HOT Media Publishing and Betterhomes re-launch Better Living 

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Dubai-based publishing company, HOT Media Publishing has partnered with Betterhomes to re-launch home interiors magazine Better Living. The re-launch issue offers advice and inspiration to homeowners looking to style, decorate, upgrade or renovate their home. The magazine re-launch will follow a website launch containing exclusive content and updates.

“Our newly-revamped home interiors magazine, which has been running since 2006, is a must-read for anyone looking to put a personal stamp on their home,” says John Thatcher, Editorial Director and Co-Owner, HOT Media Publishing. “With the home interiors industry expanding to include a fantastic mixture of international brands and homegrown businesses, and an increasing appetite for interiors and property related advice and information, we hope that this magazine will guide our readers towards creating a home they love.”

Markettiers4dc Group of Companies launch new podcast consultancy 

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Markettiers4dc Group of Companies has launched a strategic podcast consultancy 4DC. The podcast consultancy aims to serve brands seeking to understand the opportunity and value of radio-on-demand. The consultancy will offer brands strategic consultancy, content development, production and distribution on a global scale.

“The podcast space is booming,” says Cheryl King, Managing Director, markettiers4dc MENA. “A lot of brands have their toe in the water because they want to be heard but don’t necessarily understand what the best approach is. Today’s launch of 4DC is a direct result of market dynamics, our strong heritage and expertise. The consultancy will enable brands to realise what’s possible when they strategically engage with podcast as a marketing and advertising channel.”

Seven Media launches video production company 

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UAE-based communications agency, Seven Media has launched a new video production company, Seven Studios. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Seven Studios will produce cutting-edge social media content, consumer-focused multimedia campaigns, animations and innovative corporate videos across multiple sectors including government, sport, entertainment and hospitality. The company aims to satisfy the demand for multimedia content in the region and has already signed contracts to produce video content for international brands. The new company will also see the appointment of Jim Bartle to the role of Creative Director, where he will work closely with bands, create complex video projects and brainstorm fresh ideas with the creative team.

“This is an exciting and challenging time to work in this market, where we have really ‘seen it all’ and I find that clients are ready to be pitched ever more creative ideas to stand out from the crowd and tell their stories,” says Jim. “I’m certainly looking forward to meeting this challenge as Creative Director of Seven Studios.”

“The power of video story-telling is particularly strong in the Middle East, with 35% of all online time here spent watching video,” says Gregg Fray, Co-Owner, Seven Studios. “There has been a 90% year-on-year increase in mobile watch time and that trend is set to continue, so clearly organisations who want to cut through the noise need to be putting innovative, relevant and shareable video content out in that space. Seven Media has produced video for its PR clients for some time, but we launched Seven Studios in response to a growing demand for stand-alone video and video-led campaigns to really tailor that service.”

 

Buzzeff launches new display ads

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Dubai-based online advertising company Buzzeff launches its new generation of display ads called InRead Display. Buzzeff’s new upgraded ads aim to help advertisers maximise their brands’ exposure towards their target audience without being associated with unwanted content. The new Ad format will also be viewable by design unlike traditional display formats and will be mobile-friendly to increase viewer ability and engagement among consumers.

“When it comes to online advertising, brands always aim to get the best results to capture consumer loyalty and eventually improve sales performance,” says Jerome Mouthon, Founder and Chairman, Buzzeff MEA. “In order to achieve that, the environment in which they reach their market should be set as high priority. Being the first and only company to make inRead Display available in the MEA region, we look forward to assisting different brands not only in their online ad requirements, but also in educating them about the importance of safe advertising online.”

The Sustainabilist launches online platform 

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UAE-based monthly magazine, The Sustainabilist launches its online platform. Launched one year ago, the print magazine has been a voice on sustainable issues for private and public sectors while also being the official sustainability magazine at the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX). The new online medium offers the latest news, interviews and editorial features across all sustainable topics and aims to work as a way to help connect the public to the media to contribute their own stories and ideas to the editor.

