Danone announces media agency pitch

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For the first time, three of Danone’s business units – Al Safi Danone, Danone Nutricia and Danone Waters – are to consolidate their respective media planning and buying within the Middle East region by appointing one media agency. Havas Media, Mindshare MENA and Initiative MENA are the agencies which have been invited to take part in the media pitch, which will be held October 29 – 30, 2014, in Dubai.

The media agency review will have a clear strategic ambition – to select an agency partner that will help the three Danone businesses to move from a purely broadcast model to a greater engagement model over the coming years. Danone aims to ensure that its media investments reflect the changes in the media landscape by collaborating with a strategic partner who will provide leadership in digital media, integrated strategic planning and value creation.

Serviceplan ME to hold Competence Circle event

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Serviceplan Middle East, an integrated corporate communications agency, is set to hold its inaugural Competence Circle event in the region. Established by the Serviceplan Group in Germany, the aim of the Competence Circle is to create a platform for marketing, sales and PR professionals – B2B and B2C – to benefit from discussions around the industry’s most relevant and emerging topics.

The Serviceplan Middle East Competence Circle will take place on October 29, 2014, from 1pm – 5.30pm, and will be held at the Arjaan Rotana in Media City, Dubai.

Speakers for the inaugural event include – Eleni Kitra, Agency Partner MEAP, Facebook; Alfonso de Gaetano, Agency and Branding Leader MENA for Google and Florian Gmeinwieser, Managing Director of Plan.Net Mobile.

The Serviceplan Middle East Competence Circle will focus on the revolution of social media in the Middle Eastern region since the Arab spring, and will address the following questions – What does this revolution mean for brands and their marketing decision makers? What can brands expect from social media channels? What is the outlook? Where do the channels see the biggest potential for brand building? How does this region differ from the rest of the world?

“I’m really looking forward to welcoming our notable speakers to the first ever Serviceplan Middle East Competence Circle,” says Rami Hmadeh, Managing Partner, Serviceplan Middle East. “It’s the Serviceplan Group’s most successful platform for gathering industry experts to tackle imminent trends and equips marketers and brand managers with new insights to build best brands. Hundreds of such professionals have benefited from these circles in Europe, and we would like to do the same and give back to the media professionals in Dubai who steer both big and emerging brands in the region.”

Women’s Health ME announces Next Fitness Star

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Women’s Health Middle East, in association with the National Health Insurance Company – Daman and their ActiveLife initiative, has announced the winner of the region’s first campaign for the Next Fitness Star. In a search for the UAE’s ultimate fitness personality, the title has been awarded to Heba Abel Gawad, who was selected by readers from among five finalists during a two-month online voting campaign and workout series. Heba, 32, from Egypt and Spain, is a former two-time Olympic athlete, NeuroPilates instructor and fitness educator who specialises in targeting the brain and nervous system to get the most out of the body. Heba is starring in her own fitness DVD, which will be given away with the next issue of Women’s Health Middle East – out on October 1, 2014.

“We are so thrilled to announce Heba as Women’s Health Middle East’s Next Fitness Star!” says Yi-Hwa Hanna, Editor-in-Chief, Women’s Health Middle East. “All of the finalists were amazing candidates and it was an exciting and tough competition, but we can’t wait to share Heba’s incredible workout with the region. She’s an inspiration.”

Heba, the Next Fitness Star winner adds, “This competition has been an amazing opportunity for me to be a part of, and I feel very grateful and supported by everyone who voted for me. It’s a great honour to be part of the movement in the Middle East to promote a healthy lifestyle, and it’s been really great meeting the four other finalists who are all stars.”

Hospitality Business Middle East launches redesign

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CPI Media Group has announced a fresh new look and expanded editorial scope for Hospitality Business Middle East magazine. Renamed HBME, the magazine will diversify its editorial focus from the business of hotels to the business of tourism across the GCC.

