Dimitra Ampela joins Downtown Design

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Dimitra Ampela has been appointed as the Marketing Manager for Downtown Design in Dubai. In her previous position, Dimitra was Communications and Media Manager for Reed Exhibitions Middle East, where she managed communications for the International Water Summit, the World Future Energy Summit and the Airport Show. As Marketing Manager, Dimitra will handle communications and marketing initiatives such as social media, PR and media relations.

“The team behind Downtown Design aims to create a culture that fosters original design and turn Dubai into an international design destination,” says Dimitra. “It is a rare opportunity to be involved in such a creative and exciting project and I look forward to contributing to its success.”

Cheil unveils Samsung campaign on Sheikh Zayed Road

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Cheil MENA, a communications partner of Samsung Electronics, has unveiled a three-month integrated campaign on the Sheikh Zayed Road, which includes a digital billboard that will display consumer-generated content to promote the photographic capabilities of the new Samsung Galaxy S5.

The ‘Super Selfie’ campaign encourages Samsung Facebook fans to upload their personal photos onto the social media platforms, and those with the most shares and likes will be streamed onto the screen via the purpose-built billboard. The billboard is located on Sheikh Zayed Road facing the Dubai Garden Centre and consumers can upload their selfies until September 30, 2014.

“We wanted to create an idea that would move people into action whilst achieving significant awareness for the new phone,” says Nitin Baweja, Account Director, Cheil MENA. “The partnership with the Dubai Municipality has been a one-off opportunity to push the boundaries like no other brand has ventured to do before, for which we are grateful.”

Omar Al-Jabi, Creative Director at Cheil MENA adds, “We wanted to invite our audience to explore the capabilities of Samsung Galaxy S5 by capturing their best sides and sharing what they love. This campaign is designed to provide people with a platform where they can share their fun moments and be given the opportunity to be seen by the world.”

Daisy Omissi joins Qatar Airways

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Daisy Omissi has been appointed as Manager of Onboard Reading Materials for Qatar Airways. Daisy joins the team in Doha from Spain, where she was most recently Marketing Director at Landcorp International and acted as the European marketing agent for large developmental projects in Canada, Argentina and Brazil. Daisy also spent many years in the UAE both in an editorial capacity and in PR. In her new position, Daisy will oversee the publication of Oryx and Oryx Premium, in addition to overseeing other communications and press releases distributed by the company.

“I am very happy to be back working in the Middle East after a four-year hiatus in Europe,” says Daisy. “It is especially exciting to be working for one of the world’s fastest growing airlines and I feel very privileged to have been chosen to join their dynamic team.”

Middle East PR Awards 2014 open for entries

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The Middle East PR Awards 2014, hosted by the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA), is now open for entries. The deadline for entries is October 9, with the finalists to be announced on November 2 . The awards, which seek to recognise agencies, teams and individuals in the public relations sector in the Middle East, will be announced on November 25 at an awards ceremony and gala dinner held at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi.

The categories for this year’s Middle East PR Awards are split into the following:

Sectors & Services
Consumer Goods, Consumer Services, Corporate Reputation & Image, Corporate Social Responsibility & Environment PR, Government & Communications, Health Care & Services, Internal Communications and Business to Business.

People & Agency
In-House Team of the Year, Agency of the Year and Young Professional of the Year.

Techniques
Best Use of Sponsorship, Best Launch Live Event/Stunt, Best Use of Media Relations – Consumer or Trade, Best Use of Social Media/Digital PR and Best Integrated Campaign.

Not Open to Entries
Overall Campaign of the Year and Chairman’s Award – Contribution to the PR Profession in the Middle East.

For more information and to register, visit www.mepra.org/en/awards/

JCDecaux unveils digital screen network in Oman

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JCDecaux, the worldwide outdoor advertising company, has unveiled a new network of HD digital screens at Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport, in conjunction with Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC). The premium quality screens are located in the baggage reclaim areas of both airports, offering a unique proposition for advertisers. The new network of screens will feature JCDecaux’s specialised content management system, which allows tailored advertising in the form of targeted or live campaigns. The system will be able to target specific flights from specific countries, change the creative from day to night and broadcast live content.

“We are pleased to see these impressive screens, which are the first of their kind in Oman, going live in Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport,” says Samer Ahmed Al Nabhani, Chief Commercial Officer, OAMC. “Our partnership with JCDecaux means that this impressive network of screens will place us at the forefront of innovation and creativity, whilst also enhancing the advertising landscape and creating a more enjoyable passenger experience.”

David Bourg, CEO Middle East of JCDecaux adds, “The installation of the new network of high-definition digital screens marks a significant step forward in enhancing the outdoor advertising landscape in Oman. In addition, this new advertising solution strengthens our digital footprint in the Middle East, now with 500 digital screens across airports in the region.”

PHD partners with YouTube for data integration

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PHD Worldwide has agreed to integrate YouTube data into their global media operating system, Source. YouTube will now become a channel in its own right in PHD’s propriety planning and buying operation used by all its planners, spanning 81 offices in 66 markets, and covering their major clients such as Unilever and GSK.

Talks between PHD and YouTube began in 2013, and since then YouTube engineers have integrated the latest YouTube reach data into PHD’s operating system. This is the first time that YouTube data has plugged directly into an agency’s own planning system at scale. PHD planners will now be able to optimise their channel mix using the latest and most accurate YouTube reach data to select how much to invest in YouTube in terms of reaching the maximum number of consumers at the minimal cost.

“We have so many clients now wanting to consider online video, and in particular YouTube, alongside TV,” says Malcolm Devoy, International Strategy Director, PHD. “The question is always on how much to invest. To establish this you need various pieces of data, which Google have now provided. Embedding this directly into our planning system now allows our planners across the world to make accurate decision on video channel allocation.”

Luca Allam promoted at PHD

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PHD, the media agency network part of Omnicom Media Group, has promoted its Group Director and Head of Digital, Luca Allam, to the position of General Manager of its Dubai office. Luca was instrumental in establishing PHD’s digital agenda, and as Group Director, he managed the integration of digital with offline media thinking and driving the agency’s digital product forward for clients. In his new role, Luca will oversee all accounts and lead on the Unilever digital business.

“Luca played a key role in leading several pitches to success with work that was seen as the very best,” says Elda Choucair, Managing Director, PHD UAE. “Luca will continue to drive new business and further our digital agenda, and I am sure that we will all continue to grow together and achieve even greater things.”

PRWeek UK Awards 2014 announce shortlist

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The shortlisted entries for the PRWeek UK Awards 2014 have been revealed. The panel of judges will announce winners from the following categories  – Campaigns, Production & Promotion, Corporate & Public, People & Agencies and awards to be announced on the night, which include Lifetime Achievement and Campaign of the Year – sponsored by 4mediarelations. Included in the Peoples & Agencies category is the International Consultancy of the Year award, for which FleishmanHillard, Golin, Ketchum, Lewis PR and Weber Shandwick are shortlisted.

The winners will be announced on 14 October, in a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

 

Eddie Taylor joins Esquire Weekend

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Eddie Taylor has joined ITP Publishing as Editor of Esquire Weekend in Dubai. He joins the team from NPI where he was Special Projects Editor, managing the company’s portfolio of B2B titles predominantly in the hospitality and travel sector, as well as helping to shape the company’s digital and social media strategy. In his new role, Eddie will oversee editorial for the weekly magazine.