June 2014 – Page 2 – The Media Network

OLN launches JustFood.tv

June 23, 2014/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Team TMN

Online Lifestyle Network (OLN) has launched Arabic cooking platform JustFood.tv. With a collection of exclusive videos, recipes and chefs, JustFood.tv aims to create a platform that will provide women and men with expert advice to embrace cooking in the region. The new website launch complements OLN’s existing network of Arabic digital magazines, which include Nawa3em.com, gheir.com, Ra2ed.com and Chababs.com as well as OLN TV, the lifestyle and entertainment platform that streams video content in the Arabic language.

“With JustFood.tv we were looking to create a hospitable and sociable experience,” says Rudolf Jabre, CEO, OLN. “So, it was essential for our users to be able to easily explore premium content. We also wanted to showcase JustFood.tv as an ideal partner for brands and advertisers to create great culinary and consumer experiences in the region, as food and cooking represent a rich area in the digital world today. We’re very excited for the possibilities ahead.”

Zoya Sakr Jabre, Group Editor-in-Chief of OLN adds, “The food culture has evolved and changed so much in the last decade, and is about much more than sustenance; it’s about health and creativity. JustFood.tv reflects the food revolution in our culture, whilst also celebrating the Middle East’s exuberant and eclectic tastes.”

Ad Fusion signs Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort

June 23, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

Ad Fusion Media has secured the account for Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort and Spa as its creative ad agency in the Middle East. Having undergone a full renovation in January 2012, Ad Fusion Media will support the Fujeirah-based hotel in achieving its strategic and creative brand positioning.

“We are so excited to work together with Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort and Spa,” says Aishah Yousef, General Manager, Ad Fusion Media. “We look forward to creating a solid foundation of business and friendship with the hotel.”

Lucy Torchia joins Sound & Stage Middle East

June 23, 2014/1 Comment/in Movers & Shakers /by Team TMN

Lucy Torchia has joined the team at ITP Publishing as the new Editor of Sound & Stage Middle East. Prior to joining, Lucy was Editor for Read magazine at WhiteFox Media, where she managed a small team of editorial and design staff. Lucy takes over from Tom Norton who remains at ITP working on the consumer floor at Esquire.

NPI undergoes rebrand

June 22, 2014/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Team TMN

NPI – formerly Nicholas Publishing International – has undergone a full rebrand and redesign, which includes renaming the company’s full title to npimedia (NPI). Established in 1997, the UAE publishing company has unveiled a new name, brand identity and logo as part of a dynamic evolution to change the shape of the company, in a cultural sense as well as the outward projection of the NPI brand. NPI’s portfolio includes five editions of Concierge magazine (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Arabic, Russian and Chinese), as well as The Dubai Mall Magazine, Rotana magazine and a portfolio of eight meetings industry magazines – meetme and meet destination guides.

“As part of our renaming, we have also rolled out a new brand identity for the company,” says Rob Nicholas, Managing Director, NPI. “For too long we have focused on elements of our portfolio and paid less attention to the umbrella under which they fall. We felt that the company needed a brand presence that is at least as strong and engaging as our core media.”

Signé collaborates with Rolls Royce

June 22, 2014/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Team TMN

Signé magazine has announced its collaboration with Rolls Royce Middle East to produce an illustration essay regarding the new Rolls Royce Wraith model and the lifestyle aspects of a Wraith man. The illustration essay will consist of 16 pages, with a specialised team in Milan to produce the 8 illustrations which will accompany the feature. Signé will be the first and only publication in the Middle East to execute such a story for Rolls Royce Middle East, and the feature will be the cover story for the summer edition of the magazine, available at the end of this month.

“We are really excited to work on this unique project with a prestigious brand like Rolls Royce,” says Roshin Rahman, Executive Editor, Ad Maiora Media. “The illustrations will soon be available in the print and online version of Signé magazine.”

