Author: Radwa Rashad

  • Case Study: La Poire Wins Socially Distanced Ramadan

    Case Study: La Poire Wins Socially Distanced Ramadan

    Tarek Nour Communications (TNC) released a short and sweet case study on their Ramadan 2020 Campaign for La Poire, and we believe it is marketing gold.

    In the two-minute case study published on Youtube, TNC demonstrated the change in Egyptians’ lifestyle this Ramadan for almost everything due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but, for a famous 45-year-old patisserie brand in a country fascinated by Ramadan desserts and is keen on sharing them in close-knit family gatherings even during the pandemic.

    In a COVID-19 weary era, selling Ramadan desserts posed a severe challenge. Only family gatherings were limited, and a lockdown was killing the vibe. But we can always rely on TV to remain a Ramadan Fixture.

    TNC resorted to Nostalgia mixed with humor in a series of social posts with little to no media spending to remind Egyptians of timeless TV series dubbed in catchy fun conversations about La Poire’s Ramadan Desserts.

    Viewers were laughing, and more importantly, they were engaged.

    The concise videos became an instant viral hit on Social Media, with views totaling 5.1 Million. Users were commenting, sharing, tick-tocking it, and just laughing at a time of uncertainty and face masks.

    According to TNC, La Poire, a proper household name of everything sweet in Egypt, increased its sales by 50% nationwide. The campaign further established the brand’s place as Egypt’s dessert sweetheart.

    Why is this marketing gold?

    1. Little to No Media Spend

    TNC didn’t need to spend money on buying ad slots or employ digital advertising. It didn’t interrupt every Youtube video, but the content proved to catch the attention of customers.

    2. Celebrities without the big paycheck

    Every Ramadan, it became customary to see the odd post about how much each celebrity gets paid for a Ramadan campaign. This time the production, while featuring stars like Mahmoud Abd El Aziz (RIP) and Raghda, didn’t necessarily need the big paycheck. They just recycled some of Egypt’s all-time favorite Ramadan TV shows from the 1980s and 1990s.

    3. Nostalgia doesn’t have to be sad

    Contrary to several other campaigns, this one proved to be nostalgic about times long gone doesn’t mean one should be sad or remorseful. Instead, remembering the good old days can still happen with a big grin on your face.

    4. UGC is the future

    We don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like when brands “talk” to you, it stops being fun and becomes more like a lecture about how cool they are. Enter User Generated Content, which prompts each one of us to feel like they are part of an immense universal feeling that they MUST interact with.

    It is fun for the user and becomes free traffic for the brand. In essence, we all become brand ambassadors for the brand without the hefty influencer price-tag and with much bigger reach than anyone.

    5. We all need to learn

    TNC publishing a short case study is the right step in demonstrating to budding marketers and creatives, and releasing case studies is each creative’s way of teaching others. The community becomes more knowledgeable, more creative, and, more importantly, more determined to produce, learn, and educate others.

    Got a case study you want to share? Show us! [email protected]

  • Financial Identities’ Cassbana Raises 6 Digits USD

    Financial Identities’ Cassbana Raises 6 Digits USD

    Cassbana, a financial identities’ startup, announced raising a pre-seed round of 6 digits USD to revolutionize the financial service industry in emerging markets.

    Disrubtech, a US$25million Fintech fund, led the investment round among other investors. Disrubtech was established by Mohamed Okasha, Fawry’s co-founder and former managing director.

    Since it was launched in June 2020, Cassbana has managed to gain significant grounds in the Egyptian market with its instant financial identity Android app. The app is designed to enable suppliers and merchants to sell their products to their customers through short-term loans allowing them to serve Egypt’s largely financially underserved market.

    Speaking to Haitham Nassar, Cassbana’s Founder CEO and former Careem Planning Director in Egypt, he pointed out what makes Cassbana essentially different from any “Fintech” initiative or startup.

