Latest news with #GerryMcCusker
Campaign ME
12-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Shakespeare Communications to handle regional PR for The Drill
Shakespeare Communications has been selected to manage public relations duties across the Gulf for The Drill, a crisis simulation platform developed in Australia. The Dubai-based boutique agency secured the account following a competitive pitch. The Drill, established in 2016, offers digital crisis simulation tools used by organisations to train staff and test response strategies under high-pressure scenarios. The platform has seen growing interest from sectors across the region, particularly in aviation, healthcare, government, oil and gas, and financial services. Gerry McCusker, Managing Director of The Drill, said: 'Having visited the GCC for work over the years, we'd become aware of and met Ananda and several of her team. We felt their knowledge of regional media, plus understanding of our platform would help us build brand awareness when the time was right. And that time is now.' The agency's remit will focus on increasing awareness of the platform in the GCC, where demand for crisis preparedness has grown in response to challenges ranging from cybersecurity and misinformation to operational disruptions. 'We are really looking forward to working with The Drill,' said Ananda Shakespeare, CEO of Shakespeare Communications, 'as it's an essential tool for any organisation which cares about having the right plans and skills for managing crises. As any business owner knows, being forewarned is being forearmed – and that ethos literally needs to be drilled into all issues, risk and crisis response staff. Preparedness before crises erupt is key, and we are helping The Drill get that strong message out across the region.' Earlier this year, The Drill launched an Arabic-language version of its platform, aimed at tailoring simulation experiences to the needs of Gulf-based clients. The Drill joins a growing client list at Shakespeare Communications, which provides media relations and strategic PR consultancy to companies operating in the UAE and wider Middle East region.
Campaign ME
25-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
The Drill launches Arabic-language crisis simulator for GCC
The Drill crisis simulator has launched the Arabic-language version of its best-practice crisis management simulator. Arabic-speaking organisations across the GCC can now gain access to regionally specific, real-time crisis training technology. Established and developed in Australia in 2016, The Drill aims to redefine crisis preparedness, with customisable simulations that reflect the needs of key Gulf-based sectors, including aviation, banking, government, healthcare, oil and gas, and tourism. The Drill claims that demand for crisis readiness in the GCC is increasing in response to fast and ever-evolving threats, from cyberattacks and misinformation to environmental disruption and stakeholder unrest. Gerry McCusker, The Drill's Managing Director said: 'We recognise that many GCC organisations have local, regional and international stakeholders, so our fully customisable crisis simulator lets them practice their crisis responses in Arabic, as well as in English, just as they may be required to do in real life.' The new Arabic language version has been developed following the company's executive training engagements in the UAE, where the team identified the need for a more regionally responsive simulator. Now with a local presence and specialist support in the GCC, The Drill aims to offer on-site or remote access training to a secure, live-publishing platform for real-time scenario engagement. The Drill's Senior Advisor for the GCC, George Noon, said: 'Most organisations have crisis plans, but they're rarely reviewed or tested to cope with the instant speed of the global news cycle or emerging threats like fake news or AI-created risks. The Drill builds crisis response skills by interactive and live content creation.' 'We know learning by doing is the most effective training mode for knowledge retention; so in our 100% realistic and secure simulator, clients learn 'the crisis drill' by documenting, creating and publishing,' he added. With its expansion into Arabic, The Drill now offers GCC organisations bilingual, expert-led simulations that train teams for the realities of crisis before they make the headlines.
