DPQ Communications welcomes Account Director

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Kate Mullen has joined the DPQ Communications team as Account Director. With more than 20 years of agency and in-house experience in UAE corporate communications, Kate has worked across various industry sectors, covering brands such as Dubai Duty Free, Parfums Christian Dior, Coca-Cola, Land Rover, Tim Hortons, ARAMEX and Le Méridien. Bringing a wealth of local and regional experience to her new role, Kate will be responsible for overseeing existing business, whilst growing the business portfolio and supporting the teams.

“DPQ Communications is a boutique but dynamic agency, and the work ethic, team spirit and potential for growth were a huge appeal to me,” says Kate. “I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge with the next generation of practitioners and supporting DPQ as it moves forward.”

 

Aziza Communications expands its team

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Luxury PR agency Aziza Communications has expanded its team with the appointment of Nadine Khudari as Account Manager and Jessa Teking as PR Assistant. Nadine will work across a number of luxury lifestyle and fashion brands including Rami Al Ali, Parfums M.Micallef and Duchess by Jelena, while Jessa will assist all staff members across Aziza’s ever-growing lifestyle portfolio.

The expansion also sees a number of in-house promotions, with Charlotte Cook now appointed to the position of Account Manager and Faye Jones taking on the role of Senior PR Executive.

“I am thrilled to welcome our new members and delighted to see our already solid team grow stronger,” says Jill Downie, Managing Director, Aziza Communications. “Our aim has always been to provide skilled representation and absolute dedication to each of our clients and with our expanded team I am sure that we will achieve even greater success.

Maitha Ahmed promoted at ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller

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Maitha Ahmed has been promoted to the position of Group Account Director at ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller. Account Director on the ASDA’A Buson-Marsteller team since 2013, Maitha has worked across a wide range of campaigns and extensive set of clients, having previously been with Rooster PR and Four Communications. Maitha now leads the travel and arts team, with clients that include Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Dubai Cruise, The Walt Disney Company, Art Dubai and Downtown Design.

 

Tamara Clarke partners with Intel

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Abu Dhabi-based tech blogger Tamara Clarke has partnered with Intel to launch Appisodes – a bi-weekly column that features some of the UAE’s hottest app developers. A former software development professional, Tamara brings a range of expertise to the partnership as the blogger and social media strategist behind Middle East lifestyle and technology blog, The Global Gazette. Published on the IQ website by Intel – www.iq.intel.co.ae/ – Appisodes will explore technology culture, news, trend, innovations and the people behind them, with focus on highlighting local talent, as well as Intel’s dedication to supporting technology in the region.

Etisalat spotlights local production by twofour54

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As a result of the ongoing partnership between twofour54 and Etisalat, an extensive collection of films produced by twofour54 is now available for subscribed viewers on Etisalat’s video on demand platform (VOD), eLife on Demand, as well as Etisalat’s eLife Video Packs. The aim of this is to highlight local talents from the filmmaking industry, as well as reinforce Arabic content.

40 creative lab films and music videos will be shown, some of which have previously participated in Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival in New York and the Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival in the UK.

“twofour54’s creative lab intends to support young talent and provide them with opportunities to develop their skills and experiences through the appropriate media platforms,” says Maryan Al Mheiri, Chief Operating Officer, twofour54. “This initiative is an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to highlight their creative work through an established platform, showcase their projects to broader audiences and motivate others. twofour54’s creative lab films can now be accessed on Etisalat’s VOD, which is a testament to the quality of work our members are achieving and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Etisalat.”

Rashed Al Abbar, Vice President of Home Services at Etisalat adds, “As well as delivering top class TV content and entertainment to homes in the UAE, Etisalat is actively seeking new means of supporting the community of local artists and filmmakers. Through our wide reach in the UAE, we are excited about introducing a new platform for award-winning, homegrown talent to showcase their skills and creativity. Overall, our partnership with twofour54, one of the leading media hubs in the UAE, helps promote locally produced content and enhances the UAE’s film industry.”

For further information, contact William Royce at william.royce@twofour54.com / +971 (0)50 614 6653

Cheil Worldwide appoints Global CGO

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Cheil Worldwide has appointed Lotta Malm Hallqvist as its first Global Chief Growth Officer. Lotta takes on the newly created role from McCann Worldgroup, where she was Executive Vice President and Global Chief Officer since 2011. Having worked with the McCann network for almost 15 years, Lotta has also founded two start-ups including Propaganda, an advertising agency that was later sold to McCann.

Remaining in London, she will lead Cheil’s international growth and new business drive, and will report to Michael Kim, Cheil Worldwide’s Global Chief Operating Officer.

“Cheil is at a really important chapter in its history and there is no better time than now to have a new global chief growth officer on board,” says Michael Kim. “Lotta, a hugely charismatic, engaging and passionate professional, has helped agencies build growth and drive business development over the past 15 years. She is highly pro-active in her approach to new business and will no doubt entrench this approach at Cheil. I am confident that she will add great value and agility to our new business development efforts, given her understanding of what clients expect from an agency partner.”

Lotta adds, “I am truly impressed with the Korean approach to business – the ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude and the focus on opportunities over problems. It’s a privilege to be part of the next chapter for Cheil, joining the team behind one of the strongest brands on the planet.”

Michaela Williams promoted at Stylist Arabia

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Michaela Williams has been appointed to the newly created role of Lifestyle, Fashion and Beauty Director for Stylist Arabia. Previously holding the role of Acting Lifestyle Editor at the Arab Publishing Partners’ (APP) weekly title, Michaela boasts years of editorial experience in women’s lifestyle, having worked across publications including Good Housekeeping Middle East, Qantas The Australian Way and Cosmopolitan Australia, as well as editing beauty blog Lather Rinse Repeat.

Kaveh Gharachorlou joins Mindshare MENA

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Kaveh Gharachorlou has joined the Mindshare MENA team – part of WPP – as its new Regional Talent Development Director for the region. With over 20 years of experience in human resource management, Kaveh has worked across a variety of industries including banking, oil and gas, government, manufacturing and construction, as well as security and defense. Kaveh previously ran his own HR consultancy business for three years in the United Kingdom, before moving on to work as Head of HR in construction and manufacturing eight years ago, and was most recently HR Director for DynCorp International, a global security and defense organisation.

“We welcome Kaveh on board and look forward to seeing his contribution to position Mindshare MENA as the preferred employer,” says Samir Ayoub, CEO, Mindshare MENA. “He brings a wealth of HR experience and valuable talent development skills to our team.”