have when they hang out at their respective dukkan stoop. Dukkan Show is the voice of Neo-Bedouins and the home of the others. The term Dukkan literally means shop in Arabic.

Nov 26, 201955:37
Rewire your Mindset - A Brian Keane Fitness special

Rewire your Mindset - A Brian Keane Fitness special

When we heard our friend Brian Keane was in town we couldn’t just let him pass by without sharing some mind-bending stories with Tom and Dia.

In this special episode, we talk about the upcoming release of his new book 'Rewire Your Mindset', how to quit self-sabotaging and hit your goals in business and life.  As always the guys some epic adventures and mindset hacks. This episode got us thinking about mental endurance and pushing through our own perceived limits. Please enjoy!

If you want to hear more, here are the links to previous episodes with Brian and Tom:

Don't let your excuses today become your regrets tomorrow - BKF Podcast

UTMB Ultra Marathon Running for 42hrs straight and developing a f*** it mindset - BKF Podcast 


Nov 17, 201940:18
In Arabic - Interviewing Ahmed Saad - CEO of Crowd Analyzer

In Arabic - Interviewing Ahmed Saad - CEO of Crowd Analyzer

Our Head of Social Media, Daly taking over the podcast this week to sit down with Ahmed Saad, CEO, and co-founder of Crowd Analyzer, the leading Arabic social media listening platform in the Region. This session was extra special being that it’s our first podcast episode in Arabic!

  • Hear how Ahmed quit his job and started his entrepreneurial journey with his business partner Bahaa Galal
  • There were some ups, some downs and funny stories along the way
  • Ahmed and Daly share their thoughts on how company culture is formed
  • And an exclusive scoop on some exciting news for the Crowd Analyzer team!

Crowd Analyzer has skyrocketed since it launched, evolving into the first Arabic-focused social media monitoring tool, serving top-notch firms and companies such as Mckinsey & Co., UBER, PWC, and many more.

If you're tuning in, please hit us up and let us know if you want more episodes in Arabic! 

Nov 07, 201931:23
Wake up call with Paul Evans - CEO of Solutions Leisure

Wake up call with Paul Evans - CEO of Solutions Leisure

Joined by the incredible Mr. Paul Evans, to talk about his journey in entrepreneurship, from Egypt to Dubai, building Solutions Leisure into the multi-million-dollar business it is today.

As well as a little taste of his new book “When I Woke Up”, which will be released early November.

We hope you’ll be as inspired by this story as we are. It’s about decision making, conviction, not dwelling on losses and pushing forward to be the best version of yourself.

If you’re looking for a wake up call, this might be it!

For more information about Paul and where you can find the book, check this out: https://www.wheniwokeup.com/my-book/
"The True Story of Paul Evans written by Carolyn Coe – is one man’s inspiring story of starting rough, making mistakes, personal suffering and the raw grit it takes to get back up when life deals the heaviest blows. Told with his authentic humour and frank wit, this is an up front and personal account of a life of full of jaw dropping, gut wrenching and heart warming events that will leave you reeling in disbelief and full of admiration for one man’s spirit to survive and live life to the full."

Nov 01, 201939:43
Interviewing the Interviewer - Aby Sam Thomas, Entrepreneur Middle East

Interviewing the Interviewer - Aby Sam Thomas, Entrepreneur Middle East

We're honored to have Aby Sam Thomas, Editor in Chief at Entrepreneur Magazine, on the other side of the interview for a change. 

Tune in to hear how Aby quit his job as a software engineer for a career in journalism.  

Finding stories across NYC to interviewing the top Entrepreneurs in the Middle East. This is pure inspiration for anyone looking to make a big change or chase a dream.

(Aby - We hope to read all the early NYC stories in your book one day!)

Oct 22, 201931:58
Interviewing Waleed Shah - The Beauty of Rock Your Ugly

Interviewing Waleed Shah - The Beauty of Rock Your Ugly

Catching up with Waleed Shah to talk about art, mental health and his campaign 'Rock Your Ugly’, which has been gaining amazing feedback, globally.

In this episode:

Waleed shares the beautiful and heartbreaking motivation behind his recent #RockYourUgly campaign, the intersection between mental health and body image and the power of human connection through storytelling

What are your thoughts? 

Oct 10, 201944:32
Adweek's 100 Fastest Growing Agencies - A Create Media Story

Adweek's 100 Fastest Growing Agencies - A Create Media Story

This is the most epic tale of how we got started on a 5 man desk in the business centre, to building out a 75+ team, named in Adweek’s 100 Fastest Growing Agencies list!

To tell it, we got Tom, Dia and Matthew together to reflect on the agency’s early days and share some of our greatest hits. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do, this is about taking risks, grabbing opportunities and going ‘all in’!

Sep 30, 201930:11
Interviewing Kris Fade - The Kris Fade Show Virgin Radio Dubai

Interviewing Kris Fade - The Kris Fade Show Virgin Radio Dubai

This week we sat down with a very special guest, most of you know the voice from your morning drive, he is golden, he's also a startup founder and a long time friend of our hosts, Kris Fade.

The guys go way back, sharing stories of how it all began, before Create Media and Create Production were born.

