School of design to open in Dubai

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The UAE announces the launch of Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), the first design university in the region, set to open in September, 2018 at the Dubai Design District (d3). The university’s curriculum will be developed with the support of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Parson’s School of Design for a Bachelors degree programs in Design that aims to create as well as cater for people planning to study Design courses across the Middle East.

Grazia Style Awards to be held in Qatar

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Grazia magazine is set to host the Grazia Style Awards on November 21, 2016 at the Westin Doha Hotel and Spa in association with Salam stores and Mercedes-Benz in Qatar for the first time. The theme for the awards is ‘From Catwalk to Qatar’ and will be hosted by Alice Temperley to celebrate the industry’s achievements from favourite shopping destinations to the most influential personalities and their contribution to the fashion landscape. Nominations for the awards are currently open and can be made through www.graziastyleawards.com.

FLASH partners with INTERACT

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FLASH Entertainment has announced its partnership with Sport Industry Forum Series from 2016 until 2017.  Organised by INTERACT Events, Sport Industry Forum Series consists of a variety of business events targeted to sport business professionals. The one-year partnership will see FLASH Entertainment become an integral part of Sport Industry Forum Abu Dhabi’s working committee with an aim to further enrich the sporting events industry in the UAE.

“World-class sporting events have always been a focus for our business,” says John Lickrish, Chief Executive Officer, FLASH Entertainment. “The Sports Industry Forum partnership signifies FLASH Entertainment’s commitment in driving new initiatives that will help shape the industry.”

Sally Corander, Managing Director, INTERACT Events, adds “We are delighted to have FLASH as our official partner to the UAE Sports Industry Forum Series over the next year. FLASH will bring a wealth of knowledge from the sports sector and we are looking forward to working with them to advance sports in the region.”

beIN reaches agreement with Warner Bros.

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Qatar-based media network beIN Media Group, part of Al Jazeera, has signed an agreement with Warner Bros. The agreement which will go into effect in 2019, will see movies and TV series from the international television studio’s aired through beIN’s pay-TV platform across the Middle East and North Africa.

Image Nation announces documentary premiere

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UAE-based media and entertainment company, Image Nation has announced the world premiere of its upcoming football documentary The Lights in Rome, to be screened at the DOC New York film festival in November 17, 2016. The documentary preserves an important moment in the Emirati history when they qualified for the 1990 World Cup in Italy as well as interviews from former Emirati football players.

“The Lights of Rome is one of our films that is so close to my heart as it tells the story of my childhood,” says Mohammed Al Mubarak, Chairman, Image Nation Abu Dhabi. “This film is not only another entertaining and informative documentary to add to our slate, it will serve as a historical documentary that finally details the legacy of what those players achieved for the UAE and Middle East football.”

Danielle Perissi, Head of documentary and factual entertainment, Image Nation Abu Dhabi adds “Through our documentary work, the Image Nation team has the opportunity to memorialise important cultural and historical events for the UAE. We hope it will leave a lasting impression for the next generation of Emiratis, as well as the broader community in the UAE and around the world.”

IPRA-GC PR Summit begins next week

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International Public Relations Association Gulf Chapter (IPRA-GC) has announced its PR summit set to be held from October 25-27, 2016 at Intercontinental Festival City, Dubai. The summit will bring together the industry’s top journalists and communication executives to focus on this year’s theme, ‘Evolving Media Strategies for Public Relations’, featuring 12 sessions as well as eight workshops ranging from topics such as; The Changing Role of Women in PR and Managing International PR in the Gulf region. The keynote speakers will include Abdallah Jum’ah, former President, CEO of Saudi Aramco, Abdullatif Al Othman, former Governor and Chairman of the Board of Sagia and Bart de Vries, President of IPRA.

TRACCS completes acquisition in Morocco

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TRACCS has completed its acquisition of a stake in Marrakech-based agency L’Allure PR, extending the agency’s operations to Morocco. Established in 2005, L’Allure PR aims to offer a range of strategic communications solution to its clients. The new acquisition will see TRACCS and L’Allure work across clients in Morocco to expand its presence across North Africa.

“The launch of TRACCS Morocco is a natural extension of our wider growth philosophy and by joining forces with L’Allure, we are entering a high potential and high value market that we see as contributing significantly to our long-term strategy,” says Mohamed Al Ayed, President and CEO, TRACCS. “Together, we will work to develop and empower a new generation of homegrown PR practitioners with a deep indigenous understanding of local customs and cultural sensitivities in Morocco.”

EW secures royal exclusive

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Emirates Woman magazine has secured an exclusive with Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. The interview features HRH Princess Haya speaking about the admiration she has for her husband, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, her children and her late mother, as well as her views on social media today.

“Ahead of her time yet utterly in tune with ours, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein is one of the world’s greatest humanitarians and I was both honoured and humbled to interview this hugely inspirational woman,” says Lyndsey Steven, Associate Editor, Emirates Woman Group. “HRH Princess Haya is not only a brilliant role model for working women in the UAE, she has also made great strides in changing the world’s perception of women in the Middle East.”

Hello! Middle East secures Hillary Clinton exclusive

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Hello! Middle East has secured an exclusive interview with US Presidential Candidate, Hillary Clinton. The seven-page regional exclusive interview will be available across the Middle East from Thursday 13, 2016. It features Hillary speaking about her family, life challenges and reasons why she believes she is ready to be the next US President along with rare pictures of former President Bill Clinton and their grandchildren.

“Being involved in such a game-changing cover is a dream come true, especially given that Hillary Clinton is undoubtedly the most talked about woman across the globe right now,” says Selina Julien, Editor-in-Chief, Hello! Middle East. “Showing Hello! and Hola‘s unrivalled access to the A-list, the rare interview with newly launched sister publication Hola! USA, shows the nurturing side of the wife, mother and grandmother as she takes on Donald Trump in the race to the White House.”

Nation Media Group appoints The MediaVantage

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Dubai-based media company, The MediaVantage has been appointed as the exclusive sales representative for Nation Media Group in the Middle East. Founded in 1959, Nation Media Group is an independent media house in East and Central Africa with operations in print, broadcast and digital media. The MediaVantage will now have the rights to sell advertising and commercial opportunities across all titles owned by Nation Media Group to clients and media agencies in the Middle East.

“The Middle East continues to be an attractive market for African investors as well as visitors and we feel that now is the time to appoint the right media representative to manage our commercial interests,” says Joe Muganda, CEO, Nation Media Group. “The MediaVantage is clearly the market leader and we are delighted to have selected Manoj Khimji and Imane Eddinari along with their team to partner with us and represent Nation Media Group.”

Manoj Khimji, Managing Director, The MediaVantage, adds “We are delighted to add all titles owned by the group to our current roster of leading African media. We look forward to offering complete media solutions from the African continent to clients and agencies in the Middle East. Joe has the right vision and ambition to match our capabilities and offer innovative opportunities to advertisers in the region. Together we look forward to a strong and profitable partnership.”