November 2014 – Page 4 – The Media Network

New Facebook platform to rival LinkedIn

November 17, 2014/0 Comments/in International News /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

Facebook is rumoured to be working on the development of a new product called Facebook at Work, which will allow users to keep their personal and work profiles separate. While the layout is expected to be very similar to the traditional Facebook interface – including a newsfeed and groups – Facebook at Work will be entirely separate from personal accounts, with no information from a user’s social profile appearing on an individual’s professional page and vice versa.

Facebook’s new platform will include collaborative tools for work, allowing users to chat with colleagues, connect with professional contacts and collaborate over documents. With this in mind, the new enterprise-focused product is set to compete directly with professional social networks LinkedIn and Google Drive.

In order for the venture to be successful, Facebook will need to win the trust of corporate IT chiefs, guaranteeing that professional information will not fall into the hands of rival businesses. It is understood that some development of Facebook at Work is taking place in London.

Schneider PR secures Richard Mille account

November 17, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

Schneider PR has been appointed as the public relations partner for Richard Mille in the UAE, effective November 2014. Luxury Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille presented its first timepiece in 2001, and within a relatively short time has achieved global success, due to the brand’s cutting edge designs, innovative technology, strong artistic dimensions and the uncompromising vision of its Founder, Richard Mille.

“We are really proud to add Richard Mille to our portfolio,” says Sandra Schneider, Founder and CEO, Schneider PR. “It’s a stunning brand with an exclusivity that’s second to none; it stands for independence, a sense of adventure, daring and breaking the rules. The team is really looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Facebook to reduce promotional content

November 17, 2014/0 Comments/in International News /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

Facebook has released plans to reduce the number of promotional posts appearing in newsfeeds. As of January 2015, Facebook users will see less promotional content including posts which ask users to purchase a product or app, posts that encourage people to enter promotions or sweepstakes, and posts which reuse exact content from ads.

This change comes after the social network’s ongoing survey asked the public how they felt about the content in their newsfeed. It was found that people would prefer to see a greater number of stories from friends and pages that they care about and far less promotional content.

Facebook’s blog post stated, “Beginning in January 2015, people will see less of this type of content in their newsfeed. As we’ve said before, newsfeed is already a competitive place – as more people and Pages are posting content, competition to appear in newsfeed has increased. All of this means that Pages that post promotional creative should expect their organic distribution to fall significantly over time.”

Rana Jamaleddine joins Strategies International

November 16, 2014/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

Rana Jamaleddine has joined Strategies International as PR Manager. With a wide range of experience in luxury PR, Rana was most recently Assistant PR Manager, Media and Online at Swarovski Professional, handling the Middle Eastern market. In her new role, Rana will manage Acqua Di Parma, Bioderma, Maurice Lacroix and Beauté Prestige International – which includes fragrances by ELIE SAAB, narciso rodriguez, Issey Miyake and Alaia.

“I am extremely thrilled to be working with such a diverse and dynamic team,” says Rana. “I look forward to representing these world renowned and prestigious brands.”

Park Lane PR wins The Archive account

November 16, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

Park Lane PR has been appointed by The Archive – in partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives – as the retained agency to handle its communications across the UAE. A specialised library, café and community space situated in Safa Park, Dubai, The Archive focuses on the arts and culture of the Middle East and North Africa.

“We are delighted to be representing The Archive,” says Peter Redding, Founder, Park Lane PR. “We look forward to working closely together and striving to foster a platform for culture in the region, as well as highlighting all of the diverse programmes and activities available from this forward thinking community space.”

Fergus McGloin joins Edelman UAE

November 13, 2014/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

Fergus McGloin has joined Edelman as a Senior Account Executive on the Health team. Originally from Ireland, Fergus has previously worked in roles for Coca-Cola Ireland and British Telecom. Most recently, he spent two years in the UK as Account Manager for a full service healthcare marketing agency, where he managed the accounts for Colgate-Palmolive UK and NHS England.

“I’m delighted to join Edelman UAE’s Healthcare practice,” says Fergus. “I am new to the region and excited to get to know the markets and build my career here. The health industry is thriving in the Middle East and PR is an integral component of its growth; which is exciting to be part of.”