    He says, “The entire point behind Cassbana is to create financial identities for the underserved in Egypt where shadow economy is almost double or triple the size of the formal economy, Cassbana is used to assist suppliers and merchants in making better, less biased decisions and helping them take more impactful and real-time decisions using our technologies.”

    Haitham Nassar- Cassbana Founder& CEO
    “These financial identities will help the suppliers and merchants to take a proper decision on how they can serve their customers, especially those unbanked, and allow them to find funding through alternative means.”

    Putting the Tech in Fintech
    The platform relies on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to gather certain behavioral data points that, in turn, develop patterns. These patterns will help financial institutions detect fraud better while allowing the non-fraudulent borrowers to be seen and supported, and more importantly, banked beyond the expected stack of documents.

    The market entry for Cassbana relies heavily on the supply chain market as it is an easy entry for small sellers defaulting to suppliers constantly, and suppliers are eager to have a tool in place to allow them to make proper decisions when they borrow their customers. Instead of defaulting on their wholesale merchandise, they purchase the products needed in installments to keep the business going.

    “If a seller needs merchandise worth 5000 EGP but can’t afford it, chances are they will either close up shop or search for a supplier who can give it to him on installments. Cassbana uses the power of community to support micro-businesses with an instant decision-making tool. It allows the suppliers to immediately decide whether to sell such products on installments to the merchant or not, which helps keep them afloat while using the data points to grow our data banks,” Haitham says.

    “So in a short time, any supplier, merchant, or financial institution looking into micro-lending will have a data bank of financial identities to offer low-risk loans to those who truly deserve it.” He adds.

    With a team of data analysts and machine learning experts, Cassbana also focuses on the tech part of Fintech, with plans to use the funding to grow its tech team further and develop the algorithms.

    The Cassbana Equation for Financial Inclusion
    Serving Financial Inclusion
    Haitham notes Egypt’s bid for Financial Inclusion.

    “While Egypt’s financial and regulatory entities strive wonderfully to bank the unbanked, Cassbana has come out to offer an alternative, reliable, fraud-free way of offering solutions that enable suppliers and merchants to finance their customers.”

    “Maybe it is time we started seeing shadow businesses differently, and it is our duty to help them become registered, taxed, and growing in a healthy financial ecosystem. besides, it helps shadow economy players to take proper financial decisions based on our technologies.”

  • BREAKING: Google Analytics is Down

    BREAKING: Google Analytics is Down

    We have previously reported that Google WorkSpace, Youtube, Google Adsense, and some Google Search features are also down.

    The Story is still developing.

    BREAKING: Google Workspace is DOWN
    BREAKING: Google Workspace is DOWN
  • BREAKING: Youtube is Down

    BREAKING: Youtube is Down

    We can confirm Youtube and related services are also down. We have reported earlier that Google Workspace services are also down. 

    Update: Youtube back online after an outage that lasted for 2 hours.

    BREAKING: Youtube is Down
    Youtube Down
  • BREAKING: Google Workspace is DOWN

    BREAKING: Google Workspace is DOWN

    While there are still no official announcements at the time of posting, we can report that almost all Google Workspace suite services such as Email, Meet, and Drive are down.

    According to the Google Status dashboard, all the following services are currently down:

    Google Workspace Status Dashboard, BREAKING: Google Workspace is DOWN
    Google Workspace Status Dashboard

    The story is still developing.

  • LCP Fund II acquires significant minority stake in Dsquares & Lucky

    LCP Fund II acquires significant minority stake in Dsquares & Lucky

    As its first investment in the market, Lorax Capital Partners Fund II has announced today that it has acquired a significant minority stake in DSQ Group (Umbrella company of Dsquares and Lucky).

    LCP’s investment includes a capital increase to support scaling and expansion plans for the mother company within the region and worldwide.

    DSQ Group owns and operates Dsqaures, the leading loyalty and rewards solutions provider across MENA and Central Europe, currently serving over 100 million customers through around 45 regional and international clients.

