Private View by UAE-based telecom Brand Director Simon Ornelis
Simon Ornelis, a UAE-based Brand Director with expertise across telecom, FMCG, and retail, shares his perspective on selected 'Work' for July's review section.
The LEGO Group: Build It With Him
A warm, meaningful idea rooted in a powerful truth: dads value time more than things. The emotional clarity is strong. I'd love to see it evolve into build-it-with-him kits or seasonal rituals. There's a great opportunity to turn this into a memory-making platform that families look forward to year after year.
Dubizzle: Everyone Is On dubizzle
There's boldness here, and I respect the unapologetic tone with category confidence and a sticky line. But I found myself wanting a little more. The brand is sitting on rich data and diverse user journeys – there's an opportunity to celebrate real stories, niche use cases or life milestones adding depth to the brand's clear market leadership.
NYX Professional Makeup: The Face Glue
Bold, eye-catching, and unapologetically expressive – the campaign turns fan energy into citywide visibility. What makes it work is how true it feels to NYX's fearless personality, while cleverly tapping into Dubai's love
for over-the-top drama. Safa's presence adds glamour and credibility.
Himalaya: We Know Pimples
The tone here is refreshingly right – not preachy, not trying too hard. Just a gentle, well-observed mirror of what it's like to be a teen. It sets the stage for a meaningful brand relationship. Building on this with peer-led content, simple skincare routines, or digital tools could turn it into a true go-to for teens.
L'Oréal Paris: Sit Al Bait
Brilliant. This is standout brand work – respectful, clever, and deeply rooted in cultural insight. Reclaiming 'Sit Al Bait' with pride aligns beautifully with L'Oréal's timeless promise 'Because you're worth it' – in a way that feels fresh and locally meaningful.
With continued storytelling, community programmes, or product integration, this could evolve from a strong statement into a lasting, values-led platform that truly lives across the region.
By Simon Ornelis, UAE-based telecommunications Brand Director.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
2 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Dubai Metro Timings Extended for 'Emirates Loves Pakistan Event'
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will extend metro service until 2 a.m. on Monday, August 11, one hour later than its usual schedule. This adjustment aims to accommodate the 'Emirates Loves Pakistan' celebration, marking Pakistan's 78th Independence Day, expected to draw over 60,000 attendees at Expo City Dubai. The event, organised by Emirates Loves Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Association in Dubai and supported by Dubai Police, promises an evening rich in Pakistani culture, arts, and folklore. Highlights include vibrant performances by Sahir Ali Bagga and Natasha Baig, exhibitions, and musical acts that celebrate the ties between the UAE and Pakistan. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and UAE ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi will attend the event. To ensure seamless transportation for all guests, a large fleet of taxis will also remain available throughout the event, complementing the metro's extended schedule. This strategic transport arrangement reflects Dubai's commitment to supporting cultural exchange and easing mobility during high-attendance events, reinforcing the city's reputation for hosting inclusive and well-coordinated celebrations.
UAE Moments
5 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Shubh to Set the Stage Ablaze in Dubai This October
Toronto-based Punjabi hip-hop sensation Shubh is set to light up the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on 5 October 2025 with his eye-catching production, 'The Supreme Tour', marking his first-ever performance in the Middle East. Blending traditional Punjabi folk textures with the contemporary punch of R&B and hip-hop, Shubh has built a global following with soul-stirring lyrics and hypnotic flows. After a streak of sold-out shows across North America—including headline dates in Oakland, Vancouver, Toronto, and Newark—Shubh is now gearing up to bring the same electric energy to Dubai's vibrant concert scene. Fans can expect a visually immersive stage show paired with hard-hitting beats as he performs chart-topping hits such as 'Still Rollin', 'Elevated', 'One Love', 'Supreme', 'Cheques', 'No Love', 'Baller' and more. This concert is more than just a performance—it's a cultural milestone. Shubh's Dubai debut is being hailed as a landmark moment in the region's entertainment calendar, blending South Asian musical energy with global hip-hop aesthetics in a spectacular live experience. Tickets for The Supreme Tour: Dubai are now available through the District by Zomato app and the Coca-Cola Arena's official website, with prices starting around AED 195. Given Shubh's rising popularity and the buzz surrounding the show, savvy fans are encouraged to act fast—this event is likely to sell out quickly. From his breakout 'We Rollin' in 2021 to his recent album Sicario (2025), Shubh's music has captivated audiences worldwide with its introspective tone and cultural authenticity. Now, with Dubai as his next destination, Shubh continues to reshape the global hip-hop conversation—one beat and lyrical verse at a time.
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Restaurant Review: What you will always get at La Petite Maison is certainty
In an industry obsessed with reinvention, La Petite Maison Dubai has mastered something far more elusive: the art of staying exactly the same. The room hits you with its characteristic brightness — artwork gleaming against white walls, the familiar buzz of conversation, service that moves with practised efficiency. There's no storytelling here, no theatrical presentations or menu narratives designed to transport you to distant lands. The approach is refreshingly honest: this is what we do, this is how we do it, and we've been doing it this way since we opened. Some might call it boring. I call it brilliant. After two decades of working in restaurants across the globe, I've watched establishments chase the next trend or the next Instagram moment. LPM takes the opposite approach. Their menu reads like the greatest hits album — no experimental fusion, no molecular gastronomy, no ingredients that require explanation. Just food that people understand. In a world where dining has become performative, LPM offers something rare: predictability without compromise. The consistency isn't born of laziness — it's a deliberate choice, executed with precision that comes from years of refinement. Is the food the best in Dubai? Probably not. Is the service theatrically engaging? No — it's efficient, professional, deliberately unremarkable. Yet, it feels good to be there. This is why LPM has cultivated such devoted regulars. In an age of culinary anxiety — where every meal must be an adventure —they offer something more valuable: certainty. The knowledge that your experience will be exactly what you expect, delivered with quiet confidence. There's profound wisdom in their restraint. But let's talk about what actually arrives at your table. The burrata — creamy perfection that needs no introduction, the kind of dish that reminds you why simplicity works. Those lamb chops, impossibly juicy, the kind that make you close your eyes on the first bite. The baby chicken, tender and charred to exactly the perfect level, fragrant with garlic and herbs. And then there's that bread — warm, crusty, paired with olive oil that tastes like liquid sunshine. The garlic and parsley snails are pure indulgence — give me those any day, every day. The cheesecake arrives as a hero on the dessert stage, full of vanilla and creamy goodness that feels like a warm embrace. The tomatoes were a tad disappointing, but in a meal of such consistent excellence, one minor misstep hardly registers. However, the true revelation comes with their beverage programme. LPM has recently unveiled 'Déjà Vu', its innovative new beverage menu, conceived as a vintage French editorial magazine that pays homage to summer and the timeless elegance of Brigitte Bardot. This isn't just thoughtful hospitality — it's revolutionary inclusivity. The refreshing beverages we sampled were nothing short of outstanding. The freshness of lemon, combined with frozen yoghurt and lemonade, created a drink that was both nostalgic and sophisticated. The zero vermouth, with its amazing touch of bitterness, proved that sophisticated beverages need not be apologetic affairs. These are serious drinks crafted with the same attention and technique as any premium offering. Oh my days! It's great not to feel left out at the bar when you're consuming zero-proof drinks. This level of consideration speaks to a deeper understanding of hospitality. In a city where restaurants come and go like desert winds, LPM has quietly mastered the art of staying power. While trends chase novelty, they've proven that showing up, time and again, as your true self isn't just refreshing — it's quietly radical.
