Spotlight: 4 female bartenders shaking things up in the mocktail business
by Team Emirates Woman
2 seconds ago
It's a largely male-dominated industry, but in the UAE, there are a number of women shaking things up in the mixology scene. And this International Women's Day, Lyre's Non Alcoholic encourages you to discover the female creators and innovators serving up some of the best non-alcoholic serves this Ramadan.
A brand that's all about inclusivity, Lyre's Non Alcoholic is showcasing the talents of some of the emirate's best female bartenders and the special Mocktail creations they've curated to pair with memorable iftar and suhoor gatherings this Ramadan.
Allow us to introduce them… Raminta Ambrozeviciute, La Petite Maison Dubai
'I embarked on my journey in the UAE eight years ago in search of new challenges. Over half of that time has been dedicated to LPM, where I currently work as a Bar Supervisor. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to showcase my skills in various ways, from being nominated for Bartender of the Year to hosting a podcast highlighting women in the industry and collaborating with 50 Best Bars.'
Signature Ramadan Mocktail: The Mid Roast Fizz, a refined mix of Lyre's Amaretti, cold brew coffee, and a touch of citrus orange foam.
Find it at @lpmdubai Nazgul Kazieva, Ilios and Nalu, Surf Abu Dhabi
'My journey began in Dubai in 2018, where I spent six incredible years working with renowned brands and high-end venues in Downtown and DIFC. Along the way, I met amazing people in the hospitality industry and gained strong expertise in the field. Last year, I moved to Abu Dhabi, where I now manage two venues, continuing to grow and contribute to the industry.
Signature Ramadan Mocktail: Queens. Crafted with Lyre's Italian Spritz, it offers a fizzy, fruity experience with a bittersweet passion fruit note.
Find it at @ilios.abudhabi Giedre Bielskyte, District 8, Dubai Marina
'For over 10 years, I've been deeply immersed in shaping Dubai's ever-evolving bar scene, moving from high-volume establishments to fine dining bar experiences. The past three years have been spent pioneering and shaping trends around sustainability in the hospitality industry, particularly at Boca. I played an instrumental role in developing and championing sustainable practices that not only reduced our environmental footprint but also set a new standard for how bars and restaurants can lead by example.'
Signature Ramadan Mocktail: The Duchess. Lyre's London Dry, clarified yuzu & lychee, and CO2.
Find it at @districteightdubai Osmari Plaza, Gigi Beach, Dubai
'In an industry often dominated by men, I've embraced every challenge as an opportunity to prove that skill, passion, and leadership have no gender. Working in Dubai has allowed me to expand my knowledge of hospitality on a global scale, learning from diverse cultures and pushing my own limits. Every shift is a chance to create memorable experiences. My career is not just about serving drinks, it's about redefining expectations, seizing opportunities, and proving that there are no limits to what we can achieve.'
Signature Ramadan Mocktail: Amalfi Tonico, a simple cocktail using Lyre's Italian spritz, mixed with bitter lemon and bubbles.