HBME will now report on the business of hospitality as both a pillar of Arabic culture and a vital economic driver, whilst including greater analysis on the factors driving hotel performance – from destination development to global political, social and economic trends. Specific attention will be paid to the hotel, F&B, aviation, cruise, leisure and corporate tourism markets, with the same data, commentary and industry interviews readers have enjoyed over the previous 29 editions of the title.

The structure of the magazine will comprise of the following –

  • Data: The latest benchmarking, analysis and performance metrics in collaboration with partners STR Global, Colliers International, EY and UNWTO among others
  • Procurement: Product news from the industry’s top brands and in-depth supplier profiles each month
  • Design and Technology: The latest innovations in IT, architecture and interiors, and how they are being utilised in the hospitality industry
  • Development and Investment: With emphasis on the pre-opening stage of a hospitality asset
  • Analysis: In-depth on market feasibility and the impact of new social and economic trends
  • Operations: Behind the scenes with business leaders and operational and corporate managers
  • Trend Talk: Submitted content from HBME’s editorial contributors and industry analysts

“The hospitality industry contributes 10 percent towards global GDP and in the Middle East the World Travel and Tourism Council predicts an 89 percent increase in annual travel and tourism revenues over the coming decade,” says Melanie Mingas, Editor, HBME. “This exponential growth will benefit both the leisure and business sectors, which are predicted to see a 100 percent increase in activity and revenues over the same period. Infrastructure and accommodation investments will hit $3trillion in the Middle East and the region’s airlines will buy 870 aircraft by 2027. So it’s vital that, as a central reference point for the hospitality industry, HBME is poised to cover these developments and their impact on GCC hotel performance.”

Myfashdiary undergoes redesign

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Myfashdiary.com is undergoing a full revamp to celebrate its fifth birthday, inclusive of a new logo and sleek new design. Set to go live fully Saturday September 27, 2014, Founder Tala Samman has pushed for a design refresh of the renowned UAE-based platform and created greater ease in browsing through the categories on the site, from fashion and beauty, to travel and food.

“This is such an important milestone for myfashdiary.com to turn five years old!” says Tala, Founder and Editor, Myfashdiary. “The is an exciting new step for the site and I look forward to releasing our revamp soon.”

Four Communications to acquire Consolidated PR

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Four Communications, part of the Four Communications Group, has made an offer to acquire 100 percent of Consolidated PR Limited, the UK public relations brand. The offer has been recommended by the board of Consolidated PR and more than 90 percent of shareholders have already agreed. The deal is expected to be completed successfully sometime in early October, 2014.

With the addition of Consolidated PR, Four Communications Group’s fee income would reach up to £15.5 million. Nick Clark, Managing Director of Consolidated PR would join the Four Communications Group operating Board, and Directors Will Holt, Elspeth Rothwell, Liz Fay and Anne Clarke would become Practice Directors. Upon completion, Consolidated PR would initially retain its brand whilst the companies plan for the future.

“We are please to make this offer to the shareholders of Consolidated PR and look forward to the completion of the deal as the next step in both our futures,” says Nan Williams, Chief Executive, Four Communications Group. “Consolidated PR is an excellent fit alongside our other communications teams and does exceptional work for their list of clients.”

Nick Clark, Managing Director of Consolidate PR adds, “We believe the future of communications is integrated and international, so by joining Four Communications we are opening up those opportunities for our clients and people. The board has unanimously voted to recommend this future to shareholders.”

Six weeks left to enter for 2014 MEPRA Awards

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There are six weeks left to submit entries for the 2014 Middle East Public Relations (MEPRA) Awards. With the submission deadline scheduled for midnight on October 9, 2014, the finalists will be announced on November 2. Sponsored by Mubadala and Fabric as the Platinum and Gold sponsors respectively, the awards will be announced on November 26 at an awards ceremony and gala dinner held at the Westin Hotel Mina Seyahi in Dubai.

