May 2015 – Page 4 – The Media Network

The Qode wins Obagi Medispa account

May 14, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Luxury PR and communications agency The Qode has been appointed to handle all PR for Obagi Medispa in the Middle East. Hailing from the US, Obagi focuses on offering restorative skin treatments and cosmetic products to affluent expatriates and Arabs. The PR services will be managed by Rania Kfoury, Shaheena Usman, Mariam Suri and Managing Partner at The Qode, Dipesh Depala.

“We are honoured to be working with Obagi Medispa and it’s team of highly trained consultants,” says Dipesh. “We look forward to building on and elevating it’s tremendous success and working on some exciting new projects that Obagi will be launching later this year.”

Sina Hamada, Head of Marketing, Obagi Medispa, adds “I am really pleased to be working with such a highly accredited and professional team, and look forward to working together to continue to bring Obagi to the forefront of medical aesthetics services, here in the Middle East.”

Motivate Publishing appoints new Associate Editor

May 14, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Lyndsey Steven has been promoted to Associate Editor of the Emirates Woman Group, part of Motivate Publishing. Having joined the company a year ago, Lyndsey most recently held the position of Deputy Editor at Emirates Woman and will now utilise her 16 years of experience in the publishing and broadcasting sector in her new expanded role. Lyndsey has previously contributed to a spectrum of publications in the UAE including La Femme, The Rake, Indulge and The National, and will now be writing, editing and overseeing content for Emirates Woman, Emirates Woman Bride, Emirates Woman Mini and Harvey Nichols – Dubai magazines.

“My year at Motivate has flown by and I am looking forward to many more,” says Lyndsey. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Emirates Woman and it’s been wonderful working with such an accomplished and dedicated team.”

Boguslavsky & Co welcomes Andrea Wignall

May 14, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Niche digital strategy agency Boguslavsky & Co has appointed Andrea Wignall as Social Media Manager. With previous experience working with premium brands in both South Africa and the UAE, Andrea will bring her unique combination of creativity and strategic thinking to her new role.

“I am really excited to have been awarded the opportunity to work with such an outstanding team,” says Andrea. “Boguslavsky & Co produces creative work of such a high standard, and I am ready to start this incredible journey together.”

Prism secures Manzil Downtown Dubai account

May 13, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Prism Action Communications has secured the account to manage Manzil Downtown Dubai’s complete social media presence. Managed by Vida Hotels and Resorts, Manzil Downtown Dubai is a boutique hotel that embraces Arabic hospitality in a tech-savvy setting, catering to business executives, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers.

“Prism understands Manzil’s brand language,” says Lovetto Nazareth, Managing Director, Prism. “We aim to seamlessly communicate their brand values through social media and other digital platforms.”

Motivate promotes Kerry McDermott

May 13, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Motivate Publishing has promoted Kerry McDermott to Deputy Editor of the Emirates Woman Group. Having previously worked as Features Editor for What’s On and Good magazines, Kerry has experience covering everything from nightlife and restaurant reviews at What’s On, to food, lifestyle advice and interiors at Good. She has also contributed to Jumeirah Magazine.

In her new role, Kerry will oversee features content including interviews, as well as all things health and travel related. She will predominantly be working across emirateswoman.com, Emirates Woman Mini, Emirates Woman Bride and Harvey Nichols – Dubai magazines.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of the fantastic team at Emirates Woman and contributing to a great brand, both in print and online” Says Kerry.

Cicero and Bernay wins Marka PJSC account

May 12, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Cicero and Bernay has won the contract to provide corporate communications to Marka PJSC for a 12-month period. The agency, which forms part of the Publinet Group, will support Marka with strategic communications planning, public relations, crisis communications, internal communications and investor relations.

Marka is the first public joint stock company focused on the retail sector in the UAE, headquartered in Dubai. Since incorporating in 2014, Marka has partnered with leading global brands in the fashion, sporting goods and hospitality sectors, pursuing a growth strategy focused on acquisitions, franchise agreements and unique retail concepts.

“With a wide-range of fashion, sports, and hospitality PR experience, C&B is a natural fit for Marka’s communications requirements,” says Ross Bethell, Director of Strategy at Cicero and Bernay. “We are extremely excited to be supporting Marka’s business plan and ambitions for growth across the region, via a program of strategic and measured communications.”

Leigh-Ann Lanier, Director of Strategic Marketing, PR & Communications at Marka, adds “I am delighted to have C&B as Marka’s strategic PR partner. Marka is a fast-paced organisation undergoing rapid expansion and C&B offers a holistic, client-centred approach.”

