November 2015 – The Media Network

W Doha Hotel re-signs Katch

November 30, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Michelle J Kuehn

Katch International has been reappointed as the PR and communications partner for the W Doha Hotel & Residences for its second year. Having been recently named Favourite Middle East Hotel for Business Travel by The Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, Katch will continue to promote the hotel’s vision to the Middle East market through PR management and media relations.

“We are delighted with the continued trust of the W Doha Hotel & Residences,” says Ben Kershaw, Client Servicing Director, Katch International. “The W remains the most happening place in Qatar and we will definitely be supporting their vision of maintaining this position in the market through wow campaigns that create a lasting impact.”

Clara De Lama Daageh, Director of Marketing, W Doha Hotel & Residences adds, “W Doha has thoroughly enjoyed working with Katch International and we look forward to another successful year of bench marking hospitality standards. It is an exciting time, with a plethora of plans for the upcoming year and it is important to have creative, goal-oriented and go-getter partners like Katch by our side.”

Hill+Knowlton Dubai promotes Lisa Welsh

November 29, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Michelle J Kuehn

Lisa Welsh has been promoted to General Manager at Hill+Knowlton Strategies Dubai. Previously Deputy General Manager Dubai, Lisa brings with her years of experience in integrated communications having lead the consultancy’s Health+Wellness practice across the Middle East and Africa, tripling its size in the last three years. She also has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical sector where she advised regional and global brands, ranging from regulatory issues management to market entry and influencer engagement.

“We’ve had an impressive 2015 with significant growth across all our key sectors specifically healthcare, sports + entertainment and brand marketing,” says Lisa. “We continue to drive our clients businesses through creative integrated campaigns that deliver impact and enhance their reputation.I am looking forward to the opportunities for further growth in 2016.”

HOT Media Publishing launches new monthly

November 29, 2015/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Michelle J Kuehn

HOT Media Publishing will launch new Dubai guide, DXB City Expert on December 2, 2015. The new 80-page monthly guide will be available to dnata Travel customers with a circulation of 40,000 copies and will showcase Dubai’s must-have visitor experiences to inbound tourists through its print and digital versions.

“As a large travel company in the Middle East, dnata Travel welcomes over 3 million visitors to Dubai each year. It’s almost impossible to travel to Dubai without enjoying the services of one of dnata’s entities – even if you didn’t book with one of our international travel agency and holiday brands, you could be greeted on arrival by our Marhaba services, transfer to your hotel in one of our chauffeured cars, explore Dubai on one of our City Sightseeing buses, or enjoy one of our market-leading activities booked through Arabian Adventures,” says Iain Andrew, Divisional Senior Vice President, dnata Travel. “We love Dubai, and we want to make sure our guests love our home as much as we do. That is why we are launching the ultimate tourist guide to Dubai exclusively for our customers. DXB City Expert will be an edit of the city’s best restaurants, activities, events, shopping and tours, and will be handed and emailed to our customers. The guide’s monthly frequency, and vastly experienced editorial team, will ensure DXB City Expert is always up to date with the latest additions to this uniquely brilliant city of ours.”

Victoria Thatcher, Managing Director, HOT Media Publishing adds, “Following the ongoing success of World Traveller magazine, HOT Media is delighted to once again partner with dnata Travel to produce a publication for its customers. As we approach our 10^th year of publishing in Dubai, we can’t wait to launch this exciting guide and ensure that dnata’s customers maximise their holiday experiences in our favourite city. DXB City Expert will showcase all that Dubai has to offer in a monthly format and will give Dubai’s tourism stakeholders unprecedented access to affluent Dubai visitors. The guide will reach visitors via multi platforms, both offline and online but, more importantly, it will reach them before they have even made it to their hotel, giving advertisers the chance to make a lasting first impression.”

Penelope Walsh leaves Time Out

November 26, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Michelle J Kuehn

Penelope Walsh has been appointed as the Online Editor for Hotelier, Caterer and Arabian Travel News magazines. Previously Eating Out Editor for Time Out Dubai for the last three and a half years, Penelope will continue to cover restaurant, bar, hotel and travel news across the region more in depth and with industry-relevant perspective.

She will focus on new openings of hotels and restaurants, industry appointments, new hotel and F&B operational features and relevant on-trade developments.

Dubai Lynx press conference announced

November 26, 2015/0 Comments/in Regional News /by TMN SUPERADMIN

The 2016 Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity will be holding their annual breakfast press conference on December 7, 2015 at the CNN Building in Dubai Media City. The conference will address the developments and innovations relating to the 2016 competition and awards for advertising creative excellence in the Middle East and Africa.

