Relocating to Muscat?

Are you planning to relocate to Muscat? Do you want to know more about the cost of living and stuff in Muscat? Do buzz me at kishorcariappa [at] yahoo.com, and I will come back to you with replies for your queries. At times, due to workload, I may reply late, but be sure I will not ignore genuine mails.

PS: People across the globe are welcome to voice their concerns, but I am more familiar with conditions that will suit expats from sub-continent.

About me

Media strategist with experience at all levels of the media world – from print journalism, to dotcoms, to public relations to social media and much more.

I have been associated with some of the most respected media companies in India and Oman for the last 15 years. As a digital specialist, I have a proven track record in transforming online offerings with compelling content and user activity which ultimately results in new revenue streams. I do social media, I do digital strategy, and I do like to be associated with brands which believe in creative thinking.

Other than advising and managing brands on social media, I also provide public relations services like press releases, press conferences, media relations and content creation to businesses in Oman and India.

200 Not Out

Dear Readers,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the trouble of coming to my blog.
This is my 200th post. I started blogging in July 2006, and I am quite happy that I could carry it so long, inspite of some minor hitches mid-way. I was drawn into blogging sometime around 2004, but somehow I was not able to sustain that blog. I hope to do better this time around.
Blogging, for the last 11 months, has been an education to me in many ways. The best part was interacting with people across cultures and borders.
The one bad thing is that I am a bit lazy to write long posts. The same holds good for my comments in other blogs too. I hope I get enough motivation to write long posts henceforth.
Thanks once again!
Regards,
Kishor

A special mention goes to…

Advertising for the sake of advertising

How many times have to come across print advertisements in local media that leave you spellbound? Your guess is as good as mine. Ninety percent of the ads created by advertising companies in Oman lack the impact or punch. It looks like a majority of companies have ample ad budget, and they spend it blindly, without bothering to set certain benchmarks for their ads.

Following are advertisements of Bank Dhofar, Oman Arab Bank and Bank Muscat, having the same theme –– opening of new branches.


Ideation? Creativity? Take a photo of location and place two arrows, and the ad is ready!


It’s sad that the agency couldn’t think of a better visual than the ‘half-opened door’ for the branch at KOM. The stress is on the manager’s name and details. Why?


This is superb, and very symbolic for KOM. Bank Muscat comes up with best ads among banks in Oman, and their agency, DDB Oman, is doing a terrific job.

Heavy downpour in Muscat

Heavy rains lashed Muscat and surrounding areas on the wee hours of Sunday and continued till around 8am. Like it happens always, life is tough after rains!


Waterlogged areas in Ruwi.


Dark skies at 7am.


The usually busy road near Sheraton Hotel in Ruwi wore a deserted look in the morning.


A deserted road between Sheraton and Star Cinema.


A gushing wadi near Omantel office, Ruwi.


Roads in a mess.

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