Amara Javed joins Symphony Style

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.”

Tom Norton joins Esquire Middle East

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

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

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.”

Sahira Ladha joins TCApr

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

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.