“As the most widely read green economy publication in the region, The Sustainablist is designed to educate, stimulate and encourage readers to invest in a sustainable future,” says Ivano Iannelli, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Carbon. “Launching our online platform will ensure that we reach even more readers across the private and public sector, as well as engaging with the public on key sustainability issues that affect us all, and the solutions available to help us live a greener life.”

Not A Cliché launches in the UAE 

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New communications agency, Not A Cliché launches in the UAE. Founded by Duha Shabib, the agency aims to not only provide solutions but push the limits and boundaries of obtainable results. The agency will focus on providing public relations, social media, creative advertising and digital marketing.

“Understanding the importance of a 360-degree approach to communications, I wanted to create a hybrid agency providing the perks and tailor-made services that come with an independent and creative foundation yet achieve international results and exceed expectations,” says Duha Shabib, Founder and Managing Director, Not A Cliché. “We believe one team is a strong team and joining forces with clients enables us to not only dream big but achieve bigger.”

Omar Darwish, CEO, Not A Cliché continues, “Being part of a fast-paced industry, our main aim is to always set trends. Our team has extensive expertise in the region and we believe we are equipped to bring creativity to what we are trying to achieve.”

GQ Middle East launches inaugural issue

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GQ Middle East’s debut issue hits newsstands on 4th October, marking the 21st global edition of the brand. The October issue launches together with its bilingual online platform gqmiddleeast.com, and will offer a fresh and dynamic take on fashion, style and features that GQ is famed for in a new region, The Arabian Gulf. GQ Middle East will be published by Condé Nast International, under licence agreement with ITP Media Group.

The dual-cover launch edition features Emmy-Award winning Egyptian-American actor Rami Malek, who plays the iconic Freddie Mercury in the upcoming Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody,and is recognised for his role on Mr. Robot. The cover story was shot by former creative director of American GQ Jim Moore and world-renowned photographer Peggy Sirota, and is accompanied by a full inside feature.

Abu Dhabi-born, Adam Baidawi will oversee the editorial direction of GQ Middle East as the youngest Editor-in-Chief of the brand. Baidawi commented, “Our vision for this GQ is to bring the world to the Middle East and the Middle East to the world. We’re exploring this region with fresh eyes to both inspire and reflect our reader: the modern, accomplished man.”

The launch issue is full of original editorial content, including a previously unseen photo essay from 1960s Afghanistan, a fashion shoot with Saudi film producer Mohammed Al Turki, essays from across the Arab world, a guest fashion column from Tan France, and an expansive interview with award-winning Lebanese director Nadine Labaki.

Baidawi continued, “The multimedia content created for GQ Middle East reflects the region itself: smart, stylish, challenging, familiar and always, always evolving.”

The launch will be accompanied by a 12-week series of experiential events covering the key pillars of the brand – style, watches, sports, culture and fine dining.  As part of the celebrations, GQ Middle East will host a launch event on 17th October as well as an exclusive dinner at a secret location on a private island off the coast of Dubai.

Karina Dobrotvorskaya, Executive Director Editorial Development at Condé Nast International remarked, “Condé Nast International is thrilled about the launch of a new GQ. As one of our leading brands, GQ helps define the role of a modern man in a fast-changing world. The Middle East is an incredibly dynamic and vibrant region, full of passion, curiosity and an appetite for fashion and luxury, but also full of different lifestyle standards. GQ Middle East will combine international fashion and publishing expertise with the local tastes and aspirations.”

GQ Middle East is the twenty-first edition of the multimedia brand worldwide.  GQ is published in the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Russia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Mexico & Latin America, India, Korea, Brazil, Australia, Portugal, Turkey and Thailand.

GQ Middle East will be available to purchase on newsstands on 4th October in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Lebanon.

Chalk Media Group relaunches L’Officiel in Middle East

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Jalou Media Group is excited to announce the international digital launch of lofficielarabia.com in October 2018, and the relaunch of the print edition, L’Officiel Arabia, in spring 2019.

One of the leading French luxury fashion titles for over 100 years, the L’Officiel brand is owned by Jalou Media Group, a family-owned business based in Paris and led by CEO, Benjamin Eymere. The relaunched Middle Eastern incarnation of the title will be published by Dubai-based agency, Chalk Media, headed by Managing Director, Sidharth Saigal.

