grow launches 360 degrees workshop

Are you an ‘analogue’ business in a digital world? This workshop is about future trends and the changing face of consumerism. Who is the new consumer and what motivates them? Where are they and how will you reach them today and tomorrow?

Hosted by grow, Qatar’s ever-evolving design and advertising agency, the FREE workshop is on 6th and repeated again on 7th April at Le Mirage Executive Apartments, Mushereib.

It is a great opportunity for CEOs, Managing Directors, Marketing and PR Managers to get a clearer direction, benefit from the digital revolution and build a sustainable competitive advantage.

“We are witnessing another revolution” says grow Managing Director Anthony Ryman. “Today, social networks allow individuals to have a conversation one-to-one, not one to many. Your competitors are stealing a march on you. You either stay ahead or stay behind the curve. All trends point towards increasing digital engagement.”

The workshop will be co-hosted by trend specialist and brand guru Anthony Ryman and Barry Flaherty, grow’s International Business Development Director and digital expert.

To register please visit http://www.grow360.net

grow selected to fight against Human Trafficking

grow was selected to design and produce the ad campaign and marketing collaterals to be distributed at the international event held in Qatar. The objective is to raise awareness and create a sense of responsibility from the audience to join forces and find ways of combating human trafficking. Strong visuals were employed highlighting the seriousness of the issue along with bold provocative headlines. The barcode was used to highlight the fact that humans are NOT for sale.

“A critical issue like this demands a strong response” says Anthony Ryman. By raising the awareness, we will give people back their human rights and create a better world.“

The high profile conference will be attended by delegates from the UN, League of Arab States, International Human Rights organisations, Interpol, Ministries, Embassies and representatives from the Education Sector.

grow adds digital dimension

The necessary technology infrastructure and digital standards required to service an ‘always on’ culture requires speedy implementation if Qatar is to remain at the vanguard of new technology and business growth in the region.

From a development perspective, Qatar needs to embrace technological innovation from granddad to grandson. This extends from websites that are not fit for purpose, unimaginative and dull, to mobile phone network coverage. The ‘price issue has to move towards the ‘value’ issue i.e. technology is not a cost; rather it’s a necessity to service a burgeoning population as Qatar competes for business globally.

So what is the roadmap for improvement? Education, knowledge sharing, transparency and active participation are pre-requisites from top down to bottom up. There is still a cultural and generational divide, and until this investment of time and channeled funding has time to take effect, the serious risk is that Qatar will suffer a digital divide and lose its sense of competitiveness regionally.

Digital is not an afterthought. It is imperative and one-dimensional websites have to become integrated online presences allowing businesses to have a 1 to 1 dialogue with customers, suppliers and shareholders and not one to many. The technology will create greater transparency and accountability in terms of measuring performance and activity thus providing an opportunity for improvement. Clearly many challenges lie ahead, but at least now Qatar is showing promise and initiative through the work of Qatar Foundation and ICT Qatar to address the digital divide and make real steps towards necessary change. A change to impact everybody’s lives for the good.

grow appoints new Director of International Business Development

As part of grow's continued expansion the agency has appointed Barry Flaherty as the new Director of International Business Development. Boasting 15 years experience at the front line of Sales, Marketing and Strategic Business Development, his career has taken him to London, Portugal, Amsterdam, Seattle and now Doha. He has worked at some of the World’s leading Marketing Communications, Channel Marketing and Digital Agencies including PMG, Hawkeye Communications, Intuitive Group and Harte Hanks Inc. He has established several start-up businesses in the new media and digital space, with a strong focus on e-commerce, social media and video production across multiple channels.

He has gained vast experience in many areas including Technology, Telecoms, FMCG, Finance, amongst others. Barry has been actively involved in creating bespoke solutions around integrated marketing and sales acceleration for HP, Cisco Systems, Intel, Vodafone, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, EMC, and numerous others.

Barry is a member of many online and offline technology forums and is a regular speaker at Digital marketing events. Outside of work, Barry enjoys tennis, running, yoga and video production, having made a documentary on the Future of Electronic Dance Music in 2006.

doha tribeca film festival branding

grow’s logo was selected from a strong field of competitive designs. The logo capitalizes on typographical artistry, creating a distinct identity. The typographical blend of English and Arabic script places Doha on the international stage.

In developing the identity, our aim was to integrate the cultural essence of Qatar with the values of Tribeca. We found the common ground to be ‘community’ which we represented with the intertwined typographic forms. The marque is a tribute to Arabic calligraphy and a new play on traditional forms.

The Festival promises to play a key role in encouraging cross-cultural integration.