Arabic poetry goes web 2.0 on Sejaal.com

Jeeran –The World’s largest Arabic user generated content portal- announced the launch of Sejaal (sejaal.com) in its efforts to enrich the Arabic internet with a new type of genuine content and a new breed of users.

“As a result of our deep understanding of our users and of the gap that exists in Arabic content on the internet today, we came up with this innovative concept that allows Arab Poets to create beautiful poetry online in a fun, challenging, and rewarding environment” stated Laith Zraikat, Jeeran’s Co-founder and Director of Innovation.

A “Sejaal” is a traditional activity that Arabic poets used to enjoy throughout ancient times.

This form of poetry has faded in the last century due to the invasion of modern lifestyles, as well as cultural dilution. The web site was specifically designed to replicate the real life experience of a traditional “Sejaal” and therefore revive this form by riding on the most popular medium today –the Internet- making it available to anyone, anywhere in the world.
“Sejaal adds new value to the Arabic internet and will contribute in increasing the amount and diversity of Arabic content, as well as increase internet penetration by drawing in a new crown of people to go online” Zraikat Added.

With the beta version launched earlier in January of this year and even though sejaal is still an invitation only site where only the good poets are allowed to join. This is very important in order to maintain the level of quality of the poetry at this very early stage; over 300 competitions were created, the topics of which reflected the general mood of events taking place in real life. For example, a competition on the sad events that took place in Gaza was started by Sejaal users through which the poets wrote 50 verses criticizing the attacks against Palestinians and encouraging the resistance of the Palestinian people.
Sejaal’s vision is to be the place for poets from around the world, and to provide poets with tools that help them express their talent and share their creativity with other poets and people online.

“Our mission is to make it possible for everyone in the Arabic speaking world to create content and share it with the world. We will continue to maintain and grow our leadership in Arabic user-generated-content by developing innovative services that enhance people’s lives and give them one more reason to get engaged” Concluded Omar Koudsi, Co-founder and President of Jeeran.

Tags: Jeeran, Laith Zraikat, Omar Koudsi, Sejaal

Ogilvy Sees Upside in Downturn

Amid the doom and gloom of the current global economic crisis, Ogilvy & Mather’s Managing Director, in Jordan, Mr. Fouad Abdel Latif, offers a glimmer of hope for informed marketers: seize this moment as an opportunity to grow brands and secure future success.

“Amidst a sense of falling off the cliff, it’s tempting to imagine this recession to be unique – and uniquely bad,” advises Fouad Abdel Latif, Managing Director. “However, flight is only one option. History shows many brands and companies have been successfully launched during recessions, while others have leveraged tough economic conditions to gain significant market advantage. At the moment there is a tendency for people simply to ignore the evidence.”

In order to inform CEOs, CFOs and CMOs, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide has published a booklet entitled Optimizing the marketing budget in recession. The booklet offers practical advice about the consequences of cutting, maintaining or increasing marketing spend. It draws upon Ogilvy’s understanding of winning during recessionary times and the latest research into best practice.

This booklet is the first in a series that Ogilvy will be publishing and posting on the newly launched website (www.ogilvyonrecession.com), along with other relevant research. Each booklet will draw upon Ogilvy’s experience across all disciplines and regions and will cover areas such as digital responses and retail marketing.

“While some companies do face real cash-flow issues, the option of winning marketing share in a recession by smart spending is open to most,” continues Fouad. “Making do with less involves not just setting a competitively sensible budget but using it more imaginatively in channels ranging from digital to retail.”

Ogilvy & Mather’s 360 Degree integrated offering is channel and practice neutral, and the agency has created a range of tactics tailored to local markets for helping clients discover the upside to the downturn. Client briefings will be held throughout the world, with the option of follow-up exploratory sessions to discover untapped opportunities.