BR Communications joins PR World Network

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BR Communications, a PR consultancy operating in the Middle East, has signed with Lou Hammond’s PR World Network. Lou Hammond & Associates is a North American communications agency, founded in 1984 has offices in New York, Miami, Charleston SC and Los Angeles. The world network was founded in 2009 and consists of 21 PR companies offering services in over 50 countries, who will pool their competencies in their respective parts of the world to offer members of the network an expanded reach beyond national and regional borders as needed.

“We already have a Middle East regional reach and can now offer our clients global services regardless of geographic location,” says Bahaa Fatairy, Managing Director and Founder, BR Communications.

C&B partner with Y&D Communications

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Cicero & Bernay Public Relations (C&B) has partnered with Saudi-based public relations and social media agency Y&D Communications, as part of a GCC expansion plan. The collaboration will see C&B enhance its suite of capabilities in order to develop in the communications industry across the MENA region. Both agencies will combine their capabilities and expertise in strategic planning, public relations and technical proficiency, as well as benefit from mutual insights and tactical abilities.

“This partnership agreement is part of our long-term strategy of building a communications network spanning across the region,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero & Bernay Public Relations. “Public relations is becoming an increasingly important and valuable asset for organisations across all four corners of our region. We are pleased to be part of the current wave of growth and we are confident that our affliation with Y&D will provide even more expertise and geographical reach for our clients.”

Younus Inayat, COO, Y&D Coommunications, adds “We are confident that our alliance with C&B will prove to be a highly valuable and complementary collaboration for both companies. Our agency has a long-established reputation and significant presence within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s modern communications landscape and this new cooperation with C&B will ensure we are extremely well placed to take advantage of the sterling growth that the public relations industry is seeing across the region.”

OSN secures rights for SyFy

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OSN has acquired the regional rights for SyFy, NBCUniversal International’s science-fiction channel. The channel is due to launch in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, through OSN, on July 8, 2016 and the launch will bring with it a roster of original series, original movies,classic science-fiction and fantasy programming to OSN subscribers, with almost 80 percent of the content available in Arabic, either dubbed or in subtitles.

The launch of the channel is part of OSN’s new and extended long-term deal with NBCUniversal International, signed in January this year.

Hotwire and Vanson Bourne partner for new study

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Global PR and communications agency Hotwire has partnered with independent market research specialist Vanson Bourne for a study that reveals what influences decision makers in the Arab world. The study showed that Facebook is one of the most used social media channels in the region but also found that nearly 30% of marketers do not plan to use the social media platform in their own B2B marketing. The research also reinforces the importance of traditional media sources, as well as social media, in purchasing decisions. Active (Digital. Marketing. Communications), Hotwire’s partner in the Middle East, will be responsible for distributing the research across the region.

“For us here in the Middle East this report is very relevant as it make us think about how social media is changing marketing and, if we are to be effective consultants, how we then advise our clients,” says Louay Al-Samarrai, Joint Managing Director, Active (Digital. Marketing. Communications).

Forbes to host The Top Companies in the Arab World 2016

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Forbes Middle East is set to host the fourth annual The Top Companies in the Arab World 2016 event, in Kuwait on Tuesday, May 31st, 2016. Attended by heads of companies who have helped to make the Middle East a major investment attraction, as well as Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Kuwait, the top 100 companies will be ranked based on four metrics – sales, net profits, assets and market value. The Top Companies in the Arab World will also be celebrating the successes of prominent Kuwaiti companies and leaders.

Forbes Middle East will be collaborating with partners for the event including; Stallion Group, Al Tayyar Travel Group and Alanba newspaper.

Swiss Media Group closes

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Swiss Media Group is to cease its operations, after 12 years of publishing in the UAE. Founded in 2004, Swiss Media Group was formed by an experienced publishing and editorial team from Switzerland and the UK. The group’s portfolio of magazines included Equestrio, Prestige and the recently re-vamped SWR. The publishing group has cited the evolution of the publishing world as the reason behind its closure.

“There are no words to describe the gratitude we feel towards our clients, partners and suppliers, ever single one of whom helped not only to make our journey possible, but also to make it thoroughly enjoyable,” says Michael Lahyani, Publisher and CEO, Swiss Media Group. “We look forward to seeing you again on the polo fields or at the next watch fair and for now wish you a continued success.”

GCC Food Photography Awards gearing up for second season

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After it’s successful debut in 2015, the GCC Food Photography Awards is gearing up for it’s second season in Bahrain. With support from UK-based Jamie Magazine, the official publication from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, this year’s awards will be based around the theme of ‘celebrating good food’ and participants are invited to enter original photographs that capture different forms, styles, preparations and occasions of food. The contest is open for both professional and amateur photographers, with a special category for junior photographers under 17 years of age added to encourage young talent to participate. This year’s competition has five categories in total; Earth’s Bounty, Fabulous Fish, Market Magic, Food Portrait and Junior GCC Photographer of the Year.

The judging panel for the awards will include Chief Editor of Jamie Magazine, Andy Harris; Food Photographer David Loftus, celebrity Chefs Kunal Kapur and Yann Bernard Leiard and Dubai-based food blogger Sally Prosser. Competition entry is free, and registration opens on June 1, 2016 with the the winners to be announced at an awards ceremony in November 2016. For further information on the GCC Food Photography Awards 2016, or to enter, head to www.photoawardme.com.

BNC Publishing to host GM Leaders Conference

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Hotel News Middle East, part of BNC Publishing, is set to host the second edition of the GM Leaders Conference on May 16, 2016 at the St. Regis Dubai. The half day conference will be presented by Broadcaster, Presenter and Journalist Stephen Marney and will cover topics as well as developments specific to the hotel industry. Rikan General Trading will be the presenting sponsor for the event, with other sponsors including; Unique Precise International, TSSC, Assa Abloy and Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management.

“In today’s business environment, where we face challenges posed by de-valued currencies, low oil prices and huge levels of supply, it is even more important for the industry to gather and discuss business strategies and best practice,” says Melanie Mingas, Group Editor, BNC Publishing. “We have a line-up of fantastic speakers from across the industry and we are incredibly excited for them to share their insight with our delegates.”

 

Shortlist for Young PR Lions MENA announced

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PRCA MENA has released the shortlist for the Young PR Lions MENA competition to find the best young PR professionals in the Middle East and North Africa. Eight teams have been shortlisted to win the accolade this year and one of them will be heading to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to take part in the international competition on June 19, 2016. The shortlisted teams of two PR agency professionals aged 30 or under are from; Memac Ogilvy, MCS Action, Edelman, Grayling META, Golin MENA, H&K Strategies, Memac Ogilvy and Weber Shandwick.

On May 17, the shortlisted teams will be asked to deliver a five minute presentation explaining their PR campaign at Motivate, located in Media One, Dubai and the winning MENA team will be announced on May 19.