Find it at @gigi_beach_dubai
Shop Lyre's via drinkdrystore.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
12 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
MBC Group posts 37.8% revenue surge in H1 2025
Shahid saw revenues climb 25% in the first half to $185.79m, with SVOD revenues up 24.4% to $144.06m, boosted by a targeted content strategy and a new password-sharing policy. MBC Group has reported strong financial results for the first half of 2025, with revenues rising 37.8% year-on-year to SAR 3 ($0.80bn), supported by robust performance across all business segments. Net profit reached SAR 335.4m ($89.43m), up 41.1% from the same period last year, with the net profit margin expanding to 11.1%. Quarterly results showed revenues of SAR 987.9m ($987.9m) in Q2 2025, up 2.5% year-on-year, although net profit declined 38.3% due to the timing of Ramadan, which in 2025 fell entirely in Q1, compared with last year when its first 10 days boosted Q2 advertising revenues. Weaker market sentiment amid geopolitical volatility also weighed on advertiser spending. Mike Sneesby, Chief Executive Officer of MBC Group, said: 'Our first-half results demonstrate the strength and resilience of MBC Group's diversified business model. We delivered solid revenue growth across our core segments, supported by premium content, digital scale, and disciplined execution. Our advertising performance continues to benefit from the Group's geographically diversified footprint which has helped us to mitigate the impact of geopolitical volatility. Our Broadcast & Technical Services segment also remains a strategic revenue contributor, underpinned by a healthy pipeline and a strong track record of delivering on high-impact projects across the Kingdom. Meanwhile, Shahid continues to deliver strong top and bottom-line momentum, supported by a clear content strategy and sustained growth across SVOD and AVOD with growing platform engagement.' The BOCA segment continued to anchor Group performance in H1 2025, with revenues rising 29.6% year-on-year to SAR 1,737.8m ($463.35m), and net profit advancing 23.7% to SAR 314.1m ($83.75m). Growth during the period was broad-based across advertising, content distribution and large-scale media services. TV revenues rose 13.3% year-on-year to SAR 863.4m ($230.21m), reflecting continued advertiser demand across MBC's free-to-air platforms. Broadcast & Technical Services revenues climbed 52.7% to SAR 740 ($197.31m), supported by major projects with key government and institutional clients, including high profile projects that returned with expanded scope, reflecting MBC's strong execution capabilities and high quality of delivery. In Q2 2025, BOCA recorded revenues of SAR 532.4m ($141.95m) compared to SAR 565.7m ($150.83m) in Q2 2024. The 5.9% year-on-year decline reflects the timing of Ramadan, which fell entirely in Q1 2025 versus spanning into 2Q the previous year, impacting peak seasonal advertising revenues. Shahid, MBC Group's high-growth OTT platform, recorded a 25.0% year-on-year increase in revenues in H1 2025, reaching SAR 696.8m ($185.79m) compared to SAR 557.3m ($148.59m) in H1 2024. SVOD revenues grew 24.4% to SAR 540.3m ($144.06m), supported by a clear content strategy and the newly implemented password-sharing policy, which limits account usage to a single IP address unless upgraded to a premium tier. AVOD revenues also delivered solid growth in H1, particularly during the Ramadan peak in Q1, while other revenues increased by 66.1% to SAR 11.9m ($3.17m), reflecting new monetisation streams. Shahid reported a net profit of SAR 2.7m ($0.72m) for the period, reversing a net loss of SAR 23.2m in the first half of 2024. This profit was primarily driven by seasonal strength in Q1, and full-year breakeven is still targeted for 2027. In Q2 2025, Shahid generated revenues of SAR 305.4m, up 17.9% YoY. SVOD continued to lead growth, while AVOD performance moderated due to the absence of Ramadan advertising in the current quarter versus the prior year. The platform reported a narrowed net loss of SAR 10.6m in Q2, down from SAR 16.7m in Q2 2024, supported by operational efficiencies and a stronger subscription base. The Media & Entertainment Initiatives (M&E) segment continued to deliver strong growth in H1 2025, with revenues almost doubling year-on-year to SAR 597.2m, compared to SAR 301.8m in the same period last year, while net profit nearly tripled to SAR 18.6m, up from SAR 6.9m in H1 2024. The segment's performance reflects the continued delivery of major initiatives and growing management-fee income from commercially structured programming. In Q2 2025, M&E revenues reached SAR 150.1m, up 7.9% year-on-year, while net profit for the quarter increased by 39.8% to SAR 6.6m, with a one percentage point expansion in net profit margin to 4.4%. Content remained a key performance driver across both Shahid