Saffron Media welcomes Rickson Lucas

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Rickson Lucas has joined Saffron Media as Business Development Director. Rickson brings with him a wealth of experience having spent the previous decade with ITP Publishing Group, most recently as Sales Director. In his new position, Rickson’s responsibilities will revolve around commercially growing Filmfare Middle East and Femina Middle East magazines, as well as ensuring that the team are constantly scaling new heights and pursuing new goals.

“I’m happy to have such amazing brands like Filmfare and Femina as my products,” says Rickson. “These lifestyle consumer magazine brands have been around for nearly 60 years, and it is a privilege for me to be representing the Middle East editions.”

Kevin Jones joins BPG | bates

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BPG | bates, the Dubai-based advertising, design, events and activation agency, has appointed Kevin Jones as its new Strategic Planning Director. Kevin joins from Havas Worldwide Middle East, where he has been Strategic Planning Director since 2008. He will now work across all BPG | bates accounts, with a special focus on new business and will head the agency’s strategic planning department, as well as sit on the agency’s leadership committee.

“We are delighted to welcome Kevin to the team,” says Nick Clements, CEO, BPG | bates. “He brings a wealth of experience in strategic brand building with a focus on luxury, retail and household FMCG, and will further enhance the strategic guidance we can offer our wide ranging client base here in the region.”

Kevin adds, “I am very excited to be joining BPG | bates, a really dynamic agency with an impressive legacy. I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues to help deliver big ideas for ambitious brands.”

Aby Thomas joins BNC Publishing

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Aby Thomas has joined BNC Publishing as Managing Editor of Entrepreneur Middle East. Aby joins the team from ITP Publishing, where he was previously Editor of Facilities Management Middle East, and prior to this was a freelance journalist based in New York. As the new Managing Editor, Aby will liaise with the publication’s Editor-in-Chief, Fida Chabaan, to develop business-relevant content which engages readers across print, web and social mediums. He will also directly manage the in-house columnists, and facilitate the BNC Publishing team’s professional development, as part of its staff retention and growth strategy.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Fida and her team at Entrepreneur Middle East,” says Aby. “I’ve been following its work over the past few months and I’ve been very impressed by what they’ve achieved, so I’m quite excited to have my name attached to the publication!”

Fida Chabaan, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East adds, “Appointing a Managing Editor for Entrepreneur Middle East was an arduous process. The right mix of dedication, skills and personality in a candidate for a senior-level position took me over six months to find. I was looking for a positive industry outlook, the willingness and ability to multitask effectively, and of course print, web and social media know-how. I consider Aby a valuable addition to the human capital of BNC Publishing.”

Sherry Tenorio moves on from Arabian Woman

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Sherry Tenorio is moving on from her position as Senior Editor of Arabian Woman magazine. With publication of the magazine to be put on hold, Sherry will now be involved with a host of publications, taking on the role of Editor-in-Chief for Post magazine, a newly-launched lifestyle magazine dedicated to the diplomatic community in the UAE and Qatar, where she will oversee the editorial management of the publication. In addition to this, Sherry will take charge of luxury lifestyle and fashion title, Velvet magazine as the Resident Editor for fashion and beauty, and will contribute relevant content. Finally, as Co-Founder and Editor of online fashion and lifestyle portal, La Moda Dubai, Sherry will continue to be involved in editorial planning, writing, styling shoots and marketing.

“I’ve learned so much from my stint at Arabian Woman,” says Sherry. “I met a lot of amazing people, went to different and beautiful places, and experienced new things – I’m very grateful for having had the privilege of working for the magazine. But as they say, life goes on. It’s time for me to face new challenges and grow further; I’m terrified but excited to witness what happens next! I’m sure I will embrace the challenge and do well at Post, Velvet and La Moda.”

Heather McDonald joins Linktia

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Heather McDonald has joined content production group Linktia as Partner and Business Development Manager. Having been in Dubai since 2008, Heather has worked with Alchemy Films, first as a Producer and most recently as General Manager. In her new role, Heather will oversee Linktia’s business development, with a focus on building long term relationships with new and existing clients.

“Having worked as the General Manager for Alchemy Films for the past six years, the transition to Linktia provides a fantastic career growth opportunity,” says Heather. “Linktia is a group of market leading companies and dynamic individuals, with brands including Alchemy Films, Aperto Middle East, arabianEye, Bareface, Corbis, Magnet and The Studio. To work with such an interesting range of industries and promote brands like these is a thrilling position to be in!”

Lindsay Judge joins Gulf News Magazines

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Lindsay Judge has joined Gulf News Magazines as Group Fashion Editor. Lindsay was most recently with ITP Publishing where she was Fashion and Beauty Editor for Ahlan!, looking after all fashion and beauty content both online and in print. In her new role, Lindsay will oversee the fashion content for Gulf News Magazines, including Aquarius, alpha., Friday and Watch Time, as well as supplements.

“It’s great to be working with so many exciting titles,” says Lindsay. “I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to work across such a broad spectrum of magazines.”

Surena Chande joins La Femme

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Surena Chande has been appointed as the new Digital Content Writer for La Femme magazine’s online platform. Remaining with the Pinpoint Media Group team, Surena moves across from Good Taste magazine where she was a Writer for the past year, overseeing the content and production for style and home as well as contributing to the events, travel and food sections. In her new position, Surena will produce fresh and exciting content for the La Femme website, in addition to managing La Femme’s social media pages.

“Digital journalism has been a path that I have been eager to pursue since university,” says Surena. “So I’m very excited to embark on this new journey with a magazine brand as respected as La Femme.”

Bianca Alcaide joins CMM

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Bianca Alcaide has been appointed as Coordinating Officer for Continental Multimedia (CMM). Previously a Creative Services Coordinator with Al Tayer Group, Bianca oversaw orders from manufacturers and clients regarding art materials, as well as coordinating with the finance and logistics departments. In her new position, Bianca will coordinate with the PR’s from different brands about their new products or fashion lines, and will collect product placements and press releases for publications.

“There’s definitely truth in the saying – find a job that you love and you won’t have to work another day,” says Bianca. “I’ve certainly found mine and i’m really excited to have joined the team at CMM!”

Mae Cabigas joins Read magazine

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Mae Cabigas has been promoted to Editor of Read magazine. Prior to joining the publication, Mae was Coordinating Officer for Continental Multimedia (CMM), in charge of distributing material coming in from PRs to all sections of the magazine, as well as overseeing the distribution of complimentary copies received by agencies. In her new role as Editor, Mae will handle all editorial content for the weekly publication, brainstorming original ideas for each issue.

“This is a really great opportunity for me,” says Mae. “I have worked as the Coordinating Officer for the same publishing house, and did not expect to be given the chance to enhance my skills and move up. I am thankful foremost to my Editor-in-Chief Danielle Hosri, and of course to my colleagues for showing a great deal of support.”

Saif Haddad to leave UMEN magazine

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Saif Haddad is stepping down as Editor of UMEN magazine. Having been with Amman-based magazine since 2009, Saif has overseen all editorial content for the publication and managed a team of 10 contributors, editors and designers, as well as helping to create and approve the promotional campaigns for UMEN magazine’s clients, including photo shoots, special production ads and paid promotional content. He moves on to a new and more international chapter in his career, and will remain based in Amman, Jordan.

“UMEN was and always will be my second home,” says Saif. “The wonderful team and management have made my experience an unforgettable one and I wish them an even greater success. They will be truly missed.”