TechRadar expands into the Middle East

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Global technology platform, TechRadar has partnered with regional technology brand, Tbreak as a part of its expansion into the Middle East. The partnership will see both brands combine their resources to publish content to a wider audience with a name rebrand of its platform to TechRadar.com. The agreement will also see TechRadar’s existing editorial team work closely with the Tbreak team to provide their audience with a blend of globally relevant industry coverage and product reviews, alongside local news and insight specifically tailored to the region to strengthen their existing and global reach.

“We are very excited with this new partnership,” says Abbas Jaffar Ali, Director, Tbreak Media. “TechRadar is a highly-respected brand and with their expertise, we are looking to take technology journalism to a whole new level in the Middle East.”

Pinpoint Media Group makes new acquisition

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Dubai-based media company, Pinpoint Media Group has acquired the complete publishing and online roster of Edgar, Altitude and Yachts magazines. The acquisition of the luxury lifestyle titles, previously owned by LuxMedia Middle East, will enable Pinpoint Media Group to reach a new group of readers and commercial entities in print, while also expanding an online presence in line with the company’s strategic goals in the region.

“The acquisition of LuxMedia Middle East’s publishing assets allows us to offer our clients a broader portfolio suited to a wider range of brands under their control,” says Darren Hodgkin, Chief Executive Officer, Pinpoint Media Group. “Edgar, Altitudes and Yachts have built solid reputations in both the GCC and globally, and each will complement our existing roster in their own right. I look forward to developing the titles further, expanding the successful events program and growing the digital presence of each masthead in line with the overall vision of our modern day global publishing house.”

Hopscotch reveals survey on Global Women in PR

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Hopscotch has revealed the results of its survey by PR and communications body, Global Women in PR (GWPR). The survey which aimed to show the status of women in the workplace and the industry as a whole, highlighted flexible hours as an advantage that has lead to efficiency while, the lack of confidence to demand pay rise being a major cause for gender pay gap. The study was conducted with a sample size of 757 respondents working in the PR industry from across 19 countries. Following the research findings, Hopscotch also launches new monthly series, Career Clinics to increase skills and provide a platform for women to network.

“On launching Hopscotch 18 months ago, we quickly realised that sourcing flexible work for women was only half the battle,” says Helen McGuire, Co-Founder, Hopscotch. “Ensuring women follow a path to senior management and building confidence is key to reducing the gap, but we need those women in the workforce in the first place and in the UAE, the employment rate of women is less than half the global average.”

Bloomberg Al Arabiya launches across the region

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Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), publishers of Arab News, has signed an agreement with Bloomberg. The agreement will see the launch of Bloomberg Al Arabiya, a new multi-platform Arabic business and financial news service that aims to provide Arabic-speaking audiences around the world with news on various topics that shape the Middle East and help them as they make key business decisions. 

“We are very pleased with this promising partnership with Bloomberg,” says His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah Al Saud, Chairman, SRMG. “In addition to the many business opportunities this collaboration brings, we believe the partnership will greatly enhance the media landscape in our region. This is an exciting development for SRMG and a strong progression in our quest to offer the highest quality financial and business journalism from and about the Middle East.”

Cicero and Bernay expands into the MENA region

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Public relations consultancy, Cicero and Bernay (C&B) has signed a strategic affiliation with Sudanese-based company, Katia International as a part of its expansion plan into the MENA region. The partnership will see C&B build on its expertise in the Sudanese market through the provision of PR services, on-ground support and development of targeted communications as well as PR strategies that caters to the region. The affiliation will also see Katia International lend C&B important insights while it expands its regional influence and ensure both companies collaboratively exchange best practices to further professional development.

“This is part of our wider strategy to enhance our MENA presence by expanding to all Arabic speaking countries, strongly building a regional and global network of communication experts, offering our services to multinational corporations, and increasing our diverse portfolio of clients,” says Maysa-Jana Atoui, Director of Business Development, C&B.

