House of Comms appoints Arabic Media Consultant

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Dubai-based integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed Mohammed AlSayed to the role of Arabic Media Consultant. Born in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed has experience in the region’s media and PR industry having worked with corporate and consumer clients across the GCC. In his new role, he will join the Arabic team and work across House of Comms’ portfolio of Arabic-focused clients as well as oversee Arabic content for the agency’s media activities across the region.

“My move to Dubai was a very strategic one as I was looking to bring my regional expertise to the UAE and work for an agency with a diverse portfolio that would enable me to bring my wide range of experience to life,” says Mohammed. “Joining House of Comms has given me the opportunity to work with some of my dream clients, while focusing on my role as Arabic Media Consultant for the region.”

Dan Cotter joins MCG Associates

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Digital and creative recruitment agency, MCG Associates has welcomed Dan Cotter to the role of Associate Director. With a diverse experience in the media and public relations industry, Dan previously worked with Sky Sports as Producer, at BBC as a Journalist and most recently with TOH PR as Group Account Director. In his new role, he will look after the public relations desk specialising in the recruitment of agency and client-side communication professionals.

‘I’m very excited to join MCG Associates – as I love working with creative, ambitious people who demand a challenge,” says Dan. “The communications sector is a dynamic industry with highly intelligent, driven people. MCG Associates has a great reputation in the industry and when I decided to make the move, they were top of my list of companies to work for.”

FleishmanHillard ME makes new appointment

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Communications firm, FleishmanHillard Middle East has appointed Jared Carneson to the role of Regional Digital Director. Jared joined FleishmanHillard South Africa in 2012, where he worked as Senior Account Manager and most recently held the position of Global Social Innovative Lead, where he worked on building the digital and creative business units for the agency and with clients such as Barclays Africa, Dulux and Microsoft. In his new role, he will work on facilitating FleishmanHillard’s labs and intelligence streams across the agency’s portfolio of clients. He will also oversee and work on embedding digital as a part of the agency’s regional growth and expansion plan to increase their offerings to clients.

New Director of Communications at Ford

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Ford Middle East and Africa has appointed Katie Dove to the role of Director of Communications. With a diverse experience in consumer and corporate campaigns, Katie previously worked with Weber Shandwick as Director and most recently with Motorola as Communications Director of Europe-Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific regions, where she led all communications across the two regions and directed product launches for the global media and influencer audiences. In her new role, she will oversee the operations of the communications team and work towards developing strategies to strengthen Ford’s existing presences across the region.

“As we transition to an auto and mobility company, Katie’s expertise will be essential in helping us deliver on our vision,” says Jacques Brent, President, Ford Middle East and Africa. “We’re excited to welcome her to the team and look forward to her sharing her wealth of experience with the wider communications team we already have in place.”

New Senior Vice President at Khaleej Times

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UAE-based newspaper, Khaleej Times welcomes Ravi Raman to the role of Senior Vice President. With a wealth of experience in the media and publishing industry, Ravi previously worked as Vice President and Associate Publisher at Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East, where he led the launch and growth of the edition as well as oversaw every aspect of the publication including digital, content and commercial. In his new role, he will head the Khaleej Times group and oversee its operations by spearheading the group’s strategic direction and conceptualising as well as leading its growth into new segments and markets. He will also further direct the group’s plans of acquiring and launching new titles across the region.

“Taking charge of such a well-respected brand is both an honour and a great responsibility – especially at a time when legacy media brands are being forced to reinvent themselves,” says Ravi. “With the brand equity that Khaleej Times commands, I am excited of the possibilities and opportunities. The market can expect some innovative offerings from the group.”

NEW VOGUE EDITOR ANNOUNCED

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Following the departure of Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, Manuel Arnaut has been officially named as the incoming Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Arabia, with his new role due to commence on May 7, 2017. Currently Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest Middle East, Manuel has a long association with Condé Nast after initiating his career at Vogue Portugal, and eventually holding the position as Editor at GQ Portugal. In his new role, Manuel will take over direction of Vogue Arabia’s multinational and multilingual editorial team.