and linear platforms in H1 2025. Ommi, the Saudi-Turkish adaptation drama following the success of Khareef Al Qalb, captivated audiences across platforms, securing the number one spot on MBC and driving strong viewer engagement. Similarly, Aser, a compelling pan-Arab drama thriller, continued to build momentum, leading its time slot on MBC1 and emerging as a standout success across both broadcast and streaming platforms, with growing regional appeal week after week. Share' Al A'sha, a social drama series set in KSA which aired during Ramadan, also solidified its status as one of the most celebrated Saudi productions of the year. The series earned nine major awards at the Al Dana Drama Awards 2025, including Best Story and Best Picture. In the comedy genre, Yawmiyyat Rajol Anis stood out as a Ramadan highlight, delivering strong viewership in Saudi Arabia and earning Best Comedy Series at the 2025 Al Dana Drama Awards, further reinforcing MBC's leadership in Arabic comedic storytelling. As of the end of 2Q 2025, MBC's content pipeline consisted of over 150 projects, with more than 90% of them slated for production in Saudi Arabia. This reflects MBC Group's deepening commitment to supporting the Kingdom's creative economy through local production and talent development. Sneesby added: 'As we continue to expand our footprint across the region, our strategic focus remains unchanged: invest in scalable, high-impact content, grow our digital platforms, and lead the evolution of Arab media. We have best-in-class capabilities across production, broadcasting, and streaming, and we will continue to apply commercial discipline in evaluating opportunities, pursuing only those that align with our long-term strategic objectives and return thresholds.'
Campaign ME
5 days ago
- Campaign ME
Positioning brands in a multicultural market: From ‘noise' to nuance
In a region as diverse and fast-evolving as the Middle East, brand success no longer depends solely on product superiority; it hinges on cultural resonance. The marketing landscape has moved far beyond the one-size-fits all approach, demanding that brands develop a deeper understanding of how to create meaning for audiences from varied ethnic, generational and socio-economic backgrounds. In today's environment, people are not simply buying products, instead they're buying relevance, identity, and values. This reality presents both a challenge and an opportunity for marketers. The challenge lies in maintaining a unified brand message while adapting to local nuances. The opportunity lies in leveraging those nuances to form deeper emotional connections and long-term loyalty in markets that are increasingly fragmented, digitally savvy, and community-driven. Nowhere is this dynamic more evident than in the UAE. As a multicultural hub made up of more than 200 nationalities, it challenges brands to remain globally coherent while speaking authentically to local values, languages, customs, and lived realities. This goes beyond tone or translation and becomes a matter of strategic relevance. Brands that succeed are not restricting themselves to selling to their audiences; they become part of their cultural fabric. Designing brands for relevance and resonance Relevance does not emerge from visibility alone; it stems from designing products and messages that reflect how people actually live, and aspire to live. For younger audiences like Gen Z, especially, brands must deliver emotional value. One of the most common pitfalls for international brands is over-standardisation. While consistency in brand values is essential, resonance in multicultural markets requires flexibility in execution. This balance is best achieved by anchoring communication in core brand truths while giving local teams the tools and trust to adapt them meaningfully. That can mean developing content in local languages, participating in regional traditions, or collaborating with homegrown creators whose voice reflects the community. A growing number of brands are also investing in country-specific activations. From Ramadan-centric events to influencer partnerships aligned with local fashion and music scenes, these efforts are moving the needle from simple awareness to cultural integration. Reinventing the brand canvas and building belonging Consumers are looking for more than just functionality; they're seeking products that express identity, blend seamlessly into their lifestyles and carry a sense of purpose. Wearability, aesthetic appeal, and the ability to stand out or signal individuality are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions. At the same time, there's a noticeable resurgence in appreciation for craftsmanship and authenticity, especially among younger consumers. These audiences are drawn to products that tell a story and carry a sense of legacy. Brand marketing is not about generating the