@AWM magazine launches in Abu Dhabi

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Yardstick Marketing Management has partnered with WhiteFox Media Group to launch a new quarterly magazine for Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. The print and digital magazine, named @AWM will feature a spectrum of products from Al Wahda Mall ranging from fashion, health, entertainment, cars, homeware, electronics, dining and travel. With 10,000 copies in circulation, @AWM will also include interviews, offers and promotions as well as feature editorial content. The magazine will be available as a complimentary publication, catering directly to the mall’s customers and online readers as well as the surrounding hotels and residential apartments.

Noel Ebdon, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of WhiteFox Media, will take on the role of Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of @AWM and Anishkaa S Gehani will also be joining Noel as Consulting Editor of the title. As the Founder of Yardstick Marketing Management, Anishkaa brings with her 13 years of media, marketing and PR experience. As the editorial heads of the new title, Noel and Anishkaa will oversee all the editorial content of the magazine.

“We are delighted to launch our very first official magazine, which I believe is another step forward in connecting our retailers to our visitors,” says Mohammed Nauman Thakur, General Manager, Al Wahda Mall. “With the launch of @AWM, we will keep our visitors abreast with everything that is trending in the fashion and lifestyle space, update them on the mall’s brands, as well as interviews and features relating to the wide range of products the mall covers.”

New Editor at Petrolhead Arabia

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Online automotive magazine, Petrolhead Arabia has appointed Ahmad Al-Nashash to the role of Editor. With over five years of experience in the automotive media and PR industry, Ahmad previously worked with various online platforms catering to the automotive industry including YallaMotor.com, AutoMiddleEast.com and most recently with DriveArabia.com. In his new role, he will be responsible for writing engaging automotive articles and covering all the key happenings in the industry across the UAE.

“As someone that has racing fuel running through his veins, I am confident there is so much we can do as a team to take Petrolhead Arabia to new heights, especially with such a creative team,” says Ahmad.

In The Hot Seat – Dana Abdelhadi

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Dana Abdelhadi, Managing Partner at expose-communications tells TMN about her current role and what she thinks about women dominating the Middle East’s PR industry today…

Name: Dana Abdelhadi

Age: 33

From: Palestine

Current job title: Managing Partner at expose-communications

When did you first arrive in Dubai?

1988, a very long time ago!

Where did you work prior?

Prior to my current role, I worked with Mediaquest Corp. from 2006 – 2007 and most recently with Microsoft from 2009 – 2010.

What were your first impressions of the PR industry in the Middle East?

Representing young regional talent eight years ago was a whole new category in the fashion and lifestyle PR world, but the industry was so welcoming and eager to learn about us and our clients.

Has your opinion changed much?

Not so much – the industry has kept its doors open for new agencies and brands, which is great, as in an emerging fashion market such as ours, we need to always make space for our competitors so our industry can blossom.

Tell us about your current role…

I wear different hats throughout the day. I go from planning strategies for fashion shows in Paris to preparing VIP guest lists, to private events while overlooking all aspects of the business – all with the help of my very driven team and my very creative clients.

What challenges do you face?

Time – I need more than 24 hours a day to achieve everything I have on my mind.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

When I see my team as devoted to my company as I am and as a result our clients become our family.

How would you rather be contacted at work?

Email, always by email. With so much going on, I need everything to be written down. I always email myself reminders when I am on the go.

How has PR managed to stay relevant in today’s digital age?

We ensure our strategies are now done for shorter periods of time to keep up with the constant digital change.

What do you think of women dominating the PR industry in the UAE and the role that this has played in the media community?

I never thought of myself as a ‘feminist’ until I became a mother and realised how much more women can do with their time – hence my female driven agency. This is one of the few industries here where people prefer to be represented by a woman and I’m so proud to see so many women in the fashion industry representing such great local and international brands.

Do bloggers play a key role in the UAE’s PR industry today?

Yes definitely, however it’s the insta-famous individuals that are the hottest thing happening in PR right now.

What role has digital media played in redefining the relationship between PR professionals, journalists and bloggers?

PR professionals do what they do best, work on building and maintaining great relationships with journalists, bloggers and any other players in the field, as they are all different outlets we use to expose our brands and we work with each of them in a totally different way. As for bloggers, they need to be featured in the print titles to maintain their credibility in the industry and the journalists are using the bloggers for content. We have all learned to work together in a seamless manner.

Describe yourself in five words…

Passionate, driven, fair, private and sleep-deprived

What’s your most overused saying?

Effortlessly chic!

What’s the most exciting thing that has happened to you in your career?

Moving into our new showroom last year. I had so much fun putting it all together and I still feel very proud walking into work every day.

Five things you can’t live without?

My daughter Jude, my laptop, my emails, to-do lists and my husband’s morning coffee.

If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?

I’d have a tiny concept store selling unique items collected from my travels.

What is your favourite form of media (i.e; TV, radio, print)?

Print. I still get very excited when a beautiful glossy with an amazing cover shoot lands on my desk.

How do you see the PR industry changing in the UAE in the coming years?

Clients and their agencies will be more and more careful on how they spend their budgets so the strongest titles and accounts will really stand out and get the returns they deserve.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a career in the PR industry in the UAE?

Keep your party shoes in your car, as you will definitely need to be able to run around comfortably for a good 12 hours of the day and welcome to the industry!

Thomson Reuters promotes Shane McGinley

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Thomson Reuters has promoted Shane McGinley to the role of Head of Editorial Content. Having joined Zawya in 2016 as Web Editor, Shane previously worked with 7DAYS as Business Reporter and most recently with Arabian Business, a publication of ITP Media Group, as Executive Editor. In his new role, he will oversee and develop content for a wide range of digital properties within the Emerging Business department and work across its regional websites, including Zawya.com, Salaam Gateway, My Salaam, Thomson Reuters Projects and Accelerate SME.

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.”