YouTube’s Seven Day Brief competition announced

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The MENA region’s creative community has been challenged by YouTube and Dubai Lynx to create an advertisement which aims to help a social cause through a competition known as The Seven Day Brief. Seeking to engage the MENA region and showcase the creative and interactive potential of YouTube as an advertising platform, the Brief will be released on January 14, 2015. Competitors will have seven days to answer the brief provided by a global NGO, producing a video ad that directly addresses the requirements.

The videos will be evaluated and judged by a panel which includes members of the regional advertising industry, with the finalists to be announced on January 25, 2015, and winners awarded at the Dubai Lynx on March 11, 2015. The winning team or individual will be granted a trip to Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2015 and Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity. Entries are open to those living in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the UAE and Yemen.

Grazia Middle East welcomes new Deputy Editor

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Grazia Middle East has welcomed Elle Blakeman as its new Deputy Editor. Joining the team from London, Elle brings an impressive range of editorial experience to her new role, having worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire, InStyle and Harper’s Bazaar. Prior to joining Grazia Middle East, Elle was with Runwild Media Group where she was Editor for monthly luxury lifestyle title The Mayfair Magazine and The Mayfair Magazine Arabic, overseeing and planning across the magazine in addition to being heavily involved in developing its shape, from tone to layout.

In her new position, Elle will be supporting Editor-in-Chief Alison Tay to produce the weekly luxury fashion title.

Arab Social Media Award ceremony date announced

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The ceremony for the first Arab Social Media Award – an initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – is to take place February 23, 2015. The Award recognises the most important social media initiatives across the Arab region, honouring companies and individuals in various sectors who have used social media to help establish a positive interactive environment for innovation and creativity.

“The strong interest and appreciation gained by the Award emphasises the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum about the future, and his appreciation for the influential role that social media plays in our region and the world in guiding, shaping and accomplishing events,” says His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Arab Social Media Award. “It has helped in further strengthening Dubai’s position and consolidating its leading role.”

Entries have been received from 22 countries globally, with significant response from the UAE as well as Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Award includes 20 categories – Government Sector, Private Sector, Blogs, Media, Sport, Tolerance, CSR, Education, Youth, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Economy, Politics, Health, Arts, Safety, Security, Shopping, Environment, Tourism and Entertainment, as well as the Personality of the Year Award.