CARMA makes new acquisition

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Global media intelligence agency CARMA has acquired strategic communications consultancy, Argento Strategies. The new acquisition will see CARMA expand and restructure its media analysis capabilities as well as incorporate well-curated research to deliver accurate and relevant client insights. The acquisition will also see the Founder of Argento Strategies, Fares Ghniem, join CARMA as Managing Director, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in corporate affairs and working with public and private sector clients across the GCC.

“CARMA is distinctive in that it not only provides the tools to monitor and capture information, but also the critical thinking needed to interpret the data and convert it into actionable insights,” says Fares Ghneim, Managing Director, CARMA. “I very much look forward to working with CARMA’s team of analysts to build and expand the company’s offering in this area.”

Cicero & Bernay expands operations in the GCC

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Public relations consultancy, Cicero & Bernay (C&B) has signed a new affiliation with Bahrain-based public relations agency, Daily Public Relations (Daily PR) and Oman-based boutique marketing and communications agency, ProComms as part of its expansion plan into the GCC. The new strategic partnership will see both regional agencies enhance C&B’s presence and grow its client portfolio across the GCC by providing PR services and strategies, as well as on-ground support and development of targeted communication to cater to the growing markets in Bahrain and Oman.

“Daily PR and ProComms both share C&B’s ethos – delivering tailored and impactful communication services for clients – and we look forward to working closely with them to deliver even more comprehensive and targeted programmes,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero & Bernay. “By sharing complementary insights, we will enrich C&B’s already highly effective delivery across both of its markets and the wider MENA region.”

Dentsu Aegis and M21 form new partnership

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Dentsu Aegis Network has appointed full service agency, Media 21 (M21) as its exclusive partner and representative in Oman. The partnership will see M21 offer communication services such as media planning and buying, creative, events, media production, digital and social media to Dentsu Aegis’s clients in Oman. The new appointment will also serve as a part of Dentsu Aegis’s expansion plan to offer its communication solutions to its clients across the region.

“This partnership is another important step in continuing our expansion across the Middle East,” says Ramzi Haddad, Managing Director – Emerging Markets, Dentsu Aegis Network. “M21’s extensive experience and understanding of the media landscape in Oman and breath of services makes them the perfect partner. We are confident that we will begin to see significant growth in ad spends in Oman – particularly in the digital space, so we want to make sure we are ready.”

Saffron Media closes

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Dubai-based media company, Saffron Media Works has ceased operations following the closure of all its magazine titles. With the last issue of its titles published in January 2017, Saffron Media Works have finalised the closure and distribution of Saffron, Femina, Filmfare and Salt ‘n’ Peppa magazines across the UAE.

Vogue Arabia launches in the Middle East

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Global media company, Conde Nast has launched Vogue Arabia’s first print issue, available for sale from March 5, 2017, across the MENA region. Following its digital launch in October, the March issue will be published in English with a prominent Arabic section that aims to reach and engage the diversity of readers across the region. The new issue also features supermodel, Gigi Hadid on the magazine’s cover and is titled ‘Reorienting Perceptions’ in English and ‘An Eye on the East’ in Arabic.

“Vogue Arabia is a magazine with the authority and insight needed to capture the creativity of a distinctive, evolving and often misrepresented part of the world,” says Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Arabia.

BPA announces concurrent release of audience metrics

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Global assurance provider BPA Worldwide has announced the concurrent release of audience metrics for 24 consumer magazines, 14 business publications and four newspapers in the Middle East, for the six-month period that ended on December 30, 2016. The top-line figures in the Trend Report About Circulation (TRAC) cover media with operations in the UAE and Bahrain. Included in the report are the headline average qualified circulations and other channels, including web traffic ‘average unique browser’, social media and apps downloads from the most recent December 2016-ending BPA brand reports.

The full concurrent release report can be accessed under news releases on www.bpaww.com

PHD expands regional network

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Dubai-based media and communications agency, PHD has launched its operations in Lebanon as a part of its regional expansion plan. With an office in Beirut, PHD will bring its expertise and working methods to manage the interest of its clients across Lebanon and the Levant region. The new launch will also see the appointment of Maroun Hassoun to the role of General Manager, PHD Lebanon to oversee the team and report to Elda Choucair, CEO of PHD MENA.

“Having spent my entire career in the marketing industry, I can say that I have watched the rise of PHD with awe,” says Maroun. “I feel an equal sense of responsibility in maintaining and developing this mindset and excitement about the opportunity to tangibly make a difference in a market I know so well.”

Sayidaty launches AboutHer.co

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Women’s magazine Sayidaty has launched AboutHer.co – an English language lifestyle platform that aims to provide relevant content to women globally, covering a wealth of diverse topics. The website will focus on the triumphs and challenges of women in the region and will feature reports, advice, interviews and news on celebrities, nutrition, fashion, beauty and décor trends.

“AboutHer.co is the result of a lot of research and several studies, which reveal there is a need to portray Arab women in a different, more realistic light, underlining all the ups and downs and highs and lows,” says Mohammad Al-Harthi, Editor-in-Chief, AboutHer.co, Sayidaty and Al-Jamila. “It plays a leading role in Sayidaty’s broader, intercultural dialog and is a pillar in the Sayidaty global initiative that aims to promote diversity.”