Cannes Lions launches Young Lions PR competition

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Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2016 and PRCA MENA are launching the first Young Lions PR competition in the Middle East and North Africa. The competition aims to discover the leading young creative PR team globally and will see teams of two competing for the prize, with all teams having gone through a pre-selection process in their own country set up by local Cannes Lions representatives. PRCA will be handling the competition to find a team to represent the MENA region.

“Cannes Lions is committed to showcasing and developing global talent through its extensive programme of training and competitions,” says Steve Latham, Head of Talent and Training, Lions Festivals. “The Young Lions Competitions provide an opportunity for rising stars to demonstrate their abilities and creativity in front of some of the most influential names in the creative communications industry. We’re delighted that the PRCA are coming on board to help deliver this incredible opportunity to young PR talent in the MENA region.”

Francis Ingham, Director General, PRCA MENA and Chief Executive, MPRCA, ICCO, adds “We are delighted to be conducting the inaugural Young Lions PR competition for the MENA region. Not only does this offer a brilliant opportunity for young, creative minds, but it also demonstrates the growth of PRCA MENA and it’s reputation on the international stage.”

 

AL Publishing launches

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Arabic content group AL Arabic has now split into AL Publishing and ALP Content Services DMCC, which will specialise in content creation and Arabic translation. Based in Marina Plaza Tower, Dubai, AL Publishing will initially focus on flagship title AL Business, as well as six other specialised publications; AL Press, AL Medicine, AL Technology, AL Style, AL Travel and AL Culture. The seven publications and their online platforms will be managed by 12 people across the Middle East and the company will be headed up by Dr Ali Mohamad, who will also be Editor-in-Chief of AL Business.

“AL Publishing comes today to compliment the efforts AL Arabic has offered the Arabic content industry over the past three years,” says Dr Ali. “We wanted to have our unique markup in the market, via focusing on specialised titles and high quality Arabic content, as evident by selecting the Arabic definite article AL as our umbrella brand. Our launching portfolio includes seven titles, with three more and a print flagship in the pipeline. Our goal will always be to offer Arabic readers high quality content and purposeful information or in other words, to be faithful to what journalism truly is.”

AdFalcon and Rubicon Project form new partnership

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Mobile advertising network and data platform AdFalcon has formed a strategic partnership with global automation technology provider Rubicon Project to launch a new local mobile advertising exchange in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region – AdFalconX. The new partnership will offer a potfolio of advertising inventory for mobile aiming to offer the best ROI for media agencies, advertisers and publishers.

“We are thrilled to announce this strategic partnership – the first of its kind in the region,” says Wael Quader, CEO and Co-Founder, AdFalcon. “Rubicon Project’s technology will diversify AdFalcon’s offering and enable programmatic buying of our inventory, providing our advertisers and publishers with multiple options and targeting capabilities to deliver the best results.”

Julien Gardès, MD, Southern Europe and MENA, Rubicon Project, adds “AdFalcon has established itself as the mobile advertising leader in its region. Our own pedigree in automated digital advertising now spans across all devices and joining forces with AdFalcon will ensure that AdFalconX is the most premium offering that we can deliver to publishers and advertisers alike.”

 

Sky News Arabia launches football app

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Sky News Arabia has launched a new application dedicated to the world of local, regional and international football that will allow fans to keep up to date with the latest football news via their smartphones and tablets. The app will allow users to check live scores, learn more about team formations, club rankings, top scorers and final results, as well as access in-depth analyses and commentaries and is currently available for free on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

“This application is the result of Sky News Arabia’s business philosophy of continuous innovation and development of products for the benefit of our followers across all platforms,” says Nart Bouran, CEO, Sky News Arabia. “This latest addition to the Sky News portfolio reflects our keenness to provide football fans with all the latest news about clubs and star players along with a wide selection of statistics, photos and videos. This application is the perfect compliment to our programs and sports news on Sky News Arabia TV and radio, including the popular Malaeb program.”

Boguslavsky & Co launches Social Cult

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Marianna Boguslavsky, Managing Director of digital strategy agency Boguslavsky & Co has launched Social Cult – www.socialcult.co – a social media marketing startup aimed at independent films with limited budgets. Currently in its initial launch phase, the website will also soon have an eCommerce component.

