JCDecaux appoints CEO for the Middle East

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JCDecaux, the worldwide outdoor advertising company, has appointed Martin Sabbagh as CEO for the Middle East region. Effective from January 15, 2015, Martin will succeed David Bourg, who moves on to take the position of Chief Financial and Administrative Officer in Paris. Having been with JCDecaux since 2007, Martin’s most recent position was Director of Mergers & Acquisitions and Development. Based in Dubai, he will report directly to Jean-Charles Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-CEO.

“We welcome Martin Sabbagh as CEO for the Middle East,” says Jean-Charles Decaux. “His experience, professionalism, dynamism and in-depth knowledge of JCDecaux will enable him to successfully fulfil his duties, driving the growth of our activities.”

Al Jazeera moves satellite broadcast to Es’hailSat

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Al Jazeera Media Network is to permanently terminate broadcasting via satellites Badr-4 and Badr-5 as of January 1, 2015. With new channel bundles broadcasting through satellite Es’hailsat 1, this move comes as part of the network’s efforts to provide its viewers in the MENA region with uninterrupted satellite TV broadcasting, as Al Jazeera channels have seen deliberate jamming in the wake of its coverage of the Arab uprisings. Included in the move are Al Jazeera Arabic, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Mubhaser-Misr, Al Jazeera Documentary Channel and Al Jazeera America.

“Al Jazeera has carefully investigated and considered the intentional jamming of its signal in recent years,” says Ibrahim Nassar, Manager of RF & Teleport Engineering, Al Jazeera Media Network. “The jamming is part of an orchestrated and multifaceted campaign to block the network’s signal and internet websites from it viewers.”

Es’hailSat covers the same geographic area as Arabsat and provides viewers with secure and uninterrupted transmission with more powerful abilities to hold off signal interference attempts. Nassar added that the move to Es’hailSat does not require viewers to adjust their satellite dish location or the satellite receiver.

Nilesat viewers can still watch Al Jazeera channels in the GCC, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen, Sudan and Djibouti via Nilesat (EAST) 11636 V, FEC: 3/4 and Symbol Rate 27500; in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania, Al Jazeera channels are available via Nilesat (WEST) 10992 V, FEC: 3/4 and Symbol Rate 27500

Image Nation transferred to twofour54

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At a board meeting chaired by His Excellency Mohamed Ebrahim Al Mahmood, Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Media, the decision has been made to transfer Image Nation to Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority, twofour54. Founded in 2008 as a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media, Image Nation serves to help build foundations for the development of the entertainment industry in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

“Abu Dhabi Media is proud to have witnessed Image Nation grow so rapidly over just six years into one of the leading creators of media and entertainment content in Abu Dhabi and the UAE,” says His Excellency Mohamed Ebrahim Al Mahmood. “Following a thorough examination of the prospects for future growth of the company and given our vision to focus on media content in the region, the Board of Directors feel it is the ideal time to transfer Image Nation to the Abu Dhabi Media Zone (twofour54). This move will ensure that Image Nation is in a position to continue creating quality media content for local and international audiences, and will benefit the local industry by creating jobs and opportunities for professional development, in collaboration with key international partners.”

Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of twofour54 adds, “We are very pleased to welcome Image Nation, one of the region’s leading content creators, to the twofour54 campus. Image Nation’s relocation to Abu Dhabi’s home of media and entertainment is a boost to the industry eco-system that we have created to support our growing media industry. Both twofour54 and Image Nation have shared goals of creating world-class content, developing regional talent and enabling local filmmakers to learn from international experts in the industry. We look forward to working even more closely with Image Nation in growing the UAE’s filmed entertainment sector.”

POST magazine officially launches

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POST, a magazine tailored to the diplomatic corps in the UAE, Qatar and the Middle East region, has officially launched as of last week. Published by Imperial Publishing, the bimonthly magazine features articles on foreign affairs, diplomacy, history, culture, arts, as well as retail advice on lifestyle, travel and fashion. With a circulation of 5,000 complimentary copies, POST is available across consulates, embassies, business clubs, partner hotels and chamber of commerce offices.

“The region receives a number of publications targeting various groups, with the exception of the diplomatic community,” says Geronimo Imperial, Publisher, Imperial Publishing. “POST was envisioned to help create a stronger network within the corps in the region by nurturing a channel where members of the corps could become better linked and informed. The main readers of this magazine are very dynamic. Aside from taking care of their expatriates, they also tend to their national interests. They promote trade, tourism and healthier bilateral relations. Delegations of heads of states, politicians, businessmen and even celebrities come and go, and POST shall be at the core of these activities.”

