Following the announcement of International Media Investments (IMI) acquiring ownership of The National in November 2016, the title will commence operations from its new headquarters, in TwoFour54, on July 1, 2017. While the transition aims to increase emphasis on the publication’s digital presence, it has resulted in major job losses across the board, according to unconfirmed sources. Exiting staff members will be working until the end of June 2017.
Dubai-based PR agency, Katch International has been reappointed by TAG Heuer to handle all its PR operations across the region. TAG Heuer is a Swiss manufacturing company that specialises in watches and fashion accessories. Katch International will continue to handle all PR and communication activities for TAG Heuer through campaigns and collaborations across the UAE.
“It is always great to work with established global brands such as TAG Heuer, that have a clear vision of what they want from a communications perspective and help them execute both rapidly and to the best of our abilities,” says Georgie Woollams, Managing Director, Katch International. “We’ve aligned with them on some top-tier events and strive to continue helping them grow from strength to strength.”
Dubai-based creative, marketing and PR agency, Jensen Matthews has secured the PR account for Al Waha International Human Resources Consultancy. Based in Abu Dhabi, Al Waha is a recruitment agency that offers employment options to companies and job seekers across a wide range of industries. Jensen Matthews will be responsible for all PR operations through rebranding and positioning of Al Waha and other businesses incorporated under the agency to create awareness of its presence across the UAE.
“Our mission at Jensen Matthews is to work with technical and challenging fields and markets in order to perfect our techniques and to create a real PR culture within private sector,” says Loredana Matei, Executive Director, Jensen Matthews. “We have the opportunity to work with young business owners and we are thrilled to become part of the corporate development of the recruitment industry internationally.”
Dubai-based marketing and PR agency, SOCIATE has won the PR account for nightlife and music scene Analog Room. Founded in 2012, Analog Room is a vibrant community known for its finest parties and quality underground music from around the world. SOCIATE will handle all PR activities for Analog Room’s international artists and resident Disk Jockeys to raise awareness of brand’s presence and offerings across the UAE.
“We are thrilled to be working with the team at Analog Room, they have been collaborating with international and local talents to bring the best music beats to the UAE,” says Rosa Bullock, Founder, SOCIATE. “We look forward to a successful partnership.”
Dubai-based boutique agency, Soho Communications has secured the PR account for Al Tayer Group’s hospitality division across the UAE. Established in 1979, Al Tayer Group is a private holding company that operates across several industries in the Middle East. Soho Communications will be handling Al Tayer Group’s hospitality division to work with brands such as Caffé Nero, Magnolia Bakery and Serendipity 3 through PR, events and strategic brand partnerships as well as campaigns to raise awareness of the group’s hospitality brands across the UAE.
“We are thrilled to be working with Al Tayer across their portfolio of hospitality brands,” says Chloe Ragg, Co-Founder, Soho Communications. “It’s always been a dream to launch with such reputable clients and the Al Tayer portfolio is just that. We’re looking forward to creating magic with their amazing team!”
Dubai-based Arabic publishing company, AL Publishing has launched new online video channel, al-video.com. al-video.com is an online portal that aims to enhance Arabic digital content by focusing on video coverage of news and events across various fields including business, technology, travel, hospitality, culture and arts across the GCC region. The new channel will also feature social responsibility initiatives and activities by non-profit organisations as well as exclusive interviews with top CEO’s across the region, technical reviews of several high-profile products and other cultural and social video reports.
“The success we have achieved in our first year affirms the vitality of the new publishing model we adopted, concentrating on B2B high quality Arabic content through six specialised portals and supported by a bilingual news wire platform,” says Ali Mohamad, CEO and Group Editor, AL Publishing. “AL Video is our eighth portal and the first of its kind in the region which reflects our commitment to high quality Arabic content.”
UAE-based newspaper, Khaleej Times welcomes Ravi Raman to the role of Senior Vice President. With a wealth of experience in the media and publishing industry, Ravi previously worked as Vice President and Associate Publisher at Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East, where he led the launch and growth of the edition as well as oversaw every aspect of the publication including digital, content and commercial. In his new role, he will head the Khaleej Times group and oversee its operations by spearheading the group’s strategic direction and conceptualising as well as leading its growth into new segments and markets. He will also further direct the group’s plans of acquiring and launching new titles across the region.
“Taking charge of such a well-respected brand is both an honour and a great responsibility – especially at a time when legacy media brands are being forced to reinvent themselves,” says Ravi. “With the brand equity that Khaleej Times commands, I am excited of the possibilities and opportunities. The market can expect some innovative offerings from the group.”
Following the departure of Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, Manuel Arnaut has been officially named as the incoming Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Arabia, with his new role due to commence on May 7, 2017. Currently Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest Middle East, Manuel has a long association with Condé Nast after initiating his career at Vogue Portugal, and eventually holding the position as Editor at GQ Portugal. In his new role, Manuel will take over direction of Vogue Arabia’s multinational and multilingual editorial team.
“After starting my professional life at Vogue, and having grown up devouring each page of its international editions, I’m deeply honoured to have the opportunity to come ‘home,’ at the helm of Vogue Arabia,” says Manuel. “With the rich heritage of the Middle East as a starting point — and its eyes on the future — Vogue Arabia celebrates the region’s fashion and cultural identity, presenting it to the world in a luxurious, upbeat, and contemporary style. In an exciting climate of modernity and creativity, the team and I are committed to working towards a Vogue Arabia that is the proud voice of the region, representing the strength and allure of the Arab woman.”
Shashi Menon, CEO & Publisher, Nervora and Vogue Arabia adds, “Manuel Arnaut brings over a decade of Condé Nast editorial experience combined with a strong track record of regional success. We look forward to him building on Vogue Arabia’s foundation.”
Dubai-based brand consultancy and communications agency, Coffee Communications has secured the PR account for NStyle across the Middle East. Established in 2001, NStyle is a homegrown beauty spa and salon that offers premium beauty and grooming services to each individual customer. Coffee Communications will be responsible for all PR and media activities for NStyle through PR campaigns and media operations to raise awareness of the brand’s presence across the Middle East.
“We are honoured to add a long standing homegrown salon chain to our client portfolio and look forward to working with such a well established brand with over 30 salons across the region” says Natasha Ekstedt, Co- Founder, CEO, Coffee Communications.”
PR professionals Peta Thorpe-Evans and Chloe Ragg have teamed up to launch new communications agency, Soho Communications. With experience in the PR and marketing industry, Peta previously worked as Marketing Director at Praias Boutique and recently as a freelance PR, Social Media and Marketing Consultant across a portfolio of clients such as MA Models, Lucia Clinic and Vii Dubai.
Chloe brings with her, experience in media and PR having worked with Gulf News Broadcasting, Time Out Dubai andcurrently as Managing Director of Fox and Hound Communications. The new agency will operate as a PR, social media and events consultancy with a focus on lifestyle and hospitality clientele across the UAE.
“We’re both really excited to announce the launch of Soho Communications in Dubai,” says Peta Thorne-Evans, Co-Founder, Soho Communications. “We’ve both been working separately across the hospitality and lifestyle division for quite some time and have seen a real opportunity to join forces and work together on offering clients a personal, in-house approach.”