A big congratulations to Katherine Benton, our June Employee of the Month – and the winner with the most nominations!

Katherine has been recognised for her brilliant work enhancing our email content. She embraced the task with enthusiasm, took on feedback thoughtfully, and delivered her findings in a clear and insightful way.

Katherine is always supportive, dedicated, and a real credit to AI. Great work!

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We’re thrilled to recognise Emma Pridmore as our Employee of the Month! Emma consistently brings fresh ideas to the table, works tirelessly behind the scenes, and always does so with a smile. Her positive attitude and willingness to support others make her a joy to work with. Emma is not only a friendly and approachable colleague, but a true asset to the business – thank you for all that you do!

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At AI Global Media, we believe that learning never stops. Investing in professional development is key to staying ahead in the fast-paced world of media, publishing, and digital marketing. That’s why we support our employees in furthering their careers through apprenticeship programs, allowing them to gain industry-recognized qualifications while continuing their work with us.

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we recognise the value of upskilling within the workplace. Taking on an apprenticeship course while working allows employees to expand their knowledge, refine their skills, and unlock new career opportunities – all while contributing to the company’s success.

Why Apprenticeships Work for Existing Employees

Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers or career starters. They offer structured learning opportunities for professionals at any stage of their careers, helping them enhance their expertise, gain certifications, and open doors to progression.

For AI Global Media, supporting employees in undertaking apprenticeships provides:

• Enhanced skills – Employees gain in-depth knowledge in digital marketing, editorial content, graphic design, sales, and more.
• Career progression – Employees develop specialist expertise and leadership capabilities.
• Practical application – Apprentices can immediately apply what they learn to their daily work.
• A culture of learning – Encouraging apprenticeships fosters innovation, adaptability, and fresh ideas within the team.

By upskilling from within, we ensure that our workforce remains competitive and that our employees feel valued and empowered in their careers.

Success Story: Learning & Growing at AI Global Media

One of our employees, Viktorija, is currently completing an apprenticeship course while working at AI Global Media. We spoke to her about her experience and how the apprenticeship is helping her develop new skills.

Q: What made you decide to start an apprenticeship while working at AI Global Media?

“During my time as a Lead Generation team member at AI Global Media I had the opportunity to learn some basic programming skills, which made me curios to learning more. A few months later my manager approached me and offered me a chance to enrol in a Level 3 Software Development Technician apprenticeship which I gladly accepted. It seemed like the perfect timing for exploring the world of tech so I went for it. Since then, I’ve been able to progress within the company and now work as a Database Administrator Assistant in the Operations team. Looking back, it was definitely the right decision!”

Q: How is the apprenticeship helping you in your current role?

“Working with data means always looking for ways to improve current processes and developing new solutions. The apprenticeship has been so useful because it has given me the technical knowledge to solve problems and the ability to put those ideas into practice. Every time I learn a new concept I am able to apply it to my work and see the theory have a real life use case. Learning helped me become more independent in taking on new challenges and has given me a better understanding of how things fit together within the business.”

Q: What challenges have you faced, and how have you managed them?

“One of the biggest challenges I faced (and still do) is building confidence in my abilities. I second guess myself a lot and can’t help but compare myself to others which often leads to the feeling of being an imposter. However through talking to others on the course I have found that most of us share the same doubts and insecurities, especially those of us who have changed career paths and are essentially of starting over.

I find that learning to code feels a lot like learning a new language – it can be complex and confusing and always evolving depending on who you are talking to. It is a process that is never complete – there is always more to learn and staying consistent is key.  So I am learning to embrace being a beginner, making mistakes and being patient with myself.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking on an apprenticeship while working?

“Honestly – go for it. One of the biggest advantages is that all study time is done during work hours so you don’t have to sacrifice personal commitments in order to gain a qualification. Also, you are learning on the job, which means you can apply your skills straight away and see real results. If like me, you struggle with strict deadlines and stress of exams that come with the traditional education system, an apprenticeship is a great alternative because you are assessed on real-world projects that actually benefit the company you work for. It has been an interesting introduction to the industry and has given me the necessary foundations for a career in tech.”

The Business Benefits of Supporting Employee Apprenticeships

Encouraging employees to develop new skills through apprenticeships benefits both the individual and the company. At AI Global Media, we’ve seen how upskilling employees leads to greater expertise, innovation, and engagement. Some key benefits include:

• Stronger workforce – Employees bring new skills back into the company, improving efficiency and creativity.
• Higher retention – Investing in employee development boosts loyalty and job satisfaction.
• Future-proofing skills – Apprenticeships allow employees to stay ahead of industry changes, emerging technologies, and evolving content strategies.

By fostering a learning-first culture, we ensure that our team continues to evolve with the media and publishing industry.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Workplace Apprenticeships

As the industry shifts toward digital content, AI-driven marketing, and audience data analytics, continuous learning is more important than ever. AI Global Media remains committed to supporting employees in furthering their careers through apprenticeships and other professional development opportunities.