The press conference will be presented by Emma Farmer, Festival Director, Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity with pannelists; Terry Savage, Chairman, Lions Festivals; Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx; Mohammad Abdulla, Managing Director, Dubai Media City; Hani Ghorayeb, President, IAA-UAE Chapter; Walid Yared, Chief Marketing Officer, Choueiri Group and Faisal Bin Haider, Chief Executive Officer – Printing and Distribution Sector, Dubai Media Incorporated.

Treehouse appoints Katch International

November 26, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Michelle J Kuehn

Katch International has been appointed as the PR and communications agency for Treehouse at the Taj Dubai. Located in Downtown Dubai, Treehouse combines outdoor opulence, molecular mixology and staggering views of the Burj Khalifa offering a fresh and perspective to Downtown. Katch will be responsible for launching the brand, designing the official brand logo and the wider scope of communications including PR and social media.

“Katch International looks forward to helping Treehouse become a popular terrace lounge location,” says Ben Kershaw, Client Services Director, Katch International. “The coupling of incredible views, inventive drink offerings and creative gastronomy are sure to create a definitive nightlife venue.”

House of Comms signs Spinneys

November 25, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Michelle J Kuehn

Integrated Communications agency, House of Comms has been appointed to represent Spinneys during the festive season. They will be responsible for all PR and communications during holiday season; offering creative, innovative and strategic solutions throughout the UAE with a focus on key influencer outreach and educational engagements.

“We love working with client that we feel really passionate about and Spinneys is a brand that we love both personally and professionally,” says Abby Wilks, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “Their festive offering has us all so excited about Christmas and we hope to spread the holiday spirit far and wide with this campaign. The really interesting part comes from all the independent farms that Spinneys works with around the globe to ensure that the people of the UAE have the biggest choice of the finest brands and the freshest produce.”

The Portsmouth Group hires Teesta Raha

November 25, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Michelle J Kuehn

Teesta Raha joins The Portsmouth Group as Consultant. In her previous position as Account Manager at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, she managed PR strategy for consumer, corporate, technology and finance accounts including Sony Professional, Intel, Coca-Cola, TetraPak and Meshreq.

In her new role as Consultant, Teesta will be responsible for all PR and creative communications strategy for a range of clients and include managing retainer accounts and select client projects from across the technology, corporate and consumer sectors.

Bidaya launches Digital Marketing department

November 24, 2015/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Michelle J Kuehn

Amman-based PR and event management agency, Bidaya Corporate Communications has launched a Digital Marketing department. The new department will enable clients to connect with their target audience through a variety of platforms, deploying online campaigns through Google, YouTube, relevant websites and mobile applications.

Bidaya will look to significantly increase its clients’ brand visibility by driving traffic and converting trackable, easy-to-monitor online leads into customers.

“Over the past decade, Bidaya has made a name for itself by fueling our clients’ relationships with the general public,” says Raed Nimri, Director of Client Servicing and PR Advisory, Bidaya Corporate Communications. “The people of today’s world want to engage with brands that can offer a sense of familiarity and that can address them according to their needs and preferences. Through our Digital Marketing department, we are now capable of helping our clients meet their customers halfway, putting them in the sight of anyone using digital methods to seek out their services.”

Middle East PR Awards 2015 shortlist announced

November 24, 2015/0 Comments/in Award win /by Michelle J Kuehn

Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) announces shortlist for the 2015 Middle East PR Awards set to take place in three weeks on December 14, 2015 at the JW Marriott Marquis. The MEPRA Awards Program is judged by peers and acknowledges the best in class in PR throughout the Middle East and is set to break records with the largest event year to date.

Entries for the awards are welcomed from businesses and individuals operating in the public relations sector across the Middle East. This year, fourteen categories are available which include; ‘Consumer Goods’, ‘Consumer Services’, ‘Healthcare & Services’, ‘Corporate Reputation & Image’, ‘Government Communications’, ‘Business to Business’, ‘Financial PR’, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility & Environmental PR’, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility & Environmental PR’, ‘Best Integrated campaign’, ‘Best Use of Social Media/Digital PR’, ‘Best use of Media Relations – consumer or trade’, ‘Best Employee Engagement’, ‘Best Live Event/Stunt’, ‘Agency of the Year’ and the ‘Dave Robinson Award – Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year’.

For more information and to register, visit www.mepra.org/mepra-awards/