ARN launches new Arabic radio stations

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Dubai-based radio network, Arabian Radio Network (ARN) launches Al Khaleejiya Classic and Al Arabiya Cassette in the UAE. With a focus on serving its Arabic audience, Al Khaleejiya Classic will play 80’s and 90’s GCC music tracks, while Al Arabiya Cassette will broadcast 60’s to 90’s Arabic hits from across the region for local and expat Arabs. The new digital-only radio stations will also be available as an extension of local radio stations, Al Khaleejiya 100.9 and Al Arabiya 99 mobile apps to its audience across the UAE.

“ARN serves a wide audience of over 190 nationalities, in the world’s most cosmopolitan city, Dubai,” says Mahmoud Al Rasheed, General Manager, ARN. “This launch follows our first phase of digital brands launched last year and we are proud to launch these two digital stations to meet audience and advertiser demand and position ARN for further growth in the digital broadcasting industry in the coming years.”

Caterer Middle East welcomes new Editor

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ITP Media Group has promoted Claudia de Brito to the role of Editor of F&B management title, Caterer Middle East. Previously Group Deputy Editor of Etihad Airways’ inflight magazine, Claudia will now oversee and generate editorial content for the monthly publication as well as contribute to the publishing house’s dedicated hospitality industry web portal, www.hoteliermiddleeast.com.

D-Connector makes new appointment

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Dubai-based media company, D-Connector has appointed Priya Mehta to the role of Media Account Manager. With over 17 years of experience in sales, advertising and media, Priya previously worked with SAGA Digital as Marketing Manager and most recently with Trinity Media as Sales and Marketing Manager. In her new role, she will manage all sales for all outdoor media advertising for D-Connector across the UAE.

“Having worked in the media industry for more than 17 years, I believe my new company, D-Connector is unique and is my stepping stone for a successful career,” says Priya. “I sturdily believe D-Connector is all set to transform the era of advertising which I have never seen or experienced in the past.”

New Senior Correspondent at Khaleej Times

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UAE-based newspaper, Khaleej Times has appointed Sarwat Nasir to the role of Senior Correspondent. With over four years of experience in journalism, Sarwat previously worked with 7DAYS as News Reporter where she produced videos and reported to the news desk with a focus on human interest, education and general stories. In her new role, she will report to the news desk with breaking and exclusive stories as well as produce videos with a focus on different topics for Khaleej Times.

“I am very excited to work with Khaleej Times and bring in breaking stories, as well as produce digital content,” says Sarwat.

To Be Announced launches in the region

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To Be announced (TBA), a creative solutions provider, founded by Mahmoud El Abed, has launched. With over seven years of experience, Mahmoud, previously worked with Addmind Group as PR Manager and most recently with COPIA Group as Communications Manager where he worked in client servicing and created marketing and PR strategies for clients. The new agency will operate from UAE and Lebanon with the aim to offer tailored strategies by forging relationships and delivering personalised services to clients.

“At a time where the current market is saturated with brands competing for attention, To Be Announced – (TBA) sees that the only way forward is with more customized and tailor made strategies,” says Mahmoud. “My idea is to collaborate and work closely with businesses to make their brands more relatable, connectable and desirable.”

In The Hot Seat – Crystal Chesters

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Crystal Chesters, Group Editor for Hospitality titles at BNC Publishing tells TMN about her current role and what she thinks about the media industry in the Middle East…

Name: Crystal Chesters

Age: 30

From: Scotland

Current job title: Group Editor for Hospitality titles at BNC Publishing

When did you first arrive in Dubai?

November 2013

Where did you work prior?

Prior to arriving in Dubai I worked for VisitScotland looking after stakeholder communications and producing its publications for the tourism industry. I later moved to Dubai, where I worked as Editor of Hotelier Middle East at ITP Publishing before joining BNC Publishing.

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

It’s very fast-paced with small teams looking after large workloads.

Has your opinion changed much?

Not really, but now I’m used to it!

