John Defterios joins Arab News as a contributing Columnist for the newspaper’s print and digital platforms. With over 36 years of experience in Journalism, John currently works with CNN as Editor and Anchor of CNNMoney Emerging Markets, as well as hosts the Marketplace Middle East show. Arab News will now feature John’s content on Middle East markets and businesses as well as exclusive reports and interviews from Marketplace Middle East.
Entrepreneur Middle East has appointed Tamara Pupic to the role of Managing Editor. Previously Editor of Arabian Business StartUp, part of ITP Media Group, Tamara reported on the developments across the MENA startup and SME industry. Prior to starting her career in journalism in 2012, she worked in the international trade policy development field with more focus on the World Trade Organisation law. She is also the founding President of Club Alpbach Belgrade, part of the European Forum Alpbach, a Vienna-based organisation fostering interdisciplinary dialog in education, business and politics. In the UAE, Tamara has also helped establish United World College, UAE National Committee, the regional branch of the London-headquartered organisation of 17 international colleges. In her new role, she will join the editorial team and work with the Editor-in-Chief, Aby Sam Thomas on Entrepreneur Middle East’s editorial content across its digital and print channels.
“As Managing Editor, Tamara will be working with me and my team at Entrepreneur Middle East to develop editorial content and further our presence across our print, web and social channels,” says Aby Sam Thomas, Editor-in-Chief, Entrepreneur Middle East. “Tamara comes to us with a wealth of experience in the MENA entrepreneurial ecosystem and I look forward to having her fresh ideas to help continue to differentiate the Entrepreneur Middle East brand and its mission.”
Dubai-based advertising company, International Advertising Services (IAS) Media has appointed Dana Ksaybi to the role of Vice President – Digital Division. With over six years of experience, Dana previously worked as Digital Solutions Specialist at Bayt.com, AMEinfo and most recently Thomson Reuters, where she provided digital solutions across the Reuters publications. In her new role, she will work closely with Vice President, Binu Matthew to handle the accounts for Reuters and The Washington Post with a focus on harnessing strategies and effective solutions to engage audiences with the regional titles.
“Established 25 years ago in the region, IAS Media continue to enjoy strong relationships with some of the World’s foremost publishers,” says Ali Asgar Mir, Founder and Managing Director, IAS Media. “Having Dana on board will greatly strengthen our ability to connect the region’s leading marketers and their agencies with these publishers.”
Conde Nast Traveller Middle East, part of APP Media Group has appointed Sarah Hedley Hymers to the role of Digital Director. With over 27 years of experience in journalism, Sarah previously worked with Ahlan! Group where she joined as Group Director and most recently held the position of Editorial Director. In her new role, she will oversee all digital operations for Conde Nast Traveller Middle East and develop creative strategies to execute across all digital platforms.
Time Out Dubai is set to host its eighth annual Music & Nightlife Awards on March 29, 2017 at the Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre. With the nominees to be revealed on March 8 exclusively on timeoutdubai.com, the award event will see high profile figures in the music and nightlife circuit in attendance to celebrate the past 12 months of independent reviews of the restaurant and nightlife industries across Dubai. The winners will be announced at the end of the event followed by an exclusive after-party that will take place at the Cavalli Club.
“The past 12 months have seen the music scene in this city hit more high notes than ever before, while its nightlife offering for both residents and tourists is, simply, best in class,” says Holly Sands, Editor, Time Out Dubai. “And we on Time Out have been there every step, every song and every sparkler of the way. We can’t wait to announce these results, results that will mean our 1.2 million readers will continue to spend their precious time out in the very best ways they can. We take that duty to them very seriously and can’t wait to announce these results.”
The UAE branch of FP7 has won the advertising pitch for Dubai’s luxury resort destination, Atlantis The Palm. Opened in 2008, Atlantis is an ocean-themed resort destination that features a variety of marine and entertainment attractions. As the brand’s communication agency, FP7 will be responsible for creating a long-term brand platform for Atlantis as well as developing advertising strategies for the year 2017.
“Atlantis is a true destination for tourists and residents alike and It has a great story that needs to be told to the young and old and its hospitality offering really serves every kind of taste and age,” says Sasan Saeidi, Managing Director, FP7 UAE Group. “We are delighted to be partnering with Atlantis and their great team. Our team is working on really exciting ideas and we cant wait until it hits the market.”
Dubai-based PR agency SOCIATE has won the account to handle all PR operations for The Coffee Club. With a presence in nine countries, The Coffee Club is an all day dining brand that serves a variety of international food and drink choices. SOCIATE will be responsible for The Coffee Club’s PR activities across all media channels to raise awareness of its presence across the UAE.
“The Coffee Club is a growing brand in the UAE and we are excited to welcome them to the SOCIATE family,” says Rosa Bullock, Founder, SOCIATE. “We will be looking after their PR activities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and are looking forward to a successful partnership.”
Global communications agency, Grey Group MENA has promoted Nadim Khoury to the role of Chief Executive Officer. With over 24 years of experience, Nadim previously worked with Saatchi & Saatchi as Account Director before joining Grey Group as Account Director and most recently held the position of Chief Operating Officer. Nadim will take on his new role in Dubai, where he will report to Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO, Grey Group Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and oversee the Grey Group’s operations across the MENA region.
“It is an incredible honour to lead the Grey office as the network embarks on its 100th year,” says Nadim Khoury, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Grey Group, MENA. I am committed to driving further growth in order to provide greater value to our clients, associates and stakeholders. I believe 2017 is shaping up to be a year of tremendous potential.”
Dubai-based PR agency, TishTash has appointed Roxanne Mukhi to the role of Account Manager. With over five years of PR and marketing experience, Roxanne was most recently Communications Manager at COPIA Group. In her new role, she will work on the agency’s portfolio of beauty, health and wellness clients, which include Detox Delight, L’Atelier Aquafitness, The White Room Spa and Fressko.
“I’m very excited to be joining TishTash, an agency which has significantly grown within the region, in the last five years,” says Roxanne. “TishTash has an exceptional reputation and an equally impressive portfolio of clients, and I look forward to working alongside these exciting brands!”
Global media intelligence firm, Meltwater has launched new business tool, Executive Alerts. The real-time executive tool will provide users with the most critical insights about their company and competitors as well as the industry, sent directly to their smart devices. The Executive Alerts will also include features such as on-demand reports, multi-lingual supported monitor and instant summary messages.
“Senior executives across all functions and sectors need accurate, real-time data from outside their company to make sound decisions and Executive Alerts empowers them to do just that,” says Zubair Timol, Director of Strategy EMEA, Meltwater. “With billions of conversations taking place online every day, it’s previously been impossible to keep up with what’s being said about your brand and the industry it operates in, but that changes now.”