Shayan Shakeel joins ITP

/in , /by

ITP Publishing has welcomed Shayan Shakeel to the role of Editor of Aviation Business magazine. Previously Editor at Telecom Reviewand most recently Senior Journalist at Bloomberg Businessweek, Shayan has over seven years of experience in journalism and communications and has worked on leading editorial content for special reports, as well as online and print publications. In his new role, he will be responsible for reporting news across a number of topics relevant to the aviation industry including; airlines, airline services, airports, technological providers and all related policy development.

House of Comms welcomes Keeley Duffy

/in , /by

Integrated communications agency House of Comms has appointed Keeley Duffy to the role of Senior Account Director. With over 20 years of experience in PR working across brands such as Warburtons, Costa, Asda and ITV, Keeley has worked for agencies in the UK as well as in the GCC. In her new role, Keeley will become a part of the Senior Management team at House of Comms and focus on the expansion of the agency across the GCC. She will also be a senior point of contact for House of Comms in the region.

“We have built this business based on passion, experience and gut instinct for people and clients that are the right fit,” says Kaja Evans, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, House of Comms. “When we met Keeley we instantly knew that she would thrive with us and help to achieve our aggressive growth strategy for 2016 and beyond. Her experience, her energy and the impact that we have already seen within a very short space of time makes us very excited for Keeley to show the GCC and beyond what she is made of.”

good welcomes new Editor

/in , /by
 good magazine, part of Motivate Publishing, has welcomed Jennifer Gibson to the role of Editor. With 13 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism, in the UK as well as in Dubai, Jennifer has previously worked at VIVA and HELLO! Middle East. Most recently she worked as a freelance writer, contributing to titles such as Good Taste, What’s On Dubai, Cyclist Middle East, The National and Gulf News, she has also worked in broadcasting for Dubai 92 and Dubai Eye. In her new role, Jennifer will be responsible for the monthly lifestyle magazine, handling all editorial content including; writing, commissioning and editing features as well as promoting the magazine via social media and radio.

“I’m delighted to be joining Motivate as Editor of good and am looking forward to working more with the fantastic team here,” says Jennifer. “I’ve lived in Dubai for nearly five years now and have watched the city grow and evolve dramatically during that time, so I’m very excited about getting out there and seeing what’s new, exciting and homegrown in our city.”

House of Comms promotes Georgia Adderley

/in , /by

House of Comms has promoted Georgia Adderley from Junior Account Executive to the role of Account Executive. Having joined House of Comms in January 2016, where she has worked on a number of new client wins for the agency, Georgia is a recent graduate from Nottingham Trent University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. As an Account Executive, she will now take on additional responsibilities such as managing and developing client accounts as well as strengthening House of Comms’ network of media contacts.

“Georgia has continued to blow us away with her professional approach, her ability to build an instant rapport with clients, her creativity and her ability to always get the job done,” says Abby Wilks, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “Her performance in new business is something that has been integral to new business wins such as Instagram and she is a key member on all of her accounts. Her positivity and energy is felt throughout the office and she has a very bright future ahead of her at House of Comms.”

Condé Nast Traveller welcomes Lou Fay

/in , /by

Condé Nast Traveller Middle East, part of APP Media Group, has welcomed Lou Fay to the role of Art Director. Previously a freelance Creative Director at the Daily Creative in Australia, Lou has over 20 years of experience in media and has worked for publications such as Australian Good Taste, Dolly and New Woman. In her new role, Lou will design cover pages for the monthly luxury travel publication, as well as produce artwork and create the layout for Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.

Hill+Knowlton appoints new CEO

/in , /by

Hill+Knowlton Strategies has appointed Bashar AlKadhi to the role of Chief Executive Officer, MENA, starting September 2016. Previously COO at ASDAA’A Burson-Masteller, Bashar has over 17 years of experience in PR having worked in senior roles for companies including; i2 Group, Coca-Cola and intermarkets PR. In his new role, he will oversee Hill+Knowlton’s business across the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, as well as join the company’s management team and serve as the Senior Vice President, EMEA.

