MenaMarketPlace partners with PubMatic

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MenaMarketPlace has partnered with US-based PubMatic, a leading programmatic advertising platform, in an exclusive relationship that brings PubMatic’s global sell side platform (SSP) technology and services to MENA advertising buyers for the first time. The new partnership aims to capitalise on the increase in advertising spend predicted in the MENA region, which will rise to $5.7 billion by 2017.

“This strategic partnership with PubMatic will help publishers take advantage of the evolving media landscape, driving clear ROI for their digital ad inventory,” says Vincent Pelillo, Managing Director, MediaMarketPlace. “Through integrating with the industry-leading software automation platform that PubMatic provides, we have created the first premium programmatic marketplace for MENA publishers and media buyers.”

Rob Jonas, Chief Revenue Officer at PubMatic adds, “The catalyst for our expansion to the MENA region has been the tremendous publisher demand for the PubMatic platform across EMEA. MenaMarketPlace provides significant value to publishers looking to take more control of their digital ad inventory. Local and global ad networks, DSPs, trading desks and agency holding groups will now be able to reach targeted audiences in a premium online environment.”

The PubMatic One Platform technology includes Yield Optimisation and real-time bidding-based functionality, offering an automated and transparent solution to publishers and media buyers. Additionally, PubMatic’s platform innovation will include solutions that are expected to become increasingly relevant as the programmatic advertising market matures in the MENA region. These solutions include – audience and data management platform capabilities, as well as private marketplace functionalities that are already in place.

Harper’s Bazaar Arabia fashion partner of DIFF

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Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, published by ITP Publishing, has partnered with Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) as the festival’s official fashion partner to create the Bazaar Best Dressed Studio, uniting the worlds of film and fashion.

From December 10-17, the most stylish attendees at DIFF screenings, premieres and official parties will be invited into Harper Bazaar’s bespoke studio, located next to the red carpet at Madinat Jumeirah, where they will be photographed for an exclusive, dedicated pull-out section in the magazine’s January collector’s edition showcasing the most stylish looks worn on the DIFF red carpet.

“DIFF has a fantastic track record in bringing cinematic talent to Dubai,” says Louise Nichol, Editor-In-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. “And now, as the region’s leading fashion publication, Harper’s Bazaar will be harnessing the glamour and style of the event by shining an international spotlight on the red carpet.”

Taking place in partnership with Harvey Nichols – Dubai, the initiative will elevate the profile of the film festival’s glamorous attendees and red carpet style.

The content shot during the festival in the Bazaar Best Dressed Studio will feature heavily in the printed January issue of Harper’s Bazaar, with video content on the iPad edition and daily updates on social media.

Signé magazine set to go monthly

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Signé magazine – owned by Ad Maiora Media – is increasing its frequency from six to 10 issues per year starting from January 2015. Signé will now be available in stores on the 1st of every month, with the exception of July and August. Signé was first launched in September 2013 with an emphasis on style, design and researched editorial content, and the new monthly editions will give readers the opportunity to keep up with the evolving world of men’s luxury lifestyle.

“After an amazing first year, it’s a real pleasure for us to answer the market’s call to see Signé more often!” says Daniel Giacometti, Managing Director, Ad Maiora Media. “With 42,000 more copies a year, the other major change for 2015 is that we will be using a wood-free recycled paper in our publication to greatly reduce our footprint on the environment.”

Last issue of Good Housekeeping ME to hit stands

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The publication of Good Housekeeping Middle East is officially being brought to a close after the December issue. Launched December 1, 2011, Good Housekeeping Middle East has brought the latest tried and tested advice on fashion, beauty, food and home from across the region. Backed by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and Good Housekeeping Seal, the publication has had a monthly circulation of 15,000 copies distributed throughout the UAE and GCC under Editor-in-Chief Lena ter Laare.

 

 

Active announces results of Digital Trends Report

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PR and communications agency Hotwire and Active PR have announced the launch of the first Digital Trends Report 2014 for the Middle East region. The first dedicated Digital Trends Report for the Middle East comprises of eight key trends for the region when it comes to digital communications, with this year’s theme for the report centred on ‘The Year of Reflection’. Main highlights of 2014, as well as what organisations, brands and technophiles should be looking forward to in 2015 are covered. The Digital Trends Report will be published annually.

