Voting for the 2013 Emirates Woman Woman of the Year awards is now open. After months of sifting through entries, the Emirates Woman team have shortlisted 21 leading ladies, comprising of humanitarians, visionaries, artists and achievers, who have – in their very own way – made their mark in the UAE. Voting closes on September 30, 2013.
Vote for your Emirates Woman Woman Of The Year now at emirateswoman.com/awards.
TOH PR, the consumer agency with offices in Dubai and London today confirms new client wins for September 2013. New signings took place with the global Italian restaurant chain, Pizza Express UAE, and the leading manufacturer of premium home appliances, Miele.
Elsewhere, the team are delighted to have renewed their contract with W Hotels, based on their work with W Doha over the past 12 months.
Aziza Communications has secured the PR account for GQ Bar, Dubai. Under the umbrella of Condé Nast International Restaurants, and in partnership with local licensees Inspired Brands, GQ Bar is the second venture for the publishing giant in the region – the first being VOGUE Café at The Dubai Mall, which launched in May 2013. GQ Bar will be set within the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai and is due to launch in the final quarter of 2013.
“We are very excited to have secured this coveted account and we look forward to working alongside both Inspired Brands and Condé Nast International Restaurants on this project,” says Sarah Bond, Account Director at Aziza Communications.
Union Bancaire Privée, UBP SA (UBP), one of Switzerland’s leading private banks has signed up with Dubai-based Iris Public Relations for PR communications in the GCC region.The Bank, which specialises in the field of wealth management for both private and institutional clients, is based in Geneva and employs around 1,250 people in some twenty locations worldwide. In the region, UBP has offices in Dubai and Beirut.
“We are excited about supporting Union Bancaire Privée in creating more awareness in the region about their private banking and wealth management services,” says Lisa George, Director, Iris Public Relations.
For queries relating to Union Bancaire Privée, contact: Sali Takouz – sali@irispr.net / +971 (0)4 434 1207
Russian fashion icon, Miroslava Duma, is taking her celebrated Buro247.ru website global as it has been announced Buro 24/7 Middle East is to launch in the final quarter of 2013. As a collaboration between the socialite and local Emirati entrepreneur, Salama Alabbar, the online luxury lifestyle platform will host up-to-the-minute news from the world of fashion, film, art, current affairs, literature, music, cars and much more.
“We are extremely excited to launch Buro 24/7 across the Middle East this Fall,” says Holly Hollywould, who has been named as Editor-in-Chief of the portal. “The aim is to finally be a place for the Middle East’s discerning readers to visit 24/7, and read the most important news covering everything under the intelligent, luxury umbrella.”
Follow Buro 24/7 Middle East on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest @Buro247ME.
The Qode have secured a new PR account and will now represent Gallery Ward. The latest addition to Dubai’s art scene, Gallery Ward recently opened in the Al Quoz district. Originating in Egypt, Ward aims to open channels of interaction between contemporary Arab experiences in art and global culture, and to find a permanent place for the contemporary Arabian art movement in a global arena. It seeks to overcome the language barrier and bridge the cultural gap between the Middle East and the rest of the world.
Ahlan! magazine has welcomed new team member, John Anisiobi, who has joined the celebrity weekly as News Editor. British-born John – who has previously worked as Online Showbiz Editor at the London Evening Standard – will be writing breaking news and celebrity features, relevant to both the UAE and international markets.
“As part of my new role I will be interviewing A-list celebrities and attending the best parties in town for our weekly diary,” says John. “I will also be writing a bi-monthly column called Ahlan! Man, which will see me doing things around the UAE like sky diving, swimming with sharks and checking out new restaurants. For my column I’ll also write about the latest gadgets and must have men’s accessories such as watches, scarfs and other luxury items.”
After just one week in the UAE, John is already finding his feet. “I already feel at home here thanks to the wonderful team at Ahlan! magazine,” he says. “I was quite nervous about moving from London to the desert as I had never been to the UAE before, but everyone has been really friendly and welcoming, so I’m looking forward to a long stay at the magazine.”
Motivate Publishing is expanding its online presence with the What’s On website set to go live in the final quarter of 2013. Billing itself as the go-to guide for expert opinion, insider info, news, reviews, entertainment, competitions and more, the online platform will attract everyone from foodies to thrill-seekers and fashionistas.
“The job of launching the What’s On website gets ever more exciting from day-to-day,” says new What’s On Online Editor, Matthew Fortune who joined the team in August. “The challenge of developing unique content to perfectly partner the magazine is one that I, and those I meet, have seized with both hands.”
“It promises to be a thrilling few months,” Matthew adds.
After more than a year in the Editor’s chair at celebrity weekly, OK! Middle East, Sarah Walker has announced she will leave her position at the end of this month. The title, which relaunched last September and now falls under the ITP Publishing umbrella, was awarded the highest honour at this years’ OK! International Conference. Sarah is excited to hand over the reins at such a time of celebration.
“I feel now is the perfect time to pass the baton, and I’m hugely excited to be moving my talents – and annoyingly boundless creative energy – into heading up the PR department at Think,” says Sarah. “As a long-term Editor and writer in the region, I feel my absolute niche for this role is the extensive first-hand experience and natural respect for the Middle East media I now have. I’ve been in their chair and therefore I’m the perfect middle woman to guide clients and give members of the press exactly – and uniquely – what they need.”
After six years in UAE-based celebrity weeklies, the London-born journalist will now move into the role of PR Director at Think – the events, marketing and PR company run by Greg Dufton and Tim Derry.
“I’m ecstatic at the success that OK! Middle East has enjoyed and the level it has reached in the market at this vital one-year stage,” adds Sarah. “Putting my stamp on the publication, being recognised as the leading title in the OK! international family and working with such a strong team to create the high-end product it is today, remains the highest achievement of my career to date.”
A replacement has not yet been announced.
Alexandra O’Brien has joined Grazia Middle East as Lifestyle Editor. Alexandra will be looking after travel, interiors, entertainment, food and some news/health pages. Her regular pages include: Hotlist, Travel, Interiors, Parties and Scene.
Alexandra has previously worked at Madison magazine, NW and TV Week in Australia, and most recently Net-A-Porter online magazine and LuxDeco online magazine in London.
“I’m so excited to work on Grazia Middle East,” says Alexandra. “It is my perfect combo of celeb news, fashion and my personal passion, all things lifestyle!”