DJWE partners with BPA

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Brand experience agency, Auditoire Qatar has signed with BPA Worldwide to audit the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) to be held from February 20 – 25, 2017 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event will be open to the public and will feature over 400 international brands and local jewellery designers from across the industry. BPA will be responsible for auditing the show in 2017 and 2018 by analysing and reporting on its attendance, exhibition data, demographics, newsletters, social media and website traffic using the BPA Event Brand Report.

“We are delighted that the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition has applied for membership with BPA Worldwide and are excited that this will be the first exhibition to utilise the BPA Event Brand Report in the region,” says Glenn Hansen, President and CEO, BPA Worldwide. “We applaud Auditoire Qatar for providing exhibitors and prospects with the solid assurance of an independent attendance audit conducted according to BPA’s world-respected, uncompromising standards. With a BPA event audit, sponsors and exhibitors can be confident that audience claims are accurate and that they have the verified data that they need to assess an event’s effectiveness in serving its market.”

C&B expands MENA network

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Cicero & Bernay (C&B), part of The Publicity Network (Publinet) has signed an affiliation with Kuwait-based marketing and public relations agency, Local Flavor. Aiming to further expand its network within the MENA region, the partnership will offer the agency’s clients public and media relations services, business development capabilities and communication development tools as well as PR strategies.

“The signing of this affiliation agreement amplifies our strong capabilities throughout the MENA region in delivering comprehensive public relations and communications services,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero & Bernay. “Local Flavor and C&B each have a strong service ethos that delivers tailored client servicing and communication planning for our clientele. Our complementary insights will enrich already effective communication delivery across both of our markets and to the wider region.”

Khaled Salah Al-Sayer, Managing Partner, Local Flavor adds, “We are very pleased with this new affiliation, as it combines the strong market knowledge of both companies and the breadth of complementary services and expertise. For our clients, this affiliation will deliver increased opportunity for exposure and strengthened brand infrastructure that can be optimised across the region.”

Saudi Arabian news channel closes

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Saudi Arabian-based news channel, Al-Arab has announced the closure of its news channel after two years of operation. Launched in 2015 by Al-Waleed Bin Talal, Al-Arab will cease operations with immediate effect after being shut down from its headquarters in Bahrain.

OSN signs long-term TV content deal

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Entertainment network company, OSN has signed a long-term deal for exclusive rights to Disney Channels in the MENA region. The agreement will see OSN maintain exclusive rights and give its subscribers across the MENA region access to Disney channels including Disney XD, Disney Junior and Disney Channel HD. The long-term deal will also see subscribers gain access to soon to be launched Disney first-pay movies and the Disney Forever on Demand services.

“We continue to build on our strong collaboration with Disney through an even wider range of content that appeals to family and kids,” says Emad Morcos, Chief Content Officer, OSN. “The quality of Disney entertainment is unbeatable and the addition of more On Demand anytime and anywhere shows will offer added choices for our customers. Our long-term partnership with Disney is industry-defining as it raises the bar in home entertainment and brings even more value for our subscribers.”

Lovin Dubai expands social media reach

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Augustus, a newly launched media agency and the holding company of online guide, Lovin Dubai, has merged all its social media channels with 7DAYS UAE. Following the closure of the weekly newspaper in December 2016, Augustus has purchased the social media handles for 7DAYS UAE, which has accumulated a massive social media following across Instagram, Twitter and Facebook over the years.

“Social media plays a crucial role in how media is consumed today,” says Richard Fitzgerald, Editor, Lovin Dubai. “We are delighted to take on the profiles of 7DAYS UAE both regarding assuming a broad audience that now has a gap in their daily newsfeed and accepting the responsibilities that go along with it. It is an honour and a privilege to be able to continue the legacy of 7DAYS in a small way.”

Mark Rix, CEO, 7DAYS UAE adds, “Over the last few years, we have built a large and highly engaged audience across our social media platforms due to the high quality and unique nature of our content. We believe that Lovin Dubai will continue to inform and entertain our readers in the same spirit.”

