CNN launches VR platform

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CNN has launched new virtual reality platform, CNNVR. A journalism unit and platform within CNN Digital, CNNVR will cover major news events in a 360 video, transport users to the front row of global events through VR live streams and produce weekly VR experiences. The new platform will be overseen by Jason Farkas, Vice President of Premium Content Video and will see Dubai become among the first cities to have trained VR producers and access to CNNVR through mobile phones, desktops and VR headsets.

Andrew Berridge joins Auxilium

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Dubai-based legal marketing and communications agency, Auxilium has appointed Andrew Berridge to the role of Account Manager. With ten years of experience working across national and multinational PR campaigns, Andrew previously worked in Singapore with Baldwin Boyle Shand as PR Consultant and most recently in the UAE with Cicero & Bernay. In his new role, he will be responsible for client consultation, strategic communications plans and content, as well as reputation management and new business generation.

“I am thrilled to join this exciting new agency, where I will work with an energetic and talented team,” says Andrew. “I look forward to developing some great ideas to support this pioneering concept for the GCC’s legal industry.”

New promotion at Shamal Communications

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Dubai-based independent and full service agency, Shamal Communications has promoted James Lakie to the role of General Manager following the launch of a new digital division and broadcasting division. Having joined Shamal Communications as Senior Account Manager, James has over 11 years of experience and most recently held the position of Account Director where he worked on both consumer and corporate accounts. In his new role, he will continue to manage and oversee the agency’s accounts across different industries.

“I’m looking forward to the added responsibility that this position carries, especially with the launch of our two new divisions,” says James. “Shamal has built a sterling reputation in the market over the last 12 years and continues to produce quality results for clients including, Arabian Travel Market, Seven Tides International and Al Hamra Real Estate Development and above all else provides an outstanding return on investment.”

New appointment at HOT Media

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Dubai-based publishing company, HOT Media Publishing has appointed Mohamed Galal to the role of Business Development Manager. With over nine years of experience, Mohamed previously worked with Motivate Publishing as Advertising Manager for Gulf Business magazine, with Crestcom as Senior Training and Business Development Manager and most recently with ATL Media as Advertising Manager – Sales. In his new role, he will work on increasing sales and revenue as well as finding new businesses for HOT Media and overseeing its markets in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon and Egypt.

“I’m excited to join HOT Media and be back in the media and publishing industry,” says Mohamed. “I look forward to working with the wonderful team at HOT Media and contributing towards making this year yet another outstanding year for the company.”

Gavin Gibbon joins Shamal Communications

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Dubai-based independent and full service agency, Shamal Communications has appointed Gavin Gibbon to the role of Senior Account Manager following the agency’s expansion and rebrand. With over 17 years of experience in journalism, PR and real estate, Gavin previously worked with ITP Media Group as Editor of Construction Week Online, OSN as PR Editor and most recently with Core Savills as PR and Communications Manager. In his new role, he will oversee all PR operations and work across the agency’s portfolio of clients across the region.

“Having worked with Shamal Communications during my time at ITP my decision to come on board was an easy one,” says Gavin. “The agency has an incredibly strong client base, with a passion to serve them well and foster good relationships with the media. Their ambitions also match my own and I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

MENA Search Awards 2017 dates announced

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Creative events agency, Don’t Panic Events is set to host the first MENA Search Awards on May 10, 2017 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The awards will feature 26 categories including, Best Search Campaign and Young Search Professional to showcase the achievements of the best in the search industry with a focus on SEO, PPC, digital and content marketing across the MENA region. Entries for the award will be closed on March 13 and will be judged by a panel of international judges to shortlist and announce the nominees on March 29, 2017.

“I am delighted to be involved in this event, one that finally recognises the significance of the search industry in the MENA region and have high hopes for an extremely high standard of submissions,” says Tarek Reda, Head of Digital, bfound. “I think the global search community will be observing with great interest.”

Weber Shandwick named top employer for 2017

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Communications agency, Weber Shandwick has been named by Great Place To Work® Institute UAE, as the fifth ‘Top Companies to Work in the UAE’ for the 2017 . Great Place To Work® Institute is a global research, training and consultancy firm that recognises the best workplaces in over 50 countries worldwide that are committed to creating a work place culture where employees feel motivated, valued and supported by the senior management within the organisation.

