David Baker

A seasoned veteran of Middle East Public Relations - with 30 years industry experience - David Baker has made a career out of working with leading international agencies throughout the region. As Managing Director of Cicero & Bernay, David’s knowledge and understanding of the nuances of the region, is propelling the firm to new heights of service standards while growing the business through expansion into territories outside the UAE. Throughout his tenure in the region, David has covered every industry sector while also discovering a particular penchant for issues and crisis communications.

An iconic blog – not

Blogging, Do's and Don'ts, Public Relations No Responses »
Apr 012013

On the way into the office this morning I was listening to some generally crass commercials (the subject for another blog) when one caught my ear for all the wrong reasons. A very well-known hotel was promoting itself and its various outlets. After I heard the word iconic used for about the fifth time (I actually lost count of how many times it was used) it led me to think how so many words these days are overused and even worse overused incorrectly.

In this case there was an iconic view, an iconic restaurant and iconic drink and so on and so forth. If the hotel had been called The Iconic it would have made more sense.

Seriously, iconic is now “overused to the point where everything from a fast-food restaurant chain to celebrities is ‘iconic’”.
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Posted by David Baker at 10:31 AM Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Working from Home: Is it Working?

Do's and Don'ts, Public Relations No Responses »
Mar 042013

The big debate over the last week – but it is not a new one – was the Yahoo CEO’s decision to ban working remotely. In a leaked memo sent to staff, remote working was criticised for its alleged negative impact on the speed and quality of work. Highlighting ‘communication and collaboration’ as key factors in corporate success, staff “need to be working side-by-side” – as the memo stated, and staff were urged to relocate their home offices to Yahoo’s nearest office outpost by June – or quit.

Her actions prompted a barrage of criticism from disgruntled members of staff while many captains of industry have spoken out to defend remote working. Richard Branson for one is quoted as saying she is ‘out of touch with the modern workplace’, while a BT spokesman cited flexible working policies as being “especially important for those with young families”.
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Posted by David Baker at 12:49 PM Tagged with: , , ,

The foundations of a PR campaign by the UAE Central Bank?

Advertising Vs. PR, Media, Press Releases, Public Relations No Responses »
Feb 042013

Real Estate and Dubai’s development constantly appear in the same sentence, and the talking point of the end of 2012 and the start of 2013 has been the mortgage cap by the UAE central bank, which we now discover never was.

Was this just some clever reputation management by the Central Bank?

The Governor, Sultan Nasser al-Suweidi, has been quoted as saying that ‘no Central Bank ruling had been issued on the mortgage cap and the news in circulation is a `misunderstanding.’ He has reportedly said that the circular was only a warning to banks to be prepared for rule change in the future.

Every Public Relations practitioner knows that in an ideal world, research should be conducted before developing an appropriate PR strategy or launching any programme or activity. We all know that Public Relations research has the potential to build the foundation not only for better Public Relations, but better organisations in general. But in reality too few companies or organisations are prepared to invest appropriate funds to do this.

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Posted by David Baker at 11:16 AM

Last Day of the Year

How to, Public Relations No Responses »
Dec 312012

There is something about the end of anything that reminds us to look back. As we are about to close another chapter, it suddenly dawns on us to ask: Have I achieved what I set out to? How was this year any different than last? What will I do to make next year even better?

As we prepare to ring in the New Year here at C&B, we can look back on a very solid one where we reinforced our position as one of the UAE’s leading PR consultancies. Success means keeping abreast of developments and adopting changes to the way we work. And as this is the time to make resolutions for the future what can we change to make us better consultants? Here are a few thoughts.

Resolve to be a better writer—in 140 characters or less
In an age of tweeting, being succinct is key and helps in making content viral.

Resolve to think outside the confines of “traditional” PR
Something I have been saying for years instead of relying on an age-old press release. Let’s make 2013 the time to ask if a topic is better suited to a blog or social media post.
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Posted by David Baker at 10:33 AM Tagged with: , , , ,

Back in Time?

