August 2015 – Page 4 – The Media Network

Paz Marketing retains Wafi Mall

August 19, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Paz Marketing has retained the PR account for Wafi Mall, a Dubai-based luxury mall with over 350 shops and 30 restaurants as well as its own leisure complex. The agency will handle all PR for the mall across the UAE, covering tenants, restaurants and spas as well as all events and activations.

“This is a one-of-a-kind business and we have been enjoying the noise that we have been creating by working alongside Wafi to promote local Emirati talents,” says Zeina Akkawi, Managing Director, PAZ Marketing. “It has proven to be a great hit among the media and public in the UAE over the past year and we intend to keep up the good work. Our focus will be on encouraging local Emirati talents and assisting in promoting them on all levels, in addition to helping tenants and other outlets to reach their main goals.”

Prism wins Eid with Maz Jobrani account

August 19, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Prism has won the Digital Marketing account for upcoming event Eid with Maz Jobrani, which will be held at The Ritz Carlton DIFC this September. Maz Jobrani is a founding member of The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, which first aired on Comedy Central and is currently performing stand-up live around the world. He will be supported in Dubai by Hisham Wyne, Salman Qureshi and Rami Salamé.

Prism will be managing digital marketing for the event, as well as sourcing sponsorship for Eid with Maz Jobrani, and working closely with industry influencers to ensure the event is a success.

“Prism is looking forward to hosting the funnyman Maz Jobrani in the sandpit this September,” says Lovetto Nazareth, Managing Director, Prism. “We have a great team on board and look forward to working with Leo Events to make this a success.”

Adil Yaqoob, General Manager, Leo Events adds “We are immensely proud to work with the most loved Middle-Eastern comedian, Maz Jobrani. Leo brings him back to Dubai with his biggest one night show yet in the region. We are excited to be partnering with Prism for this event.”

expose-communications wins BLANC D’IVOIRE DUBAI

August 18, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

expose-communications has expanded its home interiors portfolio with the addition of BLANC D’IVOIRE DUBAI, a new furniture store located on Al Wasl Road. BLANC D’IVOIRE is a French brand, founded in 1994 and present in over 30 destinations worldwide. expose-communications will handle all PR activities for the brand across all media channels throughout the region, as well as manage the official store launch.

“We are delighted to add BLANC D’IVOIRE DUBAI to our client portfolio,” says Hind Dahmash, Co-founder, expose-communications. “We are looking forward to launching such a beautiful homeware store and exposing the brand in the Middle East.”

CARA Public Relations launches

August 18, 2015/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Emily Churchill-Owen

CARA Public Relations has been launched by Maria Stapleton, former Senior Account Director of NCPR. The agency aims to offer a professional service with a personal feel to service clients in the United Arab Emirates, with the Dubai-based Pastels Salon brand becoming the agency’s first signing.

“I am delighted to have signed Pastels Salon,” says Maria. “While CARA PR marks a new beginning in my professional life, I firmly believe this partnership also represents a new chapter in the Pastels story and one which will be even more exciting and dynamic than previous ones. I can’t wait to start collaborating with media in the UAE again.”

Shortlist launches new listings tool

August 17, 2015/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Michelle Kuehn

ShortList UAE is launching its self-administered online listings tool, which allows PRs, brand managers and venue owners to add, amend and update listings, as well as upload menus and images. The website – that features restaurants and cafes, bars and clubs, film and TV, events and attractions, as well as shopping and style – is the first publication from APP to offer this unique listings tool.

Editor-in-chief Eddie Taylor will be revealing the new online listing function via a webinar with The Media Network this Wednesday. To register, email tmnwebinars@tmnme.com.

Differing from Shortlist’s UK website, the UAE counterparts are aimed at both women and men. Both websites are updated regularly and include searchable entertainment listings for each city.

Alshaya welcomes PR and Social Media Executive

August 17, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Michelle Kuehn

Katie Weir has joined global retail franchise operator Alshaya as PR and Social Media Executive, American Eagle, Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Having worked in PR and Marketing for over six years, Katie was most recently PR and Marketing Manager for Tutti Rouge, UK.

As PR and Social Media Executive for American Eagle, MENA, Katie will be based in Kuwait and handling press release distribution, media relations, product/image call ins and social media strategy for the American Eagle brand across the region.

Ahmed Garoon joins Hype as Senior Sales Executive

August 17, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Michelle Kuehn

Ahmed Garoon has joined music and nightlife magazine Hype as Senior Sales Executive. Working alongside Lee Tunnicliffe, Ahmed will be responsible for generating new business across clubs, music, fashion and lifestyle clients, and also seeking sponsorship for Hype events.

“Hype is a the only magazine in Dubai that captures the city’s exciting sub-culture, as far as I’m concerned, and I’m looking forward to connecting new brands with the magazine,” says Ahmed. “I’ve been a fan of the magazine since its inception and joining the team brings me nothing but joy. The Hype team is extremely passionate about what they do and it’s great to be working with like-minded individuals who live and breathe their work as a lifestyle.”

Fox + Hound wins Core Direction PR account

August 16, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Michelle Kuehn

Core Direction – a coalition of fitness partners and facilities in the United Arab Emirates – has appointed Fox + Hound PR to manage all its communications and associated events moving forward.

“When I was first briefed about Core Direction, I made up my mind that I wanted to be involved immediately,” says Chloe Rees, Managing Director, Fox + Hound Communications. “Core Direction is something that I am super passionate about and something that I would actually want to be involved in from a consumer level. It’s an exciting concept and one that I am sure will appeal to the majority of health conscious people in the UAE.”

Socialize welcomes Greta Van Der Merwe

August 16, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Michelle Kuehn

Digital specialists Socialize Agency appoints Greta Van Der Merwe to the role of Copywriter. As her first role in the Middle East, Greta joins from 140BBDO in South Africa, where she gained more than four years of experience in advertising. As Copywriter, she will focus on bringing the client’s voice to their consumers’ ears, and contribute to the agency’s ever-growing creative output.

“I believe that there is always more and more and more to learn,” says Greta. “Stepping into this whole new world – excuse the Aladdin reference – is a challenge I can’t wait to tackle head on. Joining Socialize Agency gives me the opportunity to make a difference on a much larger scale than I ever imagined. I’m really excited.”

WPP to become Emirates global agency of record

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

Emirates Airline has selected a team of WPP agencies – Team Air – to handle its global branding and creative account, following an extensive review. Headquartered in London, Team Air draws on the combined resources of WPP agencies including Grey London and New York, RKCR/Y&R and Geometry Global, as well as Hogarth and TNS. It will be lead by Chris Hunton, who formerly worked as Head of Team Land Rover for WPP.

Emirates began evaluating its branding and creative needs last year in order to support the next phase of its brand development and respond to new opportunities in the ever-changing marketing and media industry.

“Emirates is making progress on our journey to become a global lifestyle brand, and Team Air offers a unique collection of creative and branding skills that was custom-made to meet our needs,” says Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, Emirates. “This tailored approach backed by the global resources of WPP, creates a formidable partner for any client.”