Looking ahead, we aim to expand our support for apprenticeships across different areas, ensuring that employees at all levels have the opportunity to grow, specialise, and lead within the business.

Conclusion

National Apprenticeship Week highlights the importance of lifelong learning and career development. At AI Global Media, we are proud to support our employees in undertaking apprenticeship courses while continuing their careers with us. By empowering our team with new skills and qualifications, we not only help them achieve their professional goals but also strengthen the future of our business.

The post National Apprenticeship Week: Supporting Professional Growth at AI Global Media appeared first on AI Global Media.

We’re excited to announce the launch of MEA Markets brand-new website, designed to deliver a more seamless, engaging, and efficient browsing experience. This significant update reflects the evolving needs of our audience and our commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation.

Our refreshed website offers a host of improvements that enhance usability, speed, and accessibility. The changes are designed to ensure that visitors can find relevant content effortlessly, while also enjoying a visually appealing and mobile-friendly interface.

What’s New?

• Refreshed Design: Our new look brings MEA Markets up to date with a modern, sleek aesthetic that aligns with our evolving brand identity.
• Improved Accessibility & Structure: The updated layout enhances navigation, making pages clearer and easier to explore for all users.
• Faster Performance: A lightweight and clean design drastically improves page load times, particularly for mobile users.
• Updated Branding: We’ve refreshed fonts, logos, and colours to maintain consistency with our evolving visual identity.
• Optimised Browsing Experience: Information is now more accessible than ever, with key details highlighted where needed to support smooth navigation.

These changes ensure that our website remains a reliable and user-friendly resource for businesses and professionals looking to stay informed about the Middle Eastern and African markets.

Explore the New Website

We invite you to explore our updated website at MEA Markets and experience these enhancements for yourself. Whether you’re browsing our latest industry insights, discovering awards programmes, or seeking business opportunities, our new platform offers a more intuitive and efficient experience than ever before.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to refine and expand our digital presence to better serve our growing audience.

The post The Brand New MEA Markets Website Officially Launches Today! appeared first on AI Global Media.

What’s New?

The refreshed CEO Monthly website has been carefully crafted to reflect the dynamic, innovative nature of the business leaders we celebrate. Here’s a closer look at what makes our new site a game-changer:

An Overhauled User Interface and Customer Journey

Navigating our site has never been easier. We’ve reimagined the layout to prioritise clarity and simplicity, ensuring that users can effortlessly access the information they need – whether that’s award details, the latest articles, or our industry-leading magazines.

Enhanced Discoverability of Content

With improved categorisation and search functionality, finding your favourite content is now a breeze. Whether you’re looking for specific articles, exploring past winners, or browsing through our publications, everything is just a click away!

A Modernised Design

Our new design embraces the latest digital trends, delivering a sleek and professional look that aligns with the high standards of the CEOs and businesses we showcase. The refreshed aesthetics bring CEO Monthly firmly into the present day while maintaining our signature style.

Accessibility and Performance Improvements

We’ve introduced significant enhancements to ensure our site is inclusive and accessible to all. From optimised page speeds to compatibility with assistive technologies, we’re committed to providing an exceptional experience for every user.

Faster Load Times and More

Speed matters, and we’ve worked hard to make our platform lightning-fast. Whether you’re on a desktop or mobile device, the new CEO Monthly website is designed to load quickly, so you can dive into our content without delay.

Why It Matters

The new website represents more than just a visual update; it’s a reflection of our mission to celebrate leadership excellence while delivering a world-class user experience. By streamlining access to articles, awards programmes, and publications, we’re empowering our audience to stay informed and inspired by the business world’s brightest minds.

Explore the New CEO Monthly

We invite you to explore the all-new CEO Monthly website today. Whether you’re a regular reader, an award winner, or someone discovering us for the first time, we’re confident you’ll love the improvements we’ve made!

Stay tuned for even more exciting developments as we continue to evolve alongside the business leaders and organisations we celebrate.

The post CEO Monthly – New Website Launches with Major Improvements appeared first on AI Global Media.

AI Global Media’s Annual Sports Day is a highly anticipated event filled with fun, fitness, and friendly competition. Recently, all the departments at AI Global Media took part in a company wide sports day, organised by operations manager, Sean Wilkins. Our annual sports day fosters team spirit, encourages employee wellness, and promotes a work-life balance and lets the employees of AI Global Media have some well-deserved competitive fun!