Spread Communications to represent the SMC Group

November 13, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

Spread Communications has been selected by international rights procurement agency, the SMC Group, to lead its expansion into the Middle East. For over 15 years, the SMC Group has operated globally to create unique relationships between brands and celebrities, and Spread Communications will now assist in extending this operation to the region, starting with the UAE and a selection of other GCC territories.

“We are so honoured to have been selected to represent SMC Middle East,” says Shamim Kassibawi, Managing Partner, Spread Communications. “We feel that the region is definitely ready for the services and experience that the SMC Group will bring to the market, and look forward to this partnership!”

Maurice Hamilton, Managing Director and CEO of the SMC Group adds, “I’m extremely excited about our relationship with Shamim and her team, and look forward to doing business with Spread Communications in the Middle East.”

BPG | bates secures advertising campaign with AECB

November 13, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

Following a three month pitching process, Dubai-based advertising agency, BPG | bates, has been appointed by Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) to promote the launch of its credit reporting services across the UAE. BPG | bates has developed the teaser, launch and maintenance advertising campaigns under the theme of ‘Information for Life’ to improve public understanding of AECB’s services. The campaigns have also been developed to raise awareness about the importance of individual consumers and businesses alike having access to accurate credit information, in order to make good financial decisions.

“We are delighted to have won this important account, as the work that AECB are doing is incredibly important to the greater economic wellbeing of individuals, businesses and the UAE as a whole,” says Nick Clements, CEO, BPG | bates. “We know that levels of understanding about credit reporting vary hugely across the UAE, and our ‘Information for Life’ campaign will educate and inform about credit reporting in a way which both demystifies what it means and highlights the potential advantages.”

Fatma Obaid Farhan, Marketing Manager for AECB adds, “We’re very pleased to have brought BPG | bates on board as our advertising agency, and we’re excited about the roll-out of the campaign. From the outset, BPG has demonstrated their understanding of our objectives and demonstrated effective creative ways to help us raise awareness of our services. We look forward to a long and productive relationship.”

CNN audiences to select ME’s #Influencer2014

November 12, 2014/0 Comments/in International News /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

CNN Arabic and Connect the World with Becky Anderson are inviting audiences in the region and beyond to help identify the person who has most influenced the Middle East in 2014. By analysing audience data from the CNN Arabic website across the year, CNN has identified ten key figures that have made the biggest impact on the region.

The ten figures range from political leaders to inspirational one-offs, as well as emblems of mass movements that are altering the region’s socio-political landscape:

Abdel Fattah al Sisi, President of Egypt
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, self-proclaimed Caliph of the ‘Islamic State’
Barack Obama, President of the United States of America
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
The Foreign Extremist Fighter
Hassan Roubani, President of Iran
Marian Al Mansouri, First Emirati female fighter pilot
The Middle Eastern Refugee
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey

CNN audiences can visit www.cnnarabic.com/influencer2014 to select the three names from the list that they believe most warrant the title of #Influencer2014, and the survey will run until November 25, 2014. The results will then be debated during a special CNN Arabic and Connect the World Town Hall event in the UAE, which will be broadcast in early December on CNN International.

CSPR Group signs Sassy Mama Dubai account

November 12, 2014/0 Comments/in Account win /by Melissa Jean McWhirter

CSPR Group has secured the account to represent the Sassy Mama Dubai platform – sassymamadubai.com. Following the launch of Sassy Mama Hong Kong in 2009 and Sassy Mama Singapore in 2013, Sassy Mama Dubai is a comprehensive go-to guide for busy mums, covering everything needed to survive and enjoy motherhood in the city. CSPR Group will expand Sassy Mama Dubai’s presence across the UAE’s media landscape, using a combination of social media and marketing tools to highlight the website’s unique characteristics.

“We are very excited to have been selected as the PR and marketing representative of Sassy Mama Dubai,” says Danielle Wilson Naqvi, Managing Director, CSPR Group. “Having seen Dubai grow and develop over the last 19 years, I am always on the lookout for ideas and concepts that will instantly take off in this vibrant, dynamic society. From our initial discussions, I knew Sassy Mama Dubai’s concept had Dubai written all over it. With a strong team and a solid infrastructure already in place, Sassy Mama Dubai is entering the market at the right time and we at CSPR Group look forward to spreading their story.”