UM appoints Regional Strategy & Content Director

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UM MENA has appointed Antoine De Trogoff as Regional Strategy and Content Director. In his previous role, Antoine was with Mediacom International in the UK, where he ran two major global accounts – Shell and Dassault Systemes – as well as heading up the Content Partnership division. In Antoine’s new position, he will be responsible for the setup of UM Studios, the branded content division of UM MENA, and the strategic lead on L’Oreal brands.

“The last few years have seen numerous changes in our industry with the role of content completely challenging our business, it is such an exciting time to join the region and support UM’s growth and I am thrilled to be part of such a vibrant agency,” says Antoine. “Many agencies will claim outstanding strategic thinking but we have the opportunity to be different and demonstrate we are at the forefront of developments in the sector with unique skills and resources.”

Andrei Grigorescu promoted at Discovery Networks

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Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA), a division of Discovery Communications, has appointed Andrei Grigorescu as Senior Ad Sales Director Emerging Business. Having joined Discovery in 2010, Andrei most recently served the past two years as Commercial Director for Fatafeat, Discovery’s number one food network in the Middle East. Prior to this, Andrei oversaw Discovery’s advertising sales operations in South East Europe, managing a commercial portfolio of six channels.

Based in Dubai, Andrei will now head the recently created central hub for Discovery’s Middle East-based advertising sales, starting with the launch of local advertising on Discovery’s two flagship Pay-TV channels – Discovery Channel HD and TLC HD – from January 1, 2015. He will also oversee the relationship with Premier Solutions Media, Discovery’s exclusive advertising sales representation company in the region, charged with selling commercial airtime on Discovery Channel HD and TLC HD, as well as securing sponsorship opportunities from Pan Arab advertisers.

“Andrei is the best person to lead our one-stop-shop for Pay-TV and Free-To-Air advertising in the MENA region,” says James Gibbons, SVP Country Manager Emerging Business, Discovery Communications. “He has a wealth of international experience and has been heading ad sales for Fatafeat over the past two years with stellar results. In this wider role, he will partner with our international advertising sales division in London and deliver pan regional solutions to clients in the Middle East and North Africa regions.”

North55 welcomes new Account Manager

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Dubai-based creative agency North55 has appointed Leanne Sherlock as its new Account Manager. Having been in Dubai for the past two years, Leanne has gained experience across hospitality and government sectors, and was most recently Account Handler for B2B marketing and advertising agency gyro.

“I really enjoy working with such a dynamic team and in an energetic atmosphere where I can challenge myself each day,” says Leanne. “North55 are both creative and passionate; I am proud to be part of their team and working on its Siemens account.”

MenaMarketPlace partners with PubMatic

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MenaMarketPlace has partnered with US-based PubMatic, a leading programmatic advertising platform, in an exclusive relationship that brings PubMatic’s global sell side platform (SSP) technology and services to MENA advertising buyers for the first time. The new partnership aims to capitalise on the increase in advertising spend predicted in the MENA region, which will rise to $5.7 billion by 2017.

“This strategic partnership with PubMatic will help publishers take advantage of the evolving media landscape, driving clear ROI for their digital ad inventory,” says Vincent Pelillo, Managing Director, MediaMarketPlace. “Through integrating with the industry-leading software automation platform that PubMatic provides, we have created the first premium programmatic marketplace for MENA publishers and media buyers.”

Rob Jonas, Chief Revenue Officer at PubMatic adds, “The catalyst for our expansion to the MENA region has been the tremendous publisher demand for the PubMatic platform across EMEA. MenaMarketPlace provides significant value to publishers looking to take more control of their digital ad inventory. Local and global ad networks, DSPs, trading desks and agency holding groups will now be able to reach targeted audiences in a premium online environment.”

The PubMatic One Platform technology includes Yield Optimisation and real-time bidding-based functionality, offering an automated and transparent solution to publishers and media buyers. Additionally, PubMatic’s platform innovation will include solutions that are expected to become increasingly relevant as the programmatic advertising market matures in the MENA region. These solutions include – audience and data management platform capabilities, as well as private marketplace functionalities that are already in place.