Selina Julien joins Hello! Middle East

Selina Julien has been appointed as the new Editor of Hello! Middle East. Formerly Assistant Editor of UK celebrity weekly, NOW magazine, Selina most recently ghosted a number one best-selling autobiography. She brings to her new role an extensive understanding of the industry, from interviewing A-listers to managing talent as a celebrity publicist and agent.

“It’s a dream to edit such a prestigious brand,” says Selina. “Hello! Middle East is the jewel in the crown in this region, so I’m honoured to be taking the helm and working alongside the talented team at Motivate Publishing. I’m looking forward to working on some exciting brand partnerships and spoiling our readers with unrivalled access to celebrities and royals from this region and around the world.”

Abu Dhabi Media Summit 2014 theme announced

Abu Dhabi Media Summit 2014 has announced the theme for this year’s event as ‘Driving and Sustaining Future Media in MENA and Beyond’. Powered by twofour54, this year’s theme highlights the recent developments in the media industry in the MENA region and further afield.

The fifth annual summit will focus on the future of media and technology, and discuss the impact it has on different interactions between corporations, communities and government entities with their target groups. Centred on Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a global media hub, the summit will feature a combination of high-profile sessions, closed-door discussions and peer networking, bringing together top-tier global media and entertainment players in fast-growing markets.

“Abu Dhabi’s evolving role as a dynamic regional commercial hub for the media and entertainment sectors continues,” says H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Media Summit, and Chairman, Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority. “We look forward to welcoming industry leaders from around the world to the summit to engage in conversations at the forefront of the media business.”

This year’s summit will take place from November 18-20, at the Rosewood Hotel, Al Marya Island, Abu Dhabi.

Paul Mampilli joins Noor Bank

Noor Bank has appointed Paul Mampilli as Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications. Paul brings with him over 22 years of experience across marketing, advertising, media and corporate communication sectors, and has worked with global organisations including Visa, MasterCard, TBWA and BBDO. Most recently, Paul worked within the digital space at Publicis Groupe agency, where he dealt with leading financial organisations.

In his new role, Paul will be responsible for driving Noor’s visibility among key market segments and stakeholders. He is also mandated to raise the brand profile of Noor Investment Group and associate companies, strengthen and develop internal and external communications’ channels and drive insight-led marketing.

“Paul’s expertise and background is well-suited to support Noor’s continued growth and development,” says Ahmed Kalim, Deputy Group CEO, Noor Investment Group. “His diversified experience in branding, digital communication and reputation management will further enhance our efforts in building lasting relationships with our corporate, government, SME and individual customers. Paul’s talents will also be applied to Noor’s role in establishing Dubai as a key trade centre and global capital of the Islamic economy.”

Olivia Cuthbert leaves Concierge Abu Dhabi

Olivia Cuthbert is stepping down from her role as Editor of Concierge Abu Dhabi. For the past two years, Olivia has overseen all content for NPI’s Concierge Abu Dhabi magazine. She now moves on to focus on freelance writing and editing projects in the UAE.

“After two years with the fantastic team at NPI, it’s time for a fresh challenge,” says Olivia. “I look forward to developing my abilities as a writer and editor across a range of titles and subjects.”

ADNEC Group wins at AEO Excellence Awards

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has won two awards at the annual Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Excellence Awards ceremony. The industry awards, held on July 4 at Grosvenor House, London, recognised ADNEC Group’s Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre as ‘Most Sustainable Exhibition and Conference Venue’, and ExCeL London as ‘Best Venue of the Year’.

“ADNEC continues to play a key role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a leading global business tourism destination,” says His Excellency Al Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Managing Director, ADNEC. “The company’s flagship venues in two key capital cities, London and Abu Dhabi, are at the vanguard of a new age of exhibition facilities. These awards are recognition of that fact, and of the hard work, visionary leadership and solid expertise both have to offer.”

Pieter Idenburg, Group CEO at ADNEC adds, “We are delighted with the recognition our venues continue to attract from our global event industry peers. The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre has prioritised its sustainability strategy as a key pillar of its growth and development over the next ten years. ExCeL London has shown that even in such a competitive region for meetings and events, it is out-competing its peers both in the UK and across Europe – pushing the boundaries of the event experience. It is a credit to London and an investment we are extremely proud of.”

Motion Advertising announces rebrand

Motion Advertising (MAD) has unveiled a corporate rebrand. Established for over a decade, the advertising agency is introducing a new corporate brand, including a new logo, customer materials and website.

