Publinet Group makes new senior appointments

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Communications network Publinet Group, which includes Cicero & Bernay Public Relations, RAW social media agency and creative think-tank Spark* Middle East, has expanded its senior leadership team with three new appointments. Cicero & Bernay has welcomed Grace Asmar to the role of Director of Practices and Offerings where she will act as the agency’s custodian of all brands and personnel. She will be responsible for the development and management of clients, working closely with Cicero & Bernay directors in an effort to drive the vision and strategy for the agency. Jamal H. Iqbal has also been appointed to the role of Director of Brand Outreach, where he will add a brand-focused and creative perspective to client’s strategies. As well as these senior appointments at Cicero & Bernay, RAW will welcome Rennie Mitchell to the role of its first-ever Creative Director, where he will work across digital and social media strategy and management for the agency.

“The expansion of the Publinet senior team is significant in that it underscores the confidence we have in the region’s opportunities and the need for senior expertise,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Publinet Group. “Publinet companies are focused on delivering best-practice solutions for our clients and the addition of these three individuals to our senior teams will offer in-depth expertise to clients and enable us to deliver integrated and strategic solutions from all of the Publinet companies.”

Motivate welcomes new Editor

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Lauren Steadman has joined Motivate Publishing as an Editor for its Connect division. Previously an Editor at ITP Publishing, Lauren has over 15 years of experience in journalism, five of which have been spent in the Gulf region. In her new role, she will edit Flashes magazine, writing and commissioning features concerning education, development, health and sustainability across the Middle East. Lauren will also be working as Contributing Editor for The Week magazine.

New Deputy Editor joins Time Out Dubai

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Amy Mathieson has joined ITP Publishing as Deputy Editor, Guides for Time Out Dubai. Previously a News Editor at Horse and Hound Magazine, part of Time Inc UK, Amy brings over nine years of experience in journalism to her new role. As Deputy Editor, Guides, she will be responsible for all of the supplements produced alongside the weekly lifestyle publication.

Carat MENA promotes Herve Wittenauer

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Carat MENA has promoted Herve Wittenauer to the role of General Manager – International Clients. Previously Client Servicing Director, Herve brings over 15 years of experience to his new role where he will now be reporting to Ramzi Haddad, Managing Director, Carat UAE and Lower Gulf. As General Manager – International Clients, he will be responsible for all of Carat’s international clients active across the Middle East and North Africa, supporting the 20 offices Carat has in the region. Herve will work to ensure that the agency delivers holistic, integrated and consistent client servicing on both a local and regional level.

“Since Herve joined us in Dubai two years ago, he has worked tirelessly to build Carat’s product offering and achieve operational excellence,” says Ramzi. “As our network and client portfolio continues to grow, it is imperative that we have the right experience and capability in key regional roles. We want to become a 100% digital agency by 2020 and continue to deliver value on a regional scale. This transformation is a huge undertaking and Herve is the right person to help us achieve this long term ambition. His promotion is a recognition of the passion, hard work and dedication that he carries with him to work every day.”

Herve adds “I have been with Dentsu network for 16 years now and in the just the last two I have seen Carat MENA grow exponentially. Our clients recognise the potential of this region and look to us to drive value across the board via our command of media convergence. I look forward to making sure our on the ground knowledge in each market is supported by a collaborative approach across the Middle East and North Africa.”

Bell Pottinger to make senior appointments

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Bell Pottinger will make a series of senior level appointments across the group’s international businesses. Sam Turvey, currently Managing Director in Dubai, will relocate to Hong Kong in early May, where he will take up the position of Managing Director in order to give a fresh perspective to the group’s Hong Kong team. Nicola Hooper, currently a Partner in the Dubai office, will become its new Managing Director where she will continue to nurture strong client relationships in the region. Nicola’s new role will also involve her working closely with Archie Berens, Managing Director of Bell Pottinger’s Abu Dhabi office, in order to implement a strategic growth plan across financial, corporate, government and consumer communications.

Tim Wilson, Chairman of Bell Pottinger Middle East, will also assume the additional role of Chairman of CSM Sport and Entertainment, Middle East and Africa, where he will oversee the opening of a new office in Dubai for the sports and entertainment agency while continuing to support the Bell Pottinger team in growing the geopolitical service offering.

“I am delighted to announce these appointments,” says James Henderson, Group CEO, Bell Pottinger. “They are a testament to our ability to attract and nurture brilliant talent which contributes to the continued success and growth of our international business. These changes are a great opportunity for Bell Pottinger’s international offices to offer clients even more of an integrated, global service. The connections between the Middle East and Asia are only getting stronger, so to be able to apply firsthand knowledge of the Middle East to businesses and individuals in the Far East – and vice versa – will be a real advantage.”

Harper’s Bazaar welcomes new Fashion & Beauty Editor

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Gemma Deeks has joined Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, part of ITP Publishing, as Fashion & Beauty Editor. Gemma was previously with Sorbet Magazine for two years as Assistant Editor, and in her new role, she will be overseeing all fashion and beauty pages for ITP’s monthly luxury lifestyle publication.

Surena Chande to leave Hospitality Business Middle East

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Former Deputy Editor of Hospitality Business Middle East Surena Chande has made the move to freelance journalism and blogging. With over three years of experience, Surena has worked on publications including Ahlan!, Cosmopolitan Middle East, Good Taste, La Femme and BBC Good Food Middle East. She will now be working on digital media and print for both consumer and trade publications, as well as blogging on lifestyle, fashion, beauty and travel at www.surenasays.com.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at CPI Media Group on great publications,” says Surena. “However, I’m now looking forward to diversifying across a selection of titles and brands, both in the region and internationally, as well as focussing on my blog that has been somewhat neglected while working full-time.”

 

Annie Turnell joins Four Seasons

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The Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island has welcomed Annie Turnell to the role of PR Manager, ahead of the property’s opening in May, 2016. Previously a Senior Account Manager at Toh PR, Annie has over two years of experience in PR with a specific focus on luxury lifestyle, hospitality and tourism accounts. In her new role, she will work on all PR and marketing activity for the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island to increase awareness of the hotel both before and after its launch.

POPSUGAR appoints new Senior Writer

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Leah Simpson has joined POPSUGAR Middle East as Senior Writer. Previously Digital Editor for Time Out Dubai, part of ITP Publishing, Leah has international experience across the digital sector having also worked as Online News Editor for Hello! Magazine in the UK and a Showbiz Reporter for the Daily Mail in the U.S. In her new role, Leah will be developing news, features and in-depth stories across all subjects on the site including entertainment, fashion, beauty, fitness, and other lifestyle content.

“I’ve been a fan of the POPSUGAR brand for many years now, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a member of the team bringing the world’s largest women’s lifestyle website to the Middle East,” says Leah.

 

Edelman DABO welcomes Account Director

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Edelman DABO has welcomed Daniel Mercado to the role of Account Director. Previously an Associate Account Director at Ogilvy Public Relations, where he was responsible for driving corporate, technology and consumer PR campaigns across the MEA region, Daniel has over eight years of PR and Marketing experience. As Account Director, he will focus on delivering integrated communication marketing campaigns to strengthen reputations and drive consumer loyalty. Daniel’s work will centre around Edelman DABO’s expanding corporate practice and his responsibilities will include providing senior counsel to agency clients, bringing new services to market, growing the agency’s talent base and spurring business development across the GCC.