House of Comms makes new appointment

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Integrated communications agency, House of Comms has welcomed Katie Bawler to the role of Senior Account Manager. With experience in FCMG, entertainment and consumer brands, Katie previously worked with Shine Communications as PR Account Director and most recently with Manifest London as Senior Account Manager. In her new role, she will be part of the senior management team at House of Comms and work across their portfolio of clients across the region.

“You know when you meet someone and you just know? Well we knew,” says Abby Wilks, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “She’s passionate, dedicated and brimming with a creative spark. As we head into perhaps our biggest year yet, we are really pleased to have Katie by our side. She totally gets it and is a part of House of Comms through and through.”

Debonair welcomes new Editor

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Men’s luxury lifestyle title Debonair, part of Pinpoint Media Group, has appointed Eduan Maggo to the role of Editor. Previously Country Guides Editor at Gulf News Publishing, in his new role, Eduan will oversee all editorial content across the print and online publication.

“After years of honing my versatility, I’m quite excited to be returning to one of my first loves – men’s fashion and lifestyle. What drew me to this magazine is its unique voice, it presents intelligent articles in a visually striking manner,” says Eduan. “I’d say Debonair and I share a fashion philosophy that favours timeless style over fleeting trends, and as such I’m looking forward to overseeing the next phase of its evolution.”

Virgin welcomes new PR and Events Specialist

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The Middle East branch of international entertainment retail chain, Virgin Megastore has appointed Rohma Nomani to the role of PR and Events Specialist. Previously working on Luxury Fashion PR at Al Tayer Group, in her new role, Rohma will be responsible for the management and implementation of Virgin Megastore’s communication and events strategy across the MENA region.

“Virgin Megastore has always been considered one of the coolest brands in the region and I feel like one of cool kids now!” says Rohma. “The company’s corporate culture is exceptionally proactive and progressive – exactly what you would expect of the Virgin brand. I am honoured to be working with such a supportive and inspiring team.”

New promotion at tabloid!

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tabloid! the leisure section of Gulf News has promoted David Tusing to the role of Editor. Having joined Gulf News in 2010, David previously worked as Deputy Editor of tabloid! where he assisted the Editor and handled the fashion coverage as well as oversaw all social media strategies. In his new role, he will oversee the daily publication of the entertainment and lifestyle section of Gulf News across the UAE to include Hollywood, Bollywood, Fillipino and Arabic entertainment scenes as well as ensure that all content is well constructed for the relevant mediums.

“It’s such an interesting time to be in media, especially in entertainment in the region,” says David. “I am looking forward to taking what is already a very successful product for Gulf News to greater heights.”

Arab News makes new appointment

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Saudi Arabian daily newspaper Arab News has appointed Khaled Almaeena to the role of Editor Emeritus. Former Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Almaeena will now play an advisory role in newsroom management, staff coaching and documenting the history of the newspaper.

“Arab News is undergoing a major transformation with the intention of taking it forward, international and more digital,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “However, we are equally proud of our history and keen to preserve it. We believe that there is nobody better suited than Mr. Almaeena – who has served as Editor for more than half of the 41-year old newspaper’s history – to help with that task. In addition, as our new Editor Emeritus, he will be an invaluable mentor to a whole new generation of journalists who will carry Arab News forward in the future.”

House of Comms welcomes new Account Executive

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Integrated communications agency, House of Comms has welcomed Nikita Marie to the role of Account Executive. With a degree in marketing and communications from Bournemouth University, Nikita has experience in hospitality, real estate and digital communications. In her new role, she will join the digital team to work on social media and assist with digital communications operations across House of Comms’ portfolio of global brands.

“We are seeing a huge shift in client needs, which centres around creative ideas,” says Jamie Wilks, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “These ideas are typically coming more from our younger team members and Nikita offers abundantly in that area. We’re delighted to have Nikita as part of the team and we wish her all the best.”

hug makes new appointment

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hug digital has appointed Tim Durgan to the role of Head of Digital Media in Dubai. Previously the Cluster Digital Lead and UM Labs Ambassador (MENAP) at UM MENA and having worked on international brands in the past – such as Johnson & Johnson, Coca Cola, IKEA, Panasonic and Virgin Media, Tim brings his knowledge and experience in innovative digital media to hug digital.