“We are thrilled to have been selected as the fifth greatest place to work in the UAE,” says Ziad Hasbani, CEO, Weber Shandwick MENA. “It’s a great achievement for us, especially when creating a positive working environment for our staff is at the very heart of what Weber Shandwick MENA represents as an organisation.  We fully recognise the impact that a happy, stable and passionate team has on our business success and growth.“

Instinctif Partners makes new appointments

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International business communications consultancy, Instinctif Partners Middle East has welcomed David Thompson and Judecyll Eguia to its Dubai team following a regional expansion plan. With experience in journalism and previously a business-to-business magazine Editor at ITP Media Group, David has been appointed to the role of Consultant and will now manage the English language content and media relations for the regional and international press. Judecyll has experience in office management and generating new client leads as well as a background in government liaising and coordination. Taking up her new role as Account Manager, she will manage and work on developing communications strategies for Instinctif Partners’ portfolio of clients.

“We are delighted to welcome David and Judecyll to our Dubai team,” says Samantha Bartel, Managing Partner, Instinctif Partners Middle East. “They each bring a wealth of experience and unique knowledge as well as expertise and with their help I am confident our offer and reputation in the region will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Dubai Lynx award winners announced

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Dubai Lynx, the International Festival of Creativity has announced winners for this year’s awards ceremony that took place on March 8, 2017. With over 2,500 entries across 17 categories, the awards celebrate excellence in creative communications in the MENA region.

Pierre Choueiri, Chairman and CEO, Choueiri Group was honoured with the ‘Dubai Lynx Advertising Person of the Year Award’ and Coca-Cola Middle East was awarded the ‘Dubai Lynx Advertiser of the Year’. Winners of the Grand Prix awards included:

  • Memac Ogilvy & Mather Dubai for ‘Branded Content & Entertainment’ as well as the ‘Innovation’ award
  • Walter Thompson Beirut for ‘Creative Effectiveness’
  • Grey MENA Dubai for ‘Design’
  • The Classic Partnership Advertising Dubai for ‘Direct’
  • Blue Barracuda Dubai for ‘Film’
  • Walter Thompson Dubai for ‘Film Craft’ and ‘Radio’
  • Leo Burnett Beirut for ‘Grand Prix for Good’
  • Leo Burnett Dubai for ‘Interactive’
  • Walter Thompson Riyadh for ‘Media’
  • FP7/TUN Tunis for ‘Mobile’
  • TWA\RAAD for ‘Promo & Activation’
  • Y&R Dubai for ‘Outdoor’, ‘Print & Publishing’ as well as ‘Print & Outdoor Craft’
  • BBDO Worldwide for ‘Network of the Year’
  • Impact BBDO, Dubai for ‘Agency of the Year’
  • OMD, Dubai for ‘Media Agency of the Year’
  • Good People, Lebanon for ‘Lynx Palm Award’
  • Carine Howayek and Anirudh Shiva from J.Walter Thompson and Garen Yabremian from HSBC for ‘Young Lynx Integrated Campaign’
  • Marc Baakliny and Toni Tannous from J. Walter Thompson Riyadh for ‘Young Lynx Print Competition’
  • Yar Berjawi and Sasha El Jurdi from FP7/DXB for ‘Young Lynx PR Competition’
  • Amir Daou, Roshni D’Souza, Waqas Maqsood and Heena Makhijani from SOCIALEYEZ Dubai for ‘Twitter Live Young Lynx Competition’
  • Hanin Hassan from American University in Dubai for ‘Masar Student Creative Award for Print’
  • Asma Al-Aloosi from American University in Dubai for ‘STC Integrated Student Award’
  • American University in Dubai for ‘University of the Year’

“The Dubai Lynx awards exists to celebrate and champion creativity, while reflecting the ever-shifting branded communications landscape,” says Terry Savage, Chairman, Dubai Lynx. “This year saw submissions from 22 countries, including a first from Sudan and an increase in some more of the traditional categories such as ‘Print and Outdoor’. The evening brought to a close the three-day festival, which was attended by over 2,300 creative communications professionals this year and the work that was awarded really demonstrates the essence of creativity in the region.”