Motivate Publishing welcomes Tamara Djorem

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Motivate Publishing has appointed Tamara Djorem to the role of Senior Sales Manager for good magazine. Tamara brings with her five years of sales experience haven most recently worked with ITP Media Group as Sales Manager for it’s consumer magazines OK! Middle East and Ahlan!. In her new role, she will be responsible for driving sales for good magazine and executing bespoke events for its clients across the region.

“I am thrilled to be part of Motivate Publishing and really look forward to working with such a dynamic team and developing new ideas and possibilities,” says Tamara.

New Group CEO at Grey MENA

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Global communications agency, Grey Group has appointed Kamil Kuran to the role of Group Chief Executive Officer of Grey MENA. With a wealth of experience in the advertising industry, Kamil previously worked with Leo Burnett MENA, having joined since 1998 as Regional Planning Director – MENA and most recently holding the role of Regional Planning Managing Director – Levant, where he was responsible for the planning, function and lead on major client accounts as well as taking on the lead for regional training. In his new role, he will report to the Chairman and CEO of Grey Group Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Nirvik Singh and oversee all of Grey’s operations across the MENA region.

“Grey has built a great reputation over the years and I am looking forward to joining the network at an exciting time as it happens to be Grey’s centenary year too,” says Kamil. “The region has a lot of potential and we have plans to make a genuine difference here. Plans that will not only give Grey a bigger footprint in the region, but will also give our clients a creative edge and significantly more offerings.”

Rahman Risilia joins MCG Group

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MCG Group has appointed Rahman Risilia to the role of Managing Director – MENA of its recruitment brands, MCG& Associates and Kemistry. With 16 years of experience in recruitment across the marketing, digital, communications, IT and sales sectors, Rahman has worked with Mackenzie Jones Middle East as Sales, Marketing, Digital Manager and most recently with Simply Digital ME as Director.  In his new role, he will work alongside the Global CEO of MCG Group, Justin McGuire and take full control of the Dubai office.

“MCG& Associates and Kemistry are reputable and global recruitment agencies and I’m thrilled to be joining at such an exciting and crucial time for the business,” says Rahman. “I am looking forward to working with the talented team and building on what is already an amazing brand, by implementing a proven service delivery model, customer engagement plan and to centre our place as the number one agency within the advertising, marketing and digital space.”

Katch International makes new hire

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Dubai-based integrated communications agency, Katch International has appointed Sean Hahessy to the role of Creative Copywriting Specialist. With a degree in English History from University of Limerick and five years of writing and editing experience, Sean has worked with Skydive Dubai as Content Writer and Editor, and most recently with Sahara Real Estate as Learning and Development Manager. In his new role, he will be responsible for writing, editing and curating content across multiple channels for Katch’s portfolio of clients.
“I am delighted to be moving back into a more focused writing and creative role with an expanding team who are just as excited to tackle new challenges and evolve,” says Sean. “There’s a great energy here at Katch and it’s definitely going to be an interesting role dealing with varied clients across sectors.”

Amy Piek is promoted at Bell Pottinger Middle East

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Bell Pottinger Middle East (BPME) has promoted Amy Piek to the role of Director. Having been with the agency for over three years, Amy was previously Associate Partner and assisted in building the firm’s Financial Communications & Investor Relations practice.

In her new role, she will work alongside fellow Director Tim Falconer (Dubai) and Archie Berens, Managing Director (Middle East) to facilitate in the separation of Bell Pottinger Middle East from the current owner Bell Pottinger Private Limited in the UK, which is to be put into administration.

“This is an extremely exciting opportunity for us.  As an independent and financially secure business with a strong and experienced team in charge of its own destiny, it will now be open to us to consider a whole range of options,” says Archie Berens, Managing Director, BPME, Middle East. “Our company has a long and proud tradition of working in the Middle East and it is now up to us to continue to build on that.  With my fellow directors Tim Falconer and Amy Piek, I cannot wait to get started on the next stage of the journey.  We are especially pleased to have been able to promote Amy, who has thoroughly deserved this and has a key role to play in our future.”

