DJ Saif and Sound joins Channel 4

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UAE-based radio station Channel 4 has welcomed Disk Jockey, Saif and Sound to its presenter line-up. The resident DJ formerly worked on his-self titled radio show, Saif and Sound on Radio 1 UAE and will now host the show on Channel 4, from Sunday through Thursday between 10am and 1pm, which will include; the most talked about topics in the UAE, entertainment news and the hottest celebrity news as a part of its daily program.

“I am so excited about my new venture and to be back on air,” says Saif and Sound. “I love interacting with my listeners and providing them with the freshest hits. Entertaining people has become a part of my life and being on the radio has helped me achieve these goals and fulfill my passion for music and radio.”

Thomas Fergusan, Programme Director, Channel 4, adds “In our continued efforts to evolve Channel 4 we are making some exciting changes. Saif is one of the hottest talents on radio in the Middle East, with an already established and loyal fan base. Saif has a huge passion and love for radio and music, which makes him a perfect hit for Channel 4. I am positive he’s going to be a huge hit and will do an amazing job entertaining the UAE.”

Al Arabiya welcomes Sara Hamdan

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Online news station, www.alarabiya.new/English has welcomed Sara Hamdan to the role of weekly Columnist. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, Sara is currently working on a part-time project with Google as well as her blog holidaysinheels.com and previously worked for The New York Times. In her new role, she will be writing one column per week that will be published every Sunday on topics of fashion, food, travel and lifestyle on the Al Arabiya English platform.

Publicis Media ME makes new leadership appointments

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Following the launch of Publicis Media in the Middle East, Alex Saber, Chairman of Publicis Media Middle East and Steve Parker, CEO of Publicis Media Middle East, have made some key leadership appointments. Alain Brahamcha, former Client Managing Director at Starcom, has been appointed the new CEO of Mediavest|Spark, Middle East, where he will continue to work on building strong strategic client partnerships, developing talent as well as introducing and accelerating digital innovation. Former Managing Director of Digital at Starcom Mediavest Group, Ali Nehme will now take on the role of Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Media, Middle East. In this role, Ali will work closely with the Publicis Media leadership group on designing and operationalising the vision of the company. Tarek Daouk, previously Managing Director at Mediavest, has now been appointed to the role of CEO of Starcom, Middle East and Firas El Zein will continue in his role as CEO for Zenith, Middle East.”We have been on a continuous journey of transformation and have built on our talent, which we believe to be the foundation of our business,” says Alex Saber, Chairman of Publicis Media, Middle East. “Together, with our world class practices, we will help our clients, people and business grow and create another chapter of pushing the boundaries in the media agency landscape.”

Masala! Appoints Fashion and Beauty Editor

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Aishwarya Tyagi has joined ITP Publishing as Fashion and Beauty Editor for Masala!. Previously Picture Editor and Writer at Grazia Middle East and most recently Editorial Assistant at Mojeh magazine, Aishawarya has over six years of PR and journalism experience which she will bring to her new role. As Fashion and Beauty Editor, she will be responsible for the fashion and beauty, as well as lifestyle features including; travel, food and society.

Gareth Warren joins GN Guides

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GN Guides, part of Gulf News, has promoted Gareth Warren to the role of Editor. Previously Deputy Editor at #GNTECH where he launched the brand, he will now oversee all editorial as well as organise and review content for the Guides section.

“Having launched the #GNTECH brand, I’m definitely going to miss it and I wish the new team there the best of luck, I will always be its biggest fan!” says Gareth. “GN Guides is an exciting challenge as it’s a fairly new section on gulfnews.com. The team is spectacular and I’m looking forward to working with them, taking the brand to the next level and all the fun we’re going to have along the way.”

Olivia Phillips joins Grazia Middle East

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Fashion and lifestyle magazines Grazia Middle East, Grazia Qatar and Grazia Luxury, part of the ITP Publishing group, welcome Olivia Phillips to the role of Deputy Editor. With 10 years of experience, Olivia most recently worked as Fashion Features Editor for Emirates Woman, where she was responsible for fashion and beauty features. Previously she held positions at Stylist UK and Net-a-Porter.com and has written for You magazine, Refinery29.com and MatchesFashion.com.

KBW Investments welcomes Fida Chaaban

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Fida Chaaban has joined KBW Investments as the Group’s Chief Communications Officer. Formerly the Founding Editor-In-Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East, where she worked for over two and a half years, Fida will now work with KBW Investments to oversee all of its marketing communications and digital platforms. She will also be liaising with media and stakeholders on behalf of the Dubai-based portfolio group which was founded in 2013 by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal.

“I’m really looking forward to my new role with KBW Investments as the Group’s Chief Communications Officer,” says Fida. “My appointment comes as the Group rapidly expands its operations and makes strategic advancements in the MENA region and beyond. I’m hoping to help communicate and articulate the company’s vision as it navigates this exciting new phase of its business. In addition, KBW’s Chairman, HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal has a keen interest in startups both in the Middle East and further afield, hence this new role will allow me to continue to remain closely involved with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which was a key factor in my decision to join the company.”

Socialize welcomes Sireesha Ventaka

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Socialize has appointed Sireesha Ventaka to the role of Finance Director. With over 13 years of experience, Sireesha most recently worked with Flip Media as the Chief Financial Officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for enhancing corporate governance and overseeing Socialize’s financial operations.

“Sireesha’s experience of supporting another regional digital agency through its growth and life cycle makes her perfect for the job as we transform our business operations and prepare for an exciting 2017,” says Akanksha Goel, Managing Director, Socialize.

Simon Bower joins Socialize

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Socialize has appointed Simon Bower to the role of Media Strategy Director. Previously Digital Director at OMD London, Simon has over seven years of experience in media and will now head Socialize’s media businesses as well as oversee strategies for key regional clients. He will also be working alongside Managing Director Akanksha Goel to evolve the agency’s performance-media offering across the region.

“I’m looking forward to exploring the media dynamics in this exciting, evolving region and bringing my experience to bear at an agency where I can make real-impact to the business.” Says Simon.

Akanksha Goel, Managing Director, Socialize, adds “We are extremely excited to have Simon on the team. His combination of experience with network agencies and mature European markets will help bring a different point of view that drives further growth for our clients. We will be able to leverage his skills across programmatic, data and analytics to provide a comprehensive media offering that further bridges the gap between creative and technology.”

Arab News appoints Faisal J. Abbas

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Former Editor of Al Arabiya News Channel‘s English language service, www.alarabiya.new/English, Faisal J. Abbas will be the new Editor-in-Chief of Saudi Arabia’s English language daily newspaper Arab News. Part of Riyadh-based Saudi Research and Marketing (SRMG), the Middle East’s largest integrated publishing company, Arab News was established in the region in 1975 and has been home to a number of influential English-speaking Editors as well as Journalists and Faisal will be working to take the publication global. Having joined the Al Arabiya News Channel in 2012, Faisal worked to relaunch and expand news coverage of the channel’s English language digital platform. Associate Editor Ammar Aziz will now handle interim management of the service.

“Faisal is among the most prominent Saudi journalists on the international scene,” says HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohamad bin Farhan Al-Saud, Chairman, SRMG. “He brings an impressive track-record of successful media brands re-launching as well as expanding newsroom operations. This appointment falls in line with SRMG’s future vision of taking our titles to new heights by empowering young Saudi media leaders capable of meeting the aspirations of the new generation who are today’s biggest media consumers.”