New Editor at Villa 88

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Lifestyle magazine Villa 88, part of APP Media Group welcomes Yuvitha Naran to the role of Editor. With experience in media and journalism, Yuvitha most recently worked with Mediaquest Corp. across magazines such as Marie Claire Arabia, Haya and The Dubai Mall Magazine, where she managed the production of fashion and beauty photo shoots while also assisting with styling. In her new role, she will contribute to Villa 88’s brand development and oversee its editorial content by applying her skills to both writing and styling. She will also create content strategies for the growth of the magazine across the region.

New Editor-in-Chief at Men’s Health ME and Women’s Health ME

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ITP Media Group has appointed Danae Mercer to the role of Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Health Middle East and Women’s Health Middle East. Danae previously worked as a freelance journalist writing for CNN Travel, The Sunday Times, Afar, Shape magazine, Bloomberg Pursuits and others, and doing radio for the BBC World Service. Before freelancing, Danae was with Motivate Publishing as Editor of Jumeirah Magazine, where she oversaw publication production and worked closely with Jumeirah Group to shape the overall direction of its magazine. In her new role, she will oversee all editorial content of both titles and contribute to their brand development across the Middle East. She will also create cutting edge features to highlight the brand’s image and recognition across the region. Danae will be expanding WHME and MHME’s online brands as well.

House of Comms makes new appointment

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Dubai-based integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed Hossam Sultan to the role of Senior Social Media Manager. With over six years of dedicated social media experience, Hossam previously worked with more than 35 regional and global clients, including GoPro, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, L’Oreal, Dubai Tourism and Nakheel. In his new role, he will be will be responsible for developing creative solutions for the agency’s client social media platforms and producing data-driven insights.

“It’s impressive to witness the rapid growth of House of Comms and its capacity to compete with global giants that have been in the industry for years,” says Hossam. “It is a true testament to the hard work, passion and creativity of the team here. I’m really looking forward to this exciting new chapter in my career and growing within the agency!”

TishTash appoints new Senior Account Manager

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UAE-based marketing and PR agency, TishTash has appointed Rebecca Munns to the role of Senior Account Manager. Rebecca boasts more than nine years of experience in PR and marketing in the UK as well as the UAE, most recently as Communications Specialist with University of Wollongong in Dubai. In her new role, she will head the newly launched children and family division, TishTash Tots, and work with several of its family-focused brands such as Waterwipes, ClevaMama and Kippins.

“As a mum of a daughter who was born in Dubai, I have first-hand knowledge of the huge potential of the children and family arena in the region and I am delighted to be using my professional experience to cater exclusively to this market,” says Rebecca. “I am looking forward to working with the team at TishTash to build a division which offers a unique combination of strategic thinking along with specialist industry knowledge and expertise across the entire ecosystem of print and online media.”

Rebecca Platt joins St. Regis Doha

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St. Regis Doha has appointed Rebecca Platt to the role of Director of Marketing. With experience in the marketing, PR and digital industry, Rebecca has worked across hotels such as the Shangri-La Group, InterContinental Hotel Group and Wyndham Hotels. In her new role, she will be responsible for developing marketing strategies, and media and partnership relations while also overseeing the sales and marketing objectives.

“I am delighted to have joined the team here at this stunning property and am very excited to be part of the St. Regis family,” says Rebecca. “Although I have worked in the GCC for a number of years now I am looking forward to exploring the Doha market and driving new and exciting marketing initiatives to raise awareness of the hotel.”

ASDA’A appoints new Managing Director

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Middle East-based PR agency ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller has appointed Hassan Fattah to the role of Managing Director. With a wealth of experience in media and communications, Hassan previously worked with The National as Editor-in-Chief and most recently with Brunswick Group as a partner. In his new role, he will provide the senior counsel to regional corporate and government clients, while driving the firm’s new business and organic growth in the GCC and wider Middle East.

“I’m delighted to be joining ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller at a very exciting time for the firm and for communications in the region,” says Hassan. “ASDA’A brings deep insight and understanding of the Middle East’s political, business and cultural dynamics. That depth of knowledge, together with the firm’s scale, regional network, and seasoned team make for an unbeatable combination in the growing market for communications.”

Joe Nicolas promoted to Regional Managing Director

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MENA-based creative media agency, UM MENA has promoted Joe Nicolas to the role of Regional Managing Director. Having joined UM MENA in 2009 as Regional Director of Communications Planning and most recently, holding the position of Head of Strategy and Integration, Joe has built teams and contributed to the agency’s client success, and helped develop UM Egypt during times of economic instabilities. In his new role, he will work on the agency’s client relations and oversee its business development across the MENA region.

“I am excited to be taking over this role at one of the largest agencies in the region,” says Joe. “At a time where our region is undergoing a transformation, we have the right team, the right company culture and the right portfolio of clients to enable us to deliver great work and set new standards. I look forward to playing a major role in this and the continuing success and development of the agency in the coming years.”

Grayling Welcomes New Account Director

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Global communications firm, Grayling UAE, has appointed Lauren Ramey to the role of Account Director. With over five years of experience in strategic communications planning, international media relations and issues management, Lauren previously worked as Director of Communications Planning in the Office of the Premier of Ontario in Canada before moving to the GCC and most recently worked as the Communications Advisor to the Ministry of Finance in Saudi Arabia. In her new role, she will work towards delivering strong guidance to the clientele of Grayling across the Middle East.

“With Grayling, I share a real passion for inventive and integrated communications solutions, which have a long-lasting positive impact on organisational goals,” says Lauren. “I look forward to working closely with this dynamic team to realise our passion through delivering strategic counsel and powerful content to the firm’s impressive and growing client list across the region.”

New Digital Editor at Harper’s Bazaar Arabia

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ITP Media Group has appointed Kyli Singh to the role of Digital Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. With a Masters degree in digital journalism from New York University, Kyli previously worked in the United States with Yahoo! News as News Editor, The Huffington Post as Associate Editor and most recently with TIME Inc. as Audience Strategy Operations Manager. In her new role, she will work across the digital content of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and contribute strategies for the growth of its digital platform.