    Also, Algebra Ventures, an Egypt-based VC firm and an existing shareholder in DSQ Group, announced it had increased its investment as part of the aforementioned transaction.

    LCP has also acquired the minority stake of Ezdehar Management in Dsquares. Ezdehar had originally invested in Dsquares back in 2018, which gave it a  22.5 percent stake.

    Founded in 2012 by Marwan Kenawy, Ayman Essawy, and Momtaz Moussa, Dsquares is a full-service loyalty solutions provider in the Middle East & Africa. It operates the full spectrum of customer loyalty for clients from technical, operational, and commercial aspects, which helps clients increase and capitalize on customer loyalty and retention. The startup boasts a large spectrum of key industry players in banking and finance, FMCG, and Telecommunications, among other industries.

    The DSQ group also owns Lucky, an app built to offer everyday clients a wide range of discounts from retail brands, which now has over 5 million downloads under its belt, not to mention a varied collection of brands.

    According to the press release, Marwan Kenawy, Co-founder & CEO of Dsquares, said, “The LCP partnership and investment will help Dsquares expedite its clients and merchants expansion plans in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe and maintain its position as the loyalty & rewards solutions leader in the region.”

    While Ayman Essawy, Co-founder & COO, added: “Lucky continues to be very successful in attracting new users as well as increasing engagement of its existing user base. Egypt is our first market, and we have plans to further expand our services across relevant markets in the Middle East & Africa. We believe that this strategic partnership with LCP will put both Dsquares & Lucky on the right track to achieve their future goals.”

    Al Tamimi Law Firm acted as the legal advisor to LCP on the deal, while the company’s legal advisor was Youssef & Partners.

  • Amr Diab Returns to Drama in Netflix Arabic Original Series

    Amr Diab Returns to Drama in Netflix Arabic Original Series

    The Egyptian superstar and singing legend Amr Diab will return to acting with an original Arabic series on Netflix.

    The show will be in the Musical Drama genre and is still in the early phases of development with no release date set.

    Netflix announces Amr Diab’s collaboration on social media.

    https://www.facebook.com/netflixmiddleeastnorthafrica/photos/a.1693811234166578/2733204173560607/?type=3&theater

    Amr Diab commented on the new project saying, “I have always believed that art is a global language, and we have been able to build bridges of connections and love with diverse cultures through music. And, now, with this new project with Netflix, I am excited that we will be reaching more than 193 million members in more than 190 countries around the world.”

    https://www.facebook.com/AmrDiab/videos/365981394802107/?__xts__[0]=68.ARB8PdHJaJ_VkzU5fiAfzm8XDH65ctzLf1Vm_MQZHf9vvX7ZxiBzxcgXHfowAqWCaixMQpkb7p5-5DQw7SGPTH0jWQXOb8c6mVFbD-G4XUNnN8Q0SzSEtVp1TnmXci0gXWb1Clyf9e8JWGclsVinrB6TLR0tIMzgtoo-syIQLURkbMEkg8sWfCke4sTkNIJqCBJnvw4p59Uim1Gxc9XEm0CoJnSh-WW5wk62st_wj-xjFCeDfr7Yi7LzP47BkANKJYviLZX7Fm-CZxbqR7sKeKMM0cOxfnoaaFTg-9M6_RNMoQVcuA3uzBN7Ti_nybnrp6Mrl12pYNm3rElHULsGtXB7bI3rqiJHU71NKChbk22lwZkrwNJm_jS_jJW-iSdV6wBMyVTB2-i1XeMRFCajz1RB40EPkCU96wNvTrUgvykmaEI&__tn__=-R

    It comes on the heels of Netflix releasing teaser photo for the first Egyptian production on Netflix, Amr Salama’s Paranormal,  a mystery/horror series that is set for release in Fall 2020 and based on the late Ahmed Khaled Tawfik’s books.

