Felicity Stokes joins AW Rostamani

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AW Rostamani Group has appointed Felicity Stokes to the role of Communications Marketing Manager. With experience in the PR and communications industry, Felicity previously worked with Think Liquorice as Account Manager, where she managed public relations, events, social media and developed brand strategies. In her new role, she will report to the company’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Mustafa Dada and work across internal and external communications as well as marketing efforts. She will also lead events for the company’s subsidiaries by managing media relations, building executive advertisement strategies, creating campaign concepts and assisting with the launch of their social media platforms.

“AW Rostamani is an impressive and innovative corporation with a strong business message towards ‘enriching the lives’ of their consumers,” says Felicity. “I am very excited to work with the company’s industry-leading brands in automotive, lifestyle, technology and property development to develop the AW Rostamani Group brand identity, with a highly intelligent and ambitious team.”

Destinations of the World News appoints new Deputy Editor

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Luxury travel magazine, Destinations of the World News, has appointed Laurel Munshower to the role of Deputy Editor. With experience in the region’s media and PR industry, Laurel previously worked with ITP Media Group’s travel publication, Conde Nast Traveller Middle East as a part of the editorial launch team, before joining Destinations of the World News from 2015 – 2016 as Features Writer and most recently working with TCApr as PR Executive. In her new role, she will aid in the editorial duties of both the magazine and the website by focusing on exceptional and aspirational luxury, travel and lifestyle experiences as well as news.

“Travel and writing have long been dual passions of mine and I could not be happier to return to the world of travel journalism,” says Laurel Munshower. “Having previously worked with Destinations of the World News, I am excited to continue my relationship with the magazine, now in its incredible tenth year and share the most fantastic and unexpected destination and hospitality experiences to inspire our jet-set readers.”

New appointment at Percept Gulf

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Percept Gulf Dubai has welcomed Malaika Fernandes to the role of Assistant Manager – PR. With almost four years experience in the communications industry, Malaika previously worked with Burson Marsteller as Consulting Associate with its India team. In her new role, she will work across Percept Gulf’s communications campaigns and contribute towards strengthening its 360 delivery capabilities.

“It’s a great opportunity to be working with Percept Gulf,” says Malaika. “In a market, which has constantly evolving communications requirements, I look forward to adding value and building strong partnerships with clients and media in the region.”

Active welcomes new Senior Communications Consultant

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Dubai-based agency, Active (Digital.Marketing.Communications) has appointed Lauren Brush to the role of Senior Communications Consultant. With over ten years experience in the corporate communications and media field, Lauren previously worked with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) as Media Relations Manager and most recently with APCO Worldwide as Senior Consultant, where she offered her expertise on thought leadership, global positioning and digital as well as traditional media across a portfolio of clients. In her new role, she will work on driving the company’s B2B and B2C communications campaigns as well as contribute towards the agency’s growth as an integrated marketing communications consultancy.

“From the perspective of the Joint Managing Director, Sawsan Ghanem and myself this is a tremendously exciting hire for the agency and our continuous evolution as an integrated marketing communications consultancy,” says Louay Al Samarrai, Joint Managing Director, Action (Digital. Marketing. Communications).

New appointment at LinkedIn

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Following the recent launch of its new features, Matched Audiences and Lead Gen Forms, LinkedIn has appointed Ziad Rahhal to the role of Head of Marketing Solutions, MENA. Ziad joins the professional network with over ten years of experience in the sales and marketing industry, having previously worked with Nimbuzz B.V as Managing Director, MENA, where he oversaw the launch of several digital advertising solutions across the region. In his new role, he will develop strategies for the growth of LinkedIn’s new products, which will enhance audience targeting, as well as oversee the progress of their existing features across the MENA region.

“With the recent announcement of the 500 million milestone globally, it really couldn’t be a better time to join LinkedIn and I am excited to be a part of the team,” says Ziad. “In the complex world of B2B buying, we are looking to help brands not only engage with professionals, but drive and convert leads – and it’s exciting to join a platform leading in this field.”

Alexandra Venison joins Vogue Arabia

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Following the appointment of Manuel Arnaut as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Arabia, the title has welcomed Alexandra Venison to the editorial team as Beauty Editor. Having worked across fashion and beauty titles including Emirates Woman at Motivate Publishing and VIVA and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia at ITP Media Group, Alexandra will head up all beauty content in her new role.

New Editor at Petrolhead Arabia

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Online automotive magazine, Petrolhead Arabia has appointed Ahmad Al-Nashash to the role of Editor. With over five years of experience in the automotive media and PR industry, Ahmad previously worked with various online platforms catering to the automotive industry including YallaMotor.com, AutoMiddleEast.com and most recently with DriveArabia.com. In his new role, he will be responsible for writing engaging automotive articles and covering all the key happenings in the industry across the UAE.

“As someone that has racing fuel running through his veins, I am confident there is so much we can do as a team to take Petrolhead Arabia to new heights, especially with such a creative team,” says Ahmad.

Thomson Reuters promotes Shane McGinley

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Thomson Reuters has promoted Shane McGinley to the role of Head of Editorial Content. Having joined Zawya in 2016 as Web Editor, Shane previously worked with 7DAYS as Business Reporter and most recently with Arabian Business, a publication of ITP Media Group, as Executive Editor. In his new role, he will oversee and develop content for a wide range of digital properties within the Emerging Business department and work across its regional websites, including Zawya.com, Salaam Gateway, My Salaam, Thomson Reuters Projects and Accelerate SME.

Darine El-Khatib joins Turner International

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Turner International Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) has appointed Darine El-Khatib to the role of Senior Director of Creative Strategy and Brand Development. With extensive experience in the creative and media sector, Darine previously worked with Takhayal Entertainment, later acquired by Discovery Networks in 2012, were she held several positions including, Head of Productions and Creativity Services, Head of Channel for Fatafeat TV and most recently Channel Director for MENA. In her new role, she will oversee the programming, creative and marketing activities for the MENAT region and report to Tarek Mounir, Vice President and General Manager of Turkey, Middle East, North Africa, Greece and Cyprus as well as work on developing new services and products to further expand Turner’s scope and competitiveness. She will also lead the content and brand teams and be responsible for developing editorial strategy, as well as driving relationships with partners.

“We were very impressed with Darine’s comprehensive understanding of the industry and rich portfolio of experience,” says Tarek Mounir, Vice President and General Manager Turkey, Middle East, North Africa, Greece and Cyprus. “Her appointment as Senior Director of Creative Strategy and Brand Development is a great asset to Turner and we are confident that, with her great repertoire of professional endeavors, she will be a driving force for our company.”

Publicis Media makes new promotion

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Publicis Media Middle East, part of Publicis Group has promoted Amer El Hajj to the role of Chief Investment Officer. With experience in the region’s marketing and media industry, Amer previously worked with Starcom MediaVest as Media Manager before joining Publicis in 2004 as Regional Buying Director and most recently holding the position of Executive Vice President of group trading and Commercial Managing Director. In his new role, he will oversee and continue to work on developing strategic decisions to guide Publicis’ portfolio of trading and investment operations across the region.

“Amer’s proven track record for successfully leading large scale initiatives, supporting all markets’ commercial requirements and pushing profitability as the number one priority, has quickly earned him the respect and admiration by colleagues, clients and partners alike,” says Alex Saber, Chairman, Publicis Media Middle East.