We’d like to thank everyone who came down to Web Wednesday Qatar. We’re very happy with the response and feedback and are looking to do the next event very soon.
If you’d like to contribute or assist, please contact us at info [at] webwednesday.me
In the mean time, we’ve included a few pictures of the event below, click ‘Read More’ to see them.
We’re very excited to announce that Web Wednesday will be having the inaugural edition of the event in Qatar on the 27th of March. The event will be held at the Msheireb Enrichment Centre and will feature Fredrik Bernsel, who is Director of Marketing Solutions at LinkedIn as the esteemed guest speaker. Fredrik will be talking on how business can leverage Linkedin as a tool.
As always Web Wednesday is an invite only digital networking event for industry professionals. If you’d like to attend, please register your interest at http://bit.ly/Wx6Q0s
If like us you’ve been waiting on the next Web Wednesday we’ve got some news that’s sure to perk you up! Our next event is on May 16, and we want you to be there. The topic of discussion is the use of gaming as an engagement medium.
It probably hasn’t escaped your notice that gaming has become a mass medium. However, did you know how widespread it actually is against both genders and all age groups? Did you also know that according to the IAB gaming delivers unparalleled engagement rates compared to other mainstream media? So how can brands and agencies tap into this medium?
Find out from our guest speaker, James Salins, VP Business Development – Brand Advertising at SupersonicAds. James has spent 4 years at the forefront of the gaming revolution working with brands such as EA and Playstation in the traditional gaming arena to the likes of Zynga and King.com in the social space. James will be sharing his insights on a range of topics including his thoughts on the current gaming marketplace, presenting recent research findings and apt case studies as well as talking about the scale and rapid rise of the social gaming phenomenon. He will also explore current advertiser options to suit any brand or budget such as video ads in leading Facebook games through to more bespoke ‘static’ style integrations or sponsorships where the brand can quite literally be the star.
Are you game? Come and find out at the next Web Wednesday on May 16 at the Z:ONE Bar, Media One Hotel.
P.S. – James started his career in Dubai at GMASCO many moons ago on accounts as diverse as IKEA and Toyota/Lexus. He then spent time client side working on Disney Home Entertainment within the Gulf region. So he’s no stranger to the region.
See you there!
This month – where all conversation is about or around GITEX – we present a bonus edition of Web Wednesday. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, this version of Web Wednesday will be in addition to our regular events.
Speaking at this event will be Vishal Gondal, CEO of Indiagames. Often referred to as the ‘Gaming King’ of India, Vishal started his first company at the age of 16. Soon after, he founded Indiagames which has over 120 employees and has created games across multiple platforms. Vishal is part of the Nokia Advisory Council and has featured among the top 40 entrepreneurs of India.
Vishal will be speaking on The Future of Gaming on the 12th of October 2011 where he will discuss the current trends in gaming and what the future holds for the industry. Please ensure you register as soon as possible on the link below to confirm your attendance.
Hope to see you there
WEB WEDNESDAYS ARE BACK with the 9th edition of this Dubai Media Institution happening on Wednesday the 21st of September, 2011.
This month we fast-forward to a special new Web Wednesday format with two expert presenters discussing the latest trends in augmented reality and mobile technology from the region and the globe.
Joining us from Total Immersion HQ – Paris, France for one night only is Antoine Brachet. Since joining Total Immersion in 2008 Antoine has led their global channel strategy across over 40 countries, following strategic roles he held at blue-chip strategic businesses Bain & Co. and Ernst & Young. Antoine will be presenting the latest AR technological breakthroughs and demonstrating live, interactive examples from the region and beyond. There will be a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the latest AR technology and of course attendees will also have the opportunity to gain valuable information on this exciting medium through a Q&A with an international technology expert.
Our second special guest is Jassim Ali. He is the Regional Director of Digital Development for OMG where he heads up the growth of new areas within the ecosystem including mobile and applications. Jassim will be discussing the latest mobile trends in the marketplace both from a hardware and software perspective and the challenges confronting marketers in deploying new digital opportunities. Once again Jassim will be available for a Q&A where the audience will have an opportunity to explore the issues and opportunities he has highlighted in his presentation.
Please join us on Wednesday the 21st, 2011 at the Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City from 6:30pm onwards. As always the event will be followed by networking over complementary beverages. Free valet parking will be available. Please ensure you register as soon as possible to guarantee your attendance.
See you there,
Web Wednesdays!
As we enter the dog days of summer, its time for the digital fraternity in the region to catch up for a fun evening of networking. This month we have teamed up with Ikoo to bring Manish Vij, one of India’s youngest Internet entrepreneurs to deliver a talk on performance marketing.
Manish will provide strong insights on performance marketing for ecommerce and Internet businesses, discuss affiliate marketing and current trends as well as provide an overview to those new to the industry.
Bio: Manish Vij, one of India’s youngest Internet entrepreneurs, started his career by founding India’s first digital classifieds business while in business school in ’99. Post that he worked with Rediff.com and then co-founded companies in the digital domain along with international joint ventures or venture partners.
Quasar – India’s largest digital services company is a joint venture with WPP (World’s largest communication company). Tyroo – India’s leading internet AdNetwork is a joint venture with Yahoo! Zoomtra.com – India’s leading travel search engine is under operational contract with Travelocity. Squad – A joint venture in Kenya with the leading Scan Group. Letsbuy.com – India’s leading online electronics and IT retailer.
The combined strength of these companies makes them a major player in the digital media and ecommerce industry. Therefore, Manish has been regarded as one of the strongest online media and digital business professional in India.
As always, the panel discussion will be followed by networking over cocktails. Parking will be available behind the Media One Hotel. We have limited seats available so secure your invite now.
See you there!
We are back after a month’s break. For those of you who called us and emailed us to check if the event was happening or not, we thank you for your patience and are happy to know we were missed!
This month we shift our focus from marketing communications (a topic that has dominated the last six panel discussions) to a subject that doesn’t get as much attention as it should – “The State of E-Commerce in the Region”
According to Saudi-based online payments solutions provider OneCard,
E-commerce transactions in the Middle East are expected to grow beyond 15 per cent in 2010, driven by infrastructural development, strong government focus on online services, and rapidly growing Internet penetration. The region posted the world’s highest internet usage growth for the 2000-2009 period at 1,648.2 per cent and is home to more than 60 million internet users and over 80 million mobile phone users, making it a huge market for online and mobile commercial transactions.
However several issues have to be addressed to maximize the potential of electronic commerce and payments, such as the lack of region-wide laws covering the sector and growing security threats as a result of the Middle East’s expanding Internet population.
There are also issues with payment gateways and a lack of quality homegrown websites. But is that still the case? Of late, we have seen a large number of Group Buying sites mushroom in the region – which begs the question is consumer confidence in eCommerce in the region growing? Is the tide about to change? What’s holding this region back? Is it fulfillment? Customer acquisition and marketing? Or the difficulty in securing an inexpensive payment gateway?
Get the answers to all these questions and more at the seventh edition of Web Wednesday. Our panelists this time include –
Ronaldo Mouchawar, CEO, Souq.com
Albert Dias, Director – Marketing & Technology, Musafir.com
Dan Stuart, CEO & Founder, GoNabit
We will announce the names of the other panelists soon. The discussion will be moderated by Alexander McNabb, Group Account Director at Spot On Public Relations.
See you there!