Entries for the awards are welcomed from businesses and individuals operating in the public relations sector across the Middle East. This year, thirteen best practice categories and three team categories are available, split into Sectors & Services, People & Agency and Techniques, with two awards not open to entries – Overall Campaign of the Year and Chairman’s Award – Contribution to the PR profession in the Middle East.

For more information and to register, visit www.mepra.org/en/awards/

Arab Woman Awards Qatar 2014 judges revealed

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For the third consecutive year, Arab Woman Awards will pay tribute to the high achieving women of Qatar. Launched by ITP Publishing Group in 2009, the Arab Woman Awards recognises Arab women’s achievements in different fields of business, arts, medicine and charity. The 2014 Awards will by hosted by Al Jazeera Anchor, Fairouz Ziani, and will take place on October 20, 2014, at the Intercontinental Doha – The City.

This year’s judges board members will be chaired by Bothaina Al Ansari, HR Director for Ooredoo and Board Member of the Qatar Businesswomen Association, and include Dr. Elman Al Ansari, Director of National Development at Sidra Medical and Research Centre; Mishael Al Ansari, Marketing and Communication Director at Anti-Doping Lab Qatar; Aisha Al Bedded, Creative Director for DarzDesigns; Amal al Athem, Visual Arts Expert at Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage and Nadine El Chaer, Chief Editor of Ahlan! Arabia.

The winners of Arab Woman Awards Qatar 2014 will be announced from a shortlist selected by ITP Publishing Group, based on the nominees’ integrity, expertise in their particular field and as respected members of society. The judges board will follow a strict criteria which includes the nominees’ achievements in the past twelve months, as well as the impact of their work to Qatar.

MB Consultancy undergoes rebrand

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MB Consultancy has undergone a full rebrand, inclusive of a name change to Boguslavsky & Co. Having first established in South Africa in 2011, the agency will now specialise in digital strategy for businesses – primarily startups and SMEs – with the full redesign including a new name, logo, positioning and new website – www.boguslavskyandco.com.

“We’re still offering the same level of service and commitment,” says Marianna Boguslavsky, Digital Strategist and Managing Director, Boguslavsky &Co. “But we have made some exciting strategic investments that will benefit both our current and future clients, by investing in a premium consumer trends data service, digital analytics tools and hiring new talent in the digital field.”

Nominations open for BBC Good Food ME Awards 2014

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Nominations are now open for the fifth annual BBC Good Food Middle East Awards. The nomination phase will run until September 30, 2014, with two new categories added to the list – Best Sustainable Restaurant and Best Food Blogger – taking the total number of awards to 35. Nominations can be made at www.bbcgoodfoodme.com/awards/2014.

Categories for the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards 2014 include:

FINE DINING: Restaurant of the Year Dubai, Restaurant of the Year Abu Dhabi,  Best New Restaurant Dubai (opened on or after January 2014),   Best New Restaurant Abu Dhabi (opened on or after January 2014), Restaurant of the Year – Doha, Qatar – NEW Category, Chef of the Year, Best European, Best Asian, Best Contemporary British,Best Latin American, Best Indian, Best Middle Eastern, Best Steakhouse, Best Brunch, Best Italian, Best Seafood and Best Experiential Dining Venue (an outlet that offers a unique entertainment experience along with great food)

CASUAL DINING: Best International, Best Indian, Best Asian, Best Middle Eastern and Best Café

INGREDIENTS: Favourite Supermarket, Favourite Speciality Food Store/Market, Favourite Brand for Store Cupboard Items, Favourite Dairy Brand, Favourite Olive Oil Brand, Favourite Tea Brand, Favourite Coffee Brand and Favourite Juice Brand

ACCESSORIES: Favourite Large Kitchen Appliance Brand, Favourite Small Kitchen Appliance Brand and Favourite Tableware Store

NEW CATEGORIES: Best Sustainable Restaurant and Best Food Blogger

The awards ceremony will take place on January 28, 2015, with a venue yet to be confirmed.