BrandAid launches social media department

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Medical brand consultancy BrandAid has launched a new social media department, adding to its existing offering of marketing services. The company, based in Dubai, was founded in 2014 and specialises in offering branding and marketing to the healthcare sector. BrandAid’s new team of social media strategists and designers will aim to assist brands with campaign integration and event attendance, while ensuring the communication of brand messaging in a cost-effective way.

Entry submission open for Digital Awards

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Entry submission is now open for the MENA Digital Awards (MDA’s), an awards show aimed to honor digital efforts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Coupled with the Digital Media Forum (DMF), the awards will recognise excellence in the use of digital technologies and media by honoring the people and brands leading the communication industry.
Categories for the MDA’s cover all forms of technical and creative digital work, across the communications industry, with winners being determined by a panel of international digital experts who will assess both results and impact of entries. Entry is open to all members of the digital industry, covering clients, agencies and producers, with a number of new awards categories under the heading of Digital Assets.

TRACCS appoints new VP of Strategy and Development

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MENA-based public relations network, has appointed Stephen Marney as Vice President of Strategy and Development. With over 30 years media, communications and business consultancy experience Stephen has will be developing TRACCS’ existing and future portfolio of products and services, revamping its ENRICH suite of training programs and enhancing the internal communications and strategic business advisory practices.

Stephen will directly report to the CEO, Mohamed Al Ayed and brings with him extensive experience in the MENA Region and corporate management and development expertise.

“MENA is one of the world’s fastest growing regions in terms of PR and with the proliferation of agencies in the region and especially in some key markets, 2016 is going to be the year of thinking beyond the realm of possibilities for us at TRACCS,” says Mohamed Al Ayed, CEO, TRACCS. “Growth doesn’t necessarily have to evolve out of innovation; sometimes structured advancement of the existing offering can transform an organizations competitive approach and performance, setting it apart from the rest of the industry players.”

Stephen adds, “I am excited about this new challenge and I am confident that I can draw upon my 16 years of experience in the region, working with a diverse portfolio of clients across various industries including media, to make strategic business enhancements within TRACCS. I am extremely happy to join the region’s largest PR network and work closely with its senior leadership, turning obstacles into challenges, challenges into opportunities and opportunities into successes.”

 

 

 

 

 

Ravi Rao is promoted to CEO of Mindshare MENA

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Samir Ayoub has resigned as CEO, Mindshare MENA and has been appointed Delegate of the Board at Mindshare MENA. Current Chief Client Officer, Ravi Rao has been promoted to replace Samir as CEO. Samir will transition from his current role as CEO, on February 1, 2016 and continue to act as a valued advisor and consultant on all agency matters until July 2016.

Samir has led Mindshare MENA since 1999, and previously headed up Ogilvy Media.  In the last 26 years with WPP, Samir has built up world-class media offerings in the region with his in-depth knowledge of the multiple markets and its consumers’ lifestyles, habits and choices, has supported local and international brands in developing their market share across regional geographies.

Ravi Rao joined Mindshare MENA in May 2015 as Chief Client Officer and in October took responsibility for leading the UAE team.  In his previous role, Ravi led Mindshare South Asia as CEO for 3 years and has over nine years’ experience with WPP companies.

“My time with Mindshare has been rewarding and exhilarating,” says Samir. “Much has changed in the consumer and media landscape since I took on the CEO role 17 years ago.  I am delighted that the company will continue to flourish, guided by the experienced and capable hands of my friend and colleague Ravi Rao.  In the coming months and years ahead, I look forward to celebrating its continued achievements.”

Ravi Rao adds,“It is most satisfying that I was one of ‘the Day 1 employees’ when Mindshare was set up in the region way back in 1999.  A real privilege now to lead Mindshare MENA and I really look forward to further building on the success of our strong team and a world-class product so our client partners benefit the most by driving the Adaptive Marketing vision.”

FIPP MENA announces next month’s programme

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FIPP MENA which will be taking place February 10 – 11, 2016, at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort in Dubai has announced the programme as well as key speakers. The event’s programme brings together international, regional and local speakers from inside the magazine media and related industries, who will provide delegates with a view on key developments and trends globally and in the MENA region specifically.

The programme will include;

  • Media transformation and revitalisaion conducted by FIPP President and CEO Chris Llewellyn and includes leaders from Motivate Publishing, CNBC Africa/Forbes Africa and Hearst.
  • The most spectacular media innovations of the past year from FIPP and Innovation Media Consulting’s (IMC) FIPP Innovation in Media World Report will be presented by IMC’s Alvaro Triana.
  • Top trends for worldwide magazine media in 2016, including a masterclass presented by Dr. Samir Husni (aka “Mr. Magazine”) on How to make print work in a digital world.
  • Key developments in online and mobile media, including a presentation from Google on The future of mobile and content players’ place within this world.
  • Developing business opportunities, including a spectacular Time Inc. native advertising case, top tips from cvent and GN Publishing for developing and boosting your events business and insights into cross-border business and brand opportunities as a means for growth.
  • Deep consumer and B2B market insights, with sessions focused on emerging markets in general, the UAE and other Middle East markets and Africa from the likes of the India Today Group, Bloomberg Media and PwC.
  • Several practical case studies packed with hands-on tips, including print, digital and multi-platform developments presented by GN Publishing, Dubai Lynx, 7AWI, Nervora, Ringier Africa and Media24.

 

House of Comms appoints Kate Mullen

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House of Comms has welcomed Kate Mullen to the role of Client Services Director. With a PR career that spans over 20 years in the GCC, Kate has both agency and client-side experience with companies including ASDA’A Public Relations, Fortune Promoseven and Zabeel Investments, having worked for clients including Land Rover, BMW and Coca Cola. As Client Services Director, she will work alongside Managing Partners Kaja Weller and Abby Wilks to help expand and maintain the agency’s portfolio of brands.

“Delivering excellence is at the heart of everything we do,” says Kaja Weller, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “We continually challenge ourselves to set the bar for the industry, and consistently deliver real value for our clients. Perhaps one of our most significant appointments to date, Kate will take up the role of Client Services Director and work side-by-side Abby and I to ensure we continue to uphold our reputation in the market place and make 2016 our most successful year to date.”

Kate adds “House of Comms embodies everything that I love about communications, and my joining comes hot on the heels of the team’s numerous wins at the 2015 MEPRA awards, not to mention their significant client wins throughout last year. The energy of the team, the portfolio of clients and the opportunity to contribute to their on-going expansion plans, plus driving excellence across the board makes for exciting times. PR is in my blood and during my career I’ve been moulded by some great mentors; I hope to be able to share what I’ve learned with the team.”

Cannes Lions makes changes to 2016 awards

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The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced changes to the 2016 awards which will see the Press Lions become the Print and Publishing Lions and Digital Craft split from the Cyber and Mobile Lions. The Digital Craft Lions will celebrate the creative skills and digital craftsmanship behind content including the quality of design, the technical execution and the overall experience across all digital platforms and devices.

“The Press Lions is an award that’s been with us since 1992,” says Simon Cook, Director of Awards, Lions Festivals. “By renaming it the Print & Publishing Lions, we are evolving the category, just as the print and publishing world itself is evolving, to recognise other forms of publishing, along with best uses of press and interactive press.”

Terry Savage, Chairman, Lions Festivals, adds “The Cyber and Mobile Lions juries have told us that with more and more UX and Craft focused entries, it is necessary to have experts in this field sitting on the jury. We’ve chosen to split it out so that this specialist area can have its own dedicated jury, which will also make the hugely labour intensive Cyber Lions judging much more manageable going forward.”