Sunday, December 12, 2010

Radio Ads in the UAE

Back in 2008, I wrote this "Region has bad radio ads" blogpost.

Looking back at that post, I still think that the U.A.E at least is lacking in the radio advertisement department. Though I must admit, it is incredibly difficult to come up with a good jingle, or a memorable advertisement in the U.A.E without insulting anyone or using any sexual innuendos.

Well, in the past few weeks, I have been unconsciously listening to this one particular ad and came to the conclusion that it was funny. YES funny! very entertaining and very memorable. (If any of you know which agency created this advert please let me know so I can contact them to get a sound clip up on the blog)

It goes something like this :

Dead pan 50's sounding male voice over
"We now bring you this announcement from Dr. Gustav schuhemburger"

Dr. Gustav (Heavy Albert Einstein type crazy doctor accent)
"In my experiments on the human brains reaction to the Splash Part sale I have found an AMAZING discovery"
"When you expose the cerebellum of the brain to the Splash part sale you get..."

Female voice

"OOoooHH"

Dr. Gustav

"You see! but wait there's more! When you expose it to the Hypothalamus you get..."

Female Voice

"Whooo ohhhhh!"

Dr Gustav

"But the most AMAZING reaction is from the Medulla Oblongata..."

Female Voice(s) and Arabic drum beats
Arab female Za'3rata


ITS SOMETHING like that. It's the concept that is HILARIOUS. You must hear it. YOU MUST!

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Blackberry Etiquette

The professional world of the U.A.E , and especially Dubai, is a very fast paced one indeed. I mean come on, we have the tallest building in the world Burj Khalifa, the largest mall The Dubai Mall , the fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World. You name it, we've got it (even obesity).

Everyone's used to larger, bigger, faster, shinier and more technologically advanced communications tools. (Including the iPhone4 and the Blackberry). In all parts of the world people want to look good. Now "good" can be used very broadly and by "good" i mean Fancy, Shiny, New, Up-to-Date, Busy, Important, Rich... I think you get my drift.

Don't get me wrong  I LOVE the UAE, and I am one of the many people that also cares about the way people perceive me. I am very aware of how people are judged (or think they are judged) by the types of phone that I/we own.

Technology, commerce, trade... all this things have been picked up so quickly by a country as young as the UAE, that places alot of importance on instant gratification, that people have missed out on something very vital... Etiquette.

Some rules of thumb for all us blackberry users:


1. If you are in a meeting, put your phone away.
Not on the desk in front of you, and not just on silent. AWAAAY! Turn OFF the vibration, better yet... turn off the phone! Out of site, out of mind. If you are expecting an important phone call and the call comes through during the meeting, excuse yourself and leave the meeting, and come back when your done.


2.If you are in the office, or out socialising, turn off your notifications.
I'm sure you find it extremely annoying when your phone is constantly beeping away, as do others. It is extremely distracting. Change the profile to vibrate and keep it in your pocket.


3. When typing a BBM, SMS or an Email...

Avoid doing so within close proximity to strangers. They will feel uncomfortable for being tempted to snoop and you will feel hateful towards them for reading your emails. You could buy a screen protector.

4. Avoid eyeing your blackberry when chatting to a friend.
We are all guilty of this... how many times have I seen (or have been in ) a situation where people are glued to their communications devices when out with their friends... effectively outcasting themselves and their friends by NOT communicating to them.


5. Please please please please NO BROADCASTS.
I know that some of the jokes we receive are incredibly hilarious and possibly even a relief. But it is really annoying when you receive the same broadcast ten times from ten different people.
(Though I must admit broadcasts about new speed cameras are gladly received!)


Blackberries are great communications devices, and are excellent when you need to send an emergency email or if your out of the office heading to/from a meeting (not at a meeting!) they can be excellent help when looking for directions. However, you should try not to use it in excess. Especially when you stop physically communicating with people in favour of digital communication.