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      TikTok MENA on how digital and social media innovation is growing in the region

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Camille Macawili
      1 hour ago

      At the forefront of content creation lies TikTok with its innovative social algorithm that allows large traction within seconds.
      To understand more, Emirates Woman speaks to Hany Kamel, Content Partnerships Manager TikTok MENA on digital and social media innovation in the region.
      What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
      I usually try to wake up early to give myself time to get ready for the day. I have my breakfast and listen to some music just to set the mood for the rest of the day and before I get to work. After this, I spend a few minutes scrolling through TikTok. It inspires me every day to see new and upcoming creators sharing authentically with their audiences or even trends that have started on the platform. I  always discover new talent through this medium.
      Can you talk us through your career and how you ended up in your position as Content Partnerships Manager with TikTok?
      Previously, I was a journalist in Egypt, where my work had always included investigating interesting and niche topics that I would then develop into stories, and this has been my passion ever since. I joined TikTok four years ago with the aim of exploring new stories and talent through the lens of TikTok, helping nurture and showcase the incredible creative talent we have here in the region.
      How does your role drive the business forward and what have been the clear goals?
      My role is quite diverse. It includes planning a variety of in-app activations and engaging campaigns for the community, music selection, and working on user management for the platform. I dedicate myself to leveling up the content in the MENA region by exploring unique talents in every category on the platform and helping them grow their talents and elevate their content.
      I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work towards these goals and help to drive the business forward and reach exciting milestones. At the end of last year, we worked to enhance the entertainment narrative for the community. Since we have an active community of movie lovers and TV series reviewers, we launched #WhatToWatch which is an entertainment hub on TikTok that not only highlights reviews but also inspires and celebrates some of their favourites. We also managed to create partnerships with movie festivals across the region. This helped us to level up the young filmmakers to use their talents and skills in the movie-making industry.
      How is the MENA region interacting with content on TikTok, how do you keep innovating to ensure the content is fresh and engaging?
       TikTok’s prominence in the Arab world is expanding due to the platform’s one-of-a-kind approach which prioritizes engaging and authentic short-form video content. The content you see on TikTok is easy to create and discover, and users feel comfortable on the platform engaging with one another, becoming part of unique communities both locally and globally, and of course, being entertained.
      In order to ensure the content is fresh and engaging, users need to feel safe expressing themselves. To foster a welcoming and supportive community, TikTok has various app settings that allow individuals to control their TikTok experience, in addition to our Community Guidelines, which work to safeguard our users. We have also introduced various safety controls and campaigns available on the platform, including Screen Time Management and increasing the age to go LIVE to 18 years and above.

      TikTok has become extremely popular, especially in Saudi Arabia – what do you think keeps it relevant and people posting?
      People come to the platform to create and engage with diverse and welcoming communities; giving us a unique position in the market. This has led to authentic connections, grassroots movements, and the birthplace of culture, created by communities on the platform. Every community can find its home on TikTok and I believe this is one of the key reasons the platform has become popular in Saudi Arabia. All kinds of interests, such as gaming, food, fashion, sports or even cultural occasions like Ramadan, which are all very relevant to the Saudi audience, are represented on the platform.

      Have you had any mentors to date and what knowledge did they impart?
      My father has been my mentor since day one, he is a self-made man, he taught me how to be honest, how to respect others and how to always speak my mind no matter what, he was (and still) inspires me to do better and how one should always seek opportunities and develop themself no matter what. When I was a journalist he used to talk to me about everything, now that my work is a bit different and complex to understand he still feels proud anytime he sees my work or hears about it, and this is my biggest motivation everyday.
      How do you maintain clarity in your work life and work practice?
      I maintain clarity by having a clear goal set in place throughout all my projects, and through constant communication with my talented colleagues. We are all committed to working towards a shared goal – namely, inspiring our community to create meaningful and authentic content, and further nurturing creative talents in our region, and this goal fuels everything we do.
      What are the top 3 tips for someone who is downloading TikTok for the first time?