The eight digital trends for 2014 are as follows –

  1. Politics finds its voice: Active and Hotwire take it back to 2011, when we were getting started with social media. As the younger Arab generation comes of age politically and the region continues its transition from autocracy and dynasty to representative government, the impact of social media will have a permanent political impact, perhaps more than in any other region.
  2. Social media in school: Whose responsibility is it to educate children on the pros and cons of social media? Should social media education be added to the curriculum? These are questions we expect to be raised more in 2014 and beyond.
  3. Cultural sensitivity: Communications in the Middle Eastern region is a different ballgame from the West, so how do you express opinions or communicate on social media without breaking the law or common courtesy? This chapter highlights what the rules and protocols are when communicating publicly on social media and what private users and organisations should be aware of.
  4. Death of anonymity: How safe is our personal information online? What should or shouldn’t we share?
  5. Data for the moment: How did brands leverage Dubai’s bid for Expo 2020 to their own benefit? Were they creative while doing so? This report looks at how brands should understand their social data and base their social media campaigns on that.
  6. From customers to consumers: It is likely that customer service teams and community management will merge in 2014/2015. Customer service teams will lose their reputation for starched-collar-stuffiness, while community managers will gain authority to act on behalf not just of the brand, but also of the organisation.
  7. Digitisation of retail: Frictionless digital technology has the potential to delete the middleman. We expect to see retailers move upstream and become content and product manufacturers, and downstream to own mobile and television.
  8. But how much? The upcoming year will be a breakthrough year for campaign measurement and in the establishment of standards for measuring social media focused activity.

“We’re very excited to present our first Digital Trends Report for the Middle East,” says Fatima el Malki, Digital Communications Manager, Active PR. “Through many interactions and conversations with our clients and fellow specialists in the fields of communications, public affairs and technology, we noticed a lack of thought leadership focused on digital. Reading reports and articles comprising of various percentages on social media behaviour are educational, but our report focuses on how to leverage on these trends as a brand or communications professional.”

Sawsan Ghanem, Editor of the report and Managing Partner at Active PR adds, “Digital is literally changing the way we all look at things and the way we behave. The Digital Trends Report 2014 is designed to provide a taste and insight into how much of an impact digital communications has on society, both worldwide and in the Middle East.”

DABO & CO Founders win at Gulf Capital SME Awards

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Lucy and Camilla d’Abo, Founders of integrated communications agency DABO & CO have been named joint Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2014 Gulf Capital SME Awards, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the UAE small and medium business community. In addition to the entrepreneurial sisters’ success, DABO & CO were Highly Commended in the DHL People & Culture of the Year award – an acknowledgement of the company’s ongoing focus on talent and nod to the positive work environment it has created.

“As we celebrate DABO & CO’s 10th anniversary this year, we are extremely proud of what we have built and of the amazing people that have contributed to the success of the company,” says Camilla d’Abo, Managing Partner, DABO & CO. “We hope that our win will inspire other small and medium business entrepreneurs to follow their passions and to explore the array of opportunities that are available within the UAE.”

Lucy d’Abo, Managing Partner of DABO & CO adds, “It is an honour for us to have won the Entrepreneur of the Year award, alongside all of the other inspirational individuals that take pride in building successful businesses.”

Now in its third year, the Gulf Capital SME Awards recognises the success of companies committed to growth and innovation in business across the UAE. A total of 11 award category winners were lauded this year, with accolades including Gulf Capital Business of the Year, Emirati Business of the Year and RSA Startup Business of the Year.

Cheil Worldwide buys stake in Iris Worldwide

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Cheil Worldwide has reached a deal to buy an unspecified stake in Iris Worldwide, a London-based international agency network with clients including Samsung, Shell, Adidas, Barclaycard and Domino’s. While Iris joins Cheil in a strategic partnership, both will continue to operate as separate entities for the time being.

Although both companies have declined to reveal terms of the deal, Cheil has made a significant initial investment, with the potential to acquire the business in its entirety within the next five years. Iris’ partnership with US media company Merideth – which has held a 15-25 percent stake since 2011 – will now come to a close as a result of this new acquisition.

“Our goal was to find the right partner who could match our determination and drive,” says Daiki Lim, President and Chief Executive, Cheil Worldwide. “We’ve watched with awe how Iris has built its global business and we are delighted to have this opportunity to work with their brand.”

Ian Millner, Iris’ joint Chief Executive adds, “We’re about to enter the most exciting chapter for Iris. The partnership won’t change who we are or what we do as a creative innovation network – but will extend our global reach and capabilities, and enable our clients and people to benefit from the huge opportunity presented by a true ‘East meets West’ and ‘West meets East’ network.”

Cheil Worldwide currently employs 5,000 staff in 48 offices and eight affiliate offices. Iris Worldwide has more than 1,000 employees across 17 offices worldwide.