Sasan Saeidi joins J. Walter Thompson

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Global communications agency, J. Walter Thompson has appointed Sasan Saeidi as the new CEO for the agency’s gulf operations. Having previously worked with FP7 as Managing Director, McCann group in Dubai since 2011, Sasan brings with him 18 years of experience in strategy, account management, business development and has led teams in North America as well as the MENA region across many sectors. In his new role Sasan will be leading the Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar teams on network projects, leading group pitches and driving the agency’s development agenda in the region as well as leveraging best practices and talent performance in the interests of clients and their brands.

“J. Walter Thompson is a pioneering communications agency both globally and locally and I’m truly excited about the work and positive transformation we are going to be doing,” says Sasan. “I look forward to working with some great talent, and ensuring we create a castle of world-class ideas that are responsible, innovative, drive our clients’ businesses and shape culture. Throughout this journey my plan is to help implement a culture that positions the agency as the best “creative consultancy” in the region for brands and businesses, one which will also compete globally.”

Caroline Rowe joins Media One Hotel

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Media One Hotel has appointed Caroline Rowe as Director of Marketing and Communications. With over 10 years of global marketing strategy experience, Caroline previously worked in Shanghai with Three on the Bund in the Communications department and in New Delhi as a PR consultant for Perfect Relations. In her most recent position with the Taj hotel in Business Bay Dubai she assisted with the opening of the property and worked as a consultant across numerous digital projects in the UAE.

In her new role, Caroline will use her global expertise to assist the Media One team in bringing a fresh, digitally driven approach to its marketing and how the hotel communicates the brand’s message to the region.

Motivate appoints new Features Editor

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Motivate Publishing has appointed Greg Synnott to the role of Features Editor for What’s On Magazine. With over seven years of editorial experience, Greg has worked freelance with several publications as well as launched his independent music website in Ireland, 7billionpeople.net and most recently worked at Fairfax Media, New Zealand, as Social Media Producer for Stuff.co.nz. In his new role, Greg will curate content and relevant monthly features for several sections under the title.

“I’m excited to go back to print media and work with people who are excited about all things Dubai,” says Greg. “As a newbie to the city, I think it will be interesting to explore with fresh eyes, as well as bring my own views to such an established magazine.”

Motivate Publishing appoints new Publishing Director

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Motivate Publishing has appointed Carlos Pedroza Luna to the role of Publishing Director of its luxury media division starting September 2017. With 18 years of experience in consumer magazines, custom publishing and sales strategies, Carlos previously worked in Mexico as Publishing Director at Editorial Televista in partnership with media company, Hearst, where he worked across several titles including, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar and Men’s Health. He most recently worked with Groupo Tourbillon also as Publishing Director in Mexico, where he oversaw the development of Tiempo de Relojes and Gentleman magazines. In his new role, he will oversee the development of Motivate’s luxury brands including Emirates Woman, Emirates Man and Jumeirah Magazine as well as new projects to be launched within the sector.

“I’m thrilled with this great opportunity to be part of the Motivate’s team managing its luxury portfolio,” says Carlos. “Being part of Emirates Woman, Emirates Man and Jumeirah Magazine, some of the most recognised titles in the region, it’s an honour. I strongly believe that I will work with a very experienced and professional team and together we will develop new ideas and possibilities to enrich Motivate’s portfolio.”

The MediaVantage makes new appointment

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The MediaVantage has appointed Abhilasha Khanna to the role of Digital Solutions Director. With over ten years of experience in digital sales, Abhilasha previously worked with Clique Media as Agency Business Manager and most recently with Arabian Business and ITP Live, part of ITP Media Group as Senior Sales Manager. Abhilasha will be responsible for multiple international brands and will oversee the digital sales activities for The MediaVantage as well as work towards reaching new heights in digital capabilities and expertise.

“With the continued rapid growth in digital, I am ecstatic about spearheading and working alongside a team of ambitious, energetic and talented individuals as well as being a part of the most preferred partner in the Middle East for media representation,” says Abhilasha.