      Engage with content that you enjoy and would like to see to have a better viewing experience on your For You page.
      Explore our various communities, ranging from #BookTok to #MomTok to #TechTok, to find like-minded people or discover new interests.
      Don’t be afraid to start creating. TikTok’s assortment of creator tools ranging from Duets, Stitch, Effects, and Sounds make it easy and fun to join the conversation.

      What piece of advice would you give to someone entering the Social Media career space?
      The number one piece of advice would be to create content that is authentic, spontaneous and genuine because people want to see and engage with real-life experiences that are relevant to them.
      This is “The Innovation Issue”, what does innovation mean to you?
      Innovation is a driving force of economic growth. It means creating new ideas, products and services that have the potential to solve problems and improve our lives. To be innovative to me is to be creative and think outside of the box by coming up with ideas that can benefit the community and create new opportunities for them; for example how some of our TikTok creators turned their passions into careers as content creators, proving how it such a powerful tool that we need to embrace and encourage.
      February’s – The Innovation Issue – Download Now 
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied; Getty Images More

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      The best memes reacting to the global WhatsApp outage

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Olivia Morris
      3 hours ago

      Has your phone been feeling a little quiet over the past hour or so? Well, it might be because WhatsApp is down.
      Users on the globally popular messaging app, owned by Meta, started reporting major issues around 11am GST.
      The technology group confirmed there were some ongoing issues with WhatsApp in a statement to Reuters and said they were “working to restore WhatsApp for everyone as quickly as possible”. However, no timeline was given as to when the issues would be resolved.
      Naturally with any tech outage, many have flocked to other social media platforms, sharing memes and jokes surrounding the outage.
      While we sit back and relax and await our pending WhatsApp messages to come through, take a look at some of our favourite memes.

      People Coming to Twitter to see if WhatsApp is down#WhatsappDown pic.twitter.com/eGi25KiQhU
      — Bella Ciao (Chai) (@punjabiii_munda) October 25, 2022

      everyone’s coming to twitter to see what had happened to whatsapp🤣 #whatsapp pic.twitter.com/0ws29yDehn
      — glyano_nstaa (@glyano_) October 25, 2022

      When your WhatsApp is playing up but you come to Twitter and see that everyone else is having the same problem #WhatsAppDown pic.twitter.com/pMcJm0Zn56
      — Jamie (@GingerPower_) October 25, 2022

      WhatsApp headquarters RN 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ufHXLB035F
      — 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐡 ™ (@iamjuddah) October 25, 2022

      Absolutely no one:
      Mark Zuckerberg trying to fix WhatsApp. pic.twitter.com/dmjDNqPSja
      — ADAM👑 (@k_ore_y) October 25, 2022

      Me apologising to my wifi after finding out WhatsApp is down #whatsappdown pic.twitter.com/TsbpJStMIa
      — ABSOLUT VODKA (@VodkaTweetz) October 25, 2022

      Feeling relaxed after confirming from Twitter that I’m not alone #WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/aUSiBA44KG
      — Paul Abraham (@Sir_abraham2) October 25, 2022

      Every time other apps are done, people run to Twitter #WhatsApp #whatsappdown pic.twitter.com/wrES9htzk3
      — Olalekan Adeniji (@adenijisp) October 25, 2022

      Hang in there, everyone!
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram & Supplied More

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      Turkish actor Kerem Bürsin defends ex Hande Erçel on social media

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      27 seconds ago

      Hande Erçel is one of the most popular actresses in Turkey with a huge legion of adoring fans.
      But having such a huge following unfortunately also comes with its setbacks, mainly from online trolls.
      However, the actress’ ex-boyfriend Kerem Bürsin has come to the defence of his former girlfriend, condemning online haters for targeting the actress.

      I think anyone, whether it be a supporter or not writing hateful comments towards women including Hande as well, is behavior I do not and never will support. When I catch this type of crapI write a message asking and telling them to please stop. We don’t need hate in this world🤷🏼‍♂️
      — Kerem Bürsin (@KeremBursin) July 2, 2022

      Responding to a fan on Twitter at the beginning of July who asked about “daily hatred” directed towards women, the former Sen Çal Kapimi star explained hateful comments directed towards women, including his ex-girlfriend, is behaviour he would “never support”.
      “I think anyone, whether it be a supporter or not writing hateful comments towards women including Hande as well, is behavior I do not and never will support,” he said. “When I catch this type of crapI write a message asking and telling them to please stop. We don’t need hate in this world.”
      The breakup
      Erçel and Bürsin called it quits at the beginning of 2022.