ITP Live announces talent signings

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ITP Media Group’s new digital division, ITP Live, has announced the signing of 26 key personalities to its influencer agency, including designers, YouTube stars, business thought leaders, models, beauty ambassadors, fashionistas, an Olympian and a 15-year old sneaker aficionado. It will now represent and oversee all commercial deals for Abdulla Al Abdulla, Afra AlMarri, Aishwarya Ajit, Ali Al Jassmii, Aljuhara Sajer, AlReem Saif, Andy Scott, Elnaz Golrokh, Gehna Advani, Hala Abdallah, Hamid Fadaei, John Marques, Khalid AlAmeri, Mariam Yeya, Max Bouchard, Michel Salgado, Nadine Du Toit, Naomi D’Souza, Nina Ali, Nina Zandnia, Omar Al Busaidy, Rashid Belhasa, Rosemin Manji, Searina Abdel Kader, Zeynab El-Helw and Zoe Bowker.

“Our announcement heralds a new dawn not just for social influencers, but for the GCC media industry as a whole,” says Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group. “We are today, laying the foundations for an entirely new industry that will reshape the media landscape. Not only do we firmly believe in the power and strength of influencers, but through our own print and digital brands, developed over the last 30 years, we are uniquely placed to help them realise their full potential. This is already reflected in the quality of influencers we have signed up.”

Alia Fawad, Director, ITP Live adds, “We have been extremely selective when it comes to our initial signings as we wanted a wide range of content covered and individuals with proven levels of engagement. We have both influencers with high reach and those who are micro-influencers in their specific fields. Both are equally significant when it comes to communicating our clients’ messages to the right audience.”

ITP Live’s social influencer agency operates across the GCC and has already started working with brands including DTCM and P&G. March will see ITP Live hold its first influencer event, and the agency’s website will launch as more talent is signed.

STARZ Play signs multi-year TV content deal

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Dubai-based subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, STARZ Play has signed a multi-year agreement with Warner Bros International Television Distribution. The agreement will see Warner Bros International Television Distribution provide more premium content from Hollywood studios and give STARZ Play’s subscribers access to exclusive series and programs.

“This is a landmark deal, which adds some of the most demanded and searched for titles to our library,” says Khaled Benchouche, Senior Vice President, Programming and Acquisition, STARZ Play. “We have been successful in attracting top studios to our platform and we are delighted to work with Warner Bros International Television Distribution, which is one of the reputable names in the industry.”

Pinpoint Media Group signs media distribution deal

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Dubai-based media company, Pinpoint Media Group has signed a distribution partnership agreement with Spinneys, Waitrose and WHSmith for product placement and distribution. The partnership will see Pinpoint luxury magazines Debonair, La Femme, La Femme Arabic and Luxury SqFT take prime retail space within Spinneys and Waitrose stores across the UAE as well as dedicated stands in seven WHSmith stores across the GCC.

“We are delighted to have joined forces with such a strong GCC retail partner and are excited our luxury magazines will now be available to more shoppers across the GCC,” says Darren Hodgkin, CEO, Pinpoint Media Group. “Obviously this partnership will provide our popular and well-read titles considerably greater visibility across the region, which is something we constantly strive for.”

STARZ play signs TV content agreement

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Dubai-based subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, STARZ Play has signed an agreement with 20th Century Fox Television Distribution. The agreement will see 20th Century Fox provide TV content for STARZ Play subscribers across their platform in the Middle East and North Africa. The deal will also focus on bringing more Fox produced movies and TV series to establish their presence in TV across the region.

“We are delighted to be working with 20th Century Fox Television Distribution to bring its content to STARZ Play,” says Khaled Benchouche, Senior Vice President, Programming and Acquisition, STARZ Play. “This deal meets the rising demand for premium OTT titles and recognizes the unique opportunities available to the MENA region.”

PRCA joins hands with media intelligence firm

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The Middle-East edition of PRCA, PRCA MENA has collaborated media intelligence agency, LexisNexis. The12-month partnership aims to provide members of PRCA with the best practices and market insights as well as special offers on a range of media monitoring and analysis tools.

“LexisNexis is delighted to partner with PRCA MENA in the Middle East region,” says Jeremy Shayler, Business Development Director, LexisNexis Middle East. “This is an exciting new venture for both parties and demonstrates our joint commitment and support of the local Middle East market for public relations and communications professionals. Our relationship brings a fresh approach to the media monitoring and analysis space and will help drive world-class expertise and practice in the region. We look forward to sharing our global best practice and thought leadership with PRCA MENA and their PR agency and in-house communication professional members.”