And we covered just about everything from:

- how digital media has transformed advertising channels for Radio hosts and stations

- Kris finds his listeners are more engaged and connected than ever thanks to the integration of social media and the show

- the key to connecting with 160k plus following on instagram

- We loved hearing about what drives Kris to build his businesses - Fade Fit and Fade Fit Kids on top of his full time schedule

In case you don't know, Fade Fit Kids snack is a healthy, affordable, nut-free kids snack with no artificial additives. Prior to the show we had a business meeting with Kris and his daughters Noushie and Kikki who you'll hear at the end of this episode in:

- possibly the best thing that happened on the internet today (we'll have to put this out on video as well)

We couldn't have asked for a more delightful show. So settle in and please enjoy the show!

Aug 29, 201944:45
Interviewing Rich Fitzgerald - Founder of Lovin' Dubai

Interviewing Rich Fitzgerald - Founder of Lovin' Dubai

In this episode with Richard FitzGerald, founder of Lovin’ Dubai, our host Tom Otton and special guest Daly (our head of Social Media) we get into some interesting topics for anyone interested in new media and social media agencies. 

Find out why Rich left his role as #socialmedia director in a big media agency, let go of his salary and jumped into life as an entrepreneur in Dubai. 

We loved hearing about how Lovin'Dubai was created and how this business continues to evolve with We are Augustus, SmashiTv and Lovin Saudi

Rich shares,

* how to recognize #trends in new media and how to act fast, #strategically

* advice for brands who want a piece of #meme marketing and more

* growth hacking and hitting daily views targets to get to where they are

We’re left with lot’s to think about for sure. Let us know your feedback, we’d love to hear from you!


Aug 22, 201946:33
Interviewing Charbel Zakhour - Head of Marketing MENA Sony Pictures - Creator Sessions

Interviewing Charbel Zakhour - Head of Marketing MENA Sony Pictures - Creator Sessions

This is for anyone looking to adapt their marketing strategies with creative, smart, new insights from an agency and global brand perspective. 
We invited / coerced our favorite adventurer and film friend, Charbel to join us for this one, bringing to the table some his experiences as the Head of Marketing MENA at Sony Pictures (by day) and
@wheresmybackpack (his after hours instagram life). Both are worth great discussion! We covered; 

  • How to tap into niche audiences by finding new and unexpected ways to engage people, outside of traditional marketing ways. 
  • What really stood out was the takeaways from #sonypictures social media strategies and how it’s being applied to Hollywood productions, across the globe.  
  • How influencers are playing a role in bringing new audience reach to the big screen
  • Check out the Spider-Man content here, as referenced in the show - we're proud to have produced this piece for the opening weekend of Spider-Man Far From Home to a local audience in Dubai.
  • The trends in finding new ways to surprise and connect with your audience.  

Overall the chat takes some interesting turns, but will definitely leave you with a lot to think about... Enjoy! 

Aug 01, 201933:08
The 5 Questions before launching a business - The Creator Sessions

The 5 Questions before launching a business - The Creator Sessions

Why? Well, if you've been following the last few interviews on our show, you've heard some pretty inspiring stories from guests who started with the same questions / fears holding them back at first, but somehow managed to take the first steps to start their own businesses. 

In the previous episodes we've covered how to:

  • calculate risks and protect against the downside
  • fear-setting and many other useful tools

Now it’s time to answer these questions:

  1. Why does the world need my business? Is this a hobby, or an actual business?
     
  2. Who exactly is my customer and how am I going to speak to them?
     
  3. Have I planned the financials and how much am I willing to lose before I stop? In other words, what exactly is the downside?
     
  4. How do i build an audience before selling your product/service?
  5. How do I know when my product is ready to make money? 

Truth, we’ve actually snuck in a few extra valuable points as well, have a listen and hit us up! 

We want to hear your questions and feedback.  


Jul 24, 201920:15
Creating SMITH ST PALEO with Holly Smith - The Creator Sessions

Creating SMITH ST PALEO with Holly Smith - The Creator Sessions

In this episode, our friend Holly Smith - founder of @smithstpaleo 👩‍🍳🔥🏋️‍-  joins us to talk through the ins and outs of Smith Street Paleo as we know it - the ultimate meal delivery service for the health conscious, but time poor folks in Dubai… Sound familiar?

If you want to feel inspired, listen to this...

* Did you know Smith ST started as a passion project - Holly started by sharing her homemade paleo recipes and nutrition tips with the @InnerFight CrossFit community before figuring out how to commercialize it into a successful business

* We explore how to create a business with a strong identity and hold in the community, even when you’re prone to overthinking things!

* The daily food and nutrition content you can find on Smith St Paleo is not only great for your health, it’s a great example of increasing brand consideration using social media tools. 

We love this interview, it’s funny, it’s honest and it’s packed with great insights about running a business and making great content! We hope this inspires you to find your own jam! Get in touch and let us know.

Jul 18, 201937:09
Where Team Culture Starts

Where Team Culture Starts

This is a two part series about Culture.

This week on the show, Tom Otton and Dia Hassan dug into some of the important strategies that help create a healthy culture for the workplace.

They shared  insights behind our own agency growth and how creating the right working environment and space has helped shape the culture and the way people are interacting.... Bringing more humanity into the workplace and focusing on individuals and team culture as much as performance and metrics, to be able to create a culture of respect... This is where team culture starts.

We hope this adds value to you or find some good insights to apply to your own business in some way.

Check it out and let us know.

Jun 16, 201924:50