most impressions; it's about making the right impression and turning that into a community. Experiential touchpoints, co-creation with cultural stakeholders, and events that gather consumers around shared passions are now just as critical as media spend. Activations such as pop-up retail, immersive digital experiences, and real-world gatherings allow brands to become part of cultural moments. They offer a way to shift from transaction to relationship. The way forward: From multinational to multi-local brands The future of brand positioning in multicultural markets lies in the shift from being a multinational presence to a multi-local brand partner. That means investing in cultural insight, empowering regional teams, and moving from campaign-centric marketing to ongoing cultural engagement. It also means aligning marketing more closely with product development, so what's being sold actually reflects what matters to the audience, whether that's functionality, sustainability, design ethos or cultural narrative. At its best, brand relevance is not achieved through noise but through nuance. The brands that succeed in multicultural environments will be those that listen deeply, adapt smartly and remain anchored in a purpose that transcends borders. By Keisuke Kasa, Brand Marketing Manager, Timepiece Business Division, CASIO Middle East & Africa
Campaign ME
6 days ago
- Campaign ME
Chinese retail apps driving 73 per cent of UAE e-commerce ad spend
In the first six months of 2025, Chinese e-commerce applications accounted for 73 per cent of all user acquisition (UA) ad spend in the UAE, according to the annual State of eCommerce Mobile Marketing report recently released by AppsFlyer. While further behind, France at 13 per cent and India at 8 per cent of UA spend in the UAE are also fast emerging as significant challengers, driven by targeted campaigns and expat-focused strategies. The report highlights the intensifying competition overseas brands pose to local e-commerce retailers, which saw their own UA ad spend shrink. According to experts, this likely reflects a mix of budget reallocations, mounting competitive pressure and market consolidation. AppsFlyer analysts note that home-grown players still have an opportunity to grow, provided they adopt clearer strategies and embrace performance-driven, localised campaigns. Sue Azari, Industry Lead – eCommerce, AppsFlyer, said, 'Chinese apps have long been seeking growth outside their home market, and with tariffs and global trade headwinds pushing them to diversify, the UAE has been a natural fit given its premium audience and digital maturity.' Azari added, 'At the same time, French brands are tapping into premium iOS users here, while Indian advertisers likely see the UAE's significant South Asian expat base as an affordable, yet highly engaged segment.' UA spend dips overall despite strong early-year performance Despite the UAE's advanced mobile ecosystem, with smartphone penetration at 97 per cent and average daily mobile internet use exceeding four hours, UA ad spending by e-commerce apps declined in H1 2025. Android UA spend fell 21 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, while iOS spending was down just 6 per cent, reflecting its relative resilience. Yet, H1 2025 still delivered the largest half-year remarketing spend to date, with Q1 alone tripling Q1 2024 levels — a clear sign of the impact of seasonal spikes during Ramadan and major retail events. Azari said, 'Marketers should take note of the pronounced peaks in Q1 tied to Ramadan and plan their upcoming campaigns accordingly, while building in remarketing strategies to sustain engagement beyond holiday periods.' She added, 'The decline in Android UA spend could also present opportunities for savvy brands to capture lower-cost inventory while still reaching a vast user base.' With Android remarketing campaigns tripling late last year and iOS installs accelerating, the UAE remains a dynamic and competitive market for mobile commerce. 'Advertisers who balance premium iOS strategies with cost-effective Android engagement, and adapt budgets around seasonal patterns, stand the best chance of standing out in a crowded field,' Azari added. iOS shows breakout growth and lower fraud rates The report underscores how iOS is entering a breakout phase in the UAE. By the end of this year, Android app installs are projected to grow by 713 per cent since 2017, while iOS is surging to over 1,383 per cent over the same period, with installs expected to more than double year-on-year in 2025. iOS has also seen a marked improvement in fraud prevention, with fraud rates dropping 63 per cent year-on-year in H1 2025. By contrast Android's fraud rate jumped 234 per cent in the same period. This suggests iOS is becoming an increasingly attractive and safer, channel for marketers, even as Android remains critical for scale.
