Chee Smith goes freelance

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Chee Smith, former Fashion and Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan Middle East, has gone freelance. With over 20 years of experience in the fashion and beauty industry, Chee previously worked at VIVA magazine as the Fashion and Beauty Director before joining the Cosmopolitan Middle East launch team in February, 2011. She will continue to work across the fashion and beauty sector as a freelance fashion stylist and editor.

“Although I’m sad to leave Cosmopolitan Middle East, I’m really excited to go freelance and work on new projects,” says Chee. “I’m looking forward to new challenges and working on a variety of jobs within editorial, advertising and events.”

indaHash launches in the MENA region

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Influencer technology platform indaHash has partnered with digital solutions company, Future Tech Media to launch its operations in the Middle East and North African region. The partnership will see the newly launched platform connect brands and agencies in the MENA region directly to the global social influencers, to create content marketing campaigns for the regional and international markets.

“We are excited to formally launch our platform in the MENA region to support brands and agencies in influencer marketing at scale,” says Barbara Sołtysińska, Founder, indaHash. “The MENA region is ripe with opportunity and this market is accelerating much more quickly than others. It is a great time to bring our platform to this region and our first campaign is already proving a great success.”

New Account Manager at House of Comms

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Dubai-based integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed Rachel Evans to the role of Account Manager. With experience in the UK’s PR industry, Rachel previously worked across the F&B and technology sectors with clients such as Microsoft, TGI Fridays and Cambridge University. In her new role, she will manage and work across House of Comms’ portfolio of clients in the Middle Eastern region.

“Rachel has a really solid track record and what we loved about her was the creativity she brought to the interview process,” says Abby Wilks, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “She grabbed our attention and we believe she will have the same effect on our clients. She is off to a flying start and is a great addition to the team for the exciting year ahead.”

Emirates Woman welcomes new Deputy Editor

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UAE-based glossy Emirates Woman, part of Motivate Publishing, has appointed Nina Catt to the role of Deputy Editor. With over ten years of experience in the media industry, Nina was previously based in Australia, where she worked across a number of magazines including, donna hay, that’s life! and InStyle Australia. In her new role, she will work across the Emirates Woman group portfolio including Emirates Woman, Emirates Bride and Emirates Woman Mini plus contract publishing titles Jumeirah and SOUK.

“I’m thrilled to join the talented team at Motivate Publishing and look forward to being a part of the company’s future and growth,” says Nina Catt, Deputy Editor, Emirates Woman.

Shortlist revealed for PRCA Awards

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PRCA MENA has announced the shortlisted nominees for its inaugural awards ceremony that will take place on February 8, 2017 at the H Hotel, Dubai. The nominees include: Q Communications, Seven Media, TOH PR, Memac Ogilvy, Markettiers and Grayling as well as Hill+Knowlton Strategies, among other agencies of the region.

The awards will honour agencies and media professionals across 13 categories – B2C Campaign, sponsored by HAVOC Creative; B2B Campaign; Crisis Communications, sponsored by LexisNexis; Digital Campaign, sponsored by Markettiers; Influencer Relations; Integrated Campaign, sponsored by TINT; Media Relations; Regional Campaign of the Year and Rising Star, both sponsored by MCG Associates; Results on a Budget; PR Leader, sponsored by ICCO and Small Consultancy of the Year, sponsored by The Media Network as well as Large Consultancy of the Year.

“I am delighted to announce the shortlist for the awards,” says Leanne Foy, General Manager, PRCA MENA. “The work submitted demonstrated excellent work across the region. Congratulations to all shortlisted.”

MCG Group makes key appointment

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Digital and creative recruitment agency, MCG Group has appointed Nick Clements to the role of Chief Operating Officer. With over 25 years of experience, Nick previously worked with Ogilvy & Mather as Global Account Director and most recently with BPG Bates as Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, he will oversee the operations of MCG Group, which is made up of MCG Associates, Kemistry and Hopscotch and work across its Dubai, London and Hong Kong offices. Nick will also work on broadening the company’s services beyond recruitment to spearhead the launch of its new services, which includes executive search, procurement pitch, relationship management and M&A advisory.

“I’m delighted to be joining the MCG Group at such an exciting time and I look forward to helping build on existing strengths and create a talent consultancy with a range of services which really adds value to both agencies and clients,” says Nick Clement, COO, MCG Group.

PRCA MENA announces headline sponsor

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The Dubai-branch of international talent consultancy, MCG Associates has partnered with Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) MENA as the headline sponsor for the inaugural PRCA MENA Awards. The awards ceremony will take place on February 8, 2017 at the H Hotel, Dubai.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome MCG Associates as the headline sponsor for our first PRCA MENA Awards,” says Francis Ingham, Director General, PRCA MENA. “Having an established, influential and trusted agency backing the awards demonstrates its confidence in PRCA MENA and our work.”

Justin McGuire, Chief Executive Officer, MCG Group adds, “I’m delighted that MCG Group will be the headline sponsor for the inaugural PRCA MENA Awards. We take pride in partnering with the best agencies in the region and look forward to a night of celebration.”