Annie Darling joins HOT Media

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HOT Media has welcomed Annie Darling to the role of Features Editor. Previously based in London, Annie most recently worked as a reporter for Talisman Communications where she provided copy across various channels to large corporate businesses. As Features Editor, Annie will work on luxury titles World Traveller and AIR alongside Editor Richard Jenkins. She will contribute to a variety of topics covered in the magazines, from travel and gastronomy to art and design.

“The prospect of moving to a new country was both exciting and daunting,” says Annie. “However, the position as Features Editor at HOT Media offered me a unique and inspiring opportunity that I could not refuse. I’m really looking forward to starting my career in Dubai with such an impressive company. It’s also a privilege to be able to live and work in such a fascinating country.”

TPG acquires élan productions

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The TPG Group has acquired Dubai-based events company, élan productions, as part of its strategy to strengthen it’s corporate client offerings throughout the Gulf region. Combining the two businesses will provide clients with solutions for events such as award ceremonies, product launches or gala dinners. élan is an international events company with clients such as Emaar, Emirates, Coca-Cola and The Dubai Mall.

“We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with élan over many years – in both the UK and Dubai,” says Eddie Rayner, Managing Director, TPG Group. “They are consummate professionals, possessing great vision and stunning attention to detail. The opportunity to bring élan into the TPG Group was too good to miss. I am delighted with this development.”

Dee Thomsen, Founder, élan, adds “There is an amazing synergy between our two companies, creating a dynamic to ensure we offer clients a unique and memorable event service in the region.”

Ananke and Elan to collaborate

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Online publications Ananke and Elan are to partner in order to coproduce content to provide more engaging and relevant features for their readerships. Ananke was established to celebrate visionary women and cover issues relating to female empowerment, women’s economic emancipation and gender mainsteaming, while Elan looks to highlight positive trends emerging across the Middle East and South Asian regions.

“We are absolutely thrilled to form this strategic alliance with Elan,” says Sabin Muzaffar, Executive Editor, Ananke. “Our collaboration is poised to go a long way. It also reinforces our resolve to create a dynamic platform for women seeking inspiration, education and empowerment through the dissemination of meaningful content.”

Hyacinth Macarenhas, Managing Editor, Elan, adds “We are pleased to collaborate with partners who share our goals to celebrate the best that the Middle East and South Asia have to offer and showcase the remarkable work and accomplishments of women in the region.”

Ghaleb Zeidan heads Weber Shandwick Abu Dhabi

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Ghaleb Zeidan, former Deputy Managing Director of Weber Shandwick in Abu Dhabi, has been promoted to Managing Director of the Twofour54-based agency. Having been with the company since 2010, the former journalist from Lebanon has successfully led a number of the agency’s largest accounts as well as having grown its government communications practice into the leading practice in the agency today.

“Our Abu Dhabi office is an award-winning operation that is well renowned for the quality of its work and the calibre of its team, which is unique locally in that it is comprised of largely Arab nationals from Abu Dhabi itself who live and breathe the local market,” says Ziad Hasbani, CEO of Weber Shandwick MENA. “With a five-year successful track record at our company already behind him, I am in no doubt that Ghaleb is the right leader to take our Abu Dhabi office forward into its next exciting chapter.”

 

Gulf News Publishing welcomes Mona Motamedi

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Mona Motamedi has joined Gulf News Publishing as Events and Promotions Manager. Mona previously worked as an Account Manager at advertising agency Atom, and brings over 10 years of experience in marketing and events to her new role.

As Events and Promotions Manager, Mona will be responsible for events, promotions and marketing related to the branding of Gulf News Publishing titles such as Aquarius, Inside Out, Alpha, Wheels and Friday Magazine.

“My background is in marketing, it’s what I’ve done all my life,” says Mona. “However events are what I am passionate about. What better then, to combine both with a position in such a well established company as Gulf News!”

 

Clement Dean promoted at BPG Group

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Regional marketing and advertising agency BPG Group has promoted Clement Dean to the role of Senior Account Manager. Having previously worked for the agency as Account Manager, Clement has over six years of experience in public relations.

As Senior Account Manager, Clement will be responsible for delivering on-brand innovation and contributing to the achievement of business objectives for clients. He will also lead client relationships and build media relationships for BPG Group.

“It is great to be recognised and rewarded for the effort and hard work I have put in,” says Clement. “I will take this opportunity to further my learnings and experience, as well as to work towards greater results and achievements for the company.”

 

Dan Bolton launches new creative consultancy

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Dubai-based talent management and creative consultancy, Dan Bolton FZ LLC has launched. The agency was founded by Dan Bolton, an events professional with over seven years of experience in the entertainment and events industry in the Middle East, and Kaveh Anooshiravani, a serial entrepreneur and partner in a venture capital firm.

Dan Bolton will manage the careers and opportunities of talent represented, as well as becoming involved with clients in a consulting capacity, from the initial pitch stage through to implementation. The agency is already working on events with partners such as The Act Dubai and US-based Style Fashion Week.

“I literally fell into the entertainment and events industry straight from high school and it has consumed my life ever since,” says Dan. “The last seven years in the Middle East have given me an incredible platform to be able to embark on this journey, as we work hard to develop an international brand that will support performance and artistic talent as well as the diverse live event clients we work with.”

For further information, contact Dan Bolton at dan@danbolton.me / +971 (0)50 708 9088

 

Sarah Bartlett promoted at Weber Shandwick

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Sarah Bartlett, a Weber Shandwick veteran of 13 years and former Managing Director of its Abu Dhabi operation since 2007, has taken up the role of Executive Director, Talent, Organisational Development and Brand Communications, Middle East and North Africa. This new role has been created to enhance the company’s investment in people across the region.

“My new role puts people at the heart of everything we do,” says Sarah. “My new mandate is to ensure that we have best-practice current people practices in place, allowing us to tap into the changing talent needs of the organisation, fostering a learning culture where employees are encouraged to own their careers, and promote the company’s unique customer employee proposition, collectively combining to ensure that Weber Shandwick MENA is one of the leading talent destinations for the best creative minds in our region.”

Commenting on the new internal structure, Ziad Hasbani, CEO of Weber Shandwick MENA, said “As a growing company with high standards in a specialised industry in this region, the single largest barrier to growth we face is the ability to bring the right kind of people on board. This newly-created function is a major step forwards for our industry in this part of the world and represents a strong message about the importance we are placing in attracting, retaining and growing the right talent in a fast-changing environment. We’re no longer hiring PR people only, but designers, planners, digital specialists and other related professionals. As a former leader of one of the largest offices in our regional network, Sarah is well placed to understand both the needs of our business and the type of people who excel in the award-winning environment we offer.”