Grayling makes key leadership appointments

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Grayling’s Middle East creative arm, GCreative has appointed Arian Hashemi to the role of Creative Director and Khalid AlAtrash to the role of Client Service Director. With 15 years of experience, Arian previously worked with All About Brands as Design Director before establishing his agency, Arian Hashemi and working across clients such as Yas Marina Circuit and Abu Dhabi Media. In his new role, he will work on building innovative strategies to develop the agency’s projects, branding and production activities across the region.

Khalid also joins the team with ten years of experience, having previously worked with M&C Saatchi as Senior Account Manager and most recently with You:Experience as Account Director, where he managed clients such as Etihad Airways and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi. In his new role, he will work on building strong client relationships to drive GCreative’s vision and growth across the region.

“Arian’s innovative and strategic experience in executing award winning projects, branding and production, coupled with Khalid’s expertise in building strong client relationships will drive GCreative’s vision forward,” says Loretta Ahmed, CEO, Grayling MEA.

New Editorial Director at Arabian Business

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ITP Media Group has appointed Jeremy Lawrence to the role of Editorial Director of Arabian Business. With a wealth of experience in journalism, Jeremy joined ITP Media Group in 2003 and has worked across its titles including Time Out Dubai as Editor and Esquire Middle East as Editor-in-Chief. In his new role, he will oversee the brand development of Arabian Business across its digital and print portfolio.

Michael Fahy joins Thomson Reuters

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Thomson Reuters has appointed Michael Fahy to the role of Editor at Zawya.com. Michael previously worked as Editor at Construction Week, part of ITP Media Group and most recently as Business Reporter at The National, part of International Media Investment (IMI). In his new role, he will coordinate and edit content for the publication on the English language section of the business news website.

House of Comms welcomes new Associate Director

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Dubai-based integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed David Brady to the role of Associate Director. With 16 years of experience in brand PR, David previously worked with freuds in the UK as Senior Account Director and Consumer Team Head before moving to the UAE, and most recently working with Edelman DABO as Associate Director. In his new role, he will join the senior management team and focus on developing strategies for the agency’s expansion across the region. He will also provide senior counsel for the agency’s portfolio of clients including Spinneys, Costa, MMI and DTCM.

“I am a big believer in culture and creativity,” says David. “House of Comms places a huge amount of value on these aspects of agency life too, so joining their senior team was an absolute no-brainer for me. With an enviable client roster and a clear mindset for integrated campaigns, I can’t think of a hotter shop to be with right now.”

New promotion at The Qode

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The Qode has promoted Moushmi Bhatia to the role of Communications Manager. With a Masters degree in Fashion Communications and PR, Moushmi joined The Qode in 2016 and most recently held the role of Senior Communications Executive. In her new role, she will continue to manage The Qode’s portfolio of luxury fashion and beauty brands, including Philipp Plein, Tom Ford, Roberto Cavalli, Ermenegildo Zegna and Prismologie. She will also continue to pitch for new business opportunities, develop PR strategies and strengthen her relationship with existing clients and the media.

“Excelling at The Qode has definitely been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career and I’m thrilled to take on this new role,” says Moushmi. “The past year has been very fulfilling, working alongside international brands and so I look forward to more exciting challenges ahead!”

Laura Jarmalaite joins Milkshake Media

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Milkshake Media has welcomed Laura Jarmalaite to the role of Producer and Head of Marketing. With 12 years of experience, Laura previously worked with The Leeds Club in the UK as Events Manager before moving to the UAE and most recently working with Royal Falcon Events as General Manager. In her new role, she will be responsible for business development and marketing for the agency. She will also be the point of contact throughout the creative and production process between clients, freelancers, external agencies and production partners, as well as internally within Milkshake Media departments.

“With my skills and knowledge gained from previous experience, I am passionate about bringing brands and client experiences into the mix and to continue growing the international presence of Milkshake Media,” says Laura. “I’d like to say a big thank you to Milkshake Media for seeing my potential and making me feel welcome in my new role.”

New Features Editor at NPI Media

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NPI Media has appointed Stacey Siebritz to the role of Features Editor. Stacey brings experience from the publishing industry, having previously worked on What’s On Dubai and good magazine, part of Motivate Publishing. In her new role, she will work across NPI’s entire magazine portfolio in both print and digital edition including Concierge, client publications and business titles.

“After nearly five years in Dubai’s publishing industry, I’m looking forward to bringing what I’ve learned to my new role as Features Editor at NPI Media, working across a range of titles,” says Stacey. “I know there are some exciting new developments in the works and I’m thrilled to be a part of that growth.”

Blue Apple appoints new PR Director

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Blue Apple has appointed Santripti Vellody to the role of PR Director. With 16 years of experience in the media and communications industry, Santripti previously worked with Globosat Entertainment in New York as Marketing and Advertising Manager before moving to Dubai and most recently working with BPG Cohn & Wolfe PR as Associate Director. In her new role, she will be responsible for expanding the PR division at Blue Apple through traditional, digital and experiential PR solutions, while growing its current roster of clients in the PR domain across industry practices.

“I look forward to my new role at Blue Apple and in building the PR business of the agency as well as bringing my experience to the clients at hand,” says Santripti. “The industry has evolved over the last five years and it is vital to remain relevant in an ever-changing market on how we are communicating brand messages. It will be exciting to merge both traditional and digital mediums as a part of the PR strategy moving forward for the clients of Blue Apple.”

Louise Da Costa promoted at TAG 91.1

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Arabian Radio Network has promoted Louise Da Costa to the role of Content Director of TAG 91.1. Louise has been a part of ARN for over ten years, having previously worked with Virgin Radio 104.4 as Presenter and most recently with TAG 91.1 as Host. In her new role, she will oversee all content to be presented on TAG 91.1 and work on the growth of the radio station within the Filipino community in the UAE and across the Middle East.

“It’s not all about awards and recognitions, but about touching lives,” says Louise. “UAE is one of the fastest growing radio markets in the world and TAG 91.1 will continue leading the way through innovative content.”

New Regional Communications Manager at Whirlpool EMEA

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Whirlpool EMEA, part of Whirlpool Corporation has appointed Layal Dalal to the role of Regional Communications Manager. Layal previously worked with MSL Group as Communications Manager and most recently with Hill+Knowlton Strategies as Account Executive – Technology Practice. In her new role, she will handle all communications for Whirlpool brands, which includes Whirlpool, Indesit Ariston and Kitchen Aid across the MENA region.

“I am thrilled to join the Whirlpool EMEA team,” says Layal. “Having worked with a number of multinational brands in the consumer technology space, I have found a genuine passion for the industry, which I am excited to bring to my new role. I look forward to further establishing Whirlpool’s PR footprint in the region.”