Arab Woman Awards UAE 2016 judges announced

/in , /by

The Arab Woman Awards UAE has announced the panel of judges for its 2016 edition. Launched by ITP Publishing group in 2009, the Arab Woman Awards recognises Arab women’s achievements in their different fields and aims to provide young women with inspirational role models.

This year’s judges board members will be chaired by HE Ameera bin Karam, Chairperson of the Sharjah Businesswomen Council. Other members of the 2016 judging panel will include; Sheikha Nawar Al Qassimi, Sharjah Art Foundation; Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Masdar’s Director of Sustainability; HE Reem Alshemari, Director of Strategic Communications Affairs at the Executive Affairs Authority (EAA); Noor Sweid, Partner at Leap Ventures; Nadine Y. Maalouf, Owner of the SME Advisory Group; Dr Mona Hammami, Director at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court; Gina Tadros, Editor-in-Chief of Hello! Arabia; Abu Dhabi based businesswoman, Asma Al Fahim; TV presenter, Zeina Al Yaziji; and Dubai based designer Aljoud Lootah.

“We have selected this year’s board of judges due to them all being inspiring women who are experts in their own fields,” says Sue Holt, Awards Founder, Executive Director, ITP Publishing Group and APP Media Group. “Being the UAE awards we also try to have all of the Emirates represented. Many of the board members have themselves been previous winners and said what a positive experience it was for them. This year we have had over 300 nominations so they now have the very difficult task of selecting the most deserving. I wish them luck and look forward to seeing their final choices.”

Distripress annual congress opens in Dubai

/in , /by

The first MENA edition of the Distripress Congress opened yesterday and will run until Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.  The congress acts as an international meeting point for everyone involved in the distribution and marketing of all press products including; newspapers, and periodicals. In opening the congress, Managing Director of Distripress, Tracy Jones welcomed the 450 member delegates from 47 countries with welcoming remarks also presented by Giselle Pettyfyer, CEO of Facon and Associates.  A panel session of speakers including; Carine Nevejans, Distripress President; Peter Newbould, International Trading Director, W H Smith; Anne-Marie Couderc, President, Presstalis and John Lafranier, CEO, Disticor; were also present to discuss and focus on the need to innovate, embrace change and move forward in the distribution industry – strategically.

GN Media closes broadcasting division

/in , /by

Following strategic review of internal operations, Gulf News Media has today announced that it will be closing its broadcasting division effective September 30, 2016. Having come to an agreement, all operations will be managed by Umm Al Quwain Broadcasting including Josh on Frequency 97.8 and Hayat on Frequency 95.6.

7Days to go weekly

/in , /by

7Days is to become a weekly publication starting from January 1, 2017. The Dubai based newspaper will now focus on its digital presence and be published as a bumper weekly edition every Thursday.

“The time has arrived for us to take bold decisions that enable us firstly to continue to operate profitably and then continue to build on the core competencies that have been developed over the past 13 years in first-class content creation, distribution and customer engagement,” says Mark Rix, Chief Executive Officer, 7 Days.

Claire Sharrock, Managing Editor, 7days adds “Our 7DAYS print title will reflect its new status as a quality, free, weekly newspaper. The Thursday edition will see an increased focus on community issues and lifestyle as well as analysis. Our unique personality and reporting style much loved by our readers will continue as normal.”

RedFest DXB forms new partnership

/in , /by

Two-day music festival Virgin Radio RedFestDXB has confirmed its return to Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on February 2 and 3, 2017, as well as a new strategic partnership with Live Nation. The new partnership will bring together RedFest organiser Done Events’ and Live Nation’s access to sought-after artists as well as knowledge and best practices in production, operations, marketing and ticketing.

“Live Nation is committed to furthering the growth of the UAE and GCC music industry,” says James Craven, Managing Director, Live Nation Middle East. “We believe this can be achieved by working together with the most passionate and dedicated organisations who share our mission to make the Middle East a key destination for local, regional and global music acts and fans alike.”

Girish Anil Bhat, Managing Director, Done Events, adds ” Virign Radio RedFestDXB has attracted over 50,000 fans to the event and in its fourth year, we are proud to welcome Live Nation as a partner to strengthen the event and attract even bigger international artists to perform at the festival.”

