Ghaleb Zeidan heads Weber Shandwick Abu Dhabi

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Ghaleb Zeidan, former Deputy Managing Director of Weber Shandwick in Abu Dhabi, has been promoted to Managing Director of the Twofour54-based agency. Having been with the company since 2010, the former journalist from Lebanon has successfully led a number of the agency’s largest accounts as well as having grown its government communications practice into the leading practice in the agency today.

“Our Abu Dhabi office is an award-winning operation that is well renowned for the quality of its work and the calibre of its team, which is unique locally in that it is comprised of largely Arab nationals from Abu Dhabi itself who live and breathe the local market,” says Ziad Hasbani, CEO of Weber Shandwick MENA. “With a five-year successful track record at our company already behind him, I am in no doubt that Ghaleb is the right leader to take our Abu Dhabi office forward into its next exciting chapter.”

Gulf News Publishing welcomes Mona Motamedi

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Mona Motamedi has joined Gulf News Publishing as Events and Promotions Manager. Mona previously worked as an Account Manager at advertising agency Atom, and brings over 10 years of experience in marketing and events to her new role.

As Events and Promotions Manager, Mona will be responsible for events, promotions and marketing related to the branding of Gulf News Publishing titles such as Aquarius, Inside Out, Alpha, Wheels and Friday Magazine.

“My background is in marketing, it’s what I’ve done all my life,” says Mona. “However events are what I am passionate about. What better then, to combine both with a position in such a well established company as Gulf News!”

Clement Dean promoted at BPG Group

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Regional marketing and advertising agency BPG Group has promoted Clement Dean to the role of Senior Account Manager. Having previously worked for the agency as Account Manager, Clement has over six years of experience in public relations.

As Senior Account Manager, Clement will be responsible for delivering on-brand innovation and contributing to the achievement of business objectives for clients. He will also lead client relationships and build media relationships for BPG Group.

“It is great to be recognised and rewarded for the effort and hard work I have put in,” says Clement. “I will take this opportunity to further my learnings and experience, as well as to work towards greater results and achievements for the company.”

Sarah Bartlett promoted at Weber Shandwick

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Sarah Bartlett, a Weber Shandwick veteran of 13 years and former Managing Director of its Abu Dhabi operation since 2007, has taken up the role of Executive Director, Talent, Organisational Development and Brand Communications, Middle East and North Africa. This new role has been created to enhance the company’s investment in people across the region.

“My new role puts people at the heart of everything we do,” says Sarah. “My new mandate is to ensure that we have best-practice current people practices in place, allowing us to tap into the changing talent needs of the organisation, fostering a learning culture where employees are encouraged to own their careers, and promote the company’s unique customer employee proposition, collectively combining to ensure that Weber Shandwick MENA is one of the leading talent destinations for the best creative minds in our region.”

Commenting on the new internal structure, Ziad Hasbani, CEO of Weber Shandwick MENA, said “As a growing company with high standards in a specialised industry in this region, the single largest barrier to growth we face is the ability to bring the right kind of people on board. This newly-created function is a major step forwards for our industry in this part of the world and represents a strong message about the importance we are placing in attracting, retaining and growing the right talent in a fast-changing environment. We’re no longer hiring PR people only, but designers, planners, digital specialists and other related professionals. As a former leader of one of the largest offices in our regional network, Sarah is well placed to understand both the needs of our business and the type of people who excel in the award-winning environment we offer.”

Melanie Mingas joins BNC Publishing

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BNC Publishing has welcomed Melanie Mingas to the role of Group Editor of its business portfolio. Melanie previously worked with CPI Media Group as Group Managing Editor, and has over five years of experience in journalism.

In her new role, she will lead the continued growth of Catering News Middle East, Construction Business News Middle East, Hotel News Middle East and Logistics News Middle East in print, online and through a series of industry events. Melanie will also lead the group’s B2B digital communications and manage the direction of a series of events due to take place over the coming months.

“BNC Publishing is a forward-thinking and driven organisation, with fantastic ambition for the coming months and years,” says Melanie. “I’m delighted to be working for a publisher with an eye on innovating B2B titles and reaching diverse markets in new ways.”

Diarmuid O’Malley, Group Publishing Director, BNC Publishing, adds “We were actively seeking a candidate for the group editor role who would invigorate our B2B segment, and push it forward. Melanie’s enthusiasm and drive, paired with her significant industry experience, promises to give BNC Publishing in-market advantage to our now four-title strong business portfolio.”

Femina Middle East welcomes Shweta Bhatia

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Shweta Batia has joined Femina Middle East magazine as Fashion & Beauty Editor. A graduate from the London School of Journalism, Shweta has previously worked as a freelance journalist for various global fashion publications. In her new role, she will be supporting the Editorial team in producing the monthly title by covering the latest in fashion and beauty trends.
 
“I’m delighted to be coming on board as the face of Femina ME’s fashion and beauty pages,” says Shweta. “The magazine has great potential and we look forward to achieving great heights with the product.”

Magnet welcomes Elsa Esmeraldo

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Dubai-based photography production company Magnet, part of Emicon Media, has welcomed Elsa Esmeraldo to the role of Talent Curator. Having just moved to the Middle East, Elsa has over ten years of experience in the advertising industry across creative agencies in South Africa. As Talent Curator, she will be responsible for sourcing artistic talent for Magnet’s portfolio of clients.

“I value original thought,” says Elsa. “What excited me about advertising was the chance to work in a creative, fast-paced environment, where everyday brings a new challenge and you have to be able to think on your feet.”

Magnet welcomes Elsa Esmeraldo

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Dubai-based content production company Magnet, part of Linktia, has welcomed Elsa Esmeraldo to the role of Talent Curator. Having just moved to the Middle East, Elsa has over ten years of experience in the advertising industry across creative agencies in South Africa. As Talent Curator, she will be responsible for sourcing artistic talent for Magnet’s portfolio of clients.

“I value original thought,” says Elsa. “What excited me about advertising was the chance to work in a creative, fast-paced environment, where everyday brings a new challenge and you have to be able to think on your feet.”

BPG Bates welcomes Abraham Varughese

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Regional advertising, events, activation and design agency BPG Bates, part of the BPG Group, has appointed Abraham Varughese as Executive Creative Director. Abraham has over 18 years of experience in marketing and advertising, and most recently worked as Creative Director at Leo Burnett in Dubai.

In his new role, Abraham will work across all of BPG Bates’ accounts, heading the Creative Department. He will also form a part of the agency’s leadership team.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of defining the creative product of BPG Bates and hope to take advantage of the agency’s historical strengths, agile structure and integrated model especially in digital and media,” says Abraham. “Ultimately my goal is to make good work an organic outcome of well-thought-out everyday assignments.”

Nick Clements, CEO, BPG Bates, adds “We are delighted to have Abraham on board. His track record is a testament to his ability and we will benefit greatly from his talent and experience; he is a great addition to the team.”

Bloomberg Businessweek welcomes Shayan Shakeel

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Shayan Shakeel has joined Bloomberg Businessweek as a Senior Journalist. Shayan previously worked as Editor at Telecom Review, where he was responsible for leading editorial content as well as all online and print communications.

As a Senior Journalist at Bloomberg Businessweek, Shayan will cover technology news and events as well as politics and economics for the publication in print, special reports and online.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” says Shayan. “Businessweek is a serious publication with an edge and will allow me to have more access to what is newsworthy in the region and the world. I’m looking forward to the breadth of stories I will be able to explore at Bloomberg.”