Geordiebird to leave Dubai 92 breakfast show

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Following nine years as a co-presenter on the Catboy and Geordiebird Breakfast show, Geordiebird, known off-air as Stef Burgon, announces that she will broadcast her last breakfast show this Thursday. Stef is also known for her regular ‘Girl About Town’ feature in What’s On magazine, and has been in Ahlan’s Hot 100 list every year since moving to the UAE in 2006.

Stef’s new role will be with Dubai Eye 103.8, sister network to Dubai 92, where she will be co-presenting The Travel Show (The Ticket), with Mark Lloyd every weekday from 2pm – 4pm.

“I’m looking forward to not having to get up so early, after doing this for the last nine years,” says Stef. “I can’t wait for this amazing new challenge on The Ticket with Mark Lloyd on Dubai Eye 103.8!”

Grayling announces new office in Muscat

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Communications consultancy Grayling has announced the launch of a new office in Muscat, Oman following the creation of a partnership between its parent company, Huntsworth PLC, and a local Omani company, Al Reem Creative. Through this new office, and in close collaboration with Al Reem Creative’s subsidiary, Brand Infiniti, Grayling will provide communications and digital marketing services to leading local and international organisations operating in the Sultanate.

The Muscat office will coordinate with Grayling’s other Middle East consultancy teams in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai, and will be overseen by Loretta Ahmed, Grayling’s Chief Executive Officer for Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

“Business opportunity has led us to Oman,” says Lord Chadlington, CEO of Huntsworth and Grayling Chairman. “We are committed to a strong and successful partnership with Brand Infiniti, one of Oman’s most technologically advanced and inventive creative businesses. Our clients from other Middle East markets want us to service them in Oman and we have several successful mandates already underway. Our new Oman operation will help us provide a more comprehensive offering to clients across the Middle East and to international clients with growing needs in one of the most interesting countries in the region.”

Sheikh Khalid Al Wahaibi, Chairman of Brand Infiniti adds, “Brand Infiniti is incredibly excited about our partnership with Grayling, one of the world’s leading public relations companies. Our objective is to work together to bring the very best creative skills and the highest standards of client service to Oman.”

Twitter to open offices in Dubai

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Twitter will open its offices in Dubai in the next few months. Shailesh Rao, Twitter’s Vice-President for Asia Pacific, Latin America and Emerging Markets announced the news during a session discussing the future of Twitter at the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit. As the platform’s first office in the MENA region, it will aim to better serve local users, partners and advertisers. MENA is one of Twitters fastest growing markets worldwide, and this announcement serves as a part of the company’s increased investment and commitment to the region.

“MENA is a key strategic market for us and our new Dubai office will serve as the focal point to help our development across the region,” says Shailesh. “Dubai is a regional hub for many brands and advertising agencies and we are excited to build a team on the ground here who can work with partners directly, helping them get the most out of Twitter.”

DPQ welcomes new Junior Account Manager

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DPQ Communications has appointed Zoya Pasha as Junior Account Manager. Previously at Memac Ogilvy for three years working on an array of consumer brands,  Zoya has over five years of regional experience working across a number of consumer lifestyle, F&B and fashion brands.

“I’m really happy to be joining the DPQ Communications team, and to be working with such an exciting portfolio of clients,” says Zoya. “I’m very familiar with DPQ’s work and am excited to be joining its growing team.”

Brazen expands UAE team

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PR and content marketing agency Brazen, based in Dubai Media City, has expanded its team with the official appointment of Account Executive, Georgina Scott.

Coming from a background in music events and fashion marketing, Georgina has lived between London and Dubai for six years and has worked with local venues such as Fibber Magees and The Irish Village, as well as luxury brands including Reiss, Hugo Boss and Chelsea-based designer, Maria Grachvogel. She will now be reporting directly to Managing Director Louise Jacobson in the running of clients for Brazen.

“Brazen has had an incredible two months since our launch in January, and we are really excited to have Georgina on board,” says Louise. “Her network of contacts and strong digital and social skills will be a valuable asset in achieving the very best content for our clients.”

Georgina adds “I am absolutely thrilled to be part of Brazen after hearing so much about them in the UK. Brazen’s creative edge, fresh approach and award-winning formula made them an ideal choice for me.”

Grazia welcomes new Fashion & Beauty Editor

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Sophie Bew has joined Grazia Middle East as Fashion and Beauty Editor. Joining the team from London where she has spent the last year and eight months as Senior Fashion Assistant for the UK edition of Grazia, Sophie brings more than four years of experience contributing to some of the UK’s most widely distributed glossy magazines such as Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar. A self-confessed beauty addict, Sophie will now apply her extensive experience in both writing and styling to her new role at Grazia Middle East.

Weber Shandwick is a great place to work

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Weber Shandwick has been honoured by the Great Place to Work Institute UAE, by being ranked number seven among 15 shortlisted organisations for this year’s ‘Top Companies to Work for in the UAE’.

The Institute, part of a global research, training and consultancy firm, recognises the best workplaces in over 50 countries worldwide by evaluating each participating company through a Trust Index survey and Culture Audit. These evaluations address management credibility, employee engagement, job satisfaction, as well as pay and benefits programs, hiring, communication and development.

“We are delighted to have been selected as one of the Top 15 best companies to work for in the UAE for the second consecutive year,” says Andreas Keller, Managing Director, Dubai, Weber Shandwick MENA. “It’s always a great achievement when you can balance the management of a fast growing business while still providing your employees with a positive working environment. The management can set the blueprint for success, but it’s really down to the employees who create the environment and make the agency what it is today.”

Changes to the Motivate team

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Changes have been made to the Motivate team in the form of a new joiner and in-house promotion. Craig Wagstaff has been appointed as Group Sales Director, joining the team from Astro Malaysia Holdings where he was Vice President and Group General Manager of Sales for eight years. Having worked across a range of media, Craig will bring his international experience to the running of the day-to-day sales activity of Motivate’s magazine division.

Anthony Milne, previous General Manager of Group Sales and Marketing at Motivate, has now been appointed Chief Commercial Officer. In his new role, Anthony will focus on key areas of strategic development for Motivate while retaining responsibility for the Marketing and Events functions.