    Amr Diab’s latest screen appearance (if we don’t count his advertising appearances) is him starring in “Dehk Wele’b Wegad Wehob” in 1993 with the late Omar El Sharif and the iconic Youssra.

    We can’t wait, can you?

  • Iraq’s First ‘marketplace app’ Lezzoo Raises Seven-figure Seed Round

    Iraq’s First ‘marketplace app’ Lezzoo Raises Seven-figure Seed Round

    Lezzoo, the Iraqi startup for delivery and payment on-demand, is geared to become the troubled nation’s first super app, following graduation from Y Combinator’s S19 batch.

    The Erbil-based startup has raised seven-figure USD, to be the most substantial investment ever in the Iraqi startup ecosystem, according to MENA Bytes.

    The round was led by Northern Gulf Partners and Pay It Forward Venture Capital, with angel investors within the US also involved in the series.

    Founded by Yadgar Merani, Ala Battal, and Rekar Botany in 2018. Lezzoo is a three-sided marketplace, designed to provide grocery, food, pharmaceuticals (medicine and such) delivery, as well as peer to peer shipping. It even boasts an on-demand laundry service.

    Operates in several cities across Northern Iraq, the company has got a boost in its infrastructure and operations due to COVID-19 as it became a most-wanted service for the majority of customers.

    Lezzoo plans to use the fund to expand to more cities in Iraq, as well as diversify its offerings to allow customers to sell peer to peer items.

    The Erbil-based startup has also launched a mobile payment service called “Lezzoo Pay”, this gives users the ability to pay for online services across Iraq through several types of pre-paid cards.

    Iraq is yet to come on board the digital payment wagon and remains a cash-reliant nation.

    Read also:

  • Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program

    Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program

    Facebook has announced today that the Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) has joined the 2020 cycle of the Community Accelerator program, a six-months program designed to help community leaders quickly and strategically achieve their growth goals. 

    16 months in; EPN grew to become a vital and interactive space for professional minds to meet, share, collaborate and support each other, it has also become more than an “Egyptian” Group. 

    Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program
    Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN)

    Within less than two years, the community has quickly grew to become a safe and trusted space for members (dubbed EPNers) to create new, meaningful connections and make a positive impact on each other’s professional lives through collaboration, knowledge sharing, peer-to-peer support and building new partnerships.

    Mona El-Kheshen, EPN Founder explains “The group began as a Facebook group in March 2019 with the vision of creating a safe, trusted and collaborative community that connects success driven Egyptian professionals, regardless of where they live in the world or what profession they are in. We believe that bringing together the best of Egyptian talent in one community, unlocks limitless opportunities for growth for all our members, both on the personal and professional levels. Through EPN, we aim to celebrate and showcase Egyptian success, and nurture and empower Egyptian talent to achieve their full potential. 

    Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program
    Mona El-Kheshen, Founder of EPN

    When asked how the Facebook Community Accelerator program fits in EPN’s vision, She adds

    “Being selected to take part in the first ever Facebook Community Accelerator program, amongst some of the most inspiring communities we have ever seen in the world, is a truly special moment for EPN.  We know our community is special because of our members are special, every day we see our members (EPNers) come together in such a unique, collaborative and impactful way, and now we are so happy that this unique culture of EPN is being recognized and supported on such a global scale by Facebook, the world’s largest community platform.”

    The Facebook Community Accelerator Program offers participants “A program to equip impactful communities with the training, mentorship and funds to grow.” Which entails Facebook- working with GlobalGiving-  to fund participants’ approved growth plans. Up to $3 million total will be awarded to program participants. Selected participants will each receive up to $30k to execute their growth plans during the 6-month program and could be eligible to receive part of the $500K additional funding available at the end of the program to further grow their communities and impact.

    Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program
    Fady Younan, Co-Founder

    For Co-Founder and Community Leader, Fady Younan, this means major growth for the Egyptian Professionals Network. 

