Sorbet Magazine to welcome new Deputy Editor

/in /by

Sorbet Magazine, part of Mixed Media Publishing, is set to welcome Kate Hazell to the role of Deputy Editor on May 1, 2016. Formerly Fashion Director at Esquire where she worked on Esquire Middle East Magazine, www.EsquireME.com and as Editor of the bi-annual Esquire Big Black Book, Kate brings over 10 years of experience in the publishing industry to her new role. As Sorbet Magazine’s new Deputy Editor, she will be responsible for assisting in the production and editing of the quarterly monthly fashion publication.

IJNet Arab launches third mentoring center

/in , /by

International Journalists’ Network’s Arabic channel – IJNet Arab – will launch its third mentoring programme for individuals and organisations with digital startups in the Middle East and North Africa. The programme will equip eight mentees with the business, technical, managerial, digital and mobile media skills and strategies needed to help their existing media startups to thrive. Applicants for the programme must have already launched their startup, that targets Arabic-speaking audiences, in order to qualify and 16 semi-finalists will be selected to compete for the eight places available. At the end of the programme, IJNet will award US$5,000 in seed funding to the most promising of the eight projects.

Bloomberg expands into Middle East

/in , /by

Bloomberg is set to expand its media offering in the Middle East with a suite of new, regionally-focused editorial platforms to serve its audience of business and financial consumers based, or interested in, the region. The expansion will combine the resources of Bloomberg’s 80-strong Middle East editorial team, as well as new senior talent, with local expertise, giving business and financial professionals better access to the region’s newsmakers and market-moving news via a variety of new platforms including; a dedicated digital destination, original television programming, a new television studio and major new conference convening the Middle East’s most influential leaders in business and finance.

The expanded media offering in the Middle East includes a dedicated Middle Eastern edition of flagship online destination, www.bloomberg.com. www.bloomberg.com/MiddleEast will dedicate expertise to globally significant themes, appealing particularly to readers across the Middle East.

“Bloomberg’s latest regional editorial products build on more than 20 years of newsgathering across the Arab world to introduce new platforms for storytelling on the companies, markets, economies and politics shaping the Middle East,” says Riad Hamade, Managing Editor, Middle East and North Africa, Bloomberg. “Adding new media platforms will allow us to deliver more relevant stories to our growing audience of business and financial professionals across the region.”

YouNow launches in the Middle East

/in , /by

Live streaming platform YouNow has officially launched in the Middle East. The website and mobile app enables real time interaction between broadcasters and fans, while also offering influencers the opportunity for revenue. The platform has over 100 million user sessions per month and 150,000 hours of live video consumed every day, making it a creative hub that facilitates live content creation from performers, celebrities, social influencers and brands, to encourage personal interaction with fans across the globe.

“YouNow is an opportunity for the world to see what the Middle East has to offer,” says Chereen Zaki, Arab Markets Manager, YouNow. “There is so much culture, art and diversity in the region and it will allow individuals to not only display their talents, but connect with fans from all over the world.”

Candace Tossas, Head of International Markets, YouNow, adds “As far as I am aware we are the only social network out there that facilitates consumer-to-consumer payment. This means artists are given a good opportunity to earn a fair wage directly from fans who appreciate their skills. We have had broadcasters give up their everyday jobs to be a full-time YouNower because they are earning enough money to support themselves.”

Motivate welcomes Courtney Moorfield

/in , /by

Courtney Moorfield has joined Motivate Publishing as Senior Sales Manager for good magazine. Courtney has over eight years of experience in sales, having previously worked for APN News and Media in Australia, before moving to boutique media representative agency Intermedia in Dubai where she worked as Regional Director. In her new role, she will be accountable for developing the suite of products under the good brand as well as spearheading capabilities for custom content, creative executions and targeted event activations.

“I’m really excited to take on this new role with Motivate and to be representing a brand I feel so passionate about,” says Courtney. “As a longtime reader of good, I’ve seen firsthand the role the magazine plays in setting talking points throughout the UAE expat community every month. The connection with our readers is un-paralleled in this market and the scope for us to partner with the local business world to engage with this audience is enormous.”

CNN opens new Abu Dhabi hub

/in , /by

CNN has unveiled new state-of-the-art broadcasting facilities at its redesigned Middle Eastern hub in Abu Dhabi. The network has completely reconfigured its studio to feature the latest HD broadcasting equipment and a re-imagined space to open up a range of new possibilities for news, programming and community initiatives. The bureau will also now offer fresh opportunities for CNN’s established internship programme, as well as new initiative The Rooftop Sessions @ CNN, which will bring together creative minds, artists and thought leaders from the UAE to perform, discuss and engage with the CNN family.

“There are two parts to this project: we’ve integrated the latest HD cameras and equipment, touchscreens, lighting and a quite stunning LED wall into the main studio space, which create a completely fresh look and feel on air,” says Becky Anderson, Managing Editor, CNN Abu Dhabi. “On top of that, we’ve reconfigured our rooftop space, giving us new scope for our show teams to get creative. The overall result is a versatile, hi-tech hub that is the perfect base for our Middle Eastern operation.”

Maryam Al Mheiri, Acting CEO, Media Zone Authority Abu Dhabi and twofour54, adds “We’re celebrating a partnership that’s changing the face of media in the Middle East. Since CNN established its fourth broadcast hub here in Abu Dhabi, it has shared stories of our society and culture with the entire world. Abu Dhabi has been welcomed into living rooms globally every weekday for the past six years; that’s around 5,000 hours of editorial coverage, with a value in excess of US $820 million.”

Motivate welcomes Ronda Mustapha

/in , /by

Ronda Mustapha has joined Motivate Publishing as Senior Sales Manager for Emirates Woman. Previously Advertising Sales Manager at ITP Publishing, Ronda has over 10 years of experience in sales, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Balamand, Lebanon. In her new role, she will be responsible for identifying commercial opportunities and maximising revenue generation for the Emirates Woman brand.