The day was a big success, full of laughs, wins, and falls! The sports day was designed to be inclusive, offering a wide range of activities that catered to all skill levels. From team-based events to individual challenges, there was something there for everyone. By providing a mix of competitive and light-hearted activities, the sports day created an atmosphere where every employee, regardless of fitness level, felt welcome and engaged. The main activities included inflatable football (foosball style), 5-legged race, inflatable pillow fight (gladiator style), 100 metres run, egg and spoon relay, bean bag balance and water balloon throw and catch. The event also included some smaller carnival style activities which included bean bag throw, welly wanging, bowls roll, and timed scooter racing. We had a variety of winners and lots of prizes and medals to be won!

Teams were put together in a fun mix of randomness and choice, making the day even more exciting. For events such as the inflatable football, the five-legged race, and the egg and spoon relay, teams were picked at random, encouraging employees to collaborate with colleagues they might not usually work with. For activities such as the water balloon throw and catch, employees got to pick their own partners, giving them the chance to team up with a close colleague or friends. This balance of random pairing and personal choice helped create a dynamic, inclusive environment, where teamwork and collaboration flourished, bringing everyone closer throughout the day!

One of the highlights of sports say was the hilarious inflatable pillow fight, where Stan and Elliot faced off in a friendly but fierce competition. The playful banter between the two had everyone laughing, as they swung their oversized pillows with determination, trying to knock each other off balance and hold onto the pole, until one was no longer able to hold on and fell off! Elliot put up a good fight and held on well, but it was Stan who emerged as the overall champion. The crowd cheered, and the light-hearted rivalry added an extra spark of fun to the day.

The day ended with individual winner’s being crowned and given medals, as well as the overall winning team. The sports day was enjoyed by all and did more than just offer a day of fun and games. It gave everyone involved a much-needed energy boost and made the gloomy day joyful and full of teamwork. Employees left the event feeling more connected, with shared laughs, victories, and even the occasional playful defeat helping to build stronger bonds across teams.

Thank you to Sean for organising the events, the food, Fajitas and chips from Super Nosh, and the bar and venue which was located at Washland’s Sports club. Thank you to everyone who took part in the sports day, and we hope you had a great afternoon – we can’t wait to see what next years, bigger and better, sports day holds!

View some of the photos from the sport day down below!

The post Game On: AI Global Media’s Ultimate Sports Day! appeared first on AI Global Media.

AI Global Media Operations manager, Sean Wilkins, recently celebrated his 10-year milestone with AI Global Media! Sean joined AI Global Media team back in 2014 within the credit control department providing maternity cover. During his time at AI, Sean has worked in a number of areas of the business and has managed a variety of key projects. Sean was promoted to the Finance Manager and then to Operations Manager in 2017, later combining the two roles. Recently, Sean has added the production team to his managerial duties, bringing increased efficiencies and customer experience improvements to the department. Thank you for your commitment and hard work Sean!

Below, we asked Sean a few questions to learn more about him, his role, and his time at AI Global Media.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to join AI Global Media?

My main career prior to AI Global Media was in accounts as a purchase ledger clerk for companies such as Holland and Barrett and Trent and Dove housing. I decided I wanted a career change and came for an interview as a sales rep at AI Global. During the interview I was advised that they had a job more suited to my background and offered me the job in accounts. It wasn’t an easy choice with wanting a change but really pleased I took the job.

Q. What is your current role and what are your main responsibilities?

I have a very varied role. I am the Operations manager, dealing with the day to day running of the office, maintenance, supplies and Health and Safety. Accounts manager, leading our credit control team to collect the revenue for the bookings we take in the magazines and finally the Production team manager, overseeing the team who deal directly with the customers to produce the high quality items and the shipping aspects of the company.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at AI Global Media?

What I enjoy most is how varied each day is. Having a hand in many departments pulls me in different directions and ensures I always have a list of jobs to do. I always prefer to be busy.

Q: Can you share a few key achievements or projects you’re particularly proud of during your time here?

Taking on the production team with my other duties was a big challenge and learning curve. Self teaching myself all the design aspects and understanding where the improvements were needed while still handing the day to day was taxing. The department has shown massive improvements in efficiencies and workload which has lead it to have the best customer service time scales for some years. The company has also moved offices a couple of times and I have been responsible for planning the layout and seating for the company’s department’s as we grow. I enjoy the organisation aspect of planning and the outcome at the end.

Q: What are some common challenges you face in your role and how do you overcome them?

My main challenge is juggling my time between the teams, ensuring they receive the same attention while keeping them motivated at the same time. Having the right mixture, personable and professional interactions helps the team know that they can come to you with professional or personal issues that is affecting their day to day. Having regular check ins, gives the employees chance to raise issues but also receive praise and reassurance that they are doing a good job.

Q: How would you describe the team culture at AI Global Media?

It has always felt since I started, that AI Global Media and its directors have tried to make it “a 1 big team”. All the managers have risen up through the ranks and so share this outlook which spreads down to the team members. The work activities the company puts on through the year, clearly demonstrates the understanding that if you can enjoy where you work you will work hard for company. I gladly help with this by organising many events, sports days and quizzes.

