Cicero & Bernay expands into Turkey

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Public relations consultancy, Cicero & Bernay has signed a new affiliation with Turkey-based PR and social media agency, Miya PR & SM, to expand its operations to Turkey. The affiliation will see both parties combine their strength and capabilities to shape and deliver creative communication strategies, as well as collaborate on client projects and new business efforts across the region.

“This partnership empowers both of our agencies to provide high-quality communication campaigns in a key market at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and we are delighted to offer our clients enhanced PR capability that an affiliation with C&B brings,” says Burcu Meriç Durak, Founder, Miya PR & SM. “I believe that our understanding and insights perfectly complement each other and that through our combined efforts we will deliver the best-in-class communication campaigns for our clients.”

ITP Publishing Group reveals new identity

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Following the launch of ITP Live in November 2016, the Dubai-based publishing house has rebranded as ITP Media Group. With its growth in print, digital and event divisions, the new title and logo aims to identify the firm as a 360° content creation agency with a multi-platform approach to its publications and events.

“With more than 85 media brands, all with print, digital, video and social platforms, publishing is only part of what we do,” says Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group. “It’s therefore essential that we reflect this in our corporate identity. Along with the continual evolution of our brands, we have also recently purchased a Data Management Platform (DMP) and launched ITP Live. Collectively, this will ensure that we are appropriately aligned with, and at the forefront of this digital era. Our new name, ITP Media Group reflects these offerings.”

Al Jazeera partners with Huawei

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Qatar-based media company, Al Jazeera Media Network has signed an agreement with Huawei, a global leading ICT solutions provider to enhance its online presence across all media platforms. The partnership will see Huawei provide media cloud technology allowing both parties to explore and examine the best options and solutions to transform Al Jazeera’s online platform. The new media technology will also support video production and broadcast as well as focus on digitalising and archiving the network’s analog content online.

OOX launches new mobile advertising feature

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Online advertising monitoring and intelligence company, OOXmonitor launches the Mobile Ad Monitoring feature this December as a part of its new upgrade. The new mobile advertising feature will monitor and cover the regional markets, spend estimates and the top mobile advertisers amongst other advertising insights for its users across the Middle East and North African region.

“OOXmonitor subscribers are able to generate valuable insights such as top mobile advertisers, categories, spend estimates, most popular ad units and more,” says Fouad Bedran, Co-Founder and Managing Director, OOX. “We promise to deliver more innovative solutions in 2017, just stay tuned.”

Arab Social Media Influencers Club launches

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The Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum launches the Arab Social Media Influencers Club across the Middle East. With the club’s headquarters to be located in Dubai and branches to open across the region, the club will serve as a platform for Arab social media influencers and youth to enhance their creativity and online reach as well as maximise their role and participation in the development, growth and promotion of their societies.

Connector shifts ownership

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Dubai-based media professionals, Chris Nicolaides and Sam Patel have secured the ownership of Connector Advertising DMCC. Previously owned by Lynda Poncia, the media house publishes UAE’s lifestyle and leisure title, Connector as well as a monthly city guide, Discover Dubai. With the acquisition of Connector Advertising, Chris and Sam will leave their current positions as Commercial Director at Turrett Media and dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa respectively.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed growing the Connector brand over the years,” says Lynda Poncia. “However it is now time for me to move on, and I look forward to seeing the company and the magazines continue the great relationship they have with the many readers and clients under the leadership of Chris and Sam. I am sure they will enjoy continued success and I wish them all the best for the future.”

OMD collaborates with business intelligence agency

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OMD MENA has announced an exclusive partnership with MEA-based business intelligence and research firm, Emerging Markets Intelligence and Research (EMIR). Through the partnership, OMD, part of Omnicom Media Group, aims to offer its clients effective marketing strategies and better business results with the help of market and governmental intelligence, insights and analysis.

“Our ‘Insights.Ideas.Results’ motto has always been our guiding principle and philosophy at OMD, so naturally we strive to sharpen each of these facets with the best resources available,” says Nadim Samara, CEO, OMD UAE. “Today, we operate in a world that is rich with data and insights and it’s our role, as a strategic partner to some of the world’s biggest brands, to access this intelligence and extract its value for our clients. This allows us to collectively make even more impactful decisions going forward and, ultimately, deliver better marketing performance and business results.”

Ink partners with in-flight magazine

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London-based travel media publishing company, Ink, has signed an agreement to relaunch and produce the monthly in-flight magazine, Oryx magazine for Qatar Airways. The agreement will see Ink produce a revamped edition of Oryx magazine and will be available starting from January 1, 2017, on board the Qatar Airways’ aircraft across all cabins. The revamped magazine will have a different theme every month and feature content about the Middle East as well as exclusive photographs and original story telling in both Arabic and English with an emphasis on luxury, lifestyle and travel.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Ink due to its wealth of international experience in creating the most inspiring and award-winning content today,” says Salam Al Shawa, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Qatar Airways. “The newly designed magazine will be available in all cabins and it will further elevate the on-board experience for our loyal passengers.”

Further media closures across the UAE

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Following the recent announcement that local newspaper 7days will cease operations this month, more print titles have declared closure by the end of 2016. Falling under the umbrella of the ITP Publishing Group, homegrown women’s monthly, Viva will discontinue operations after more than 11 years in publication, with their final issue on news stands now. In addition, Arab Publishing Partners’ quarterly titles Hello! Arabia and Hello! Indo Arabia have ceased publishing.

DIFF announces official fashion partner

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Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, part of ITP Publishing Group, has partnered with Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) as the festival’s official fashion partner. Located in Madinat Jumeirah, the ‘Bazaar Best Dressed Studio’ will invite the most stylish attendees of DIFF 2016 to be photographed for a dedicated online gallery and an exclusive supplement that will be included in the magazine’s January 2017 issue. Taking place from December 7-14, highlights of the festival and partnership will be shared across the publication’s social media platforms and will feature in an online film showcasing the week’s most stylish moments.