June 2014 – The Media Network

Amara Javed joins Symphony Style

June 30, 2014/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Team TMN

Amara Javed has been appointed as Social Media Manager for Symphony Style, and will handle social media strategy and content for e-commerce platform, bysymphony.com. Amara joins from the Landmark Group in Dubai, where she previously headed social media and handled blogging strategy for the group’s commerce venture, landmarkshops.com.

“I am very excited to be on board at Symphony Style,” says Amara. “It is such a vibrant team with many exciting prospects ahead. Working with luxury brands and social media are both passions of mine, so it’s always wonderful to be able to do what you love.”

Insignia PR renews InterContinental Genève account

June 30, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

Insignia PR will retain representation of InterContinental Genève in the GCC and Levant region for a further six months. Built in 1963, the hotel has undergone a US $110 million renovation over the past decade, and first signed with Insignia PR in December 2013 upon completing the addition of hotel residences known as The Residences, which boast views of the Mont Blanc, the Jura Mountains and Lake Geneva.

“We are honoured to continue working with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts,” says Gabriela Asquith, Director, Insignia PR. “It’s a privilege to witness and support InterContinental Genève’s efforts in the hospitality space, especially after the refurbishment of The Residences by New York interior designer Tony Chi.”

Tom Norton joins Esquire Middle East

June 29, 2014/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Team TMN

Tom Norton has joined the team at Esquire Middle East as Digital Editor. Tom brings with him experience in both the men’s and lifestyle digital sector, having worked previously as a Staff Writer for maxim.co.uk in London. As previous Editor of Sound & Stage Middle East for over a year, Tom continues at ITP Publishing to oversee all digital editorial content for esquireme.com.

Gemma Champ joins La Femme

June 26, 2014/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Team TMN

Gemma Champ has been appointed as Acting Editor for La Femme, covering maternity leave for Pinpoint Media Group’s Group Editor, Jola Chudy. Working remotely from the UK, Gemma will oversee all content until Jola’s return on October 19, 2014. Having previously lived and worked in the UAE, Gemma has specialised editorial experience in luxury fashion for various UAE and international titles.

“I’m really looking forward to taking on such a beautiful magazine,” says Gemma. “La Femme has a genuine point of difference in an exciting women’s magazine market and I hope to maintain the high editorial standard that Jola Chudy has already set here.”

Performance PR reveals rebrand

June 25, 2014/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Team TMN

Performance PR has undergone a full rebrand, inclusive of a name change to Performance Communications. Founded in London in 2002 and launched in Dubai in 2010, the sports and automotive specialist unveils a new brand identity to represent more accurately the agency’s breadth of offering and international expansion over recent years. Performance Communications has recently extended its reach across Europe to support clients in 12 countries, and is also increasingly engaging in communications activities in Asia and Africa.

“As Performance PR, we built our reputation on successfully delivering the highest standard of PR support to our clients, wherever they were active,” says Ian Drinkwater, Co-Founder and Director of Performance Communications’ Middle East office. “Re-branding as Performance Communications may appear to be a small name change, but it is reflective of the blurring lines between PR, marcomms and the media landscape. We now employ an ever-expanding toolbox to deliver content and our name needed to mirror that.”

Active PR secures Secunia UAE

June 25, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

Active PR has added to its technology portfolio by securing Secunia in the Middle East. A global player within the IT security ecosystem in the niche of vulnerability management, Secunia equips corporate and private customers worldwide with vulnerability intelligence, vulnerability assessment and automated patch management tools to manage and control vulnerabilities across their networks and endpoints.

“We are delighted to add such a strong IT security player to our client portfolio,” says Louay Al Samarrai, Managing Partner, Active PR. “We are experiencing greater awareness and demand in the Middle East for cyber security solutions and moving from a responsive to a preventative mode, so as to proactively and sustainably prevent cyber-attacks from happening.”

Insignia PR to represent Cipriani

June 25, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

Insignia PR has won the account to represent Italian restaurant and lounge Cipriani in Abu Dhabi. The Cipriani hospitality brand was introduced to the Middle Eastern market when the restaurant launched in Yas Island Abu Dhabi, in 2010, and has since undergone a full refurbishment by Florentine architect Michele Bonan, re-opening its doors in October 2013.

“It was love at first bite with Cipriani Yas Island,” says Gabriela Asquith, Director, Insignia PR. “We’re very honoured to be representing this renowned hospitality brand, which has been running for four generations since the opening of Harry’s Bar in Venice, and look forward to building on its existing credibility in the Middle Eastern market.”

Sahira Ladha joins TCApr

June 24, 2014/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Team TMN

Sahira Ladha has joined the TCApr team as PR Manager. Formerly with GolinHarris as PR Manager in Dubai, Sahira led key blue chip accounts for the agency. In her new position, Sahira will manage TCApr’s two main clients – Monte–Carlo SBM and Constance Hotels and Resorts, along with handling the English copywriting and media relations.

“I am very pleased to have joined this small team of talented professionals at TCApr,” says Sahira. “We are keen to deliver the best to our clients and cater to the growing demands of PR for the luxury hospitality industry.”

Nominations open for EW Woman of the Year Awards

June 24, 2014/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Team TMN

Nominations for the Emirates Woman Woman of the Year Awards 2014 are now open. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Emirates Woman Woman of the Year honours women of all nationalities who make a difference in the UAE. Nominations are open to the public now, and can be made at www.emirateswoman.com/awards, with the nomination process due to close June 30, 2014. The winners will be announced on November 5, 2014, in a ceremony taking place at the Montgomery Golf Club in Dubai. The headline sponsor for the awards is Al Ghurair Centre.

TOH PR signs Lulu Guinness

June 24, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

TOH PR has won the account to represent Lulu Guinness as its public relations agency in the GCC. The first Lulu Guinness store will launch in July 2014 in Dubai, and is the result of a franchise partnership with AMZ Group. The British designer’s collections of outré bags and playful accessories are currently stocked in the UK, New York, London, China, Thailand and Tokyo.

“The team and I are delighted to have been awarded the Lulu Guinness PR account,” says Sophie Toh, Founder and Managing Director, TOH PR. “Lulu’s iconic designs surpass being classed as mere fashion accessories and are becoming collectable items in their own right. With our agency’s experience in the luxury sector and very real connections to the region’s influencers, we feel best placed to tell the Lulu Guinness story to a new, Middle Eastern audience.”