February 2017 – Page 4 – The Media Network

To Be Announced launches in the region

February 19, 2017/in Featured, New Launch /by Suad Ashimi

To Be announced (TBA), a creative solutions provider, founded by Mahmoud El Abed, has launched. With over seven years of experience, Mahmoud, previously worked with Addmind Group as PR Manager and most recently with COPIA Group as Communications Manager where he worked in client servicing and created marketing and PR strategies for clients. The new agency will operate from UAE and Lebanon with the aim to offer tailored strategies by forging relationships and delivering personalised services to clients.

“At a time where the current market is saturated with brands competing for attention, To Be Announced – (TBA) sees that the only way forward is with more customized and tailor made strategies,” says Mahmoud. “My idea is to collaborate and work closely with businesses to make their brands more relatable, connectable and desirable.”

McCollins to handle F&B account

February 16, 2017/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

Dubai-based boutique PR and digital brand activation agency, McCollins Media has been appointed to handle all social media activities for Marrybrown. Founded in 1981 in Malaysia, Marrybrown is a quick service restaurant chain that offers a range of freshly cooked and tasty meals at affordable prices. McCollins Media will handle all social media communication to build the profile of Marrybrown and raise awareness of its presence across the UAE.

“Traditional at its core, yet modern in its outlook, Marrybrown is open to suggestions that would help them deliver only the best to their customers,” says Meghna Kothari, Director, McCollins Media. “We are thrilled to be associated with such a great brand. It will be an exciting challenge for the team to take the already established brand even further and keep it in pace with the changing times.”

Luxury watch brand appoints Schneider PR

February 16, 2017/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

Swiss Haute Horlogerie brand, Audemars Piguet has appointed Schneider PR to handle all its PR activities across the region. Established in 1875, Audemars Piguet is a watch manufacturing company that crafts limited series of masterpieces to embody a degree of horological perfection. Schneider PR will handle all regional communications for Audemars Piguet to build their profile and raise awareness of the brand’s presence across the region.

“After completing several projects with Audemars Piguet, we are thrilled to be working with the team on an ongoing basis,” says Sandra Schneider, Managing Director, Schneider PR. “The brand is a true leader in its field and we look forward to developing its already outstanding reputation across the Middle East.”

In The Hot Seat – Crystal Chesters

February 15, 2017/in Featured, In The Hot Seat /by Suad Ashimi

Crystal Chesters, Group Editor for Hospitality titles at BNC Publishing tells TMN about her current role and what she thinks about the media industry in the Middle East…

Name: Crystal Chesters

Age: 30

From: Scotland

Current job title: Group Editor for Hospitality titles at BNC Publishing

When did you first arrive in Dubai?

November 2013

Where did you work prior?

Prior to arriving in Dubai I worked for VisitScotland looking after stakeholder communications and producing its publications for the tourism industry. I later moved to Dubai, where I worked as Editor of Hotelier Middle East at ITP Publishing before joining BNC Publishing.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?

It’s very fast-paced with small teams looking after large workloads.

Has your opinion changed much?

Not really, but now I’m used to it!

Tell us about your current role…

I oversee BNC Publishing’s hospitality portfolio, which comprises of the events, publications and digital activity of Catering News Middle East and Hotel News Middle East. I am also still the Editor of Catering News Middle East, a role I’ve been doing since January, 2016.

What challenges do you face?

I’d say the biggest challenge of my role is juggling a wide range of responsibilities – from social media to events and awards and of course the monthly magazines. In addition, dealing with a huge volume of emails with interview pitches, events, meeting requests and press releases is time consuming and can be stressful. However, this is part of my role and it’s important to be organised to stay on top of it all.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Getting to try out the latest restaurant openings and travelling to different countries on press trips.

How would you rather be contacted at work?

By email – phone calls can be intrusive, particularly during deadline week. Whatsapp is even more intrusive, unless I know the contact already and that relationship has already been established.

What do you think of publications in the region?

I’d say overall the quality is lower than in more established markets like the United States and Europe. If you look at the teams on international titles here they are far smaller than the teams you’d find in London or New York and with the current economic climate, resources continue to be stretched and this, of course, has an impact on quality. That said, the Middle East is a very young and developing market when it comes to publishing and there are some great titles doing well in the region.

How has print media managed to stay relevant in today’s digital community?

I think it’s currently still relevant, particularly when it comes to B2B magazines. That said, publishing companies are being forced to diversify and move quickly into the digital age to keep up. I think challenging times lie ahead but there will always be a need for quality journalism.

What do you think of media ethics in the region?

I think it’s challenging. You’ve got to be careful when talking about anything culturally sensitive and the defamation laws are very different to what we’re used to in the UK. Working for trade magazines, it’s not a huge issue, but for those journalists working on newspapers I imagine it can be challenging.

What role has digital media played when it comes to reader engagement in the magazine industry?

It’s really important, you’ve got to push content on social media as a lot of your web traffic will come from this. All of our magazines have digital editions and every feature gets published online and in our newsletters, which go out to a large database.

Describe yourself in five words…

Adventurous, kind, open-minded, tenacious and forgetful.

What’s the most exciting thing to happen to you in your career?

Going on a press trip to New York. It was my first time there and I went to see the new Element brand from Starwood.

What’s your most overused saying?

At the end of the day…

Five things you can’t live without?

At the moment, my daily flat white from Costa, The Salad Jar, Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge, Kerastase shampoo and Bojack Horseman.

