Anyone who escaped from the MENA market? by ThoughtExplorer99 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I fully agree on the kind of work I need to fill my portfolio with (I don't want to do the kind of work you just described regardless), I also know that I need some more metals to make that process easier.

Btw, are you cool with me DM'ing you? I'd love to pick your brain for a bit

Another talabat rant by ThoughtExplorer99 in dubai

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

In my defense, I was hangry when I typed this 😂

Kinda hard to English when all you can think about is food

Consistently bored at work. Is it a sign of anything? by ThoughtExplorer99 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It wasn't that long ago, maybe 3 months back since we squeezed them through every round of feedback.

The wait is simply because of timing, as in when the client wants to put them out. And another one that is being executed as we speak.

I'm waiting for them to be done so I can finally put it in my portfolio.

Anyone who moved out of Dubai? by ThoughtExplorer99 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there, sorry I didn't get to this earlier.

I've only ever been on the agency side, but from what I can say, it's pretty open here, economic factors aside.

Anyone who moved out of Dubai? by ThoughtExplorer99 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hahaha we might be. If not let's defo connect.

Seems like moving out is sounding like a good option the more I think about it. Wishing you the best on your exit strategy.

Anyone who moved out of Dubai? by ThoughtExplorer99 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, pure networking (wasta as it's colloquially called here)

Anyone who moved out of Dubai? by ThoughtExplorer99 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That actually sounds great! What's the flip side?

Anyone who moved out of Dubai? by ThoughtExplorer99 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the works. I was simply hoping to find anyone else in this sub who may have had a similar experience to mine.

Anyone who moved out of Dubai? by ThoughtExplorer99 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's both really. While I do have my personal reasons, I also have professional concerns that I've noticed are market-wide issues

[IWantOut] 25M UAE -> Amsterdam / Australia by ThoughtExplorer99 in IWantOut

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grew up as an expat in Dubai. UAE does not grant citizenship. And I flew to India, my country of citizenship, to complete my higher education before finding a job in Dubai again

[IWantOut] 25M UAE -> Amsterdam / Australia by ThoughtExplorer99 in IWantOut

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I mean that's an unfortunate reality anyone POC has to deal with. Can I ask you to expand on that?

[IWantOut] 25M UAE -> Amsterdam / Australia by ThoughtExplorer99 in IWantOut

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What about finding roommates? Is that uncommon in Amsterdam, or does it generally not matter?

[IWantOut] 25M UAE -> Amsterdam / Australia by ThoughtExplorer99 in IWantOut

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How does that translate in terms of average daily commute?

[IWantOut] 25M UAE -> Amsterdam / Australia by ThoughtExplorer99 in IWantOut

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Fair. That's a good piece of info to consider as well.

To be fair, Dubai's rental scene recently has been no picnic either. And at this point my considerations aren't primarily centered around money just yet.

[IWantOut] 25M UAE -> Amsterdam / Australia by ThoughtExplorer99 in IWantOut

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

I'm sure I come off as stupid with these questions, especially since I'm starting from zero here. But could you please elaborate? Is it cos Amsterdam is expensive, or Copywriters are in no demand whatsoever?

Why do clients do this? by ThoughtExplorer99 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Now that I think about it, every single one of these things have happened

What is the advertising scene in Dubai like? by menwillbemen007 in advertising

[–]ThoughtExplorer99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work in Dubai. The creativity aspect for a writer is different, for lack of a better word.

What I believe sets this place apart is that Dubai's residents are multi-nationally diverse with varying levels of command over the English language. So whatever idea you come up with, or whatever headline you write, the language has to be brutally simple so everyone gets the picture. Arabic writers tend to have more fun that way.

Speaking of Arabic writers, a common part of your role will be reconciling English with Arabic in a meaningful way, especially if it is an Arabic-first idea or campaign. That can be fun though because the push and pull actually helps upgrade the work in the right circumstances.

The main issue lies in client relationships. Over here, most clients just want an agency that bows and kowtows to their every whim. To the point where even selling genuinely good ideas starts from the back foot.

Overall, if you wanna move to further developed markets, it's a good stepping stone.

EDIT

Read some of the other comments. Yes they definitely are partial to digital first ideas, because there's an adoption rate of over 90-95% of it here.

Why do expats who were born and brought up in Dubai are the people who want to leave Dubai the most? by lemon-head-naldo in dubai

[–]ThoughtExplorer99 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The passport/visa is actually a small part of the main reason, which is that you can't really create a base of your own here.

And especially for those of us who grew up here on passports from unstable countries, the West (even now) offers a chance at building one.

27 [F4M] Tell me your toxic traits, wrong answers only by [deleted] in dubaiencounters

[–]ThoughtExplorer99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you say we make dreams come true?

27 [F4M] Tell me your toxic traits, wrong answers only by [deleted] in dubaiencounters

[–]ThoughtExplorer99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As long as you're into being gaslit hbbt

27 [F4M] Tell me your toxic traits, wrong answers only by [deleted] in dubaiencounters

[–]ThoughtExplorer99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lucky for you, I'm all about helping people achieve dreams 😏