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I'm an advertising copywriter with more than 10 years of experience and many international awards.
To all the expats in advertising: how much can someone fetch with my kind experience and credentials. I'm looking at over 20k + housing + benefits.
(Quite frankly, in advertising as a creative it doesn't matter if you're black or white as long as you have a good portfolio.)

Many thanks.

Hey, Im in advertising..you'll most likely get that as a CD or senior AD at a major global agency (Saatchi, BBDO etc), but more so 20K as a total package, not 20K + benefits. All the global agencies are here...check out all the company websites and send in your CV.

GOTTAHAVEFAITH wrote:I'm an advertising copywriter with more than 10 years of experience and many international awards.
To all the expats in advertising: how much can someone fetch with my kind experience and credentials. I'm looking at over 20k + housing + benefits.
(Quite frankly, in advertising as a creative it doesn't matter if you're black or white as long as you have a good portfolio.)

Many thanks.

I second dee dee. Average salary for a copywriter with 5 years experience is 15,000 all in.

However GOOD copywriters are in very short supply in this city so you may be able to make some demands. Contact Impact BBDO directly - I know they are looking.

PS. You missed the word "of" in your sentence - or you only write good copy when needed

Thanks, guys. Scarlet, yeah I spotted the 'typo' . It was a slip of the key. Which is the best agency to work for, in terms of bosses, awards, money? Who can I contact at Impact - is it Peter? Also, what are the kind of benefits commonly provided?

Thanks again. Cheers.

Not sure who the contact at BBDO is.

But the global ones are the same as anywhere else in the world to be honest.

Usual benefits is your visa sponsorship, annual return flight back to your home country, medical insurance, indemnity. You may also get a relocation allowance, if you're not already here.

Thanks, DeeDee. I'm not there yet. How's it working in Dubai agencies versus the ones in your home country? The hours? The environment? You a writer too? Cheers.

Im originally from Oz, and its not that different - clients will always be clients anywhere in the world! Working hours are the same - the late nights will still be there. I guess the only difference is that you have to think about an Arab audience for whatever you do - its not just english (and most of the time, its not just UAE, but the entire GCC or ME that you will have to service). The agency I was at had two Ass. Creative Directors - one for English and one for Arabic - they were both fantastic writers. You will work in a really multicultural environment too, and its still a lot of fun. The main spenders in the advertising market in this region are Real Estate and Telcos. Most major agencies will have at least one client in this category, so if you have experience with that category, work it up.

I'm no longer at an agency, I moved about a month ago - I used to be in client servicing but have jumped the fence and now work on client side managing the agencies

By the way, when I was jobhunting, I found this directory with all the agency contact details in Dubai, I think its http://www.uaebusinessdirectory.com/

I guess the more popular ones here are Saatchi, BBDO, Publicis, McCann, Fortune PromoSeven (FP7). There are also smaller outfits like Tonic, which do well too.

Good luck!

Thanks, Dee. I guess the business is the same everywhere. Do you like it there, apart from making a lot of money, do you have other motivators? or would you go back to Oz if you got a chance? I'm just asking as I want to be sure I'm making the right move. I'm in South-east Asia and love it here but I'm looking for bigger challenges, hence the willingness to move.
Cheers.

Hey GHF, I'm of SE Asian background too

I love it here. Of course, lifestyle in Australia is hard to beat, and honestly we decided to move here not because of a better lifestyle, but just for the change and new challenges. I guess one of the biggest challenges you will have here (and I've seen this with alot of people that move here on their own) is having to build up your network of friends again. It can get very lonely and depressing here if you don't meet people! I have my husband with me plus I already knew a few people here so it was easy to settle in. We're planning on staying a while too, if thats any indication. I think the advertising/media industry is growing here quite rapidly, and theres definitely no shortage of budgets! Anyways, if you're in town, will be happy to meet up

I suggest you come over on a holiday and scope it out first, before packing your bags permanently without knowing what to expect. Go to a few interviews, apply for jobs, figure out where you want to live etc. That way you can really make your mind up after having experienced it first hand.

Good to know that!
I have been talking to some agencies there and have an offer or two. They just seem to be in such a hurry to hire and I have to decide really quick, so no time to come and check out Dubai. But if I do come for a few days , it will be very soon i think. Will let you know. We're a young family too and hopefully making friends won't take very long.