Hot Media Publishing promotes Richard Jenkins

May 12, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Richard Jenkins has been promoted to Editor of AIR and World Traveller magazines at Hot Media Publishing, having previously worked on both titles as Deputy Editor since February 2014. Richard will continue to cover luxury travel for World Travel, and all areas of ultra-luxury lifestyle for AIR including writing and commissioning features on watches, motoring, jewellery, fashion and gastronomy. In his new role, Richard will become more involved in commercial aspects of the titles.

“I’m very excited to take on this new role at Hot Media,” says Richard. “I look forward to working as hard as I can to make AIR and World Traveller even better magazines than they already are.”

CNN names new VP of Arabic Services

May 11, 2015/0 Comments/in International News /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Caroline Faraj has been named the new Vice President of Arabic Services for CNN, as the international news outlet unveils ambitious plans for growth in the Middle East. Caroline was previously responsible for the content and management of the CNN Arabic website, leading the site’s re-launch in 2014.

In her new role, Caroline will have strategic oversight of CNNArabic.com while also working alongside CNN’s Middle East newsgathering team, and the CNN Abu Dhabi platform on major cross-platform editorial initiatives. She will also work with the CNNI commercial and digital teams on new digital opportunities in the region. Her immediate focus will be on continuing the expansion of the CNN Arabic brand, while also expanding the CNN Dubai operation in order to allow for increased content development to feed all of CNN’s linear and non-linear platforms.

“CNN Arabic has proved an outstanding success story under Caroline’s leadership and has demonstrated the region’s growing digital appetite for our news product,” says Andrew Morse, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CNN Digital.

Rani R Raad, Managing Director, Turner Broadcasting in the Middle East, adds “Our continued investment under Caroline’s leadership in CNN Arabic reflects the strength of our aspirations for this region. Caroline is perfectly placed in this new role to continue to enrich the news content we offer our consumers, while also helping to develop exciting new digital propositions that will engage audiences and excite our partners.”

Dentsu Aegis Network partner with ICA

May 11, 2015/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Multinational media and digital marketing communications company Dentsu Aegis Network has formed a new partnership with the International Communications Agency (ICA), in Iran. The newly branded Carat-ICA, is the first official partnership formed by the two agencies, though they have worked together since January 2015. With offices based in Tehran, Carat-ICA will take full responsibility for the media planning and buying requirements of Carat and other Dentsu Aegis Network clients in the country.

The newly formed and exclusive Carat-ICA alliance aims to add value to both clients and media stakeholders in Iran, one of the fastest-growing countries in the Middle East.

“Moving forward, we forecast a bright future for the Iranian market,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network. “The newly formed Carat-ICA partnership has on-the-ground capabilities and a ‘Generation Y’ team of digital and media experts. This, paired with our network’s global resources, skills and knowledge, will allow us to support the needs of our clients in Iran and add another key growth market to our offering.”

Ben Karmi, Managing Director, Carat-ICA adds “We were looking at ways we could further evolve and improve our offering to both new and existing clients. Carat’s, as well as the wider Dentsu Aegis Network’s focus on innovation and their entrepreneurial spirit made them the perfect fit.”

XPEDITION Middle East to launch in June

May 11, 2015/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Emily Churchill-Owen

XPEDITION Middle East is set to launch on June 25, 2015. The UAE-based magazine will be a luxury travel and lifestyle print publication, covering content aimed at affluent readers with a passion for travel.

Headed up by Editor-in-Chief Josh Jr. Mangila, who most recently worked as Features Editor for En Route Middle East, the magazine will focus on travel stories from contributors who will offer its audience a personal view into the world of luxury travel. XPEDITION Middle East will feature three main sections: Xtreme – showcasing luxury at its purest, aimed at affluent Emirati readers, Xclusive – interviews with CEO’s who love to travel, and Xpressions – travel stories from readers. The publication will also include features on luxury destinations, airlines, restaurants, cruises, tours and packages as well as stylish travel accessories and competitions offering all-expenses-paid getaways.

Distributed predominantly in the Middle East, as well as in parts of Europe, Asia and the USA, XPEDITION Middle East will be published every two months at a retail price of AED50, with an initial print run of 15,000 copies. Ali Tayeb Al Rais, the youngest Emirati publisher in the UAE, will publish the magazine. A proem issue of XPEDITION Middle East was sold as part of a soft launch at the Arabian Travel Market last week.

“I believe that if we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet,” says Josh. “XPEDITION Middle East is a unique publication, with the goal to blossom a multitude of inspirational content along with drop-dead gorgeous visuals to change the way you read about luxury travel and lifestyle. We have eradicated the usual and robotic ‘what to do’, ‘where to eat’ and ‘when to spend’ type of features in favour of core stories that will touch human lives and propagate the fruits of an unforgettable journey.”