Media, Public Relations No Responses »
Dec 172012

Just check your calendar. You could be forgiven for thinking it was (date 2007). The good times are back. The bad times are a distant memory. Green shoots that have been discussed for the last two years are now beanstalks of Giant proportions!

I heard on the radio that Emaar’s Arabian Ranches ‘2’ was 80 per cent sold before the official launch. People are queuing around the block again to buy properties and even Nakheel says confidence is back. Abu Dhabi’s GDP is predicted to post solid growth while much of the rest of the world economy is pretty much stagnant.

Now all this news is great and I am sure my COO will be adjusting the cautious PR budget I have just submitted and adding a few more zeros here and there. Continue reading »

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Posted by David Baker at 12:41 PM

Time to get racing

Media, Public Appearances, Public Relations, Uncategorized No Responses »
Nov 052012

It’s November and finally winter is here. How do I know? Not because the migratory birds or the fluffy clouds but because I can hear the roar of the F1 engines revving up in Abu Dhabi ….and I live in Dubai. I am not against the F1 quite the reverse. This is a great time of the year because winter is when the UAE really grabs the global spotlight through some of the world’s biggest sporting events. And the spin off for residents and local businesses alike is fantastic.

It is four years since the inaugural Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix and since then hotel capacity has exploded especially in the capital – as has room occupancy – a more important statistic. Alongside the racing drivers come celebs either watching or performing at post race concerts. Flights are full in and out of the country and if you are in marketing and PR you’ll know that there is a feeding frenzy for consumer attention as all the brands associated with F1 battle for share of voice.
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Posted by David Baker at 10:54 AM Tagged with: , , , , ,

Common courtesy?

Public Relations No Responses »
Oct 032012

Last June, the International Advertising Association (IAA) said it wanted agencies to be paid when they lose pitches for business as part of an effort to stamp out widespread unethical practices. The move was supported by the Middle East PR Association (MEPRA).

The move came in response to the fact that advertising and public relations (PR) agencies like C&B spend considerable amounts of time and money preparing presentations for potential new clients. But some companies are not serious when they ask such agencies to submit ideas.
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Posted by David Baker at 11:41 AM Tagged with: ,

The importance of proofreading to business

Uncategorized No Responses »
Sep 032012

The other day I received an e-mail from a friend that highlighted a number of proofreading errors that had appeared in publications. Some were so bad (and humorous) that you had to wonder if they were really true. You can find them at the end of this blog.

These weren’t spelling errors they were statements that were non-sensical.

But reading them – and wondering how they had got through the subs, led me to think how easy it is – in the pressure of our daily work lives – to not see something so very obvious and to make stupid errors in other forms of communications.
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Posted by David Baker at 10:12 AM

Time to stop shedding tears for under recognised PR Practitioners

How to, Public Relations 1 Response »
Jul 042012

They say that time flies and I’d have to agree as it is hard to believe that the fourth annual MEPRA awards have already been launched this week.

For years, the endeavours of PR practitioners across the region went unnoticed. (Prompt: shed tear here for poor hardworking unnoticed souls in PR sector) Now, that has all changed and there is a platform where the work of agencies, teams and individuals practicing and delivering excellence in the public relations sector can be recognised and rewarded. Oh and we can all have some fun too with friends and colleagues at the Gala dinner awards evening!
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Posted by David Baker at 11:00 AM Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Should PR get Paid to Pitch?

Public Relations No Responses »
Jul 022012

Last week the National reported that The International Advertising Association (IAA) wants agencies to be paid when they lose pitches for business.

At last we all cry, a concerted effort to get people to realise that creative ideas are valuable. Fair enough. But how do you put a price on a great idea? The value of a brilliant piece of creative will likely outstrip the two minutes in the shower it may have taken to come up with it. (Isn’t that where we all get our best ideas?
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Posted by David Baker at 10:17 AM Tagged with: , , , , , ,
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