“There is a significant problem with the current state of the indie film marketing industry – phenomenal, ground-breaking independent films are not getting enough traction because they aren’t marketed effectively,” says Marianna. “Most indie filmmakers and producers have little budget and we feel that negatively influences the way films are marketed so we want to help change that if we can.”

BNC Publishing launches new awards

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Hotel News ME, part of BNC Publishing, is set to host its inaugural Leaders in Hospitality Awards 2016, on April 19 at The St. Regis Dubai in order to celebrate the best of the industry’s talent, properties and concepts. The awards are designed to capture the outstanding elements of properties, campaigns and people across a number of categories including Leading New Hotel, Best Spa and Best Room Refurb. Judges will be announced on hotelnewsme.com later this month.

“The Leaders in Hospitality Awards 2016 will celebrate and bring together professionals at all levels,” says Melanie Mingas, Group Editor, Business Portfolio, BNC Publishing. “The categories have been meticulously constructed to represent all sectors and levels of the industry, as opposed to the traditional people-only awards. We have categories that will distinguish exceptional concepts, properties and personalities across the industry.”

Majid goes mobile

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Majid TV, part of Majid Entertainment, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media, is set to launch a website as well as a new app in order to take its characters to a global audience. The website and app will bring characters to life through TV clips, music, games and issues of the magazine, all available at the touch of a button. Majid TV was initially launched in September 2015 due to the increasing popularity of Majid Magazine and Majid comics across the Arab-speaking world.

“This represents a significant step forward for Majid Entertainment, but more importantly we know it’s something that children can enjoy while their parents can be safe in the knowledge that they can trust the fun edutainment content being viewed,” says HE Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, Chairman and Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Media. “The launch of Majid TV has been a fantastic success and allows us to reach millions of households in the region. However, the launch of the website and app, which will also link into our videos on YouTube, means Majid Entertainment will have a global reach 24 hours a day.”

 

Hayat FM launches Top 20

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Radio station Hayat FM 95.6, part of GN Broadcasting, is launching a Top 20 Chart as part of The 7 Days Breakfast Show. The show will play every weekend from 8am to 10am and will be presented by Abdullah Al Muhairi and Farah Sayegh, who will ask listeners to call into the station and talk about the songs that they feel should be in the charts.

“We’re really excited about the launch of the Top 20 Chart,” says Abdullah. “This promises to be the longest ever breakfast show, but the interactive element to the program will really leave listeners asking for more.”

Aquarius launches bespoke covers

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Aquarius magazine has launched individually-named bespoke March 2016 issue covers for each of the magazine’s 1,500 subscribers. Each cover is a variation on the retail edition cover, but features the reader’s name as part of the main headline and reduced coverlines. Each personalised cover will be delivered directly to the subscriber’s door as part of the brand’s strategy for consolidating and growing its subscriber database and focusing on brand-to-hand activities. The magazine will also begin to include personalised advertising pages, with Home Centre personalising their artwork in the March issue. 

“Aquarius is in a unique position thanks to being a part of GN Printing and GN Distribution – which has allowed us to introduce this exclusive gift to our readers,” says Katie Heskett, Publisher of the Women’s Lifestyle Group, GN Publishing. “Creating personalised covers has been a team effort with all parts of GN Media working together for the benefit of our audience as well as our clients.”

Louisa Wilkins, Editor, Aquarius, adds “We always want to give back to our readers and an exclusive subscriber cover is just one way we’re doing that. From the magazine team to the delivery boys getting it to their door, everyone has been excited to be part of the process.”

JPd launches PR Department

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Boutique branding and communications agency JPd has launched a new PR department in an effort to strengthen its range of services in the UAE. The department will cover a spectrum of public relations for B2B and B2C sectors, as well as support the firm’s clients with communication and digital solutions in order to drive measurable results, lead by a team of senior consultants with experience in the public relations, social media, digital marketing and branding across the UAE, MENA and Europe. 

“This is an important step for us as the launch of a new PR and digital department underlines our commitment to offer integrated approach and better service to clients,” says James Pass, Managing Director and Creative Principle, JPd. “Through our new offerings we are now capable of supporting our client at all stages – from the brand creation to the product/service launch and ongoing communication to ensure effective engagement with their key audience.”