Brave & Heart launches

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David Parkinson and Richard Rust, former Heads of Digital at Nissan have launched new consultancy, Brave & Heart. With over 25 years of experience, David joined Nissan in 1999 and has worked on leading the flagship digital programmes and the launch of Nissan Qashqai to global success. Richard brings with him 12 years of experience in working with brands, agencies and consultancies such as Land Rover, Accenture and Ogilvy before heading the digital operations at Nissan. The new consultancy will focus on working with flexible teams and global implementation partners, to support clients across key areas of digital activities including strategy, transformation and experimental.

“Offering agile, remote teams and engaging specialist expertise where and when needed, is something that is critical to our approach,” says Richard. “We provide expert digital firepower to our clients without the burden of expensive consultancy overheads and the associated bureaucracy.”

David adds, “We see a clear need for a new model – one that harnesses real-world expertise and is able to provide rapid, flexible support to brands and their partners to deliver disruptive digital. Amateur hour is over. Our clients need bravery and passion.”

GN Media launches REACH

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Dubai-based multimedia organisation, GN Media has launched a new sponsored content creation team, REACH. The new team is a collaboration of editorial, multimedia and commercial talents that aims to provide innovative as well as creative content solutions to brands across the region.

“As audiences become more sophisticated and selective in the way they view advertising and at times even ignore it, it is vital that publishers, brands and advertisers collaborate on finding new, creative solutions,” says Anshuman Joshi, Publisher, GN Media. “We see content as being at the heart of this and we have some of the region’s leading content creators who can produce brilliantly creative, engaging stories for brands. “Whether this is digital, video, social or print, brands need to engage with audiences and earn their attention and trusted, clever content helps do this.”

Chee Smith launches portfolio website

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Dubai-based fashion stylist, Chee Smith has launched cheesmithfashionstylist.com to support her new freelance fashion styling career. With over 20 years of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, Chee previously worked with VIVA magazine and most recently with Cosmopolitan Middle East as Fashion and Beauty Director. Her new website will feature her styling work across the categories of fashion, beauty, celebrities and still-life shoots to showcase her work to potential clients in the Middle East and across the World.

“I’m super excited to finally launch my website and have a digital platform where I can showcase my work both here in the Middle East and to the rest of the world,” says Chee.

Emma Norstrom launches new agency

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Dubai-based marketing professional, Emma Norstrom has launched a new marketing and communications agency, Skandi Studios. Previously Senior Regional Communication and Marketing Manager at AlYasra Fashion for the DKNY division, Emma has over 15 years of experience in the industry. The new agency will provide services such as strategic planning, media relations, brand awareness as well as planning and analysis for fashion and lifestyle clients.

“It’s really daunting to take the leap of faith and start my own company,” says Emma. “but, the rewards are already so satisfying. The feedback about what I’m trying to achieve has been great so far and I’m super excited about what lies ahead.”

New digital agency launches

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Dawn Kubicek, previously Regional Account Director at Profusion, has launched a new social media and digital agency, Creative Active. With over 15 years of experience in digital marketing, Dawn launched the agency to support businesses in the UAE through digital and analytical tools. Creative Active offers services ranging from SEO, digital PR, training and management on social media to analytics that ensure targets are met and budgets are managed effectively.

“We are very excited to be launching in the UAE,” says Dawn. “Everyone is eager to learn and use new innovative ideas to enhance their business performance.”

Meltwater launches new executive tool

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Global media intelligence firm, Meltwater has launched new business tool, Executive Alerts. The real-time executive tool will provide users with the most critical insights about their company and competitors as well as the industry, sent directly to their smart devices. The Executive Alerts will also include features such as on-demand reports, multi-lingual supported monitor and instant summary messages.

“Senior executives across all functions and sectors need accurate, real-time data from outside their company to make sound decisions and Executive Alerts empowers them to do just that,” says Zubair Timol, Director of Strategy EMEA, Meltwater. “With billions of conversations taking place online every day, it’s previously been impossible to keep up with what’s being said about your brand and the industry it operates in, but that changes now.”

Event registration tool and app launches

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Digital production company, 20/20 Productions has launched DelegateManager™ and DelegateManager™ Check-In, a digital registration tool and supporting app that aims to reduce error for Event Managers. The platform manages delegate information, from attendance status to dietary requirements, while increasing accessibility and accuracy of data for both, event managers and users.

“DelegateManager™ Check-In can be used across multiple devices, even in areas of limited or no Wi-Fi,” says Graham Stewart, Head of Digital and Emerging Technologies, 20/20 Productions. “It reduces the need for paper and speeds up delegate check-in through powerful search and customisable filters making it a much-needed tool for many Event Managers. By allowing event managers to get real-time access to attendance levels and other important data, it can greatly assist when running any size of event.”

CARMA launches media intelligence mobile app

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Global media intelligence provider, CARMA has launched a mobile app for its Insight portal delivery platform. The mobile app will provide PR and communications clients with multi-lingual media monitoring tools and analysis to their smartphones. The features of the new app will also cover global digital and broadcast media as well as print media and is compatible with both iOS and android devices.

“As technology develops and news media becomes increasingly social, it’s vital for the PR industry and c-level executives to be able to track conversations about their company, brands and products at any time, wherever they might be,” says Mazen Nahawi, CEO, CARMA. “Our app is fully customisable and enables content to be shared across various social platforms.”

Al Scene launches across the Middle East

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Creative and media agency, MO4 Network has launched Arabic online magazine, alscene.com across the Middle East. Based in Egypt, Al Scene is an Arabic culture and lifestyle platform that aims to provide high quality, engaging and dynamic content across the region. The new online magazine comprises of a team of Arabic writers from across the region and will feature in-depth stories, news, op-ed pieces, interviews and exclusives.

“Al Scene is brave and aware,” says Ahmed Fares, Managing Editor, Al Scene. “With an increase in the amount of Arabic content online, there has been a high demand regionally for a website that speaks our common language without limits or reservations. Thus, Al Scene is comprised of a team of trailblazers who voice everything our audience wish they could say through a plethora of engaging and diverse content.”