“We wanted our new brand to reflect the evolution of our company as a fully fledged advertising agency, also offering events and exhibitions, web, apps and social media services,” says Vincent Langlois, Owner and Creative Director, Motion Advertising. “We are young, talented, filled with energy and creativity and we are MAD! This diversity of talent, comprised of the finest mix of associates, recent acquisitions and new hires, brings a refreshed commitment to be the best at what we do for our customers.”

Visit Motion Advertising’s new website at www.motionadvt.com.

Emicom Media announces rebrand

Emicom Media has launched a full rebrand and redesign, inclusive of a company name change to Linktia in order to represent the group’s current objectives, positioning and values. Founded in 2011, Emicom Media – now Linktia – was initially made up of a collective that included Bareface, Alchemy Films and arabianEye. The group specialises and invests in content production, talent management, online platforms and technology solutions in the MENA region, and owns or represents market-leading companies including Corbis (MENA exclusive representative), Magnet, The Studio and Aperto Middle East.

“We are incredibly passionate about Linktia,” says Jesus Blanco, Co-Founder and CEO, Linktia. “It’s an identity that encompasses our culture, goals, vision and strategic business decision. Our brands have been integral in the visual content development of the region over the years, and our new brand identity illustrates the inherent strength of a networked organisation.”

Venetia Maunsell, Co-Founder of Linktia adds, “Linktia means a home of connections. It’s a collaborative platform linking our people, brands, talent, entrepreneurs and businesses; benefitting all within our group. Linktia provides a supportive role by offering advice, guidance, financial assistance, innovation and growth opportunities for our businesses and teams.”

Let’s BOUNCE

 With summer set to be a scorcher, Team TMN were anxious to find a way to shake up our fitness routines before cabin fever takes hold.  First on our list, the highly anticipated free-jumping sensation just over from Australia…

What: BOUNCE Free-Jumping Revolution Dubai

Where: 32, 4B Street Al Quoz, Dubai (behind Ace Hardware on the Sheikh Zayed Road)

When: Saturday – Wednesday, 10am – 10pm; Thursday, 10am-12am; Friday, 9am – 12am

The promise: “BOUNCE offers the thrill of high-octane adrenaline sport to anyone who feels like jumping around. It’s like a giant skate park made out of trampolines. Stunt grade airbags and circus grade padding – think Parkour made easy, or gymnastics gone freestyle in an environment where anyone can do it!”

Did it deliver? Surprisingly easy to find and just off the Sheikh Zayed Road, Team TMN made it to BOUNCE just in time for our 5pm slot – we’d planned ahead and booked online, which is vital if you want to secure a spot as the session was already fully booked – a sure sign of its burgeoning popularity.

The converted warehouse was a perfect fit for the urban street vibe created by BOUNCE, with the whole venue coordinated in the blue, yellow and pink colours of the brand. We quickly signed-in, picked up our complimentary grip socks and headed upstairs, placing our bags and shoes in the locker area (a quick note – there are no locks available on any of the lockers, so ensuring your valuables are safe is a bit tricky). On our way back down we passed the café which overlooks the 80-interconnected trampolines – great if you want to grab a drink, catch your breath or do a spot of people watching.

We were amazed at the number of activities available, and it soon became clear that an hour was all that was needed to feel the full effects of a trampoline workout. The dodge ball court was a Team TMN favourite, perfect for a bit of healthy competition amongst a group of friends or colleagues, and the giant air bag was another novelty which won us over; proof that none of the activities were geared exclusively for kids or adrenaline junkies!

While it was pretty busy – BOUNCE has a capacity for 115 individuals at any one time – it was a smooth running operation by the staff who were helpful and involved, from refereeing the dodge ball matches and lending a hand with trampoline techniques, to ensuring that queues for the activities went quickly and everyone abided by the one-person-per-trampoline rule.

Tiring quite quickly but unwilling to accept defeat just yet, we spent the rest of our time taking part in some good old-fashioned bouncing, trying out a few tricks to some Top 40 hits and finally wondering exactly how many calories we’d worked off without noticing.

The verdict: BOUNCE has opened just in time for the summer months, and at a rate of AED 80 for an hour, it’s the same price you’d pay for an average gym session but unquestionably more fun. While it’s great for kids and adults alike, we would avoid the danger of being overrun by the after-school crowd by booking later in the evening. A new gem in the Dubai activities arena, there really isn’t a better way to spend an hour or two – and you even get to call it exercise!