TOH PR signs RAKBANK account

June 22, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

TOH PR has been appointed by RAKBANK as its public relations agency in the UAE. Established for almost 40 years and with assets worth AED 31.5 billion, TOH PR will be responsible for all of RAKBANK’s media relations, communications and events in the region.

“We are delighted to be working with RAKBANK,” says Sophie Toh, Founder and Managing Director, TOH PR. “It’s an exciting opportunity to work with their in-house team to increase awareness of the bank’s brand and product offering, commitment to nationalisation, and focus on CSR. We aim to support them in increasing their customer base and widening their demographic.”

Insignia PR wins Alila Jabal Akhdar account

June 22, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

Insignia PR has won the account to represent the Alila Jabal Akhdar hotel in the MENA region. Located by the Al Hajar Mountains in Oman, the Alila Jabal Akhdar officially opened in May 2014, and marks the first step into the Middle East for Alila Hotels and Resorts – the hotel management group which operates in India and the Asia Pacific region.

“We feel privileged to be the first to introduce Alila Hotels and Resorts to the Middle East,” says Gabriela Asquith, Director, Insignia PR. “I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the resort twice since its opening, and this new destination resort has revolutionised luxury hospitality in the Middle East.”

Active PR signs Skydive Dubai

June 19, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Team TMN

Active PR has won the account to represent Skydive Dubai in the UAE. Launched over four years ago by H.E. Nasser El Neyadi, Skydive Dubai’s profile will be raised by Active PR as a global progressive centre in skydiving, with the aim to push the boundaries of human flight in the Middle East and beyond.

“We’re really ecstatic about having the opportunity to work closely with Skydive Dubai and realising their communication objectives,” says Sawsan Ghanem, Managing Partner, Active PR. “This is a great addition to our client portfolio, and one for which we have great ideas and initiatives for spreading the word to target audiences and in turn ensure a successful partnership.”

PHD partners with IPA

June 18, 2014/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Team TMN

PHD, part of the Omnicom Media Group, has partnered with the UK’s Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) to localise and adapt its professional education material and examination for Middle East media professionals. Established for over 10 years, The IPA Foundation Certificate is an award-winning online learning program designed to provide junior industry professionals with the knowledge to perform their day-to-day roles with confidence and expertise. With over 10,000 executives in the UK certified, PHD are the first media agency executives in the Middle East to take and successfully pass the exam to secure the IPA’s Foundation Certificate.

“PHD is all about ‘finding a better way,’ not just for ourselves or our clients, but also for the industry in which we operate,” says Elda Choucair, Managing Director, PHD UAE. “Wherever it operates, PHD has always been a strong supporter of raising industry standards. I am very proud of the role we’ve taken in localising IPA’s Foundation Certificate for our industry and our team’s results in the examination. We’ve partnered with the IPA because we see it as part of our role to develop the future talent of our industry.”

InsideOut Magazine launches redesign

June 18, 2014/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Team TMN

Gulf News Magazine’s flagship home and interiors title, InsideOut has undergone a complete redesign and resize as part of its wider brand strategy. After two months of development, the final look is on sale in all major retail outlets, led by Art Editor Sue Mae Easton and Acting Editor Sharon Parsons.

“Even the loveliest homes need redecorating every now and then, and we’ve taken that approach with InsideOut,” says Sharon. “A smart new logo, chic new size and fonts have been just the start! With comprehensive sections, greater depth of content and clearer signposting of the key editorial pillars – homes, decorating, shopping, design, gardens and property – we’re confident our discerning readership will find the modernised InsideOut more enjoyable, inspirational and useful than ever.”

Katie Heskett, Associate Publisher of Gulf News Magazines adds, “InsideOut has always been a huge success in the homes and interiors market and our plan is to expand on this with a comprehensive digital platform and a series of brand extensions – including events and standalone publishing projects. The starting point was to ensure our core brand was where we wanted it to be – and this new look is the perfect foundation for all our growth.”