MEPRA announces Visionary Award shortlist

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The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) has named the nominees for its 2015 Visionary Award. Winners of the award, which recognises leaders for their impact and thought leadership over the previous year, will be announced on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at the MEPRA Leadership Majlis in Abu Dhabi.

Nominees have been split across three categories – Government/Not-For-Profit, Communications Agency and Corporate – and include Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi, Executive Director, Emirates Driving Association, Atul Dhawan, CEO, Sakshi Advertising & PR and Ala’a Eraiqat, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

For further information, visit www.mepra.org

Sarah Hedley Hymers promoted at ITP Publishing

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Sarah Hedley Hymers has been promoted to the position of Editorial Director, Ahlan! Group. Having previously held the position of Group Editor, Ahlan! Group, Sarah will continue to oversee all titles including the flagship weekly Ahlan!, online portal Ahlan! LIVE, monthly title Ahlan! Qatar and the Hot 100 series. In addition, she will also focus on new projects and brand development.

For further information, please contact Sarah at sarah.hymers@itp.com / +971 (0)4 444 3368

Carly Rothman launches Lean Living Girl

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Health food and fitness fanatic Carly Rothman has launched her blog, aptly named Lean Living Girl (LLG), www.leanlivinggirl.com. Through her passion for food and fitness, she shows how to create a guilt-free lifestyle – one full of nutritious dishes and raw treats that can become every-day loves and staples. The blog includes workout plans, nutrition advice and restaurant recommendations, with tips on how to create the perfect life balance.

“I started Lean Living Girl because I wanted to share everything I know and love about food, health and fitness,” says Carly. “I think people are so consumed nowadays with what they can’t be eating or shouldn’t be doing and it’s not an enjoyable way to live life. I’m hoping to bring the 80/20 rule back with a little revamp!”

Transform Awards MENA 2015 winners announced

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The winners of the second Transform Awards MENA 2015 were announced last night in a ceremony held at The Address Hotel, Dubai Marina. The awards were marked by a diverse group of winners that reflect the versatility of the region’s branding community and the recognition among business within the region of the importance of branding.

“All of the winners of the Transform Awards MENA deserve the recognition they received last night as they succeeded in a competitive, rigourously-judged field,” says Brittany Golob, Editor, Transform magazine. “We are proud to announce the winners of the second annual Transform Awards MENA and wish all of the successful brands our congratulations. It was a pleasure to see the dedication and level of work going into brand development and rebranding projects in the Middle East.”

The categories and winners of the Tranform Awards MENA 2015 included: Best Use of a Visual Property – Batelco and Unisono; Best Brand Architecture Solution – Enerya and Landor Associates; Best Use of Copy style / Tone of Voice – S’wich and Tonic International; Best Brand Experience –  Etisalat and StartJG; Best Use of Packaging – Al Fakher and CBA; Best Internal Communications during a Brand Development Programme – APM Terminals Bahrain and Miracle; Best Implementation of a Brand Development Programme – Men’s handball and 28 Design Consultancy; Best Implementation of a Brand Development Project across Multiple Markets – Malabar Gold and Diamonds and Brand Union; Best Creative Strategy – King Abdullah Economic City and Turquoise Branding; Best Brand Evolution – Horizon & Co and Bellwether; Best Strategic/Creative Development of a New Brand – Hamad International Airport and StartJG; best brand Development Project to Reflect Changed Mission/Values/Positioning – GO Telecommunications and Bellwether; Best Brand Consolidation – AlYaum and Bellwether; Best Rebrand of a Digital Property – Careem and North 55; Best Visual Identity from a Charity, NGO or NFP – CDA (Community Development Authority), UAE and Tonic International; Best Visual identity from the Energy & Extractives Sector – Enerya and Landor Associates; Best Visual Identity from the Financial Services Sector – Aseer Investments and Bellwether; Best Visual Identity from the Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals Sector – Fakih IVF and BrandAid; Best Visual Identity for the Industrial & Basic Materials Sector – King Abdullah Economic City and Turquoise Branding; Best Visual Identity from the Professional Services Sector – Horizon & Co and Bellwether; Best Visual Identity from the Public Sector – GCC-STAT and OHI Leo Burnett, Oman; Best Visual Identity from the Retail Sector – S’wich and Tonic International; Best Visual Identity from the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Sector – Batelco and Unisono; Best Visual Identity from the Travel & Leisure Sector – X Dubai & Start JG; Best Overall Visual Identity – Batelco and Unisono; Grand Prix – GO Telecommunications and Bellwether.

Alongside the awards, Transform MENA’s full day conference, The Transform Middle East Brand Summit, was attended by branding and communications professionals from the MENA region. The conference debated brand development, rebranding and brand positioning in the Middle East.

Elegante magazine appoints new editor

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Maryan Abdinur has been appointed as the new Editor for Elegante magazine at Fly Media Advertising. Having previously contributed as a freelance Features Writer for Elegante, Maryan has also worked at MOJEH magazine as Junior Publishing Assistant and at Aziza Communications as in-house writer/PR Executive.

In her new role Maryan will take over from Diksha Vohra, who after two successful years with the title has stepped down. Mayan will oversee a team of contributors and edit all content across lifestyle subjects including leisure, sporting events, business, art, fashion and food.

“I am extremely excited to be taking on this new and exciting role,” says Maryan. “It is a title I really appreciate and am thankful to be given the opportunity.”

Samer Alloush joins OK! Middle East

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Samer Alloush has been appointed as Senior Sales Manager at OK! Middle East. Samer has previously worked as Senior Sales Manager at ITP Publishing Group for the last three and a half years, working across titles including Refining & Petrochemicals ME, Oil & Gas ME, Utilities ME as well as Oil & Gas Al Arabiya.

In his new role at OK! Middle East he will sell advertising space, set events plans, work to reach sponsorship targets and build long-term relationships with clients.

“I am excited to start on a new title and one that is completely different from my previous position,” says Samer. “I always believe that you should not be afraid of change and I look forward to this new opportunity.”

Image Nation partners with Discovery

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UAE-based content creators Image Nation has partnered with Discovery Communications to launch a new Arabic channel, Quest Arabiya, for the Middle East and North Africa.

Quest Arabiya will broadcast 24 hours a day, target Arab men aged between 16-44 years of age and will focus on male-oriented factual and reality programmes that are a combination of regionally-produced original material and Arabised content from Discovery’s library of non-fiction shows.

“In partnering with Discovery to launch a new TV channel in the Middle East and North Africa, we are doing what Abu Dhabi does best – marrying world-class expertise with regional knowledge,” says Mohammed Al Mubarak, Chairman, Image Nation Abu Dhabi. “Quest Arabiya will provide a needed boost to the private media sector in the UAE as we will be commissioning more content than ever before and producing at the highest international standards.”

Prism launches E-commerce website for VOSS water

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Prism Action Communication has developed and launched an online order and delivery platform for VOSS, part of Bin Hendi Enterprises. The website is not only an e-commerce destination, but is also fully mobile responsive. Bin Hendi Enterprises is the UAE’s official distributor of VOSS, the premium bottled water brand originating in Southern Norway.

“Prism was thrilled to have been able to work with Bin Hendi Enterprises, enabling consumers to have VOSS water delivered right to their doorstep,” said Managing Director, Lovetto Nazareth. “As 90% of consumers are constantly on their mobile phones, it was essential that the new website was fully mobile responsive.”.