Elevision expands into Abu Dhabi

 

Elevision Media has officially completed its first Abu Dhabi installation in Marina Square. The installation is phase one of the digital platform’s expansion into Abu Dhabi, following the rapid growth of its Dubai network. Located in Reem Island, the digital-out-of-home (DOOH) media solution inside elevators of towers in the development has increased Elevision’s network by 14, taking the total number of towers operated across Dubai and Abu Dhabi to over 100.

“Today I am pleased to announce that Elevision is live in over 100 of the UAE’s premium commercial and residential towers and is reaching an audience of over 115,000 unique viewers,” says Nial Sallam, CEO, Elevision Media. “The growing popularity of DOOH media with its tactical flexibilty is fast becoming a ‘must have’ channel for media buyers and brand managers alike. As the region’s fastest growing DOOH network, Elevision is positioned at the forefront of this burgeoning industry platform and we are excited to be squarely focussed on our next phase of expansion as we zero in on our 200 tower milestone.”

 

Publicis makes changes to structure and leadership

Publicis Groupe has reorganised its media capabilities globally into Publicis Media, as part of efforts to increase growth and provide value to clients. The organisation has made a number of structural and leadership changes in order to do this; primarily consolidating its six global agency brands: Starcom, Mediavest, Spark, Zenith Optimedia and Blue 449, into four global agency brands: Starcom, Zenith, Mediavest|Spark and Optimedia|Blue 449. Each agency will be lead by a Global Brand President who will be responsible for leading clients, driving growth and enabling best work, with Lisa Donohue as Global Brand President for Starcom, Vittorio Bonori as Global Brand President for Zenith, Brian Terkelsend as Global Brand President for Mediavest|Spark and Andras Vigh as Global Brand President for Optimedia|Blue 449.

Publicis Media’s new structure will cover top 20 markets, led by Tim Jones, Regional CEO for the Americas. Iain Jacob will be Regional CEO for EMEA and Gerry Boyle will now be Regional CEO for APAC. There will also be four US CEO’s who will report to Tim Jones; Chris Boothe for Mediavest|Spark, Dave Ehlers for Optimedia|Blue 449, Lou Rossie at Zenith and Lisa Donohue continuing as CEO at Starcom.

“We are driven to get to the future first,” says Steve King, CEO, Publicis Media. “Publicis Media is a fresh opportunity to simplify our organisation, invent more modern approaches to gain efficiency, introduce structures for greater collaboration and effectiveness as well as drive new levels of scale and client value.”

Maurice Lévy, Chairman and CEO, Publicis Groupe, adds “The new Publicis Media imagined by Steve King is fully equipped to fit the future and best serve our clients. A leaner and simpler structure will bring more value to our clients and further accelerate our growth.”

Digital Media Forum to be held in April

The fifth installment of the Digital Media Forum (DMF) is set to be held in Dubai on April 26, 2016. The forum is a gathering of the digital media industry’s top and influential leaders from the MENA region and around the world, brought together to give talks that are inspiring and idea-focused, as well as share experience-based learnings. The theme of this season’s event will be ‘The Future Re-starts at 2016 DMF’ and the program will have different streams; Media and Performance, Creative and Tech, Panel Discussions and interviews. Speakers scheduled to appear at the forum include: Adam Kostyal, Senior Vice President, NASDAQ OMX Sweden; Alexander Bregman, Strategic Partner Development Manager, Google EMEA and Simon Atwater, Executive Creative Director, DigitasLBi MENA.

twofour54 and MEPRA sign memorandum of understanding

twofour54 and the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) have signed a memorandum of understanding with the aim of increasing collaboration in order to support the growing PR industry in the UAE. Maryam Al Mheiri, Acting CEO, twofour54 and Brian Lott, Chairman, MEPRA, signed the agreement which will see twofour54 assist MEPRA’s industry-building activities such as networking and professional development opportunities for members, through twofour54’s network of over 100 PR and marketing services companies.

“Supporting the communication and PR sector is a vital link in the media industry value chain for its significant impact on a regional and global level,” says Maryam. “twofour54 is home to a number of leading international communication companies who work closely across the media sector. By showing our support we aim to assist MEPRA and its members to contribute to Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s reputation internationally.”

Brian adds “twofour54 is widely recognised as the leading hub for the sector in Abu Dhabi and is one of the industry’s key strategic partners. It is home to a number of PR agencies and a centre for creative content development. It’s the perfect place to host events such as MEPRA Connect, at the cross-section of creativity, professionalism and public relations.”

