June 2016 – Page 4 – The Media Network

Daisy Clarkson leaves Radio 2

June 9, 2016/in Featured, Movers & Shakers /by Michelle J Kuehn

Radio 2 breakfast show Co-Presenter Daisy Clarkson, who was part of The Kenny & Daisy Show, is today leaving the station to return to the UK. Kenny Jones will continue on the breakfast show slot, which will be renamed the Radio 2 Breakfast with Kenny Jones.

“It’s a sad day for Radio 2 and the breakfast show,” says Kanchan Koppikar, Head of Radio 2, Gulf News Broadcasting. “Daisy has been a huge part of what the station has achieved, especially during the last two years on the breakfast show. We will all miss her and know that she will be brilliant at whatever she decides to do next.”

Daisy adds “I’ve lived in the UAE for six years and seven months and for all of that time I’ve worked for Gulf News Broadcasting and Radio 2. It’s been quite the journey and now it’s time for me to head home. I’ve loved my time at Radio 2, especially the past two years being part of The Kenny and Daisy Show.”

Active wins Amadeus Gulf

June 9, 2016/in Account win, Featured /by Michelle J Kuehn

Active (Digital. Marketing. Communications) has been appointed to handle all PR and communications for Amadeus Gulf, a provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry. The agency will be responsible for Amadeus Gulf’s media campaigns across markets in the UAE, Oman and Bahrain.

“We chose to work with Active (Digital. Marketing. Communications) as they demonstrated not only professionalism and understanding of our communication needs, but also passion and proactivity from the very beginning,” says Graham J. Nichols, Managing Director, Amadeus Gulf. “We are confident that this collaboration will help raise the profile of Amadeus Gulf across our target markets in the region.”

Sawsan Ghanem, Managing Director and Founding Partner, Active (Digital. Marketing. Communications), adds “We are thrilled to have been chosen as the regional PR agency for Amadeus Gulf and we look forward to working closely with them to drive a targeted and successful communications campaign in the region as they shape the future of travel. Amadeus Gulf is an important addition to our portfolio of established technology clients and one we will look forward to bringing our experience in the travel industry to.”

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller wins In2 SABRE EMEA Award

June 8, 2016/in Award win /by Suad Ashimi

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller has been awarded the Thought Leadership in PR Award at this year’s In2 SABRE EMEA Awards in Berlin. The awards recognised the agency for it’s work in the seventh annual Arab Youth Survey 2015, as well as excellence in various categories of innovation and insight, with an emphasis on content creation, PR agency management and marketing. ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller also received a Certificate of Excellence in the Social Media – Collective category for its Warriors in Pink campaign for Ford Middle East recognised by the SABRE awards.

“Our thought leadership platform, the Arab Youth Survey, has been recognised as a pioneering initiative for the PR industry across Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” says Sunil John, Founder and CEO, ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller. “The survey has earned a reputation as a unique piece of work that adds a new dimension to the dialogue in and about the Middle East, providing a valuable insight for policymakers, businesses and civil society. It is rewarding to see our hard work and investment in this major initiative recognised at the highest level by our peers in the PR industry.”

MVM Co welcomes Co-Director

June 8, 2016/in Featured, Movers & Shakers /by Michelle J Kuehn

MVM Co has welcomed Samah Elwagie to the role of Co-Director. Having previously worked in-house at WEST L.A. Boutique as PR and Marketing Director, Samah has over four years of experience in PR and marketing and will also be bringing the fashion boutique with her as a new client for MVM Co. In her new role, Samah will be working alongside Morgan Venison, Founder of MVM Co, to provide excellent service for clients across PR, consulting, events and social media.

“I am really excited to be joining one of my long-term friends as Co-Director of MVM Co,” says Samah. “As we feel a shift in the industry, it made sense to join forces and work together in building a strong presence for the brands we represent. I am thrilled to have WEST L.A. Boutique as one of our clients after working with the brand for many years, both Morgan and I look forward to working together on the account as well as many others.”

TCApr wins Giardino property accounts

June 8, 2016/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

Dubai-based luxury boutique PR agency TCApr has won the account to represent the Giardino Ascona, Lake Maggiore and the Giardino, Mountain Champfer-St. Moritz. Both properties are part of the Giardino Group and are located in Switzerland. The Giordiano Ascona is nestled in parkland next to Lake Maggiore, while the Giordino Mountain is a luxurious Alpine-style resort and both the hotels provide luxury, five-staraccommodation as well as unique guest services. TCApr will be responsible for increasing brand awareness and media coverage of both properties through PRactivations across the GCC and Pan Arab region.