BPA Worldwide announces concurrent release of data

/in , /by

Global assurance provider BPA has announced the concurrent release of audience metrics for 36 consumer magazines, 16 business publications and five newspapers in the Middle East, for the six-month period that ended on June 30, 2016. The top-line figures in the Trend Report About Circulation (TRAC) cover media with operations in five Middle East countries; Bahrain, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Included in the report are the headline average qualified circulations and other channels, including web traffic ‘average unique browser’, social media and apps downloads for the most recent June 2016-ending BPA brand reports.

“The concurrent release of audience data for consumer and newspapers based in the region helps level the playing field in the marketplace,” says Rana Hariz, Director, BPA Middle East. “Media buyers and advertisers can turn to this single report and make an accurate evaluation of audience metrics between brands before they buy.”

Time Out Bahrain launches first event in Manama

/in , /by

Time Out Bahrain, produced by ITP Publishing Group in Dubai, is launching a music festival in Manama. The event will be called Bahrain Jams and follows the launch of Time Out Live! from Time Out GCC. Taking place in Café Amsterdam and La Vinoteca Barcelona on September 30, 2016, Time Out Live! will showcase popular local bands and musicians including; Mo Zowayed, The Hot Club of Bahrain and Tony Attalla.

“We at Time Out are massively excited to launch the new brand extension; Time Out Live!” says Katy Gillett, Group Editor, Time Out Bahrain. “Where better to kick it off than on the beautiful island nation of Bahrain, where there’s a thriving local music scene? Alongside this awesome new festival, we at Time Out Bahrain are also currently finding more and more creative ways to tap into Bahrain’s grassroots communities, offering support to the country’s most talented people. Watch this space.”

Publicis consolidates regional LeoComm offices

/in , /by
Publicis Communications has consolidated its six-office LeoComm PR network in the Middle East under the brand of MSLGroup, its strategic communications and engagement firm. Leocomm offices in the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will now become MSLGROUP in the Middle East, while remaining part of the Publicis Communications MEA portfolio of agencies, which also includes; Leo Burnett, Publicis Worldwide, Flip Media, Arc and Saatchi & Saatchi. MSLGROUP’s Communications and Network Consulting (CNC) Network also has offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, servicing mostly corporate and public affairs clients, which will remain a separate unit inside of MSLGROUP.
“We are thrilled to grow our network in the Middle East,” says Guillaume Herbette, CEO MSLGROUP. “LeoComm PR brings to the table specialised communications expertise, vast knowledge of the Middle East and an in-depth understanding of regional market trends. Together, we look forward to providing our global and regional clients with a full scope of integrated public relations services.”
Raja Trad, CEO, Publicis Communications Middle East and Africa, adds “In recent years, LeoComm PR has built a strong legacy of growth, one rooted in a powerful ‘think global, act local’ communications strategy. Today the agency’s new identity will help further crystallise this approach and cement its mission to deliver fully-integrated, all-encompassing public relations services.”

MEPRA confirms key partners for 2016 Awards

/in , /by

The Middle East PR Association (MEPRA) has confirmed key sponsors for the 2016 Middle East PR Awards, due to take place at the JW Marriot Marquis on November 23, 2016. The awards will be supported by platinum sponsor, Mubadala; gold sponsor, MCG Associates and bronze sponsor, Edelman, with category sponsors including; Middlesex University Dubai, Sumo Sushi & Bento, Pan Arab Research Centre, RAK Media office and BUZ PR. The 2016 MEPRA awards will recognise innovation in the PR sector from across the region and reward practitioners who have made a distinctive contribution to the communication industry.

“The communication industry has evolved and modernised over the last few years and the MEPRA awards is the perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on the public relations sector and celebrate the creative individuals who craft innovative communication campaigns,” says Brian Lott, Chairman, MEPRA and Executive Director – Communications, Mubalads. “I would like to thank all our board of sponsors for their support towards encouraging originality and imagination in the industry.”

Justin McGuire, CEO, MCG Group, adds “The MEPRA awards go beyond known boundaries and disciplines, encouraging the most innovative PR professionals and agencies who make a mark in the communication industry. It inspires path-breaking campaigns that happen on the edges of tradition. We are excited and proud to be able to support the Awards, which are considered to the the pinnacle of the communication industry in the region.”