Darine El-Khatib joins Turner International

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Turner International Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) has appointed Darine El-Khatib to the role of Senior Director of Creative Strategy and Brand Development. With extensive experience in the creative and media sector, Darine previously worked with Takhayal Entertainment, later acquired by Discovery Networks in 2012, were she held several positions including, Head of Productions and Creativity Services, Head of Channel for Fatafeat TV and most recently Channel Director for MENA. In her new role, she will oversee the programming, creative and marketing activities for the MENAT region and report to Tarek Mounir, Vice President and General Manager of Turkey, Middle East, North Africa, Greece and Cyprus as well as work on developing new services and products to further expand Turner’s scope and competitiveness. She will also lead the content and brand teams and be responsible for developing editorial strategy, as well as driving relationships with partners.

“We were very impressed with Darine’s comprehensive understanding of the industry and rich portfolio of experience,” says Tarek Mounir, Vice President and General Manager Turkey, Middle East, North Africa, Greece and Cyprus. “Her appointment as Senior Director of Creative Strategy and Brand Development is a great asset to Turner and we are confident that, with her great repertoire of professional endeavors, she will be a driving force for our company.”

M&C Saatchi PR expands into the UAE

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Public relations agency, M&C Saatchi PR, part of M&C Saatchi has opened its UAE offices as a part of its expansion plan into the region. The new PR division will increase M&C Saatchi’s existing businesses in the UAE and offer clients across the region a range of fully integrated creative communications services. The new launch will also see the appointment of Amy Brill to the role of Head of PR, having worked with clients such as Hilton, Kimberly Clark and Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism, Amy brings with her a solid background in brand and multi-markets. In her new role, she will head all PR operations at the Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices reporting to the Global CEO at M&C Saatchi PR, Molly Aldridge, as well as drive new business growth and ensure the delivery of quality and creative work.

“M&C Saatchi PR is a close-knit, yet truly global agency with expertise in delivering some of the industry’s best campaigns for the world’s top brands,” says Amy Brill, Head of PR, M&C Saatchi PR, UAE. “I look forward to bringing the same passion and energy that the global M&C Saatchi PR family is known for to this dynamic and fast-moving market. Watch this space!”

Saatchi & Saatchi Dubai wins Young Lions Print Competition

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Motivate and Motivate Val Morgan has announced this year’s winners of the UAE Young Lions Print Competition held on May 1 at In5 Media Innovation Centre. This year’s competition saw 17 participating teams and named Sarah Guessoum and Anika Marya from Saatchi & Saatchi Dubai as gold winners, while Leo Burnett came in second and TBWA/RAAD came in third. Sarah and Anika will move on to represent the region at the International Young Lions Print Competition to be held in Cannes, France from June 17 – 24, 2017 following their win.

“Firstly, I want to thank Motivate and Motivate Val Morgan for the incredible opportunity given to the young talent in the region,” says, Komal Bedi Sohal, Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi Dubai. “We at Saatchi & Saatchi Dubai are very excited and proud of our young talent, Anika and Sarah, for winning the UAE Young Lions Print Competition. We are confident they will do the region proud and wish them all our best.”

Publicis Media makes new promotion

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Publicis Media Middle East, part of Publicis Group has promoted Amer El Hajj to the role of Chief Investment Officer. With experience in the region’s marketing and media industry, Amer previously worked with Starcom MediaVest as Media Manager before joining Publicis in 2004 as Regional Buying Director and most recently holding the position of Executive Vice President of group trading and Commercial Managing Director. In his new role, he will oversee and continue to work on developing strategic decisions to guide Publicis’ portfolio of trading and investment operations across the region.

“Amer’s proven track record for successfully leading large scale initiatives, supporting all markets’ commercial requirements and pushing profitability as the number one priority, has quickly earned him the respect and admiration by colleagues, clients and partners alike,” says Alex Saber, Chairman, Publicis Media Middle East.

House of Comms appoints Arabic Media Consultant

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Dubai-based integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed Mohammed AlSayed to the role of Arabic Media Consultant. Born in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed has experience in the region’s media and PR industry having worked with corporate and consumer clients across the GCC. In his new role, he will join the Arabic team and work across House of Comms’ portfolio of Arabic-focused clients as well as oversee Arabic content for the agency’s media activities across the region.

“My move to Dubai was a very strategic one as I was looking to bring my regional expertise to the UAE and work for an agency with a diverse portfolio that would enable me to bring my wide range of experience to life,” says Mohammed. “Joining House of Comms has given me the opportunity to work with some of my dream clients, while focusing on my role as Arabic Media Consultant for the region.”