Omnicom Media Group expands agency network

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New York based marketing agency, Hearts & Science has launched in the Middle East under the umbrella of Omnicom Media Group MENA. Hearts & Science combines personalised marketing with real-time data-led insights to offer a range of services to their clients. Fadi Maktabi, previously Head of Strategy at OMD UAE, will lead the new office at Dubai Media City.

“It’s terrific to see the tremendous momentum continuing unabated with the expansion in the Middle East,” says Scott Hagedorn, Global CEO, Hearts & Science. “Fadi has an impressive track-record and expertise in insights, strategy and innovation, a strong platform on which he can build to leverage that momentum and experience the success Hearts & Science has witnessed in other markets.”

Elie Khouri, CEO, Omnicom Media Group MENA adds, “Hearts & Science will transform the market by redefining the standard for precision and performance.”

VIVA magazine launches new website

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VIVA magazine, part of ITP Publishing Group, has launched vivabeauty.me. Providing readers with daily beauty news, the website features industry updates including make-up tips and tricks, behind the scenes sneak peeks, expert tutorials and the latest beauty items of the season.

“The recently launched website is an extension of the much loved VIVA brand and is just another way to offer readers more of what they love in an instant,” says Anita Quade, Editor, VIVA magazine.

Mr and Mrs Brunch launches new app

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UAE-based blog, Mr &Mrs Brunch has launched Let’s Brunch, an easy to use brunch information portal. Let’s Brunch is a free application that features a comprehensive list of over 30 brunches across Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as a review section that aims to help users plan their brunch with greater ease. The app is available for download with an in-app purchase option to unlock special benefits such as; discounts, free post brunch beverages and complimentary pool access.

Facebook launches Workplace

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Facebook has announced the launch of its new business-connecting tool Workplace, to help organisations and employees collaborate across the MENA region. Workplace will serve as a communications platform that will include familiar Facebook features such as; news feed, groups and messages, as well as dashboards with analytics and integrations, which is a new Workplace-only feature.

“Facebook has spent its first 12 years connecting people in their personal lives. With Workplace, we are now able to help users improve productivity through collaboration on a platform that they are already familiar with,” says Jonathan Labin, Head, Facebook MENA. “We now want to help companies in the MENA region build connections between co-workers and transform how teams work together. Organisations are stronger and more productive when everyone comes together.”

Vipen Sethi, CEO, Landmark Group adds “For a large and diverse company like ours, Workplace is an ideal solution for our employees to connect and collaborate faster and more efficiently across teams and regions. Landmark employees also have the option of using the Workplace App in Arabic, which is especially great for Arabic-speaking team members.”

Boxing News Middle East launches

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The Middle East’s first and only dedicated boxing news portal has launched under the title Boxing News Middle East (www.boxingnewsme.com). The Dubai-based platform has been created to highlight local and regional boxing talent, events and news through insights, features, analysis and hard-hitting opinion pieces that cover issues on the sport in the region.

The online platform has the facility for boxers to upload their fighter profile as well as submit alerts to the news team to highlight any upcoming fights.

MCG Associates announces new offices

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MCG Associates has announced the launch of its new offices in London and Hong Kong to serve the media, marketing, digital and PR sectors globally. Following the launch of its new offices, MCG has appointed Zena Alana as the Associate Director of the London office, which will focus on the media, design and tech sectors with an aim to work positions in London, Manchester, Berlin and Amsterdam using London as its base. The consultancy has also appointed Adam Michael Toctan as the Managing Director of its Hong Kong office, which will work with agencies across APAC to serve the advertising, designing and branding industries.

“I’m so proud to be taking MCG Group global,” says Justin McGuire, Chief Executive Officer, MCG Group. “A talent organisation set-up in the UAE initially to serve the media industry, we’ve now spread our wings with the intention of becoming number one in every territory we move into. We already have plans to look at the USA and Australia in 2017 – so watch this space.”

Society magazine launches revamped website

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Society magazine, part of Gulf Times newspaper, has re-launched its website with a new design that offers enhanced usability and functionality. The Qatar-based publication offers a range of features that include; lifestyle and social issues relevant to Qatar expatriates as well as nationals. The redesigned website will now feature a comments interface, boxes for rating content and e-mag with a page-flipping effect.

“For the past few months, as we’ve been putting out the magazine, we’ve also been busying ourselves behind the scenes, crafting something new and different,” says Amjad Vanimal, Editor, Society. “The result is a fresh-looking website that’s up and running from today. We have listened to our readers’ feedback and made improvements to make it easier to navigate our website and find what they are looking for faster. The talented design and technical team here at Society have put their heart and soul into the new website. This is just the start of a journey that will continue to improve over the coming months and years so please watch out for more changes coming up.”

Jensen Matthews launches in the UAE

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New marketing and communications agency Jensen Matthews, has launched in the UAE. Located in Dubai, Jensen Matthews was established by Loredana Matei, who is also the Executive Director, to focus on combining creativity and technology as one unique concept. The agency aims to help companies as well as organisations accelerate their growth, profitability and market presence utilising tools such as; digital marketing, social media and corporate communications.

“Dubai has a lively start-up community and Jensen Matthews’ vision is to become a trustful partner by helping corporate clients reach their strategic goals and assisting local/regional talents in making their first steps into the entrepreneurship world,” says Loredana Matei, Executive Director, Jensen Matthews. “Our target at Jensen Matthews is to combine both strategic thinking with creative thinking and this makes us Ideapreneurs.”

Careem gets new look

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Regionally based car booking app Careem has been given a new look to mark its four-year anniversary. The brand’s new identity will include a new company symbol featuring a green wink and the implementation of a revamped strategy across all verticals from product messaging and advertising, to community outreach and company culture. The new look will also give Careem an effective presence offline, with an image that aims to capture the beauty and simplicity of technology as well as the positive impact it is creating in the region.

“The rebrand represents more than just a brand overhaul,” says Mudassir Sheikha, Co-Founder, Careem. “This new branding changes the whole identity and manifestation of Careem. Our mission is to move our region towards better living and to achieve that, we had to create a regionally recognised brand symbol synonymous with what we stand for. Careem is bold, local and relevant to all and the new identity represents these attributes perfectly.”

The Qode launches new division

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Dubai based agency The Qode has introduced a new digital division that combines its offline and online services, headed up by Soraya Spahi who has over ten years of experience in digital marketing. She will oversee the new division from interactive social media management and web development to SEO/SEM campaigns that will help develop, as well as promote, branded content.

“Going digital was the next natural step for the Qode and we are so excited to have begun this very important journey into the future of communication,” says Dipesh Depala, Managing Partner, The Qode.