“We are pleased that we have appointed TCApr as our representative PR agency across the GCC and Pan Arab regions and we look forward to working with them during what looks to be another exciting year for two of our Swiss retreats,” says Daniela Frutiger, CEO, Giardino Group.

Ahmed Soliman, Managing Director, TCApr, adds “We are delighted to complement our existing luxury client portfolio – covering some parts of Europe and Indian Ocean – to now include Switzerland. The Giardino Group is such an exceptional brand and we are excited at the prospect of working together on the PR and communications strategy within the GCC and Pan Arab region.”

DarkMatter appoints Initiative MENA

June 6, 2016/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

Initiative MENA has been appointed to handle all media activities for DarkMatter, an international cyber security firm based in the UAE. The agency will manage the media planning and buying of businesses for the cyber security company throughout the region.

“Cyber security is a top priority for governments and businesses in the region,” says Raffoul Mattar, Managing Director, Initiative UAE. “This is a new category for us and we are happy to be associated with such an esteemed organisation. Taking into consideration DarkMatter’s impressive plans in this field, we are delighted to work with them and anticipate a long and fruitful working relationship.”

Rabih Dabboussi, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Business Development, DarkMatter, adds “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Initiative MENA. We believe the company’s innovative, data driven approach will be of benefit to our plans, balancing the new and innovative with traditional media planning and buying to support our business.”

Frontline Fashion relaunches

June 6, 2016/in Featured, New Launch /by Michelle J Kuehn

Frontline Fashion has relaunched under a new name – Frontline F. The relaunch is accompanied by a new-look website covering the worlds of fashion, beauty, family, fun and philanthropy with the aim to help individuals to be socially responsible while remaining stylish. The brainchild of fashion and beauty PR-turned-entrepreneur Melissa Gilchrist Higgins, the simplification of the website’s title to Frontline F represents a shift in focus from exclusively style to a wider range of interests and core ‘F’ areas; family, fun, ‘[f]ilanthropy’, female and fashion.

“Whether you are a girl-on-the-go, or a mum-on-the-move, we are all allowed to look and feel our best,” says Melissa. “We can all be ‘style conscious with a social conscience’ and make a difference, one child at a time.”

Iris PR secures 2XL

June 6, 2016/in Account win, Featured /by Michelle J Kuehn

Iris PR has been appointed to handle all PR activities for 2XL Furniture and Home Décor, a retailer of luxury home furnishings in the UAE. The 2XL product range includes bedroom, living and dining room furniture as well as décor items, gift ideas, rugs and wall art; Iris PR will be responsible for raising awareness of the brand across the region.

“We look forward to working with 2XL to create awareness of its exquisite collection of French-inspired luxury furniture and décors in the region,” says Lisa George, Director, Iris Public Relations.

Q Communications wins VOSS Water

June 5, 2016/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

UAE-based communications consultancy Q Communications has been appointed by VOSS Water to manage its social media, events and PR strategy for the Arabian Gulf region after an extensive pitch process. The agency will be responsible for VOSS Arabia’s communications strategy – both online and offline – as well as brand and event alignments.

“We are very pleased to announce our relationship with Q Communications,” says Ken Gilbert, Chief Marketing Office, VOSS Water Group. “Throughout the pitch process the team demonstrated an innate understanding of the VOSS brand’s heritage along with our strategic regional comms requirements. The agency will play a key role with regard to growing the brand in an important market.”

Katie Harvey, Co-Founder, Q Communications adds, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to be supporting VOSS Arabia with its strategic and tactical comms objectives and look forward to rolling out a dynamic and creative campaign to enhance the brand’s local positioning.”

Jessica Milford joins Aziza Communications

June 5, 2016/in Featured, Movers & Shakers /by Suad Ashimi

Luxury lifestyle PR agency Aziza Communications has appointed Jessica Milford to the role of PR Executive. Previously a contributor for OK! Middle East, where she has assisted the team for three years, Jessica was responsible for writing features, interviewing high profile individuals as well as tracking emerging fashion and consumer trends. Jessica will now be working across a wide portfolio of beauty brands including Tips & Toes, Toni&Guy, label.m, Lee Stafford, Trevor Sorbie, He-Shi, Tantastic and Shampooheads. She will assist on digital and traditional media accounts.

“At Aziza Communications, we are always looking out for the most promising talent to join the team and Jess has really impressed,” says Loubna Elfakri, Account Director, Aziza Communications. “With three years of editorial experience and a fantastic work ethic, Jess is the perfect fit to complement our talented team.”