“After starting my professional life at Vogue, and having grown up devouring each page of its international editions, I’m deeply honoured to have the opportunity to come ‘home,’ at the helm of Vogue Arabia,” says Manuel. “With the rich heritage of the Middle East as a starting point — and its eyes on the future — Vogue Arabia celebrates the region’s fashion and cultural identity, presenting it to the world in a luxurious, upbeat, and contemporary style. In an exciting climate of modernity and creativity, the team and I are committed to working towards a Vogue Arabia that is the proud voice of the region, representing the strength and allure of the Arab woman.”

Shashi Menon, CEO & Publisher, Nervora and Vogue Arabia adds, “Manuel Arnaut brings over a decade of Condé Nast editorial experience combined with a strong track record of regional success. We look forward to him building on Vogue Arabia’s foundation.”

New Managing Director at UM and FP7 Kuwait

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UM MENA and FP7, the flagship agencies of MCN, has promoted Simon Bowthorpe to the role of Managing Director of UM Kuwait and FP7/KWI. With over 25 years of experience working with creative, digital and events agencies, Simon joined UM Qatar as General Manager and currently holds the position as the agency’s Managing Director. In his new role, he will continue to oversee UM’s media operations in Qatar as well as take on the new responsibility for both creative and media businesses in Kuwait. He will focus on driving the digital transformation of FP7 and UM’s operations in Kuwait by improving the integration strategy and social media into the agency’s overall product offering.

“My time in Qatar has given me extensive experience in developing UM’s product offering, as well as improving our creative potential,” says Simon. “I’m confident that both our current clients and future prospects will be impressed as we further expand the capabilities of our office in the Kuwaiti market.”

New appointment at AMEinfo

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AMEinfo, part of Mediaquest Corporation, has welcomed Hina Latif to the role of Journalist. With over six years of experience in the media and publishing industry, Hina previously worked with Ahlan! magazine, a publication of ITP Media Group, 7DAYS and most recently with dmg events. In her new role, she will write across AMEinfo’s digital platforms and work towards gaining coverage of the biggest stories of the day, the week and the year.

“We have ambitious plans for the future and with my appointment, I am confident that I will contribute to the continued positive development of AMEinfo,” says Hina.

Active DMC appoints new Communications Executive

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Dubai-based agency, Active (Digital Marketing.Communications) has appointed Stacy Fernandes to the role of Communications Executive. A graduate of Wilson College with a degree in Mass Media, Stacy has five years of experience in the communications industry and has worked on strategic client campaigns from different sectors across the UAE. In her new role, she will support the Active DMC team and work on communications services that includes public relations, content management, social media campaigns, media relations and event management.

“I am excited to start a new challenge with Active (DMC) and look forward to working with the team to further develop their already extensive communications suite,” says Stacy. “I am also fortunate to be joining such an innovative company that prides itself on top quality communications services.”

Bell Pottinger makes structural changes

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Full-service and international communications company, Bell Pottinger has made several appointments and promotions within its Dubai office. Tim Falconer, previously Deputy Bureau Chief at The Wall Street Journal in the Middle East has been appointed to the role of Managing Director. With experience in financial and corporate practices as well as equity and oil markets, Tim will now oversee the strategic direction of the agency and help drive new business across the region and beyond.

Jennifer Kedissa, previously Group Account Director at APCO Worldwide, joins Bell Pottinger as Associate Partner and brings with her experience in strategic communications across Europe and the Middle East. In her new role, she will oversee a number of key clients in the corporate and financial space across the region.

Omar Nasro has been appointed to the role of Consultant. He brings both government and corporate communications experience across a range of industries. In his new role, he will support the Arabic speaking team across a wide portfolio of clients in the region.

Bell Pottinger will also see internal promotions of some its senior consultants as a part of the agency’s structural development. Amy Piek has been promoted to the role of Associate Partner in the Financial Practice, Rose Yousef to Associate Partner in the Corporate Practice and Rima Ali to Head of Arabic Content.

“I am delighted to announce Tim Falconer’s appointment as Managing Director, Dubai and to also welcome both Jennifer and Omar to the team,” says David Beck, International Managing Partner, Bell Pottinger. “Their respective experiences strengthens an already thriving team and will help us cater to a growing number of clients.”