In The Hot Seat – Benita Adesuyan

Benita Adesuyan, PR Editor at OSN, talks to TMN about changes to Dubai’s media scene and offers her advice to those looking to start a career in the industry…

Name:  Benita Adesuyan                                

Age: 33                                        

From: London       

Current Job Title: PR Editor at OSN

When did you first arrive in Dubai? November 2013

Where did you work prior?
Before arriving in Dubai, I was working for Northern & Shell Media Group on the Sunday Express Magazine for six years. I started out as an Editorial Assistant on the magazine and worked my way up to the role of Commissioning Editor. Prior to my current position, I was Section Editor at Time Out Dubai for two years. I was in charge of three sections – sports and outdoors, film and community.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
My very first impressions of the Middle East media industry were largely influenced by the friends that I had from the UK who had relocated here before me. Many were leaving UK titles and seeing their careers flourish. When I arrived, I felt that there was a growth in the industry here and a sense of dynamism and progression which seemed to be lacking from the UK’s market, especially in national publications, at the time.

Has your opinion changed much?
I still feel that the media industry here is very dynamic, and there’s a forward thinking approach to how consumers connect with media in its various formats. The way social media is used here is so creative and there are a lot of opportunities for new titles, and media platforms. That being said, economics obviously has a part to play in any industry and media is highly competitive so when purses and budgets tighten, it constricts the growth of the market.

Tell us about your current role…
My current role is very unique and varied. As a PR Editor I produce an internal magazine for all OSN staff across MENA, I also work with the PR team for OSN on their media events and launches. It’s an exciting role for me as I am responsible for all elements of the magazine from researching and writing the stories, to working with our designers, and liaising with production. I get to use my skills as an Editor to take full charge of production of the magazine, and also write engaging stories about the OSN business, programmes, channels and talent, and I’m also acquiring new skills in PR and marketing.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
As a journalist you always feel proud when you see your work, but in this role, seeing how my colleagues get excited about each edition and want to share their stories for the next edition really gives me a good buzz. 

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a career in media in the UAE?
Go for it – adapt and bring your whole self to your new role or company. Yes, things are different, but just don’t hold back. The UAE is still full of opportunity, creative companies want and value smart, proactive, and hardworking people and the sky really is the limit.

What’s your pet PR peeve?
Not knowing the publication. Take the time to know a magazine before you pitch an idea. Nip to the shop and buy a copy if you’re totally unfamiliar with it, visit the website, check the magazine’s Facebook/Twitter/Instagram, but people are way too busy to deal with irrelevant pitches that would never run in their magazine. Now that I have a PR element to my role, it’s something that I’m very conscious of.

Work calls via landline, mobile or both?
I prefer to get calls on the landline, especially if it’s during work hours and it’s a non-urgent or follow up call. I do actually pick up my phone, even though that does seem like a rare habit. I only expect to get a call on my mobile if it is really time-sensitive or we’re due to meet. 

What’s your most overused saying?
‘Cool’ – I say it and I write it in emails all the time. I’ve also started to use ‘awesome’ a lot. 

How do you see media changing in the UAE in the coming years?
I think it is going to get more competitive across the board, and that will encourage everyone to up their game, which is good for consumers and makes those of us working in the industry more innovative. 

If you could have one work wish granted, what would it be?
Aside from the obvious wish, I’d love to get free back and shoulder massages at work. I get very tight shoulders, and anyone who has ever worked in the same office as me can testify that I am always stretching and doing my desk exercises, so a free daily back massage would be awesome.

What is your favourite form of media (i.e; TV, radio, print)?
I love it all, I don’t have a favourite. I listen to the radio first thing in the morning, read papers and magazines through the day and check social media constantly. I go to the cinema every week, but since joining OSN, I think I’ve genuinely fallen in love with TV again.

Majid goes mobile

Majid TV, part of Majid Entertainment, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media, is set to launch a website as well as a new app in order to take its characters to a global audience. The website and app will bring characters to life through TV clips, music, games and issues of the magazine, all available at the touch of a button. Majid TV was initially launched in September 2015 due to the increasing popularity of Majid Magazine and Majid comics across the Arab-speaking world.

“This represents a significant step forward for Majid Entertainment, but more importantly we know it’s something that children can enjoy while their parents can be safe in the knowledge that they can trust the fun edutainment content being viewed,” says HE Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, Chairman and Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Media. “The launch of Majid TV has been a fantastic success and allows us to reach millions of households in the region. However, the launch of the website and app, which will also link into our videos on YouTube, means Majid Entertainment will have a global reach 24 hours a day.”