Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Custom Studios has welcomed Deborah Parmenter to the role of Regional Sales Manager for the Middle East and Africa (MEA), where she will be responsible for extending the studio’s business across display and vertical markets from its Dubai office. Deborah joins the WSJ Custom Studios team from Gulf News Publishing, where she was Circulation and Subscription Marketing Manager and worked across publications including InsideOut, Aquarius and Friday. As Regional Sales Manager for MEA, she will report to Adam Fox, Director, MEA, The Wall Street Journal and work alongside key media agencies in the region, concentrating on trades such as; real estate, hospitality and healthcare.
“I am thrilled to have Deborah join our team here in Dubai at such an exciting time for The Wall Street Journal and for custom content,” says Adam. “Deborah’s wealth of contacts, enthusiasm and passion for our brands speak for themselves.”
CNN International Commercial – CNNIC – has formed a new partnership with native advertising platform Sharethrough to launch Native 2.4, a new solution that offers dynamic native and branded content advertising formats in prominent positions across CNN Digital platforms. The exclusive new formats and templates were developed and tailored to offer a seamless user experience and value to CNN’s advertisers. Native 2.4 features several key benefits, including; new dynamic formats, smart placement of native advertising and intelligent data insight.
“We are bringing together the full suite of new formats, prominent and seamless placement and the power of data and creative content for clients to truly engage with CNN audiences in a native environment,” says Rob Bradley, Director of Digital Revenue and Data, CNN International Commercial. “The result is an engaging brand storytelling experience created for peak performance and with the flexibility of dynamic optimisation. In an age of overused buzzwords, this solution, which we’re calling native 2.4, finally adds real substance to the term native advertising.”
Dan Greenberg, CEO and Co-Founder, Sharethrough, adds “Like us at Sharethrough, CNN believes in a future where ads are built on a foundation of respect and quality – ads that fit in. The CNN team has enthusiastically embraced this new advertising model and are using the Sharethrough platform in a unique and sophisticated way. When combined with the high quality content being created by CNN’s brand content studio, native ads have the power to engage and persuade unlike any traditional marketing strategy.”
Lions Festivals has appointed Jose Papa to the role of Managing Director. Jose is currently CEO of another business – WGSN – owned by Ascential, Lions Festivals parent company and was previously Corporate Strategy Executive Director at Estadão, Cannes Lions’ official representative in Brazil. In his new role, which will be effective as of September 1, 2016, he will head up and manage the Lions Festivals four annual global celebrations; Cannes Lions, Lion’s Health, Lions Innovation and Lions Entertainment, as well as regional events including; eurobest, Dubai Lynx, Spikes Asia and the Tangrams.
“Clearly this role attracted a lot of interest and I am delighted that Jose has agreed to join Lions Festivals,” says Philip Thomas, CEO, Ascential. “He has led WGSN to unprecedented success and with a deep understanding of our brand and huge international experience, he was the outstanding candidate for the role.”
Jose adds, “Lions Festival is the definitive global destination for creativity and inspiration. A legacy built by bringing together the world’s brightest minds and awarding the most innovative work. It is a privilege to carry on the heritage and further lead an exciting new phase of continued success.”
UAE-based radio station Channel 4 has launched new evening show, Evenings In: Demand. The show will be aired weeknights from 7pm until 10pm on 104.8 fm and will be hosted by former Mid-Morning Show Presenter Jay Skye, alongside JJ Thompson, who joins the Channel 4 network from Capital FM in the UK. Evenings in: Demand can also be watched live online at www.channel4fm.com/onair/indemand.
“JJ is one of the rising stars of the radio industry, so I’m thrilled that he is now part of Channel 4 team,” says Thomas Ferguson, Programme Director, Channel 4. “He’s charismatic, passionate about music and has fallen in love with the UAE. Together with Jay, they will make this the new must-listen evening show for the region.”
Jay adds “It’s an exciting year so far to say the least, with the new show and a lot of other projects coming up, as well. Doing the Mid-Morning Show was so much fun and it’ll be weird doing a show after the sun sets now, but this new show is going to be great and JJ is so much fun to work with.”
Catering News Middle East has opened nominations for the inaugural Leaders in Food & Beverages Awards. The awards will celebrate excellence and innovation in the region’s food and beverage industry across 18 categories, including nine for restaurants and nine for individuals. Winners will be announced at a ceremony which will take place on November 9, 2016 at the Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai and will be sponsored by prominent suppliers on the market including; Horeca Trade, Ronai and Pulsar.
“The first annual Leaders in Food & Beverages Awards is part of BNC Publishing’s ongoing commitment to highlighting exceptional industry players,” says Wissam Younane, CEO, BNC Publishing. “The Middle East’s culinary and catering community continues to surpass itself in terms of creativity, service excellence, and innovative conceptual development. We look forward to welcoming both established and upcoming food and beverages talent to the event.”
