Associated Press launches AP Middle East Extra

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Associated Press (AP) has launched AP Middle East Extra, a new service offering more unique video content centred on significant news in the Middle East. Created for media organisations in the region, as well as those outside with a strong interest in the MENA region, AP Middle East Extra is designed to meet customer needs in this significant growth area for the media industry.

The selected stories and features are regionally focused and cover the news, human-interest, cultural, economic and technology stories. AP Middle East Extra also includes reports, interviews and perspectives on international news for Middle East audiences and, alongside AP’s existing global video news service, adds depth to its coverage of the region. Content for AP Middle East Extra will be provided by a team of video journalists based across the region and five stories, with both Arabic and English scripts, will be delivered daily between Sunday and Thursday, as well as four special features every Friday.

AP Middle East Extra is available for delivery through AP Media Port and AP Video Hub. For more information visit www.ap.org.

Saffron Media launches Femina Middle East

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Saffron Media has announced the launch of Femina Middle East magazine. A woman’s fashion and lifestyle magazine, Femina is part of Worldwide Media, and falls under the umbrella of the Times of India Group. The launch party is scheduled to take place tonight at MusicHall, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, and Femina Middle East will hit the shelves on June 23, 2014, in all major retail outlets in the UAE, with a retail price of AED 15.

“Femina Middle East is all about the beautiful and enterprising women of the region, and the real women stories are going to be the core feature of the magazine,” says Tehrin Sheikh, Managing Editor, Femina Middle East. “We hope to bring to readers a magazine that is opulent, chic and inspiring.”

Lina Rassam joins TCApr

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Lina Rassam has joined the TCApr team as Account Manager. Lina previously worked across lifestyle brands as Account Manager for Soul Communications in Dubai, and in her new position she will represent five-star luxury hotels based in Monaco, Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius, with a primary focus on Arabic media.

“After managing clients in the UAE for two years, I’m excited to deal with clients based abroad,” says Lina. “I’m thrilled to join the team at TCApr as they’ve all been very welcoming, and the energy in the office is great.”

Sheikh Mohammed launches Arab Social Media Award

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His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today launched the Arab Social Media Award. The award will highlight the most important social media initiatives in the Arab world and promote the best practices on social platforms and technologies at a ceremony that is to be held annually in Dubai.

Included are 20 categories covering social media activities and initiatives by individuals and organisations, as well as the title of ‘Social Media Personality of the Year’ for the region’s most influential online figure. Based on three main standards – communication, creativity and impact – the Arab Social Media Award will recognise communication within communities, tangible benefits for social development and the contribution of positivity to progress and prosperity.

The categories for the Arab Social Media Award are as follows: Government Entities, Private Sector, Blogs, Media, Sports, Tolerance, Social Service, Education, Youth, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Economy, Politics, Health, Arts, Security and Safety, Shopping, Environment, Tourism and Entertainment.

A committee of experts and sector specialists will evaluate applications and select the winner for each category, and individuals and organisations wishing to participate can nominate themselves or others on the award’s official website – www.arabsocialmediaaward.ae/arts. Results will be announced by the end of 2014.

Jade Sprowson promoted at Emirates Woman

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Jade Sprowson has been promoted to Style Director of the Emirates Woman Group. Formerly Style Editor for the Group, Jade will now head up the fashion and beauty team for Harvey Nichols Dubai magazine and the Emirates Woman Group, which includes Emirates Woman mini, Emirates Bride and emirateswoman.com.

“I am delighted to become Style Director of the Emirates Woman Group,” says Jade. “It’s been an amazing 18 months working with a great team on all of our fantastic titles, and I can’t wait to begin this new and exciting chapter.”

Stacie Overton Johnson joins The National

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Stacie Overton Johnson has been appointed as Food Writer for The National. Stacie brings with her 9 years of freelance experience, having worked previously as a freelance television producer in the USA before relocating to Abu Dhabi in 2013, and prior to this as a full-time producer for 6 years. In her new position, Stacie will contribute several food articles a week about a variety of food-related topics in the UAE, from restaurant openings and major food competitions, to up and coming chefs in the UAE and food reviews.

“I’m having a great time working with the Arts & Life team at The National,” says Stacie. “They’ve all been very welcoming and the energy in the office is great. After freelancing for so long, I’ve found myself excited to get back into a proper office. I prefer newspaper writing to television writing, as it’s far more fulfilling. It’s easier to write a story you’re happy with – you don’t have the time constraints that comes with writing a television news story, and I can’t wait to throw myself into the UAE’s culinary world.”