      The couple met on the set of Sen Çal Kapimi (You Knock On My Door) in 2020 and rumours of their off-screen relationship quickly became the talk of the town.
      The pair went on to confirm their romance in April 2021 whilst they were on holiday in the Maldives. However, the pair quietly went their separate ways at the beginning of this year.
      While no official announcement about their split was released, Erçel removed all traces of her ex from her Instagram page and she also unfollowed Bürsin on the social media platform.
      However, it’s clear that despite their relationship not lasting, they don’t have a bad word to say about one another.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram More

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      Kylie, Kim K call out controversial Instagram update: ‘Stop trying to be TikTok’

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Olivia Morris
      1 minute ago

      If you’re an avid social media user, you’ll be well aware of the recent updates to Instagram and if you’re not, in short, the app has seemingly become remarkably similar to its competitor TikTok.
      The interface of Instagram and scroll option has largely stayed the same since its launch back in 2013 and has first and foremost been a photo-sharing app.
      However, the recent update has seen the layout change to prioritising video – namely Instagram Reels, which launched in 2020 – just like TikTok.
      It’s a change which hasn’t been welcomed by the Instagram community with two of its biggest users, Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian, calling out the controversial update.
      Both the beauty entrepreneurs and sisters reshared a post on the social media platform, criticising Instagram for “trying to be TikTok”.

      “Make Instagram Instagram again (stop trying to be TikTok. I just want to see cute photos of my friends). Sincerely, everyone,” the message read.
      It’s not the first time Jenner has spoken out against social media updates with it then having a huge knock-on effect.
      The beauty mogul was previously an avid Snapchat user, but back in 2018, she admitted she didn’t use it anymore following its redesign. Subsequently, Snapchat’s stock dropped eight per cent in one day and it reportedly lost a market value of over $1 billion.
      Given both Jenner and Kardashian have huge followings – 361 million and 326 million, respectively – speaking out is bound to have some sort of response, and indeed it appears it has.
      Following the two sisters’ criticism over the updates, Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, took to Twitter to share a video addressing the backlash admitting the new design wasn’t “good yet”.

      👋🏼 There’s a lot happening on Instagram right now.
      I wanted to address a few things we’re working on to make Instagram a better experience.
      Please let me know what you think 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/x1If5qrCyS
      — Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) July 26, 2022

      He also insisted that Instagram would “continue to support photos”. “It’s part of our heritage,” he added. “You know I love photos. I know a lot of you out there love photos too.”
      However, moving forward he did admit Instagram would become more video-centric.
      “That said, I need to be honest — I do believe more and more of Instagram is going to become video over time,” he said.
      So, despite the criticism, it seems the TikTok-era of Instagram is well and truly here to stay.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram  More

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      #Dubai on TikTok garners the most views globally, new study finds

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Olivia Morris
      1 minute ago

      Those who reside in Dubai know it’s a remarkable city, but it appears the whole world knows it, too.
      According to a new TikTok study, videos using the hashtag ‘Dubai’ will garner the most views on the popular social media app.
      In research conducted by Bounce, a luggage storage company, it found that Dubai topped the list of the most sought-after destinations on TikTok beating the likes of global hubs including New York City and London.
      Overall, it was found that #Dubai accumulated 81.8 billion views on the video sharing app, meanwhile, New York City had 59.5 billion views and London 36.8 billion views.
      Bounce said in a statement that “Dubai has become one of the most sought-after destinations for holidaymakers who want to soak up the sun in style”.
      “This ultra-modern city is home to some of the world’s most astounding architecture, such as the tallest building on Earth, the Burj Khalifa,” they added.
      While for the last two years the travel and tourism industry has been turned on its head, the UAE and Dubai has weathered the storm well, with tourist statistics returning to pre-pandemic numbers this year.
      From January to May 2022, Dubai welcomed over 6.17 million overnight visitors and this is surely only set to grow as we head into the cooler months in the latter of 2022.
      So, if you’re thinking about booking a trip to Dubai or you already reside here, make sure you hashtag Dubai when documenting your trip on TikTok.
      See some of Emirates Woman‘s top TikTok videos from around Dubai.
      Museum of the Future

