2013 – Page 4 – The Media Network

What’s On Dubai 2013 Awards winners announced

November 28, 2013/1 Comment/in Award win /by Team TMN

There was a lot to celebrate last night at What’s On Magazine‘s twelfth annual What’s On Awards held at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. Not only was the magazine celebrating its 35th birthday, but it was also announced during the glamorous event that Dubai was indeed successful in its bid for the Expo 2020.

And the winners were…

RESTAURANTS
British – Above Dhs400 Rivington Bar & Grill, Souk Al Bahar

British – Below 400 London Fish & Chips, Independent

Brunch – Above 400 Bubbalicious, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina

Brunch – Below 400 The Grand Grill, Habtoor Grand Hotel

Café Pantry Café , Independent

Chinese – Above 400 Shang Palace, Shangri-la Hotel, Dubai

Chinese – Below 400 Chopstix, Marco Polo Hotel

French – Above 400 La Petite Maison, Independent

French – Below 400 Oscar’s Vine Society, Crowne Plaza Dubai

Indian – Above 400 Indego by Vineet, Grosvenor House Dubai

Indian – Below 400 Qureshi’s Kebab & Kurry, The Country Club Hotel

International – Above 400 Kitchen 6, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel

International – Below 400 Horizon, Amwaj Rotana – Jumeirah Beach Residence

Italian – Above 400 BiCE, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah

Italian – Below 400 Da Vinci’s, Millennium Airport Hotel

Japanese – Above 400 Okku, The H Hotel

Japanese – Below 400 Benihana-Steakhouse, Sushi and Seafood, Amwaj Rotana – Jumeirah Beach Residence

Middle Eastern – Above 400 Levantine, Atlantis The Palm Hotel

Middle Eastern – Below 400 The Courtyard, Al Manzil Hotel

Modern European – Above 400 Table 9 By Nick And Scott, Hilton Dubai Creek

Modern European – Below 400 The Farm, Independent

Pakistani – Below 400 Karachi Darbar, Independent

Pub Grub The Irish Village, Independent

Pan Asian – Above 400 Karma Kafé, Independent

Pan Asian – Below 400 Kitakits Kafe & Klubb, Marco Polo Hotel

Seafood – Above 400 BiCE Mare, Independent

Seafood – Below 400 Fish Market, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek

Steakhouse and Grill – Above 400 West 14th, Oceana Beach Club, Palm Jumeirah

Steakhouse and Grill – Below 400 Butcher’s Shop and Grill, Independent

Thai- Above 400 Thai Kitchen, Park Hyatt Dubai

Thai – Below 400 Royal Orchid, Independent

The Americas Above 400 Claw BBQ Crabshack & Grill, Souk Al Bahar, Independent

The Americas – Below 400 Fatburger, Independent

MUSIC AND NIGHTLIFE
Bar Barasti, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina

Club Night Audio Tonic, 360

Ladies’ Night Aquara Lounge, Dubai Marina Yacht Club

NightClub Mahiki, Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Concert Bruno Mars

DJ Marco Smokingroove

Festival Sandance

SPORT AND OUTDOOR
Sporting Events Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens

Fitness Clubs United Pro Sports

HAIR AND NAILS
Hair Salon JetSet

Nails N Bar

Spa Beauty Connection Spa

Lowe MENA win Masafi creative account

November 27, 2013/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

Lowe MENA has been awarded the regional creative duties for Masafi, and will take the up reins for the company’s through-the-line communications in the Middle East with immediate effect.

“We are extremely excited to be associated with such a prestigious and historical brand that’s been part of the U.A.E.’s fabric for decades. We look forward to sharing the journey of Masafi’s vision to expand across the region,” says Joseph Makhoul, General Manager of Lowe MENA.

Masafi CEO Reginald Randall adds: “We are delighted to welcome Lowe MENA onboard as Masafi’s new advertising agency and very much look forward to working with their experienced team as we continue to build the Masafi brand across the region and internationally. The team at Masafi would like to extend our congratulations to the winning team and look forward to building a strong and fruitful working relationship with the agency going forward.”

Established in the Emirate of Fujairah in 1976, Masafi has been a market leader for more than three decades and has grown to become the premium source for pure natural mineral water in the region. Today, Masafi offers a wide range of products from pure natural mineral water, fresh and natural juices, chips, basmati rice and tissues.

Lowe MENA is part of Lowe And Partners, one of the world’s leading advertising networks, and falls under the MCN (Media Communication Network) umbrella within the region.