If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?

I’d be a painter if someone would pay me to do that.

What is your favourite form of media (i.e; TV, radio, print)?

Does Netflix count?

How do you see the media industry changing in the Middle East in the coming years?

I think it will get harder for the newspaper industry in particular and we could see more closures and redundancies across the region. I think both newspapers and magazines will continue to diversify into digital and video.

Schneider PR to handle hospitality account

February 15, 2017/in Account win /by Suad Ashimi

Dubai-based creative, independent PR and communications agency, Schneider PR has secured the account to handle all PR operations for La Ville Hotel & Suites. Located in City Walk, La Ville is a contemporary five-star boutique hotel that celebrates stylish, iconic architecture and provides a sociable setting for guests to meet and mingle. Schneider PR will be responsible for all PR activities and media campaigns to raise awareness of La Ville’s presence in the UAE.

“It’s a great honour to be signed by La Ville,” says Sandra Schneider, Managing Director, Schneider PR. “The hotel really is the first of its kind in Dubai and with its offering of relaxed luxury, urban elegance and warm hospitality, it’s set to become a huge hit on Dubai’s top-end hospitality scene.”

Creative and technology agency launches

February 15, 2017/in Featured, New Launch /by Suad Ashimi

Creative and technology agency, Omobono launches in UAE. Established in 2001 in the UK, Omobono delivers global projects across an expanding service offering for a roster of clients including DMCC and Sadara and will now open its first office in the UAE. The agency will also see the appointment of Hadley Newman to role of Managing Director with over ten years of experience to support clients with specialist business expertise.

“I am delighted to have joined Omobono at an exciting period in the company’s growth,” says Hadley Newman, Managing Director, Omobono Middle East. “I was attracted to the agency because it has digital in its DNA, strength in strategic planning and focuses on delivery – not only the deliverable. Omobono has developed fantastic relationships and delivered brilliant work and I look forward to continuing this success for global brands throughout the region.”

Manny D’jornor joins Pinpoint

February 15, 2017/in Featured, Movers & Shakers /by Suad Ashimi

Dubai-based media company, Pinpoint Media Group has appointed Manny D’jornor to the role of Director of Advertising Sales. With a degree in Economics and Banking from the University of Greenwich, UK, Manny has worked on Wall Street in New York City and most recently at ScribbleLive Vice President of Sales and Operations in Canada. In his new role, he will manage and oversee the advertising sales team and work towards the growth of Pinpoint Media Group in Dubai and across the region.

“Pinpoint Media Group’s growth and vision was an inspiration to me,” says Manny. “CEO Darren Hodgkin has kept true to his Modus Operandi and the vision he has set. I bring with me a diverse experience in business having worked all over the world and possess a very strong understanding of the digital world and how to leverage it within the media industry.”

PRCO wins hospitality account

February 15, 2017/in Featured, Regional News /by Suad Ashimi

Integrated and communications agency, PRCO Dubai has secured the PR account to handle all GCC PR operations for the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences, One Dalton Street. Located in Boston, US, One Dalton is a skyscraper under construction that is set to comprise of 160 Four Seasons Private Residences and 215 five star Four Seasons Hotel designed to offer world-class amenities and services. PRCO Dubai will handle all GCC PR activities and act as the representative for Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences, One Dalton through campaigns and media activities to introduce the brand to the GCC region.

“We are very excited to be working with Four Seasons and Private Residences One Dalton Street, Boston” says Jonathan Rivlin, Director, PRCO Dubai. “With its leading educational institutions, fine museums and wealth of cultural attractions, Boston is undergoing a property boom and presents an attractive investment opportunity for GCC buyers. We look forward to introducing One Dalton to the region by delivering a seamless communications campaign.”

DJWE partners with BPA

February 14, 2017/in Featured, Regional News /by Suad Ashimi

Brand experience agency, Auditoire Qatar has signed with BPA Worldwide to audit the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) to be held from February 20 – 25, 2017 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event will be open to the public and will feature over 400 international brands and local jewellery designers from across the industry. BPA will be responsible for auditing the show in 2017 and 2018 by analysing and reporting on its attendance, exhibition data, demographics, newsletters, social media and website traffic using the BPA Event Brand Report.

“We are delighted that the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition has applied for membership with BPA Worldwide and are excited that this will be the first exhibition to utilise the BPA Event Brand Report in the region,” says Glenn Hansen, President and CEO, BPA Worldwide. “We applaud Auditoire Qatar for providing exhibitors and prospects with the solid assurance of an independent attendance audit conducted according to BPA’s world-respected, uncompromising standards. With a BPA event audit, sponsors and exhibitors can be confident that audience claims are accurate and that they have the verified data that they need to assess an event’s effectiveness in serving its market.”

Q Communications secures F&B accounts

February 14, 2017/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

Dubai-based communications agency, Q Communications has been appointed to handle all PR operations for Asia de Cuba and Gallery Café in Bahrain. Launching in February, Asia de Cuba is a Chino-Latino restaurant and Gallery Café is a café with an in house bakery that both offer a uniquely curated menu to Bahrain’s dining scene. Q Communications will be responsible for all PR activities to build brand awareness in Bahrain as well as across the region.

“We’re delighted to be working with these two brands, Asia de Cuba is a staple in the international dining scene and a favourite amongst our team and we’re excited to launch the first Gallery Café in the region,” says Katie Harvey, Managing Partner, Q Communications.