Dentsu Aegis welcomes Simon Woodward

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Simon Woodward has joined Dentsu Aegis Network as Head of Amplifi Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Having previous agency experience with Universal McCann, GroupM and Mindshare across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, Simon was most recently Global Head of Agencies & Media Management at Microsoft Mobile Devices. In his new role, Simon will be based in Dubai reporting to Michael Nederlof and working with the teams of Abdalla Bibi, Head of Trading UAE and Siddhi Dhavale, Director of Amnet and Digital Buying.

“I am delighted to take this new role to lead such an integrated platform in MENA,” says Simon. “With the growing trends of convergence and globalisation, an agency’s media functionality needs to evolve beyond media efficiencies and rates. I believe Amplifi, which is structured to work collaboratively with our media, digital and technology partners, will bring out the best media performance and business outcomes through a cooperative approach.”

For further information, contact Sara Paye at sara.paye@dentsuaegis.com / +971 (0)4 447 4996

Dentsu Aegis launches Amplifi in MENA

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Dentsu Aegis Network MENA has launched Amplifi, a newly established division responsible for media investment and strategic partnerships for the group. Amplifi will bring together the group’s investment management, media partnerships, programmatic buying (AMNET) and content capability functions into a consolidated unit, with data as its foundation. It’s primary goal will be to deliver maximum performance for the group’s clients by working collaboratively with media, technology and infrastructure partners.

“It’s an important milestone for us to officially launch Amplifi in MENA,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network MENA. “To form that matrix integrating investment management, media partnerships, technology and content empowered by data under Amplifi allows us to leverage the group’s scale and develop innovative solutions for our clients across all of our agencies.”

For further information, contact Sara Paye at sara.paye@dentsuaegis.com / +971 (0)4 447 4996

house of comms welcomes Marion Cordiner

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Dubai-based PR agency house of comms has welcomed Marion Cordiner to the role of Account Director. Having worked in PR, marketing and advertising in the UK and Australia, Marion has spent the the last four years at international consultancy Weber Shandwick Scotland. In her new role, Marion will take the strategic lead on some recent house of comms client wins, as well as leading the PR and social media teams across the region

“With the agency growing at a rate of more than 40% in 2015, the appointment of Marion was an extremely important one for the team,” says Kaja Weller, Director, house of comms. “Coming from the UK and having worked as part of a global agency for the span of her career, Marion brings with her impressive experience working with leading global brands while also having a focus on the management and development of PR teams across various sectors.”

Marion adds “I’m deeply passionate about PR, which really pulls its weight in the wider communications mix and I can’t wait to get involved in the industry in the Middle East.”

For further information, contact Marion at marion@houseofcomms.com / +971 (0)55 346 4988

 

dubizzle launches Brand Stories

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dubizzle has launched its native advertising solution Brand Stories, designed to deliver tailored branded content to specific audiences. The advertising placement will be nested within the listings pages on the dubizzle UAE website, across both desktop and mobile, and content can be in the form of short or long form blog posts, infographics, research or sponsored articles with integrated video and photography. This can be created by dubizzle’s content team or content partners, or the advertiser’s creative agency.

“Brands are starting to look for new ways to forge a connection with consumers, whilst consumers are engaging more and more with premium integrated content,” says Sonel Ajayi, Head of Advertising Operations, dubizzle. “We are building a new generation of dubizzle ad experiences and hope to refresh the advertising landscape in the UAE.”

For further information, contact Abdalla Touqan at adballah@dubizzle.com / +971 (0)56 102 3140

Lena ter Laare joins The Dubai Mall Magazine

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Lena ter Laare has joined Emaar as Content and Publishing Manager of The Dubai Mall Magazine. Having previously worked as Editor in Chief of Good Housekeeping Middle East and launch phase Group Editor of Hello! Middle East, Hello! Indo-Arabia and Hello! Arabia at APP, Lena takes up her new role on The Dubai Mall publication that is published by Mediaquest.

For further details, contact Lena ter Larre on llaare@emaar.ae / +971 4 362 7737

InsideOut Awards 2015 winners announced

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InsideOut magazine revealed the winners of its first reader awards at a gala dinner on Sunday, June 7, 2015, at the Sofitel The Palm, Dubai. After three months of voting and with over 15, 000 individual votes casted, InsideOut revealed the UAE’s favourite brands, as voted for by readers.

Winners on the night included The White Company, Maison D’Art, ID Design and Marina Home Interiors. The Editor’s Choice Award was presented to Jotun.

“After 12 years in the market, last summer saw a major new direction for InsideOut magazine, and since then the title has gone from strength to strength,” says Sharon Parsons, Editor, InsideOut. “These developments have allowed us to forge strong relationships with our readership and as part of that commitment we launched The InsideOut Awards to recognise just how passionate our readers are about their homes. The response has been amazing and the voting has surpassed all our expectations.”

For further information, contact Katie Heskett at kheskett@gulfnews.com / +971 (0)4 406 7361

 

Spread welcomes Anastasiya Golovatenko

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UAE-based public relations firm Spread Communications has welcomed Anastasiya Golovatenko to its team as Account Manager. Anastasiya brings to her new role a Master’s degree in Communications and Analytics, as well as over seven years of PR experience. As Account Manager, she will head up agency flagship accounts including Le Vault, LAYAL MAKAREM, DHI, Draw Link Group, ProTenders, Mundipharma and Elephant Nation. She will be responsible for maintaining key relationships with current clients and pursuing new business opportunities.

“Spread Communications is an ambitious, forward-thinking PR firm that puts clients at the heart of its operations,” says Anastasiya. “I’m proud to be part of the team and to be working with such an exciting portfolio of clients.”

Shamim Kassibawi, Managing Partner, Spread Communications adds “We’re at an exciting point right now with a roster of fantastic retainer clients and a strong team. The addition of Anastasiya is a catalyst for a further explosion of growth and I am delighted to have her join the team.”

For further information, contact Anastasiya Golovatenko at anastasiya@spreadcomms.com / +971 (0)55 404 0239

CNN to launch The Silk Road series

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CNN is set to launch a new series uncovering the cultural traditions and commercial trading synonymous with The Silk Road trading route – The Silk Road: Past, Present, Future. Each month, CNN International correspondent Sumnima Udas will visit a different country along The Silk Road, uncovering stories of innovation, culture and business. The format of the 30–minute show will combine the modern world with historical context to bring the region alive.

A dedicated microsite for the series will be hosted on CNN.com featuring video from the show and a host of bespoke content about the topics, cultures and business practices covered in the series. CNN’s audience will also have the opportunity to engage with the series through accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

“’The Silk Road: Past, Present, Future’ is where rich, historic cultural context meets modern business and trading against the backdrop of visually stunning landscapes and destinations,” says Ellana Lee, Senior Vice President, CNN International. “Part business show, part travelogue – this series will be an important part of CNN International’s output.”

For further information, contact Kimberly Lobo at kimberly.lobo@ketchum-raad.com / +971 (0)4 425 8979