“I am very pleased to have Bashar AlKadhi onboard,” says Lars Erik Grønntun, Chairman and CEO, Hill+Knowlton, EMEA. “He comes very highly recommended from clients, colleagues and senior executives alike. Bashar brings with him a number of qualities to our company, including a dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit and a keen intellect. But, first and foremost, he is a client man and I look forward to having him engage with our existing and new clients in the region.”

Bashar adds “I am truly excited to take on this new challenge. Hill+Knowlton Strategies was the first international PR company established in the Middle East and has a long history in the region. Now it is my turn to be the steward of this legacy and take the company into the next phase – I look forward to getting to know the people and the clients as well as build on all the great things that I know Hill+Knowlton stands for.”

Alexandra Williams joins IHC

/in , /by

IHC Integrated Communications has welcomed Alexandra Williams to the role of Associate Director at the Dubai office. With eight years of experience in PR, digital analytics, crisis communications and strategy, Alexandra previously worked at Weber Shandwick, Kuala Lumpur as an intern where she worked on technology and B2B accounts including Microsoft and Google. She most recently worked at Grayling, UK as the Associate Director, where she worked on a portfolio of PR and digital clients including HSBC, Coca-Cola and Skype. In 2013 she moved to Dubai to oversee and take the digital lead at DABO & CO. In her new role, she will be handling IHC’s delivery of PR, digital and experiential marketing as well as supporting the continued expansion of the agency’s integrated offering at the Dubai office.

“With a strong PR background and advanced digital capability, IHC focuses on elevating brands through superior content, integrated communication and creativity, so Alex’s appointment is a natural fit for us,” says Ian Hainey, Managing Director, IHC. “Since inception, we have used a winning mixture of marketing techniques to maximise brand awareness and lead generation for clients. Bringing Alex on board will definitely help our clients enjoy an even higher multiplier effect on their communications investment.”

Alexandra adds “I am delighted to be joining such a strong team at IHC and am very much looking forward to exercising a multitude of marketing techniques in my new role. Ian and the team have strong brand names under their belts. I am excited to expand on this.”

Jumeirah appoints Group Vice President

/in , /by

Dubai-based luxury hotel company Jumeirah Group has appointed Yousef Tuqan to the role of Group Vice President of Brand Marketing and Loyalty. With over 20 years of experience in digital strategy and media in the region, Yousef has previously worked for both regional and international brands including; Careem, Leo Burnett MENA and Flip Media.

“Having worked with Jumeirah early on in my career I have always admired this iconic, homegrown global brand,” says Yousef. “I’m incredibly excited to lead the Jumeriah brand’s evolution.”

Prism welcomes Faisal Bhatti

/in , /by

Prism Communications has welcomed Faisal Bhatti to the role of Creative Designer. With over 12 years of experience in web design applications including UI and UX design, Faisal most recently worked in Pakistan as well as the UAE across major companies such as iTACK Solutions, Secure-Bytes and Groovon, a part of Acore Group. In his new role, Faisal will be managing and overseeing the operations of the design team in Dubai.

“We are thrilled to have Faisal join the team,” says Lovetto Nazareth, Managing Director, Prism Communications. “He is a very capable young man and we look forward to creating awesome things with him here in our Dubai office.”

The Wall Street Journal welcomes Deborah Parmenter

/in , /by

Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Custom Studios has welcomed Deborah Parmenter to the role of Regional Sales Manager for the Middle East and Africa (MEA), where she will be responsible for extending the studio’s business across display and vertical markets from its Dubai office. Deborah joins the WSJ Custom Studios team from Gulf News Publishing, where she was Circulation and Subscription Marketing Manager and worked across publications including InsideOut, Aquarius and Friday. As Regional Sales Manager for MEA, she will report to Adam Fox, Director, MEA, The Wall Street Journal and work alongside key media agencies in the region, concentrating on trades such as; real estate, hospitality and healthcare.

“I am thrilled to have Deborah join our team here in Dubai at such an exciting time for The Wall Street Journal and for custom content,” says Adam. “Deborah’s wealth of contacts, enthusiasm and passion for our brands speak for themselves.”