      @emirateswoman Throwback to September 2021’s cover shoot for ‘The Icon Issue’ with @fendi. #emirateswoman #uae #museumofthefuture ♬ original sound – Emirates Woman

      URLA restaurant, Downtown Dubai

      @emirateswoman Views, vibe & amazing food – URLA at the Address Downtown is a must-visit. #emirateswoman #dubai #mydubai #dubaitiktok ♬ original sound – Sara Karrit

      Shanghai Me, DIFC

      @emirateswoman You need to have Shanghai Me DIFC on your must-try Dubai restaurant list. #emirateswoman #uae #dubai #dubaitiktok ♬ original sound – Princess Corpuz – cess

      SAN Beach Club, Palm West Beach

      @emirateswoman Inside the @Valentino takeover of San beach club in #Dubai. #emirateswoman ♬ original sound – 🖤

      AURA Sky Pool

      @emirateswoman We visited the gorgeous AURA skypool lounge, the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool. #fyp #dubai #skypool #views #infinitypool ♬ original sound – Rayna Tours

      Address Beach Resort

      @emirateswoman This #Dubai ♬ original sound – Adam

      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images/Media: Supplied, Feature Image: @noufaltamiimi Instagram More

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      ‘Filter vs Reality’: The influencer changing the narrative of Instagram filters

      by

      Beauty

      by Olivia Morris
      1 minute ago

      Social media was once a space where the fourth wall was broken down and transparency and relatability were at the helm. However, over the years platforms have grown and developed as have the millions of daily users on them. What once was used as a space to connect with people all over the world has become a booming business and arguably a place of thwarted reality.
      Social media, particularly Instagram, is often used as a highlight reel, showcasing curated tidbits of people’s lives showing only the very best. Along with this, we have seen a boom in the use of filters on platforms.
      In various different ways, users are now able to warp their appearance – some in funny ways, others so realistic you’d be mistaken what people look like which, in turn, are creating unrealistic beauty standards. In a bid to bring back transparency to social media, UK entrepreneur Faye Kingston took a stand in 2020. Launching her own filter on Instagram, ‘Filter vs. Reality’. This filter, in short, aims to show people what you look like with or without a filter, with half the face airbrushed and porcelain and half the face normal.
      “The idea behind my split-screen filter, ‘Filter vs Reality’, was to create something unique to show people how these dramatic beauty filters rid selfies of skin textures, tones, scars, everything that makes you and how it’s affecting our mental health,” she tells Emirates Woman.
      A little over two years after launching, the filter has had nearly five billion impressions to date, with even celebrities like Jessie J and Jen Atkin jumping on the bandwagon. Below, Kingston tells us the inspiration behind launching the filter and how she’s bringing transparency back to the internet.

      You’re now a well-known content creator on Instagram. What has your relationship been like with editing photos and using filters over the years?
      I have been on a self-love journey for a long time and at this stage of my life I am in the best place I have everbeen, I have never been happier and it’s all down to self-love. I tend not to edit my body shape however I do edit my photos to brighten up the lighting and makeup etc. I have always been open about the edit as I got nothing to hide and like I said, ‘Social Media isn’t real life’.
      What inspired you to launch ‘Filter vs. Reality’?
      The idea behind my split-screen filter, ‘Filter vs Reality’, was to create something unique to show people how these dramatic beauty filters rid selfies of skin textures, tones, scars, everything that makes you and how it’s affecting our mental health. Don’t let these filters fool you; you’re unique, beautiful, strong, powerful, loved & worthy without any filter.
      It’s now had nearly five billion impressions. What has the feedback been from the campaign?
      I have been blown away by the positive response I had, and I never knew we all needed this reality check in our lives. So many people have reached out to me to say how my ‘Filter vs Reality’ filter has made a positive change of self-acceptance in people’s lives. It’s a reminder that social media is fake, and textured, pore-filled, and discoloured skin are all a natural occurrence.
      How has using filters/Instagram over the years affected your mental health?
      I was addicted to using filters until I realised social media is fake and what you see online simply isn’t real or achievable. The beauty filters can do more harm than good, altering self-image and pressuring young girls to try and be the way the filters make them look on the apps. And such pressure can cause depression or even eating disorders in some cases.

