Grazia Middle East goes live

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Women’s weekly publication, Grazia Middle East, part of ITP Publishing Group will be going live at Dubai Festival City from November 4 – 12, 2016. The editorial team will host a week-long event at the mall, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the different elements of magazine creation for their special live issue.

“This partnership with Grazia is ground-breaking, as for the first time ever we are allowing readers, fans and visitors the chance to be a part of the production of one of their favourite magazines,” says Steven Cleaver, Director, Festival City Shopping Malls. “We believe that Festival City is more than just a shopping destination – we are leading from the front by giving people the chance to have unique experiences and create lasting memories. We are delighted to showcase the mall’s new fashion offering and are very much looking forward to seeing the result.”

Alison Tay, Editor-in-Chief, Grazia Middle East adds, “I’m so excited we’re launching such a pioneering event for the region through the Grazia Middle East brand. As well as bringing together the region’s best-loved influencers and experts in the fields of fashion, beauty and lifestyle, visitors will be able watch the magazine come to life, alongside our exclusive cover star Alanoud Badr. And for the first time ever in the Middle East, readers will be able to vote their preferred Grazia cover. We can’t wait to see everyone there.”

Buzzeff.tv introduces new ad buying method

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Online video publisher, Buzzeff.tv is the first to introduce an automated version of video ad buying to the Middle East and Africa. Programmatic outstream video advertising helps brands enhance their targeting capabilities by reaching out to a wider and more diverse audience while using minimal human input.

“We predict that more than 50% of advertising spends to be programmatic in 2017, as the industry seeks to leverage a more cost-effective outstream video format across premium publishers.” says Jerome Mouthon, Founder and Chairman, Buzzeff MEA.

Herman D’Souza, Business Head, Buzzeff MEA adds, “According to eMarketer, seven in ten advertisers said programmatic outstream provided more scale with 69% saying it helped improve viewability. By adding programmatic buying to our portfolio of products, Buzzeff is supporting the MEA region’s position as a leading hub for advertising professionals.”

Stylist Arabia welcomes new Editor

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Stylist Arabia, part of Arab Publishing Partners (APP), has appointed Alexandria Gouveia to the role of Editor. With over ten years of experience in print and digital media, in her new role she will oversee all editorial content, interviews and features for the monthly publication.

Omnicom Media Group expands agency network

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New York based marketing agency, Hearts & Science has launched in the Middle East under the umbrella of Omnicom Media Group MENA. Hearts & Science combines personalised marketing with real-time data-led insights to offer a range of services to their clients. Fadi Maktabi, previously Head of Strategy at OMD UAE, will lead the new office at Dubai Media City.

“It’s terrific to see the tremendous momentum continuing unabated with the expansion in the Middle East,” says Scott Hagedorn, Global CEO, Hearts & Science. “Fadi has an impressive track-record and expertise in insights, strategy and innovation, a strong platform on which he can build to leverage that momentum and experience the success Hearts & Science has witnessed in other markets.”

Elie Khouri, CEO, Omnicom Media Group MENA adds, “Hearts & Science will transform the market by redefining the standard for precision and performance.”

Volkswagen Middle East makes new appointment

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Volkswagen Middle East has appointed Bruno Gisquet to the role of Marketing Director. With over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, Bruno previously worked with Infiniti Motor Company as the Director of Global Experiential Marketing and most recently as the Director Brand Academy. In his new role, he will lead and manage the development and marketing communications, as well as oversee the product marketing and volume planning for Volkswagen Middle East across the region.

“The Volkswagen brand is renowned for some of the most innovative campaigns and its product portfolio provides a strong canvas for creativity,” says Bruno. “My objective is to further the brand’s values and bring its persona to life across the region.”

Andrew Savvas, Brand Director, Volkswagen Middle East adds “Bruno Gisquet has driven exceptional brand campaigns on an international level, with an eye on results with a creative edge. He brings 17 years of international marketing experience with the group to Volkswagen Middle East, our customers can expect to benefit from his appointment with new and exciting product offerings and services.”

School of design to open in Dubai

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The UAE announces the launch of Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), the first design university in the region, set to open in September, 2018 at the Dubai Design District (d3). The university’s curriculum will be developed with the support of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Parson’s School of Design for a Bachelors degree programs in Design that aims to create as well as cater for people planning to study Design courses across the Middle East.