A combined English & Arabic title, with 10 issues per year, L’Officiel Arabia will be distributed throughout the Middle East on an initial print run of 37,000 copies, and comprises an editorial mix of locally-produced and international content from more than 30 international L’Officiel editions.

With the debut of the digital platform in both Arabic and English, lofficielarabia.com is a fully-integrated digital newsroom offering consumers both local and international coverage of high fashion, beauty, accessories, art, travel and lifestyle, and joins the L’Officiel digital network, reaching millions of consumers across the globe.

“In the last 30 months, we have transformed a 100-year old media company into a digital lifestyle hub”, says Benjamin Eymere, CEO of Jalou Media Group. “We are reaching an audience of millions of people across the world by connecting curated lifestyle content from our presence in 30 international markets, making L’Officiel truly a global platform.”

Published in partnership with Chalk Media, the L’Officiel Arabia team will be led by Editor-in-Chief,Boba Stanic, who boasts a 15-year career in arts, culture and fashion in the Netherlands and the UAE. A highly regarded architect, with a successful design business in Amsterdam, Boba  has collaborated with a variety of international designers, studios and museums throughout his multi-faceted career, and frequently speaks on a variety of art and culture seminars and workshops across the globe.

Joining him is Lucy Wildman, who will take on the role of L’Officiel Arabia’s Deputy Editor and Fashion Director. With a 20-year journalistic career in both the UK and the UAE, Lucy brings a wealth of experience in fashion, beauty, lifestyle and celebrity journalism to the title, having previously worked on some of the biggest weekly and monthly publications in the region, including Ahlan!, Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveller, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Hello! Middle East, OK! Middle East, The Rake, Revolution and Scene.

“We are extremely excited about our association with Jalou Media Group and with the digital launch of lofficielarabia.com, followed by the print edition early next year”, said Chalk Media’s Managing Director, Sidharth Saigal. “L’Officiel Arabia is set to provide the Middle East’s digital consumer with an unrivalled insight into the latest regional and international luxury fashion and lifestyle news and features, as well as access to the global L’Officiel brand through it’s unique ‘cloud’ feature format available in both Arabic and English.”

ITP Media Group launches B2B beauty brand 

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ITP Media Group has launched new B2B magazine, Middle East Beauty. Middle East Beauty will include a monthly magazine, a website and social media platforms. The new brand will target owners and operators of salons, spas and aesthetic medical service providers while connecting industry figures, artists, stylists, spa managers and product manufacturers. The magazine and website will feature exclusive interviews with beauty players across the region as well as product releases, events, innovations and industry trends. The new launch will also see the appointment of Claudia de Brito to the role of Editor. Claudia most recently worked with Caterer Middle East where she held the role of Editor. In her new role, she will oversee all content for the print and digital platforms.

“We are pleased to announce the launch of Middle East Beauty. Changing social dynamics and growing audience of both men and women with high disposable incomes have transformed the Middle East into the fastest growing beauty market in the world,” says Alex Reeve, Managing Director, ITP Business, ITP Customer. “Led by an experienced and creative team, our new launch will provide its readers with an in-depth analysis of this booming industry. ”

We Are Social launches new report 

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Global creative agency network, We Are Social has launched a new report known as Braving the Backlash. Created by its UK office, the report aims to offer practical advice on how brands can approach sensitive issues in their marketing while properly managing hate speech and negativity online. Braving the Backlash explains why all brands need an anti-hate policy, how to create one, and where to display it. The report also introduces a new ‘Three Rs Model’ to help brands and community managers successfully categorise and respond to hate speech online.

“Diversity has become a core issue at the heart of our industry, as brands and advertisers increasingly look to speak out on societal causes which resonate with them,” says Nathan McDonald, Co-Founder and CEO, We Are Social. “However, there is still a clear lack of understanding as to how these conversations  – and indeed, campaigns – can be properly managed online without those involved having to fear backlash from certain groups online. This report aims to help to address some of these concerns, and offers brands and marketers a roadmap on how to effectively tackle negativity head on. It’s something we as a group are incredibly proud to stand behind.”