Arabian Business barred over false news

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Arabian Business has been barred for a month following the publication of false news. The weekly business magazine and online publication published by ITP Media Group will now be inaccessible in the UAE following a statement released by the Dubai Media Office. It is stated that the title published a factually incorrect story, which was subsequently reported in Qatari media outlets, relating to the liquidation of real estate projects in Dubai. The magazine will now face a temporary ban on its print publication and its digital platform will be blocked for a month

Jason O’Connell joins The Big 5 Hub

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Construction brand, The Big 5 Hub, part of dmg events has appointed Jason O’Connell to the role of Editor. Jason was previously Editor at Construction Business News Middle East, a publication of BNC Publishing and will now take on his new role at The Big 5 Hub, where he will be responsible for the brand’s website as well as The Big 5 Hub Quarterly magazine. He will also handle the brand’s other publications Preview and The Big 5 Show Daily, which features the region’s construction trade show, conferences and other related events.

“The Big 5 Hub has grown over the previous years and with a lot of developments underway in the MENA region, we are glad that Jason joined us to strengthen the Big 5 Hub team and lead the generation of the content,” says Josine Heijmans, Portfolio Director – Construction, dmg events. “Our website, e-newsletters, magazines and features, and activities at the exhibitions will greatly benefit from Jason joining us.”

Compareit4me.com takes on new brand identity

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Middle East comparison site, compareit4me.com has rebranded as yallacompare.com to reflect its new identity and expansion plan in the region. The site’s rebrand aims to align itself with the Middle Eastern market with a brand name that pays homage to the region and become the go-to resource for regional consumers looking to save money on everything from insurance to telecoms package. The rebrand will also be followed by an expansion into Saudi Arabia and the opening of a permanent office in Riyadh as well as the launch of its online insurance comparison services to consumers in Egypt.

“When we first started the company, we had no idea that it would become the business that it is today,” says Jon Richards, CEO, yallacompare.com.  “Our success outside of the UAE is what’s informed our decision to create a brand that better represents our English and Arabic-speaking customers. Today, we compare everything from personal loans to flight tickets, we’re the largest insurance aggregator in the Middle East by a considerable margin and we’re active in nine markets across the region.”

New Chief Marketing Officer at General Motors ME

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General Motors has appointed Molly Peck to the role Chief Marketing Officer for the Middle East. With over 20 years of experience in working with General Motors, Molly has worked across several automotive brands including Chevrolet as Director of Advertising and Sales Promotion, and most recently with Buick as Director of Marketing. In her new role, she will be responsible for all marketing and customer experience strategies as well as programs for the GMC and Chevrolet brands across ten Middle East markets where General Motors operates. She will also handle the brand communications, advertising, digital marketing, retail experience and customer engagement of the automotive brands in the region.

“With the advancements we see on the product, technology and customer service fronts, it’s certainly an exciting time to be at General Motors Middle East,” says Molly. “I look forward to working with our teams and dealers to provide customers with experiences and vehicles that are truly world class.”

New joiner at Coffee Communications

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Coffee Communications has appointed Augustine Paredes to the role of Creative Assistant and Graphic Designer. Augustine previously worked in Sweden with Photowall as Photo Editor and the Philippines with Art Personas Ink as Art Director before moving to the UAE and most recently working with Hyku D Photography as Photographer and Videographer. In his new role, he will become an integral part of the creative content development at Coffee Communications and help in strengthening as well as growing strong visual content and creative copywriting as the foundation of the agency’s output across social media, marketing and public relations.

“Working for Coffee Communications means working with passion and integrity,” says Augustine. “As a visual artist working mostly on graphic design and photography, thinking outside the box is essential for career growth — and working with Coffee Communications gives me that opportunity as we keep on brewing innovative ideas every time.”

Ipsos MENA appoints new CEO

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Independent research company, Ipsos MENA has promoted Joseph El Habre to the role of CEO of Ipsos Interactive Services (IIS) and Operations, MENA. Having joined Ipsos in 1996, Joseph started as Chief Information and Operations Officer – MENA and most recently held the position of Chief Operating Officer – MENA. In his new role, he will oversee the expansion of the Ipsos Observer department, which specialises in survey management, data collection and delivery, and the growth of the IIS online panel across the MENA region. He will also focus on ensuring the running of surveys using a wide range of techniques at high quality levels to be able to derive the most accurate and secure results from advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media and PR fields.

“I look forward to taking on this new role and further growing the online and offline business in MENA,” says Joseph. “We give equal importance to both fields, as our ultimate aim is to understand people whoever they are and wherever they are.”

Access Influence launches new marketing tool

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Dubai-based company, Access Influence has launched a new digital platform that connects brands directly to their consumers. The new tool offers scalable opportunities in word of mouth marketing by not only rewarding the consumers for sharing experiences about brands they relate to, but also allowing brands to give back to consumers who become brand advocate and increase their market exposure. The new platform allows brands once signed-up, to create briefs, track their campaigns, preview proposed content and will filter prospective influencers or brand advocates to fit their campaign objectives.

“Spending money on advertising is becoming less and less effective due to general ad blindness,” says Nour El Chaar, CEO and Founder, Access Influence. “Overall, by creating real conversations within relevant communities, the overall authenticity of the brand is elevated, while influencing purchase decisions among more like-minded and trusted consumers such as friends, family members and peer-groups.”