MEPRA Awards 2013 set to be biggest yet

November 27, 2013/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Team TMN

Tonight’s Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) Awards are set to be the biggest yet with a record 150 entries received – a marked increase on previous years. The Awards, which are to be held at The Westin Dubai, recognise and reward excellence in the PR industry.

“We were greatly encouraged to see the increase in the number of companies and individuals submitting entries this year,” says MEPRA’s General Manager, Carine Duvignaud. “More impressive though was the quality of the submissions. As a consequence the judging panel had a hard task to narrow down the finalists.”

Agency Finalists include: DABO &CO; Golin Harris; Leocomm PR; GMASCO: Four Communications; ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller; Ketchum RAAD Middle East: Edelman: Memac Ogilvy PR: Weber Shandwick MENA; Leocomm PR; Limelight PR; Action Global Communications: Capital MS&L: Mojo PR: TishTash PR: Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

The full list of MEPRA Awards Finalists is detailed below:

Best Practice -Sectors & Services

Consumer Goods

DABO &CO: “Kate Spade New York”
Golin Harris: “Kraft Original Treasures of Arabia”
Leocomm PR: “The Launch of HTC One”
GMASCO: “LEXUS Passion Pioneers”
GMASCO: “Your Opinion Counts”

Consumer Services

Troon Golf and Four Communications: “The Dhabi that Roared!”
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller: “McDonald’s Nutrition Labelling Launch”

Healthcare & Services

Ketchum RAAD Middle East: “Safe @ Heart”
Edelman: “Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Employee Engagement”
Memac Ogilvy PR Algeria: “Hidden Faces of Diabetes”

Business to Business

State Government of Victoria and Four Communications: “On a Mission”
NATS and Four Communications: “Going Up a Level”
Weber Shandwick MENA: “Hot Commodity”
Leocomm PR: “du Enterprise PR Strategy -Answers for Tomorrow’s Business”
Limelight PR: “Launching CCS in the Middle East”

Government Communications

Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development and Four Communications: “Bright Sparks”
Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and Four Communications: “Unlocking the UAE’s Natural Energy”
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller: “Government Summit 2013”

Corporate Reputation & Image

Weber Shandwick MENA: “Standard and Poor’s -Reclaiming Leadership”
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller: “Arab Aviation and Media Summit 2013”
London Business School and Four Communications: “London Business School”

Internal Communications

TAQA: “One TAQA Day”
Ketchum RAAD Middle East: “Hello Hakawati!”
Action Global Communications: “Above & Beyond”

Corporate Responsibility

Glasspoint and Four Communications / Antenna Group: “Focus!”
Capital MS&L: “Sustainable Bathroom in the UAE Competition”
Weber Shandwick MENA: “Awareness of Fire Safety Risks in the Gulf”
Mojo PR: “Summertown Interiors”

Best Practice -Techniques

Best Use of Sponsorship

Weber Shandwick MENA: “Jaguar Style Stakes at Dubai World Cup 2013”
Ketchum RAAD Middle East: “Unlock the Race with Infiniti”
Mojo PR: “Hong Kong Tourism Board”

Best Product/Service Launch

DABO & CO: “The Launch of Nokia Lumia”
JW Marriott Marquis: “Vault”
Mojo PR: “Eureeca”

Best Use of Media Relations – Consumer or Trade

Weber Shandwick MENA: “Gulf Business Machines – 2013 IT Security”
Weber Shandwick MENA: “Stars of Science Season 4”
DABO & CO: “Canon at Gulf Print 2013”
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Four Communications: “Selling Ras
Al Khaimah”
British Council and Four Communications: “Going Global”
Victoria International School of Sharjah and Four Communications: “Leading the Way”
Mojo PR: “Tiffany & Co”
TishTash PR: “Summer Celebrity GlamBox”

Best Use of Social Media/ Digital PR

Memac Ogilvy PR Dubai: “Sprite Min Al Akhir”
JW Marriott Marquis: “Izakaya at JW Marriott Marquis”
Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and Four Communications: “Unlocking the UAE’s Natural Energy”

Best Live Event/Stunt

Etisalat: “mHealth Grand Tour”
Edelman: “Building the Next Generation of Emirati Leaders”
Edelman: “Blackberry 10 Global Launch”
Hill+Knowlton Strategies: “Hammam Shami”
Ketchum RAAD Middle East: “Launch and Sustain Campaign of the 2013 Infiniti JX in the Middle East”
Tourism Ireland and Four Communications: “The Gathering Greening”