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The Drill launches first Arabic-language crisis simulator for GCC Markets
Dubai, UAE, The Drill™ crisis simulator, a world-class simulation platform trusted by global brands and institutions, has launched the first-to-market Arabic-language version of its best-practice crisis management simulator. For the first time, Arabic-speaking organisations across the GCC can now gain access to regionally specific, real-time crisis training technology. Established and developed in Australia in 2016, The Drill is redefining crisis preparedness, with tailored, immersive and fully customisable simulations that reflect the unique needs of key Gulf-based sectors, including aviation, banking, government, healthcare, oil and gas, and tourism. Demand for crisis readiness in the GCC is increasing in response to fast and ever-evolving threats, from cyberattacks and misinformation to environmental disruption and stakeholder unrest. The Drill's Arabic language version enables organisations to train in both Arabic and English, reflecting the complex linguistic realities of regional operations. The Drill Managing Director, Gerry McCusker, said: 'We recognise that many GCC organisations have local, regional and international stakeholders, so our fully customisable crisis simulator lets them practice their crisis responses in Arabic, as well as in English, just as they may be required to do in real life.' The new Arabic language version was developed following the company's leading executive training engagements in the UAE, where the team identified the need for a more regionally responsive simulator. Now with a local presence and specialist support in the GCC, The Drill delivers scalable, crisis simulations - offering on-site training or remote access to a secure, live-publishing platform for real-time scenario engagement. Unlike gamified apps or passive multiple-choice formats, The Drill emphasises experiential learning and practical team response, with scenarios built by veteran crisis and incident practitioners. Clients can test their plans, people, and performance under pressure - within a secure, realistic environment designed to mirror the speed and complexity of a real-world crisis. The Drill's Senior Advisor for the GCC, George Noon, said: 'Most organisations have crisis plans, but they're rarely reviewed or tested to cope with the instant speed of the global news cycle or emerging threats like fake news or AI-created risks. The Drill builds crisis response skills by interactive and live content creation.' Already aligned with key Australasian educational standards for crisis qualifications, The Drill is recognised as one of the most established crisis simulation tools in the market. Its methodology and functionality is indispensable, especially in high-stakes industries where reputation, human or operational risk is ever-present. 'We know learning by doing is the most effective training mode for knowledge retention; so in our 100% realistic and secure simulator, clients learn 'the crisis drill' by documenting, creating and publishing ' added GCC-based Noon. With its expansion into Arabic, The Drill now offers GCC organisations an invaluable advantage: bilingual, expert-led simulations that train teams for the realities of crisis before they ever make the headlines. About The Drill The Drill is an online crisis simulation platform for real-time crisis management preparation and response. Designed to test plans and train staff through live interactive publishing and event scenarios, The Drill replicates the high-pressure dynamics of modern stakeholder crises in a secure, password-protected training portal. It can be delivered in-house, supported remotely, or licensed for client use. Built on a proprietary Crisis Diagnostic model, and calibrated to best-in-class practices, The Drill is a scalable and flexible crisis simulator that strengthens organisational knowledge, builds skills equity, and enhances crisis decision-making and response skills.
Tahawul Tech
24-04-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
The Drill launches first Arabic-language crisis simulator for GCC markets
Dubai — The Drill crisis simulator, a world-class simulation platform trusted by global brands and institutions, has launched the first-to-market Arabic-language version of its best-practice crisis management simulator. For the first time, Arabic-speaking organisations across the GCC can now gain access to regionally specific, real-time crisis training technology. Established and developed in Australia in 2016, The Drill is redefining crisis preparedness, with tailored, immersive and fully customisable simulations that reflect the unique needs of key Gulf-based sectors, including aviation, banking, government, healthcare, oil and gas, and tourism. Demand for crisis readiness in the GCC is increasing in response to fast and ever-evolving threats, from cyberattacks and misinformation to environmental disruption and stakeholder unrest. The Drill's Arabic language version enables organisations to train in both Arabic and English, reflecting the complex linguistic realities of regional operations. The Drill Managing Director, Gerry McCusker, said: 'We recognise that many GCC organisations have local, regional and international stakeholders, so our fully customisable crisis simulator lets them practice their crisis responses in Arabic, as well as in English, just as they may be required to do in real life.' The new Arabic language version was developed following the company's leading executive training engagements in the UAE, where the team identified the need for a more regionally responsive simulator. Now with a local presence and specialist support in the GCC, The Drill delivers scalable, crisis simulations – offering on-site training or remote access to a secure, live-publishing platform for real-time scenario engagement. Unlike gamified apps or passive multiple-choice formats, The Drill emphasises experiential learning and practical team response, with scenarios built by veteran crisis and incident practitioners. Clients can test their plans, people, and performance under pressure – within a secure, realistic environment designed to mirror the speed and complexity of a real-world crisis. The Drill's Senior Advisor for the GCC, George Noon, said: 'Most organisations have crisis plans, but they're rarely reviewed or tested to cope with the instant speed of the global news cycle or emerging threats like fake news or AI-created risks. The Drill builds crisis response skills by interactive and live content creation.' Already aligned with key Australasian educational standards for crisis qualifications, The Drill is recognised as one of the most established crisis simulation tools in the market. Its methodology and functionality is indispensable, especially in high-stakes industries where reputation, human or operational risk is ever-present. 'We know learning by doing is the most effective training mode for knowledge retention; so in our 100% realistic and secure simulator, clients learn 'the crisis drill' by documenting, creating and publishing ' added GCC-based Noon. With its expansion into Arabic, The Drill now offers GCC organisations an invaluable advantage: bilingual, expert-led simulations that train teams for the realities of crisis before they ever make the headlines.