      In what way do you think it contributes to unattainable beauty standards?
      The problem with these filters is you see a side of yourself with dramatic filters that doesn’t exist, which corresponds to an unnatural and inhuman ideal of beauty that you can now achieve with filters. It’s the unhealthy obsession we all have with that perfect look. A 2017 study in the journal Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications found that people only recognised manipulated images 60 per cent to 65 per cent of the time. With the prevalence of filters and airbrushing on social media, it is terrifying to think of how it will be possible for young people to grow up with standard, realistic images of what is beautiful.
      What is your relationship like now with using filters on Instagram/social media?
      I have a love and hate relationship with filters as all the playful filters are fine, but the ones that can be damaging are those with dramatic changes to the face – which can cause mental health and self-esteem issues. It’s easy to feel insecure, seeing how so much of the content we consume daily is filtered and photoshopped, and everyone looks picture-perfect; it’s hard not to point out your flaws, but REAL Is always beautiful.
      How can we move forward in a world of social media to be transparent with the way we look/without filters?
      I think it’s time to “break that habit” of overthinking how we look in pictures because nobody is perfect, and everyone has “bad photos” we choose what and what not to share on social media to put out a good image of ourselves. We all should move towards the powerful place of self-acceptance.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      8 Emirates flight attendants who have built a huge social media following

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      1 minute ago

      Ever wondered what the life of an Emirates cabin crew member is like?
      Well, several individuals are lifting the veil of what goes on behind the scenes and, in turn, have built huge social media followings.
      Many of them share their on-duty makeup routines, tips for the recruitment process to become an Emirates flight attendant and daily life vlogs of what their shift work and travelling to different places are like.
      So, if you’re keen to go behind the veil of the lives of Emirates cabin crew members, here’s some of the content creators who have amassed huge fan bases on social media.
      Kelsey Johnson

      Under the handle of ‘Lipstick and Luggage’, this Canadian has garnered a huge social media following. Johnson recently announced her return to the skies with Emirates and said she was looking forward to “soaring to new heights”.
      Follow her on Instagram @lipstickandluggage. 
      Joana

      Joana joined Emirates as a flight attendant over six years and has now visited over 70 countries and 143 cities all the while building an impressive following of over 90,000 people.
      Follow her on Instagram @joana.ek.
      Yanushya Shwlusdko

      Hailing from Ukraine, Shqlusdko has flown with Emirates for over six years and recently even admitted, “I love my job so much, that I could marry it”.
      Follow her on Instagram @little_sky_miss.
      Maria Soldatova

      From Austria to France, Soldatova is known for her travel videos. With over 6.8 million views on YouTube and over 11 years of being cabin crew, we’re always eager to see where she’s headed next. Besides travelling, she’s also the founder of a luxe jewellery brand, Zoldi Jewels, inspired by travel motifs such as aeroplanes and maps.
      Follow her on Instagram @skyflygirl.
      Viktoria Zadoenchuk

      Having recently joined as cabin crew, Zadoenchuk has already seen the world in the span of a few months, while balancing her passion for art.
      Follow her on Instagram @victoria_zadoenchuk
      Julia Laís

      From Mykonos to the Maldives, Lais shares a plethora of tips from her trips around the world, including fitness and fashion. On the side, she is also an interior designer and always manages to balance her passion for design and travel.
      Follow her on Instagram @lais__julia.
      Danielle Murnane

      Having visited over 77 countries, Murnane has converted her passion for wanderlust into a full-time job. With her love for baking, Murnane also has a platform, Bake Me Crazy, where she shares all her recipes for making a delectable array of desserts.
      Follow her on Instagram @danimurnani.
      Lily

      By starting a full-time lifestyle page, Lily is known for experiential visits around the globe. She has travelled to over 66 cities and 43 countries worldwide.
      Follow her on Instagram @lily791.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied & Feature image: Instagram More