Tell us about your current role…

I oversee BNC Publishing’s hospitality portfolio, which comprises of the events, publications and digital activity of Catering News Middle East and Hotel News Middle East. I am also still the Editor of Catering News Middle East, a role I’ve been doing since January, 2016.

What challenges do you face?

I’d say the biggest challenge of my role is juggling a wide range of responsibilities – from social media to events and awards and of course the monthly magazines. In addition, dealing with a huge volume of emails with interview pitches, events, meeting requests and press releases is time consuming and can be stressful. However, this is part of my role and it’s important to be organised to stay on top of it all.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Getting to try out the latest restaurant openings and travelling to different countries on press trips.

How would you rather be contacted at work?

By email – phone calls can be intrusive, particularly during deadline week. Whatsapp is even more intrusive, unless I know the contact already and that relationship has already been established.

What do you think of publications in the region?

I’d say overall the quality is lower than in more established markets like the United States and Europe. If you look at the teams on international titles here they are far smaller than the teams you’d find in London or New York and with the current economic climate, resources continue to be stretched and this, of course, has an impact on quality. That said, the Middle East is a very young and developing market when it comes to publishing and there are some great titles doing well in the region.

How has print media managed to stay relevant in today’s digital community?

I think it’s currently still relevant, particularly when it comes to B2B magazines. That said, publishing companies are being forced to diversify and move quickly into the digital age to keep up. I think challenging times lie ahead but there will always be a need for quality journalism.

What do you think of media ethics in the region?

I think it’s challenging. You’ve got to be careful when talking about anything culturally sensitive and the defamation laws are very different to what we’re used to in the UK. Working for trade magazines, it’s not a huge issue, but for those journalists working on newspapers I imagine it can be challenging.

What role has digital media played when it comes to reader engagement in the magazine industry?

It’s really important, you’ve got to push content on social media as a lot of your web traffic will come from this. All of our magazines have digital editions and every feature gets published online and in our newsletters, which go out to a large database.

Describe yourself in five words…

Adventurous, kind, open-minded, tenacious and forgetful.

What’s the most exciting thing to happen to you in your career?

Going on a press trip to New York. It was my first time there and I went to see the new Element brand from Starwood.

What’s your most overused saying?

At the end of the day…

Five things you can’t live without?

At the moment, my daily flat white from Costa, The Salad Jar, Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge, Kerastase shampoo and Bojack Horseman.

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

I’d be a painter if someone would pay me to do that.

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

Does Netflix count?

How do you see the media industry changing in the Middle East in the coming years?

I think it will get harder for the newspaper industry in particular and we could see more closures and redundancies across the region. I think both newspapers and magazines will continue to diversify into digital and video.

Creative and technology agency launches

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Creative and technology agency, Omobono launches in UAE. Established in 2001 in the UK, Omobono delivers global projects across an expanding service offering for a roster of clients including DMCC and Sadara and will now open its first office in the UAE. The agency will also see the appointment of Hadley Newman to role of Managing Director with over ten years of experience to support clients with specialist business expertise.

“I am delighted to have joined Omobono at an exciting period in the company’s growth,” says Hadley Newman, Managing Director, Omobono Middle East. “I was attracted to the agency because it has digital in its DNA, strength in strategic planning and focuses on delivery – not only the deliverable. Omobono has developed fantastic relationships and delivered brilliant work and I look forward to continuing this success for global brands throughout the region.”

Manny D’jornor joins Pinpoint

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Dubai-based media company, Pinpoint Media Group has appointed Manny D’jornor to the role of Director of Advertising Sales. With a degree in Economics and Banking from the University of Greenwich, UK, Manny has worked on Wall Street in New York City and most recently at ScribbleLive Vice President of Sales and Operations in Canada. In his new role, he will manage and oversee the advertising sales team and work towards the growth of Pinpoint Media Group in Dubai and across the region.

“Pinpoint Media Group’s growth and vision was an inspiration to me,” says Manny. “CEO Darren Hodgkin has kept true to his Modus Operandi and the vision he has set. I bring with me a diverse experience in business having worked all over the world and possess a very strong understanding of the digital world and how to leverage it within the media industry.”