Best Integrated Campaign

Tourism Ireland and Four Communications: “St Patrick’s Week”
Edelman: “Qasr Al Hosn Festival”
DABO & CO & Marriott International: “The Launch of the JW Marriott Marquis”
Mojo PR: ” A Taste of Singapore”

Overall Best Campaign of the Year

Category NOT opened for entries. Winner will be announced at the Gala Event

Agency of the year

Seven Media
Four Communications
Edelman
Weber Shandwick MENA
Ketchum RAAD Middle East
Mojo PR

In-house Team of the Year (Sponsored by Edelman)

Mubadala
Etihad Airways

Royal Caribbean Arabia appoints Iris PR

November 27, 2013/in Account win /by Team TMN

Royal Caribbean Arabia has appointed Dubai-based Iris Public Relations to create awareness of the luxury liner’s 2014 cruise programmes. Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, the cruise line sails 21 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, South America, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand.

“We look forward to working with Royal Caribbean Arabia to announce the 2014 brochures and especially highlight programmes that appeal to Middle Eastern travellers,” says Lisa George, Director, Iris Public Relations.

Started in 2009, Iris PR is located in müzik dinle Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, and is a member of PR Boutiques International, a global network of more than 30 agencies from 12 countries.

FINASI appoints Schneider PR

November 26, 2013/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

Leading Italian interiors and fit-out company FINASI has appointed Schneider PR as its new communications representatives in the UAE. The company distributes top Italian names such as Molteni&C, Armani/Casa, Dada, Colombini, Gandia Blasco and Artemide amongst others.

“Following several projects and launches, we are excited to be working with FINASI on a long-term basis,” says Sandra Schneider, CEO & Founder of Schneider PR. “The FINASI name has become synonymous with luxury and quality and has established itself as one of the region’s most sought-after interiors companies, representing Italian high-end brands renowned the world over. We look forward to this exciting new collaboration.”

New Account Manager joins The Qode

November 26, 2013/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Team TMN

Farah Zoghbi has been announced as the new PR Account Manager at The Qode. Bringing over four years of PR and Marketing experience within the luxury service industry in Dubai, Farah held various PR and Communications positions, working with leading brands including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotels. As a resident of Dubai since 2003, Farah has witnessed the dynamic growth of the industry, gaining local market experience during this time.

“I am very excited to be part of the dynamic team at The Qode,” says Farah. “With such a diverse portfolio of clients, this is a great opportunity to work on exciting projects and brands.”

What’s On Award winners to be revealed tomorrow

November 26, 2013/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Team TMN

The What’s On Awards Dubai 2013 will take place tomorrow evening at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre and will celebrate the UAE’s cream of the crop in hospitality, entertainment and leisure. Now in its tweflth year, the event – which is sponsored by Dubai First – has gained industry wide respect for transparency and fairness with all votes independently counted and audited by Jacobsons Direct Marketing Services and then counter-verified by a special panel of impartial industry experts.

For a full list of the shortlisted nominees, visit www.whatsonawards.com

Good luck to all!

New Editor joins The Dubai Mall Magazine

November 25, 2013/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Team TMN

Caroline Scott has joined NPI Media as the new Editor of The Dubai Mall Magazine. Formerly Deputy Editor of OK! Middle East, Caroline will oversee the day-to-day running of the magazine.

“I am delighted to be joining the talented team at The Dubai Mall Magazine at this exciting time of growth for the mall and the city’s fashion scene, as a whole,” says Caroline. “Coming from a luxury publishing background, I find myself in a happy new home and look forward to a bright and busy 2014.”

New Middle East PR Manager for Volkswagen

November 25, 2013/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Team TMN

Michelle Hogan has been announced as the new Middle East PR Manager for Volkswagen. Having lived in the region for over five years, Michelle is well acquainted with the Middle East market, and has extensive experience in both luxury and mass automotive segments.

“Volkswagen is a great company to work for and a respected global brand, I’m delighted to join the group,” says Michelle. “There are some really exciting things on the agenda for 2014 and I am looking forward to getting into my new role.”

Michelle will be based at the Dubai Airport Free Zone offices and is contactable at michelle.hogan@volkswagen.avme.ae / +971 (0)4 204 5888

A stylish farewell for Rebecca Kelsey

November 24, 2013/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Team TMN

After two years at Grazia Middle East, Fashion & Beauty Editor Rebecca Kelsey today steps down from her position as she prepares to return to the UK on November 30th.

“I have decided after two wonderful years on Grazia Middle East, and three in the Middle East, that it is time to return home to London to be with my husband,” says Rebecca. “It is with a heavy heart I leave Dubai, and I want to stress how much I have thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone.”