‘Everything we create has to have a higher purpose and a wider impact’
Q&A with Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, group chief executive officer, TECOM Investments, who will be honoured at the Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity 2015 as the Advertising Person of the Year
W ell-deserved congratulations, on being chosen the Dubai Lynx Advertising Person of the Year 2015. You have won many accolades before. Where does this rank, coming from the region’s advertising (and media) festival? I see this accolade as something really personal, given my involvement with Dubai Media City from so early on, and the enduring value of the partnership with the Dubai Lynx Festival of Creativity. To me though, this accolade is really a testament to the tireless energy of all of those who contribute on an ongoing basis to making this partnership such a core part of the region’s media industry.
You have risen through the ranks from Project Engineer in 2001 to Group CEO in 2013. Could you share with readers some of the foundations on which you have built your career?
My career has been based on two key pillars. Striving for excellence in everything that I seek to do, and helping others around me to do the same, and secondly to do something different to what might be expected. When I first joined TECOM Investments my decision was met with surprise. I could have chosen a very safe path, but instead I saw Dubai Media City in an embryonic state and immediately saw the potential. I am happy to say that my decision was vindicated as TECOM Investments has grown to become a major engine room of the Dubai economy.
Your message on the TECOM website says, ‘TECOM’s story is very much intertwined with Dubai’s story’. How has Brand Dubai evolved in your view?
In one word, innovation. Dubai is blessed because of its leadership, and its people. These two things combine to ensure that we never accept the status quo. There is always another opportunity on the horizon, and the ambition is always there to take it on and exceed expectation. Brand Dubai has evolved, because our society here has evolved too – we are always striving for the summit and that means innovation.
What are the major challenges to overcome for Dubai to rise further as the destination of choice for innovation majors?
I prefer to talk about opportunity. We have a significant bank of human capital in this market that is seeking to learn from others as well as to strike out on their own and stake their claim in the world. Providing this pool of talent with the chance to make a valuable contribution to society for the benefit of future generations is the key.
One of the many things you are credited with helping establish is the DIFF. How has it evolved over the years and what do you see as the next stage of growth for the festival?
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is now in its 11th year, and was recently named one of the world’s top 10 international film festivals. DIFF has played a key role in the development of Dubai’s production industry, and brings together some of the world’s top talent, offering the best in Arab and international cinema to audiences every year. We have supported the festival since its inception, which has grown from strength to strength. Looking ahead, I am confident that DIFF will continue to work towards the collective goal of establishing Dubai as a leading global film production hub.
Could you help us with an update on d3? Can Dubai become the world’s design capital?
d3 is at a very exciting stage