    “Taking part in the Facebook accelerator program will help EPN grow on so many levels. This will help us evolve from a Facebook group into a community startup, which is an essential step to ensure EPN becomes sustainable so that it can serve its members for many years to come. Over the next 6 months, we will use all the hands-on training, mentorship and funding we are getting to help us deploy new ways of achieving our core objectives:  enabling meaningful connections amongst community members and providing an environment where members can make a positive impact both within and outside our community.” He says. 

  • Egyptian Social Media Stirs Countless Rape, Harassment, Blackmail Allegations

    Egyptian Social Media Stirs Countless Rape, Harassment, Blackmail Allegations

    On the night of June 30th, 2020, Two instagram accounts (@shadynoor_ and @skhodirr ) started a PSA accusing an ex student of AUC and various other schools of universities of various sex and sex related crimes against girls of varying ages and nationalities. 

    Their PSA brought on the anonymous online testimonies of other girls with the  current number exceeding 100 reports (to date of writing this article). 

    Another Instagram account (@assaultpolice) was created to show and document and receive testimonies on the matter and has garnered over 65,000 followers in less than 48 hours.

    Ahmed Bassam Zaki, Egyptian Social Media Stirs Countless Rape, Harassment, Blackmail Allegations
    Assault Police PSA

    Twitter erupted with the hashtag #المتحرش_احمد_بسام_ذكي becoming #1 on Egypt’s trending list (Friday July 3rd, 4 PM CLT). 

    As is the case with similar accusations the public opinion is divided between anger, disbelief, discrediting the testimonies and defending the allegations in fear of the accused’s mental health. 

    The AssaultPolice account has issued a call for the victims urging them to come forward with their anonymity preserved in official reports in front of Law Enforcement but we are yet to hear of whether the victims have decided to take them up on the offer. 

    ahmed bassam zaky 2
    Call for survivors to come forward

    With Wednesdays and Thursdays not being a primetime for Talkshows, Sherif Amer of MBC Masr’s يحدث في مصر did address the situation and explained, possibly for the first time on primetime television, the true legal ramifications of online harassment, online stalking and other digital based crimes targeting girls.

    Amr Adib has ‘spoken on the record’ but off the air with the alleged rapist’s father and that was the outcome.

    Fake Accounts Dilemma 

    Hours into the story developing, many have reported that two of the “accounts” reporting several allegations against the same person have turned out to be “fake accounts” which has stirred a conversation on whether or not this can undermine the case or, worse, raise serious doubts over the allegations.

    By Saturday July 4th, the accused man was apprehended for questioning by law enforcement and has pleaded not guilty to all accusations against him, he has not been officially charged to date of publication.

    As of July 6th, Assault Police has reported that two ladies have actually been to submit an official report and have come out reporting complete support and understanding from the Public Attorney’s office. The account now also has a website () which documents all allegations and gives victims tips and support on how to come forward.

    This case is eerily similar to the wave of #MeToo sweeping over the US and various other countries against men in power using their connections and money to attack, use, manipulate and blackmail women which results in Harvey Weinstein, former CEO and Co-Founder of Miramax and Cinema mogul to be sentenced for 23 years in prison with other trials still pending.

    This goes to show the power social media has in supporting sexual assault and sexual harassment victims and, subsequently, raising awareness about predators and creating a safe space for victims.

    This story is still developing. 

    We urge victims of harassment, blackmail, molestation or sexual assault to please call 15115, the hotline for Egyptian females suffering from any sort of abuse, you are not alone.

    Disclaimer: Digital Boom is reporting on the facts related to the viral-ity of the topic on Social Media Platforms, Blogs, Forums and News Sites and is in no way an accusatory instrument nor does it claim any affiliations to any of the parties involved in the current scandal.  We have also decided not to post any screenshots depicting the alleged attacks as it may trigger survivors and current victims.