Grey Group makes new acquisition

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Global communications agency, Grey Group has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in hug digital, an independent digital marketing agency. The acquisition aims to provide additional benefits from the digital technology and local expertise of hug digital to Grey Group’s clients from across the globe. The acquisition will also see Oussama Jamal and Tim Baker continue to lead the operations of hug digital as Chairman and CEO respectively, whilst working closely with Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO of Grey Group Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, to set the overall strategic digital growth plan for the region.

“Grey Group’s acquisition of hug digital enhances our leadership position in the MENA creative and digital space,” says Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO, Grey Group Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. “It underscores Grey’s commitment to expand our offerings and deliver quality, value-added services to our clients.”

LexisNexis expands coverage into the MENA region

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Content and technology solutions company, LexisNexis has signed a content agreement with information provider company, Diligencia as a part of its expansion plan into the Middle East and North Africa. The new agreement will see both companies combine source materials to expand company coverage across the MENA region. The partnership also aims to address challenges organisations face when conducting business intelligence investigations on companies by providing corporate profiles that would enable them to map ownership structures, identify related holdings and subsidiaries as well as investments of corporate entities across the region.

“LexisNexis continues to proactively develop strategic content agreements to support the changing requirements of our customers,” says Mark Dunn, Segment Leader, Entity Due Diligence and Monitoring, LexisNexis. “We are pleased to further enhance our content coverage to help our customers mitigate their changing regulatory, financial, reputational and strategic risks.”

Arab News makes global structural changes

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Saudi Arabian-based newspaper, Arab News has launched two new bureaus in Europe and Asia as a part of its global, digital expansion plan. The new launch has been followed by the appointment of Baker Atyani to the role of Southeast Asia Bureau Chief, who brings with him experience in journalism, having covered stories on conflict zones in the region and previously worked with Al Arabiya as Bureau Chief – Asia, and most recently as its Senior International Correspondent. In his new role, he will spearhead Arab News’ coverage of Asia across print, online and video with a particular focus on India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Arab News’ digital expansion will also see the promotion of Ben Flanagan to the role of London Bureau Chief. With 16 years of experience working on national newspapers and news portals, Ben most recently held the position of Senior Editor at Arab News. He will now take on his new role to lead the operations of the new bureau in London and cover the UK and Europe from an Arab perspective, with a particular focus on politics, business and investment to serve as a digital hub for the newspaper.

“The new bureaus support the newspaper’s ‘more digital, more global’ strategy,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “It is a great pleasure for us to have these two exceptionally experienced and incredibly capable journalists heading up our crucial Asia and UK operations. This inevitably adds much value to our readers who will be sure to get the best relevant content and stories from across these regions.”

Arabian Business barred over false news

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Arabian Business has been barred for a month following the publication of false news. The weekly business magazine and online publication published by ITP Media Group will now be inaccessible in the UAE following a statement released by the Dubai Media Office. It is stated that the title published a factually incorrect story, which was subsequently reported in Qatari media outlets, relating to the liquidation of real estate projects in Dubai. The magazine will now face a temporary ban on its print publication and its digital platform will be blocked for a month

Compareit4me.com takes on new brand identity

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Middle East comparison site, compareit4me.com has rebranded as yallacompare.com to reflect its new identity and expansion plan in the region. The site’s rebrand aims to align itself with the Middle Eastern market with a brand name that pays homage to the region and become the go-to resource for regional consumers looking to save money on everything from insurance to telecoms package. The rebrand will also be followed by an expansion into Saudi Arabia and the opening of a permanent office in Riyadh as well as the launch of its online insurance comparison services to consumers in Egypt.

“When we first started the company, we had no idea that it would become the business that it is today,” says Jon Richards, CEO, yallacompare.com.  “Our success outside of the UAE is what’s informed our decision to create a brand that better represents our English and Arabic-speaking customers. Today, we compare everything from personal loans to flight tickets, we’re the largest insurance aggregator in the Middle East by a considerable margin and we’re active in nine markets across the region.”