About Us
Yalla knows Dubai inside out. Our job is to unearth hidden gems and unique stories and places, so you don’t have to. We get to the very heart of it all and bring you a more in-depth view of the city and wider Emirate. Every day, our editors, writers and social media experts explore the city to bring you a curated content mix that informs, inspires and excites you about everything happening in Dubai.
From practical advice on how to get settled in the city if you just moved here, to the best things to do on the weekends, curated itineraries of what to eat and drink and the best events coming up in Dubai, one thing is for sure – we will help you make the most of the city.
And we’re more than just a website. We publish a monthly magazine (available at Waitrose, Spinneys and throughout the city) and you can also find us on:
– TikTok
And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter, so you can get the best of the UAE, delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up to Yallagram here
Meet the team
Yalla Dubai relies on a team of experienced editors, writers, content producers and digital experts to bring you the best of the city. We produce quality content for our print magazine, website and social media channels, aimed at making your life in Dubai easier, better and more fun.
Jane Barraclough, Founder and Managing Director
Jane is a brand marketer with over 30 years of experience. She is the owner and founder of Phoenix Media & Publishing FZ LLC and founder of Yalla Magazine. Jane started her career in London with an award-winning advertising agency where she created national brand campaigns for high-profile FMCGs, destination, and lifestyle brands. She also spent three years working for the broadcaster, Sky UK, as a key member of the brand marketing team, before moving to the Middle East in 2005. While her passion is travel, she loves calling the UAE her home. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, photography and many sports.
Mariana Cerqueira, Editor
Mariana Cerqueira is an experienced journalist and editor, having worked in the media industry for over a decade. After completing a master’s in Magazine Journalism at City University London, she worked for some of the UK’s biggest lifestyle websites like woman&home and The Sun UK, until she moved to Abu Dhabi in 2024. Now Editor at Yalla Magazine, she brings her digital and journalistic expertise to the UAE capital, finding unique stories in the UAE that help readers make the most of this beautiful country. When she’s not obsessing over digital analytics or social media stats, she’s busy finding the hottest coffee shop or Pilates class in town.
Shane Reynolds, Deputy Editor
Shane Reynolds is a seasoned journalist with over 10 years of media experience. He began his career in Ireland as Deputy Editor of the Roscommon People, where he led multiple sections and wrote a weekly sports page. After freelancing for national titles, he moved to the UAE and spent seven years teaching English at top international schools. In 2022, Shane returned to journalism, joining Yalla. Now Deputy Editor, he brings strong editorial expertise, a passion for storytelling, and a deep understanding of both Irish and UAE audiences to one of the UAE’s leading lifestyle publications.
Jemma Nicholls, Education Editor
Jemma Nicholls is an editor and writer with more than 22 years’ experience in print and broadcast journalism. BBC-trained in the UK, she moved to the UAE over 20 years ago and was a founding member of Dubai Eye 103.8FM. She has held senior editorial roles at The National and other UAE publications, while also contributing to respected international titles. Jemma was part of the original communications team that launched the first Taaleem schools and has written widely on education for global groups. With two children in UAE schools, she brings firsthand insight, regional knowledge, and a passion for education, lifestyle, and storytelling.
Yalla Education
Education in Abu Dhabi is one of Yalla’s biggest content pillars. Catering to parents who are exploring their children’s education options in the UAE, we cover everything from the best schools in Dubai to what curricula to consider. As well as our consistent digital output on our comprehensive Education in Dubai page, we also publish the yearly Standout Schools Guide, which covers schools all over the UAE.
Yalla Magazine
Our print magazine is published monthly, and you will find it on sale at Waitrose and Spinneys. You can browse our previous editions here.
About Phoenix Media
Yalla Abu Dhabi is part of Phoenix Media. As one of the leading media companies in the UAE, Phoenix Media has over a decade of experience shaping the country’s media landscape through its own brand, Yalla, but also as a full-service content creation agency.
Contact us
For more information on how to contact our team, head to our contact us page.
