Paul Hugo

Director of Marketing & Events, Hakkasan Group Indonesia


Q: Describe your responsibilities in under 10 words.

A: Overseeing marketing, music and creative direction for Hakkasan Group Indonesia.

Q: What makes a typical day?

A: I get up around 5am because I cherish the early mornings, sunrise and the calm before the day really kicks off. With our HQ in Las Vegas, I am often on call with them first thing too. I get to the office about 10am, then it’s into meetings and emails. My role covers both OMNIA Bali & Hakkasan Jakarta, so whilst I am based in Bali, I am in Jakarta every couple of weeks. At weekends I’m usually found hovering around the OMNIA Bali DJ booth. I often host the talent as I know a lot of the artistes. They’re usually happy to be in Bali and very relaxed, which translates into some amazing performances at OMNIA.

Q: What’s the toughest part of your job?

A: The relentlessness. Operating businesses that are open seven days a week, there is never any down time.

Q: What do you find most satisfying in your job?

A: Watching our guests enjoying themselves, be it couples, small groups or the entire venue at big events.

Q: Who has been the most influential figure in your career?

A: Louis Parker, who was the owner of Concorde Talent agency. I worked for him for a short time and was introduced to the emerging international dance music scene, including markets that had never been on my radar before. After that I worked for 15 years touring brands and DJs all over the world, experiencing the scenes in many countries at their very early stages and contributing to their development.

Q: Name one really special thing about your venue.

A: The golden hour, the time when the sun is setting and the light hits the OMNIA Cube illuminating it with a golden glow. It’s around the same time the energy in the venue starts to elevate too, this is the time when people start to hit the dance floor and the party kicks in.

Q: How do you unwind?

A: Travel. I love discovering new places and experiencing different cultures.

Q: If you hadn’t taken this career path, what would have chosen?

A: I wanted to be a DJ but I was awful, so I quickly moved into promoting, eventually overseeing festivals for up to 50,000 people all around the world, before I settled in Bali four years ago. It’s all I’ve ever known, so I am lucky to have been able to follow my passion.

omniaclubs.com/bali


Asia Dreams November 2019 – January 2020