Exponential announces results of mobile research

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Digital advertising intelligence company Exponential Interactive has revealed its results of the research conducted into what people in the Middle East’s choice of mobile phone brand says about them, and how this can be used for marketing and advertising techniques.

Exponential Interactive conducted an analysis of the anonymous online behaviour of 1.1 million people in the Middle East and North Africa during the third quarter of 2014, researching mobile phones to compare the strongest – or most ‘over-indexing’ – interests across topics which include film, cars, travel and shopping.

Of the five brands measured, the results of the research found that Apple is the only one more likely to appeal to women, while Samsung, BlackBerry, Nokia and LG are all more likely to be of interest to men. Geographically, Abu Dhabi residents are the most likely to be interested in Apple, whilst Dubai residents are the most likely to be interested in BlackBerry.

As confidence in e-commerce increases across the region, LG owners are leading the way as the most likely to make purchases on a mobile phone, while Apple owners are the least likely.

“The research throws up challenges to stereotypes and interesting reinforcements about the type of people who own different phone brands,” says Amer Attyeh, Regional Business Head for the Middle East and North Africa, Exponential Interactive. “For instance, iPhone owners were perceived as the young trendsetters but they’re actually the most likely to be into golf, fishing and looking at home insurance – things generally associated with older demographics. More practically, this type of data helps companies advertise more effectively. For instance, it shows Apple would do well to use rap and hip hop music in marketing activity. Meanwhile, sponsoring BMW-related events could pay dividends for Nokia. As The Hunger Games scores highly among people interested in LG, the brand might consider using star Jennifer Lawrence in marketing activity.”

Integral-OMG publishes paper on mobile devices

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Integral-OMG, the research arm of Omnicom Media Group MENA, has partnered with specialist digital marketing agency Resolution and Google to produce a comprehensive mobile white paper, ‘Upward Mobility: Reflecting on the Growth of Mobile in MENA.’

Integral-OMG’s research shows that an average smartphone user in the region currently spends upwards of four hours per day on these devices. Google reports that consumers in the UAE have an average of three internet-enabled devices and that mobile devices account for 50 percent of YouTube viewership in Saudi Arabia. Advertisers are regarding it more and more as a valuable medium with plans for greater investments; by 2020, Omnicom Media Group estimates that 58 percent of all digital investments in the region will be on mobile.

‘Upward Mobility’ provides further insights on consumer behavior around the device, the emergence of the second screen in television consumption and the rise of the mobile transactions in the region. While there is a lag, both globally and regionally, between users’ adoption of the medium and that of advertisers and publishers, this gap is being bridged over time. The paper outlines what changes need to take place for all parties to realise the full potential of this ubiquitous platform.

“Our latest white paper takes a closer look at the state of mobile in the region and analyses the implications on the communications industry,” says Ziad Skaff, Regional Executive Director – Research and Insights, Omnicom Media Group MENA. “It not only goes beyond the top-line penetration and usage figures, but also explores the behaviours of users, advertisers and publishers. Mobile devices will continue to transform the way we target and communicate with consumers. In order to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the media, the mindset of the industry has to similarly evolve.”

Wassim Kabbara, Head of E-commerce, Retail and Local at Google MENA adds, “The region has one of the highest number of smartphone users in the world. With more than half of search queries and YouTube views coming from mobile, and 90 percent of users who are online daily on their devices, the opportunities are endless. One of our top priorities in MENA is to help businesses become mobile leaders in their own right, offer best practices and help them innovate through this medium beyond just advertising.”

Submissions close for Sharjah Govt Comms Award

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Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) has closed submissions for the second edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award. The awards recognise the achievements of outstanding media and communications professionals across government institutions in the UAE. The award incentivises government communication professionals to implement best practices in their daily operations and proactively contribute with ideas for the improvement of their departments that in turn facilitate efficient communication with Sharjah’s residents. The submissions are currently being subjected to a preliminary evaluation process.

“The initial screening of submissions has begun and will conclude at the end of November,” says Asma Al Juwaied, Manager, Sharjah Government Communication Award 2014. “For this edition of the Award, SMC has commissioned a carefully selected team to oversee the quality of entries and ensure they comply to our stringent terms and conditions. In the second phase of the evaluation process, the selection committee will nominate three to five submissions from each category. The shortlisted entries will be presented to the jury panel for the final evaluation and selection of the ultimate winner in each category.”

This year’s Sharjah Government Communications Award has witnessed wide participation from ministries, federal institutions and local government entities, with many of the federal and local authorities submitting entries to more than one category.

The winners will be announced at an official ceremony that will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, during the first quarter of 2015.