John Marsland goes freelance

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John Marsland, former Art Director at Motivate Publishing has gone freelance. John brings with him 11 years of experience and has worked in the UK as a Product Photographer and in Dubai with ITP Media Group and BNC publishing before joining Motivate, where he worked on illustrating content and photography as well as across consumer and customer publications including Emirates Woman, What’s On, Emirates Man, Dubai Voyager, Good Magazine, Cyclist Middle East and Campaign. He will continue to work as a published illustrator and on photography for both in studio and on location as well as offer branding and graphic design services.

“While I had a fantastic time working at Motivate, I felt like the time was right to broaden my creative horizons,” says John. “I’m really excited about taking this next step and seeing what challenges lie ahead.”

New Deputy Digital Editor at Time Out Dubai

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Time Out Dubai, part of ITP Media Group has appointed Tim Skinner to the role of Deputy Digital Editor. With experience in the UK’s media industry, Tim previously worked with Telecoms.com as Features Editor before relocating to Dubai. In his new role he will join the digital team and contribute towards the brand’s growth across the Middle East, working with PRs to secure exclusive content and cross-platform projects.

St. Regis appoints new Director of Marketing

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St. Regis Abu Dhabi has appointed Sona Shah to the role of Director of Marketing. With over 13 years of experience in marketing, Sona previously worked with Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel as Marketing Manager and most recently with The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa as Director of Marketing. In her new role, she will be responsible for managing the marketing department, overseeing all aspects of strategic planning, public relations, advertising and content development as well as the hotel’s digital landscape, brand activation and loyalty programs.

“It’s a great pleasure to welcome Sona to the team,” says Moustafa Sakr, General Manager, St. Regis Abu Dhabi. “Marketing and innovation have always been a fundamental core focus for our hotel and we are confident that her expertise will continue to drive and enhance our awareness and success in Abu Dhabi’s competitive hospitality market.”

Andrew Berridge joins Auxilium

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Dubai-based legal marketing and communications agency, Auxilium has appointed Andrew Berridge to the role of Account Manager. With ten years of experience working across national and multinational PR campaigns, Andrew previously worked in Singapore with Baldwin Boyle Shand as PR Consultant and most recently in the UAE with Cicero & Bernay. In his new role, he will be responsible for client consultation, strategic communications plans and content, as well as reputation management and new business generation.

“I am thrilled to join this exciting new agency, where I will work with an energetic and talented team,” says Andrew. “I look forward to developing some great ideas to support this pioneering concept for the GCC’s legal industry.”

New promotion at Shamal Communications

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Dubai-based independent and full service agency, Shamal Communications has promoted James Lakie to the role of General Manager following the launch of a new digital division and broadcasting division. Having joined Shamal Communications as Senior Account Manager, James has over 11 years of experience and most recently held the position of Account Director where he worked on both consumer and corporate accounts. In his new role, he will continue to manage and oversee the agency’s accounts across different industries.

“I’m looking forward to the added responsibility that this position carries, especially with the launch of our two new divisions,” says James. “Shamal has built a sterling reputation in the market over the last 12 years and continues to produce quality results for clients including, Arabian Travel Market, Seven Tides International and Al Hamra Real Estate Development and above all else provides an outstanding return on investment.”

New appointment at HOT Media

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Dubai-based publishing company, HOT Media Publishing has appointed Mohamed Galal to the role of Business Development Manager. With over nine years of experience, Mohamed previously worked with Motivate Publishing as Advertising Manager for Gulf Business magazine, with Crestcom as Senior Training and Business Development Manager and most recently with ATL Media as Advertising Manager – Sales. In his new role, he will work on increasing sales and revenue as well as finding new businesses for HOT Media and overseeing its markets in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon and Egypt.

“I’m excited to join HOT Media and be back in the media and publishing industry,” says Mohamed. “I look forward to working with the wonderful team at HOT Media and contributing towards making this year yet another outstanding year for the company.”

Gavin Gibbon joins Shamal Communications

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Dubai-based independent and full service agency, Shamal Communications has appointed Gavin Gibbon to the role of Senior Account Manager following the agency’s expansion and rebrand. With over 17 years of experience in journalism, PR and real estate, Gavin previously worked with ITP Media Group as Editor of Construction Week Online, OSN as PR Editor and most recently with Core Savills as PR and Communications Manager. In his new role, he will oversee all PR operations and work across the agency’s portfolio of clients across the region.

“Having worked with Shamal Communications during my time at ITP my decision to come on board was an easy one,” says Gavin. “The agency has an incredibly strong client base, with a passion to serve them well and foster good relationships with the media. Their ambitions also match my own and I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Instinctif Partners makes new appointments

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International business communications consultancy, Instinctif Partners Middle East has welcomed David Thompson and Judecyll Eguia to its Dubai team following a regional expansion plan. With experience in journalism and previously a business-to-business magazine Editor at ITP Media Group, David has been appointed to the role of Consultant and will now manage the English language content and media relations for the regional and international press. Judecyll has experience in office management and generating new client leads as well as a background in government liaising and coordination. Taking up her new role as Account Manager, she will manage and work on developing communications strategies for Instinctif Partners’ portfolio of clients.

“We are delighted to welcome David and Judecyll to our Dubai team,” says Samantha Bartel, Managing Partner, Instinctif Partners Middle East. “They each bring a wealth of experience and unique knowledge as well as expertise and with their help I am confident our offer and reputation in the region will continue to go from strength to strength.”

New Contributing Columnist at Arab News

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John Defterios joins Arab News as a contributing Columnist for the newspaper’s print and digital platforms. With over 36 years of experience in Journalism, John currently works with CNN as Editor and Anchor of CNNMoney Emerging Markets, as well as hosts the Marketplace Middle East show. Arab News will now feature John’s content on Middle East markets and businesses as well as exclusive reports and interviews from Marketplace Middle East.

New Managing Editor at Entrepreneur ME

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Entrepreneur Middle East has appointed Tamara Pupic to the role of Managing Editor. Previously Editor of Arabian Business StartUp, part of ITP Media Group, Tamara reported on the developments across the MENA startup and SME industry. Prior to starting her career in journalism in 2012, she worked in the international trade policy development field with more focus on the World Trade Organisation law. She is also the founding President of Club Alpbach Belgrade, part of the European Forum Alpbach, a Vienna-based organisation fostering interdisciplinary dialog in education, business and politics. In the UAE, Tamara has also helped establish United World College, UAE National Committee, the regional branch of the London-headquartered organisation of 17 international colleges. In her new role, she will join the editorial team and work with the Editor-in-Chief, Aby Sam Thomas on Entrepreneur Middle East’s editorial content across its digital and print channels.

“As Managing Editor, Tamara will be working with me and my team at Entrepreneur Middle East to develop editorial content and further our presence across our print, web and social channels,” says Aby Sam Thomas, Editor-in-Chief, Entrepreneur Middle East. “Tamara comes to us with a wealth of experience in the MENA entrepreneurial ecosystem and I look forward to having her fresh ideas to help continue to differentiate the Entrepreneur Middle East brand and its mission.”