Reem Heather Dabbas


As her name suggests, Reem Heather Dabbas has had her dose of cultural engagement: growing up in the United States, completing high school in Syria, attending university in Lebanon, and finally reaping the benefits of her experience to build a life here in the UAE.

Reem’s passion for the written word was evident early on her career, with over a decade of experience in Marketing and Communications, finally coming back full circle to her current role. As English Content Manager for Cicero & Bernay she is responsible for writing new content - a role that requires a wide degree of creativity and latitude, as well as ensuring all English content produced by the agency for a prominent panel of clients is nothing less than perfection.

While studying in Lebanon, Reem kick-started her career as a Senior Account Executive for Network Operations and Consultancy Center (NOCC) in 2003, managing the online portal thedaleel.com and planning online campaigns for Internet Regie. Reem then moved on to INFO Bank in 2005, an information database, where she managed a sales team and supervised advertising campaigns for key accounts. After relocating to Dubai in 2008, Reem joined a local landscaping company, TerraVerde, and was charged with Marketing & Communications. She was responsible for developing the brand and increasing market share by creating profiles, brochures, editorials, and marketing presentations. This propelled her further into copywriting as she utilised her talents while working extensively with various media to drive the company name forward.

Reem holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, which reflects her thirst for understanding the dynamics of human interaction as it effects communication. As a recent entrant into the ‚ÄúMommy Club‚Äù, she values spending free time with her family; cherishing the lessons gained when we pay attention to the eccentricities of our youth.

Something so simple – we all write so emails a day, but we can soon forget the basics when it comes to writing a professional one.

Take a look at this checklist and use it as a refresher course to make sure your emails are on the right track.

1. Keep it simple. No one wants to read a chapter or even a long paragraph for that matter. Stick to your point and get there quickly.
2. Don’t use strange fonts and crazy colours. It doesn’t matter how quirky your personality is, this is just not professional. Keep to standard business fonts in black or blue. Continue reading »

Getting dressed for work may seem so easy but there is a lot more that goes into it other than what colour works with that shirt.

While it’s nearly impossible to come up with one set of rules that applies to all – some institutions being more casual or more formal than others – there are certain principles that should be applied anywhere.

For starters, let me say that what you wear is a reflection of you. No matter how much we try to preach that ‘it’s what’s on the inside that counts’ this couldn’t be further from the truth. People will make snap judgements about the way you look and the way you choose to dress.

What can you do to make a good impression?

Dress for the position you want
We’ve all heard this before and we will continue to hear it because it is true. You need to look the role so that superiors can envision you in that role, and a great wardrobe also exudes confidence – a trait we want to see in our top execs.
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If you’re like me, you did.

In the past that meant you just missed it, but today it doesn’t really matter. You can go online and watch or click on one of the many posts that we are bombarded with the next day that divulge anything from who wore it best to which movie had the Oscar coming.

That’s truly amazing. In such a short period of time, so much has changed thanks to technology. Where when I was growing up there was this urgency to catch something before I missed it, today we are lax in the knowledge that we can either access it later or get fed the highlights instead of sitting through the whole show.

Now let me ask you this: Is that always a good thing?
Maybe not.
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The word dream job itself seems to be an oxymoron. How is it even possible if it isn’t your company, run your way?

And then I wonder, how would I define my dream job. To go to the far extremes of daydreaming, would it mean walking in late, having a free buffet of options for lunch or even a couch where I could lay my head when I got tired?

But then I realise that that isn’t my definition of a dream job.

A dream job is something that wakes you up in the morning, excited to get there instead of dreading the morning drive.
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You get the memo – 2 days off for the holidays; and the planning starts. Maybe I’ll jet off somewhere exciting or maybe I’ll make it a marathon of lounging for the most relaxing break ever.

Whatever you end up doing, work slowly slips into the back corners of your mind, and doesn’t creep back into consciousness until the yawn-dominated drive back to work on the first day back.

But when you’ve checked out, who’s been checking in on your business?

It’s important to keep the connection even when you’re not there. Not that we’re saying you have to work through your entire break, you just have to make sure everything looks like you’re still there even when you’re not.

So whether you hand it over to someone else, or find ways to do the small stuff while you’re lounging by the pool; make sure it gets done.

It may not be your company, but if you don’t care, why should they?

What happens when life gets in the way of your schedule? You have a plan, and you know you have to be consistent, but sometimes emergencies happen and the unexpected arise and you’re left being, well, inconsistent.

We have a schedule for our blogs. And we stick to it come rain or shine, but sometimes there is more rain than shine and here’s how we deal.

Keep some ready
We try to keep blogs edited and ready to be posted for days when it’s too hectic to do so. Try to forget about this alternative stash and only break it out in case of emergency.
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I do and I’m not afraid to admit it either.

I get a certain joy out of the fact that I’m important enough to be listed out there on the World Wide Web. I think it’s because ever since I first was introduced to searching online, it had always been about finding information about famous people, places and things. The fact that people could find me there as well – if they were interested in looking, never ceases to amaze me.

But beyond pompous self-importance, you should make it a point to Google yourself every once in a while too.

I signed up for what?
I find myself listed on random sites that I vaguely remember signing up for. That’s an important reminder that once it’s out there, it’s out there. Continue reading »

Today is all about ghosts and goblins. But this Halloween they’re not the only thing out to get you.

Take a look around your office. See anything scary? They may not be wearing costumes, but deep down they’re enough to make your hair turn white with fright.

The Nagger
Complains about everything, and I mean E V E R Y T H I N G. Nothing is ever good enough, and they just can’t seem to keep their opinions to themselves. This affects your creativity, productivity and outlook on life. Not only is this a nightmare to deal with, it’s also really bad for your health.

How to turn them into a treat? Allow them to find the positive aspect of whatever it is that they’re complaining about, and whatever you do, don’t partake in the nag fest because it will only snowball.
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I work in a PR agency that is dominated by females – with an uneven ratio that is ¾ women, ¼ men. This phenomenon is not only prevalent in C&B, but the same proportion can be found in PR agencies around the world.

Steve Manuel has been teaching public relations, crisis communications, and photojournalism for over 15 years at university. He noted a steady rise in the number of female students in his classes. The percentage of students that are female, he added, is about 85 percent. Manuel attributed the increase to several reasons, among them that the public relations field is less intriguing to men than other fields. PR Daily

So what makes Public Relations a girl’s job?
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Steel? I’m the expert. Irrigation? I’m the expert as well.

As a copywriter, I can write about anything. As a social media savant, I’ve learnt I can master anything as well.

That’s what’s so different about today. The knowledge is there and all you really have to do is read it.

So when it comes time to writing that press release about changing trends in human capital, I’m not left scratching my head – quite the contrary, I get started on becoming the expert.
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