“My vision for media is to understand consumer objectives first and deliver a unique story to each unique individual, underpinned by data. This will allow us to drive new markets, build new brands and drive new leads,” says Tim Durgan, Head of Digital Media, hug digital. “I’m looking forward to being part of a team that believes in this approach and works tirelessly to drive this strategy forward so we can be the trendsetters in the market.”

Sarah Abdel Wahab, Regional Head of Media, hug digital adds, “We’re very excited to have Tim on board. He brings an impressive arsenal of in-depth knowledge of new and innovative tools. His local know-how and desire for transforming the market are exactly the kind of thing we look for and I  personally look forward to working together closely with him on boosting our media offerings to our clients.”

hug digital promotes Ramy Kandil

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Regional digital agency, hug digital has promoted Ramy Kandil to the role of Deputy General Manager. Having joined the agency’s Dubai offices in August 2015 as Senior Social Manager and then Head of Social in Dubai, Ramy will now be in charge of operations within hug digital’s Egypt branch.

“I’m beyond honoured to be chosen for this role in hug digital,” says Ramy Kandil, Deputy General Manager, hug digital, Egypt. “After more than a year and a half with hug digital, I can proudly say that there’s no other team I’d rather belong to and I’m very excited for what’s to come and what this team can accomplish together on transforming the digital front, locally, regionally and globally.”

Hussein M. Dajani, Chief Operating Officer, hug digital adds, “hug digital is fuelled with talent so it is hugely gratifying to see Ramy’s accomplishments being rewarded with such a promotion. This move to Deputy General Manager of our Egypt operation reflects Ramy’s hard work, dedication and commitment over his time with hug digital. Ramy will play a key role in facilitating our continued growth in Egypt and our commitment to the region as a key hug digital market.”

House of Comms makes new appointment

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PR and digital integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed Roa Saghayroon to the role of Arabic Influencer Relations Executive. In this role, she will lead the growth of the agency’s Arabic influencer outreach team and identify new opportunities for their clients.

“Since day one Roa has exceeded our expectations,” says Tryphena Greenwood, Senior Account Director, House of Comms. “She is incredibly well-networked as she has grown up in the UAE so matching this with her vibrant personality and insatiable passion for PR makes her the perfect fit for House of Comms.”

BPG Group makes new appointments

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Following BPG Group’s creation of a new leadership structure across the region, the group has made major appointments in its digital and social media, as well as advertising and public relations division.

In the leadership role, Nitin Puri, previously Chief Executive Officer at BPG Bates, will now assume the role of Chief Operating Officer at BPG Group, where he will oversee the growth of the agency’s regional capabilities and work along side Strategy Director, Kevin Jones and Business Director, Chad Hussain to oversee a group-wide strategy team and manage new business functions.

The agency’s major divisions have also gone through structural changes with the advertising and creative division seeing Suneesh Menon, previously General Manager at BPG Group, appointed to the role of Managing Director BPG Bates, where he will ensure a highly relevant and stimulating offer is delivered. The public relations businesses division will see Kevin Hasler, previously General Manager at ZEENAH PR taking on the role of Managing Director at BPG Cohn & Wolfe, where he will focus on a greater digital offer and further develop as well as grow corporate communications and consultancy strength across the region. The digital and social media division will see Hammed Yousuf previously Senior Manager, Digital at BPG Maxus move to Account Director, Digital at BPG Cohn & Wolfe, where he will lead the agency’s social media to a more integrated and developed social media offer.

“The changes we have made will ensure that the BPG Group can become more nimble than ever in the way we focus our energy, creativity and passion to deliver solutions for our clients while helping us become an even more contemporary company for the future,” says Avi Bhojani, CEO, BPG Group.