Q: How does the company support your professional growth and development?

The company has always pushed me by giving opportunities. Opportunity to do new tasks, head projects and take on relative training where needed. My progression from credit controller to manager of multiple departments shows the trust the company has put in me to succeed. 

Q: What do you like to do in your free time outside of work?

Over the last few years I have taken up crown green bowls. Since I stopped playing and coaching football, I needed a competitive sport that caused less harm to my body, and fell into bowls after it was recommended by a friend. I really enjoy the competitive side of the sport and joining a club, and meeting new people has filled the gap that football left behind. I also love to go to the cinema and spend time with my partner and son. Each year we try to visit a new country and experience new things.

Q: What has been your favourite part of working here for a decade, and what are you looking forward to in the future?

I have always enjoyed the variety the job brings, the company has changed and grown in many directions over the decade. I have been hands on throughout. This will not change and I look forward to what the future will bring for me and the company.

Q: What advice would you give to someone new joining the finance team AI Global Media?

Get involved. Learn as much as you can about the different departments and processes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and present ideas for improvements.

Q: What skills or qualities do you think are essential for success in a finance role?

A drive to succeed and hit targets will keep you coming back for more. Attention to detail is important and a “get it right first time” should always be in the forefront of your mind to make your life easier and ensure you are efficient in what you do.

The post Celebrating a Decade of Dedication – Sean Wilkins Marks 10 Years with AI Global Media appeared first on AI Global Media.

Congratulations to Laura on being voted Manager’s Employee of the Month! Despite facing significant personal challenges recently, you have consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism and an unwavering work ethic. Your resilience and dedication are truly inspiring, and we’re proud to have you on our team. Thank you for your outstanding contributions!

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Congratulations to Josh, our Employee of the Month! Your dedication over the bank holiday weekend, working tirelessly to get our network running smoothly, is truly commendable. We also want to thank you for giving up your free time to ensure everything was in perfect order, and for bringing a touch of joy to the office with Classic FM last Friday. Your hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed—thank you, Josh!

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When speaking to Rich about his experience and also his drive for committing to this challenge he mentioned that he enjoys doing things for charity whether it is an MMA fight, travelling through Europe or in this case, cycling across England. He continues, “I got swept up in the hype that I’m seeing online from people doing long distance exercise challenges, like Russ Cook. (the Hardest Geezer), the fella that ran the length of Africa. While I knew I couldn’t quite make it that far, I knew I could put my body through a cycle across England, after all its only 1,200km.”

He speaks passionately about the charity he did it for, Linjoy Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue – Midlands, which he has worked with countless times in the past from taking helpless animals there for aid. His most memorable experience being bringing a pigeon all the way from Leeds to aid his broken wing. His passion for the cause is reflected deeply in his actions as well as his words when he tells us that although it may sound pretentious “but that’s why I’m vegan, I would just like to help animals in any way I can, one meal at a time.”

After completing the bike ride, Rich says he was filled with pride but was equally in disbelief to know that he managed to achieve something so big. “Even now, I can’t believe I did it. It’s amazing to know that I can push my body and mind to complete extreme tasks as it was definitely more mentally challenging than physically. At the risk of sounding like a melt, I’ve always felt like a bit of a loser. I can’t express that enough. For example, I lost my charity MMA fight, and I remember saying to my girlfriend Linsey that “maybe people like me aren’t meant to win stuff like this”, that maybe I’m always meant to be second place because I don’t deserve it. So, to complete this really helped make me feel whole and erase that feeling a bit. Although I’m not sure it will ever go, I do use it as a driving force, so maybe it needs to stick around.”

The business and Rich’s colleagues are immensely proud of his remarkable achievement. His dedication and perseverance in completing this 1,200km charity bike ride is very inspiring and it also exemplifies the values that AI holds dear. Rich’s incredible effort has raised an impressive £2048 for Linjoy Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue – Midlands. This generous contribution will significantly help the charity’s ongoing missions to rescue and care for the animals in need.

AI Global Media’s commitment to voluntary charity days reflects the values of the business and by enabling employees like Rich to support causes close their hearts, we are fostering a culture of philanthropy and giving back. By aligning our corporate values with meaningful actions, we are reinforcing our dedication to making a positive impact both locally and globally.

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Ryan and Josh are our joint managers’ choice employees of the month! They have shown remarkable dedication improving our email infrastructure for the business to improve our current systems! Thank you, Ryan and Josh, for your hard work and commitment.

The post Manager Voted Employee of the Month – Josh Hewitt & Ryan Brogden appeared first on AI Global Media.

It’s a pleasure working with Sofi, whose quick responses and helpfulness make a real difference. Her passion for her role, our company, and our customers is truly inspiring. Thank you, Sofi, for your unwavering commitment and dedication to delivering exceptional service.

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