Who is Richard Fitzgerald?

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Richard Fitzgerald: Building media that people actually want

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He is the operator behind some of the Gulf’s most recognizable digital brands. Richard Fitzgerald mixes publisher discipline with creator energy. His posts blend market insight, business milestones, and community moments. You learn how modern media grows by watching him build it.

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1. Who he is

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Richard is the CEO and founder of Augustus Media, the company behind Lovin Dubai, Lovin Saudi, Smashi and more. He launched Lovin Dubai in 2015 and scaled it from a community page to a multi-brand media network. His feed shares real P&L style updates, team wins, and product expansions across platforms. You will see anniversary campaigns, audience data, and snapshots from on-the-ground events. He also mentors founders and hosts conversations around the business of media. He positions himself as a builder who turns local stories into durable media businesses.

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2. A Network of Heavyweights

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His orbit spans city ecosystems and regional growth hubs. You will spot Dubai Government entities, RiseUp, Invest Qatar, and accelerators like 500. Brand icons from Apple to Emirates pop up beside founders, investors, and creators. The Lovin and Smashi communities add reach across the UAE, Saudi, and wider MENA.

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3. Why people listen

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Richard writes like a publisher who ships every day. Short posts. Clear numbers. Lessons from wins and losses. He mixes boardroom context with family life and team celebrations, which makes the story human. The tone is open and confident, never hype driven.

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4. Authenticity that resonates

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Favikon puts his authenticity at 96.5 out of 100. Comments reference specific projects, market insights, and real interactions. AI signals look organic, with varied timing and thoughtful replies. Post Content scores 92 and Expertise 85, showing depth in media operations and growth strategy.

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5. Numbers that back it up

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His LinkedIn following grew steadily from about 20,962 to 25,425 over several years. Influence Score is 5 with 6,640 points. Engagement quality sits at 88 and AI Content at 90. He ranks in the top 1% on LinkedIn in the UAE and runs the Smashi Business newsletter with 5.3k followers.

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6. Collaborations that matter

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Richard’s brands partner with city festivals, venues, and regional startups to tell community-first stories. Lovin Dubai’s ten-year campaign activated archives, creator takeovers, and awards moments. Smashi brings founders and operators on air with data-led segments. He also appears on mentoring platforms and ecosystem stages to map where MENA media is heading.

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7. Why brands should partner with Richard Fitzgerald

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Working with Richard gives brands trusted reach and an operator’s eye for outcomes.

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• Thought leadership series on modern media and community growth, co-published across Lovin and Smashi.

• Event and city campaigns that blend on-the-ground coverage with studio formats.

• Brand storytelling sprints that turn product launches into community moments with measurable lift.

• Founder roundtables and live shows that position executives as category voices.

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8. Why Richard Fitzgerald is relevant in 2026

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Media is fragmenting while cities act like platforms. First-party data, live formats, and local communities are the new moat. Richard sits at this intersection with brands that ship daily and learn fast. He shows how to turn regional attention into real business value.

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Conclusion: Built to last

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Richard proves that consistency beats virality. He scales audiences, not just posts. He invests in people, products, and partnerships that compound. Follow him if you want a front-row seat to how modern media is built in MENA.

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