Thomas Shambler joins Esquire Middle East

Esquire Middle East, part of ITP Media Group has appointed Thomas Shambler to the role of Digital Director starting September 2017. Thomas brings with him a wealth of experience in journalism and has worked across ITP Media Group’s publications including The Rake as Editor-in-Chief, Revolution as Managing Editor and is currently with CEO Middle East as Editor-in-Chief. In his new role, he will work across the digital content of Esquire Middle East and develop strategies for the growth of its digital platform across the region.

New Senior Director at Z7 Communications

Z7 Communications has appointed Anna Vale to the role of Senior Director. Anna previously worked in London with brands such as Clinique and Tom Ford, and most recently with Estée Lauder in New York as Executive Director of Global Communications, where she oversaw the brand’s communications strategies for international markets. In her new role, she will be responsible for implementing Z7 Communications’ strategic growth plan and strengthening the agency’s positioning as well as raising their profile in the Middle East.

“I am absolutely delighted to have Anna join the team at a hugely exciting time for Z7,” says Zeina El-Dana, Founder and Managing Director, Z7 Communications. “Appointing someone of Anna’s international calibre is a testament to the drive and growth of the agency and her strong experience in global markets will ensure that we build on our current success long into the future.”

Ahmad Itani named top 50 Game Changers of PR 2017

Ahmad Itani, Chief Operating Officer at Cicero & Bernay Public Relations (C&B) has been recognised by PR News as one of the Top 50 Game Changers of PR for 2017. The Top 50 Game Changers of PR is a global ranking that celebrates individuals who have been accelerating the expansion and growth of brand communication across the world. The list honoured Ahmad for his leadership role in C&B and for pushing the boundaries of communication to new heights, as well as extending beyond traditional media to reach out to new contributors that would enhance the MENA network capabilities.

“It is both a great honour and a great responsibility to appear on this list – not only to be representing the MENA region and to rank among global PR powerhouses, but also exciting to be charged with continuing to making a real difference in our industry – locally and globally,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero and Bernay Public Relations.

Grey Group makes new acquisition

Global communications agency, Grey Group has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in hug digital, an independent digital marketing agency. The acquisition aims to provide additional benefits from the digital technology and local expertise of hug digital to Grey Group’s clients from across the globe. The acquisition will also see Oussama Jamal and Tim Baker continue to lead the operations of hug digital as Chairman and CEO respectively, whilst working closely with Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO of Grey Group Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, to set the overall strategic digital growth plan for the region.

“Grey Group’s acquisition of hug digital enhances our leadership position in the MENA creative and digital space,” says Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO, Grey Group Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. “It underscores Grey’s commitment to expand our offerings and deliver quality, value-added services to our clients.”

LexisNexis expands coverage into the MENA region

Content and technology solutions company, LexisNexis has signed a content agreement with information provider company, Diligencia as a part of its expansion plan into the Middle East and North Africa. The new agreement will see both companies combine source materials to expand company coverage across the MENA region. The partnership also aims to address challenges organisations face when conducting business intelligence investigations on companies by providing corporate profiles that would enable them to map ownership structures, identify related holdings and subsidiaries as well as investments of corporate entities across the region.

“LexisNexis continues to proactively develop strategic content agreements to support the changing requirements of our customers,” says Mark Dunn, Segment Leader, Entity Due Diligence and Monitoring, LexisNexis. “We are pleased to further enhance our content coverage to help our customers mitigate their changing regulatory, financial, reputational and strategic risks.”

Grayling makes key leadership appointments

Grayling’s Middle East creative arm, GCreative has appointed Arian Hashemi to the role of Creative Director and Khalid AlAtrash to the role of Client Service Director. With 15 years of experience, Arian previously worked with All About Brands as Design Director before establishing his agency, Arian Hashemi and working across clients such as Yas Marina Circuit and Abu Dhabi Media. In his new role, he will work on building innovative strategies to develop the agency’s projects, branding and production activities across the region.

Khalid also joins the team with ten years of experience, having previously worked with M&C Saatchi as Senior Account Manager and most recently with You:Experience as Account Director, where he managed clients such as Etihad Airways and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi. In his new role, he will work on building strong client relationships to drive GCreative’s vision and growth across the region.

“Arian’s innovative and strategic experience in executing award winning projects, branding and production, coupled with Khalid’s expertise in building strong client relationships will drive GCreative’s vision forward,” says Loretta Ahmed, CEO, Grayling MEA.