Yasser Obeid is managing director at aka Media, an integrated communications company he founded in 2011 that helped to make The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai, Nigeria's highest grossing movie.
A veteran of Dubai’s film and creative media sector, he aims to give clients a “refreshingly different”, disruptive way to deliver communications.
Mr Obied, who has Russian and Sudanese parents, studied in London and Moscow before becoming a producer, visual effects artist and art director.
Now 45, he lives with his wife and two children in Dubai’s Arabian Ranches.
Did your upbringing shape your money outlook?
I was born in 1975 in (Leonid) Brezhnev-era Moscow. My dad grew up in Sudan, got the opportunity to study in Russia and lived there for 12 years. He got a doctorate and later went into television. Mother was in micro-biology.
When I was four, we moved to Sudan, then Libya, the UK, Italy and my family ended up here in the early 1990s. When you move around as much, you start thinking in multiple currencies.
I think of my family as being solid middle class. We weren’t rich, we weren’t easy with money, it was tight at times. That had two effects on me; when I started making money, I had a bit of a splurge, spending everything I had, but then realised what I was doing and decided to be more conservative.
When did you learn to handle cash?
I went to university in Russia from 1993 to 1997, and was being sent something like $200 a month to cover my bills. It taught me how to manage money and adhere to a budget.
But money maturity came late, probably with the company. That’s when you really learn how to balance your books. True money management comes when you manage to live on something, set something aside and shuffle money around from one corner to another to make it diversified.
Do you recall your first salary?
My first TV job. I got sent by the university [to do] an internship and then stayed. I was studying computer networking, but had more fun on my job, which is why I went in a different direction when I graduated. I was an assistant producer, coming up with ideas for a kids’ TV show. The peanuts we were paid … it was more fun than money; $100 max a month. You could live on that, badly, but it gave me good experience.
When you come to Dubai, there are so many opportunities to spend; for most people it's difficult to save anything
Why start aka Media?
I took my gratuity from my old job and decided to build my own thing, where I could really add some value to the industry here. We started initially as a production company but you have to evolve every couple of years. We decided to cover the whole spectrum of marketing and production at the same time.
Besides producing for other people, we produce our own content, try and make it as interesting and watchable as possible. The mediums might have changed from VHS to TV to online, but it’s still the same thing, storytelling, at the end of the day.
Are you a spender or a saver?
I’m not a spender, for sure. I invest a lot of my money back into the company. I have investments in other things, but I keep a balance. I like to have a certain lifestyle and don’t spend above what I think I can afford.
When you come to Dubai, there are so many opportunities to spend; for most people it’s difficult to save anything.
How do you save?
At the moment, stocks and exchange-traded funds. A big portion of my saving goes there. I’ve got a decent spread, which has worked so far. And property … the villa I’m living in.
The business, for my well-being and for everyone else, counts as my best investment. So far, it has kept me busy and fed.
What is your money philosophy?
Money’s definitely not everything. It’s a stimulus in many ways to get you to do things. I like to afford a certain lifestyle – there isn’t a person who would think otherwise. And I like winning business. That brings more excitement than the actual cash. Obviously, it’s got financial repercussions, but it’s not about the money, it’s the victory that’s key.
Are you wise with money?
Now yes, less so 10 years ago. This comes with age and knowing what money’s worth and how to allocate it. Running a business helps. I’ve got kids and I’ve got “kids” … I feel utterly responsible for my team because I am their livelihood in many ways and don’t take it lightly.
Any key financial lessons?
I regret getting a credit card when I was young and stupid. I got into debt and paying it off was difficult and painful. I haven’t had a credit card since.
What are you happiest spending on?
Travel used to be a big thing for me, but that’s gone into the savings pot. In terms of luxuries, I spend too much time at work to do a lot more out of it. I bought myself a Porsche Boxster with cash as I knew I didn’t want to go into loans. This was more an impulse thing, just before the pandemic hit, so at one point I was thinking, “Maybe this wasn’t the best time to do this”.
Did the pandemic impact you?
I’m so happy I moved to a villa before the pandemic started, but for me the routine of going to the office is something sacred, so I started getting restless.
Our business in general is split in two directions; one very outdoor, which is filming, the other post-production. We were lucky to have shot on March 14 – on the 15th, everything closed down. We were doing some post-production and shot our next film four months after lockdown.
Now, it has pretty much gone back to where it was, but everyone’s very budget-sensitive.
Have you experienced other fluctuations?
Resilience is something you learn once you start a business. If you’ve lasted this long, it’s there, you know how to fix stuff and wriggle out of difficult situations. Otherwise, you’re not going to be there that long.
We had some tight times, especially in the beginning. We recovered. For us, this (pandemic) was actually easier than some earlier situations because the resilience was there; you know how to work around certain difficulties.
Have you set a financial milestone?
I’ve never put money as a total objective of the company because it needs to be something more than that. We’re trying different things here and there, whether that brings fruit or not, we’ll have to wait and see. There are tonnes of plans to grow even further that might require certain investments.
There’s no point in putting a financial milestone for yourself because that sets a limit, in a way.
Do you plan for retirement?
I’m afraid of retiring because I cannot imagine myself not doing anything. I’ll probably end up working until I kick the bucket … I have fun when I work.
There is the bread and butter stuff, but most of the time it is enjoyable. I do occasionally fantasise about having a cottage in the mountains overlooking the French or Italian Riviera. Probably in about 10 years, I’ll have a retirement plan.
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
South Africa's T20 squad
Duminy (c), Behardien, Dala, De Villiers, Hendricks, Jonker, Klaasen (wkt), Miller, Morris, Paterson, Phangiso, Phehlukwayo, Shamsi, Smuts.
THURSDAY'S FIXTURES
4pm Maratha Arabians v Northern Warriors
6.15pm Deccan Gladiators v Pune Devils
8.30pm Delhi Bulls v Bangla Tigers
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The five pillars of Islam
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
Teams
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
