ShortList UAE now live

/0 Comments/in /by

ShortList UAE officially launched its online platforms today, shortlistdubai.com and shortlistabudhabi.com, with its print publication to follow in September. Falling under the umbrella of Arab Publishing Partners (APP), part of ITP Publishing Group, the websites are headed up by Shortlist UAE Editor-in-Chief Eddie Taylor and Digital Editor Sarah Garden.

The websites include features on restaurants and cafes, bars and clubs, film and TV, events and attractions, as well as shopping and style – all relevant to their respective cities. Differing from Shortlist’s UK website, the UAE counterparts will be aimed at both women and men. Both websites will be updated regularly and will include searchable entertainment listings for each city.

 

Grayling launches flagship African office

/0 Comments/in /by

Global communications consultancy Grayling has announced the launch of its new office in Nairobi, Kenya. The establishment of this office will cement Grayling’s presence in Africa and act as a regional hub for East Africa.

Grayling has developed a strong base of clients across the African continent, which until now it has represented through international offices and African affiliate networks. Part of Grayling’s Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) region, the new Nairobi office will coordinate with Grayling’s consultancy teams in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Istanbul and Muscat and will be overseen by Loretta Ahmed, Grayling’s Chief Executive Officer, META.

“We are thrilled to expand our international network into Kenya and East Africa,” says Loretta. “We start with a 12-strong team that is 70 percent Kenyan and with a firm commitment to nurture and grow local talent.”

“Our clients are increasingly focussed on Africa – and its fastest-growing sub-region, East Africa, has been firmly on our emerging markets radar,” adds Paul Taaffe, Chief Executive Officer, Huntsworth, Grayling’s parent company. “With a highly-talented, Nairobi-based team and the experience of its global network, Grayling will be an important partner for local and international businesses throughout East Africa.”

Digital Ink launches in Dubai

/0 Comments/in /by

Content services agency Digital Ink have launched in Dubai. Covering a network of freelance journalists, editors, photographers and producers based in the region, Digital Ink supply social media content, features, interviews, copy-editing, translation and video services to media outlets and brands.

Headed up by Managing Director Rachel McArthur, Digital Ink is currently responsible for editing T Emirates – the UAE version of T: The New York Times Style Magazine, and Executive Series – a lifestyle print publication that is a supplement to Bloomberg Businessweek ME. Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role having worked across various publications for the past decade including Emirates Business 24/7, Explorer and Yahoo! Middle East.

“When it comes to UAE media, we’ve found that more and more publishers and digital companies are looking for freelancers to cover full-time staff on holiday, as well as perhaps cover events they cannot attend or work one-off projects,” says Rachel. “Approaching us saves editors the time of having to look for contributors, and they trust that we will pair them with the right people. We also work with brands – providing everything from web content to more creative campaigns.”

Flip Flop Media launches Future Cities ME

/0 Comments/in /by

Flip Flop Media, has announced the launch of Future Cities Middle East (ME) today. The magazine is an incisive yet all-inclusive look at issues relevant to designing, building, sustaining and living in the cities of tomorrow.

Future Cities ME will cover developments and issues on a number of subjects ranging from green construction, infrastructure, urban transport, sustainability and technology, to lifestyle, healthcare, education and eco-awareness. Future Cities me brings news, features, interviews and opinions to its readers in an urbane, interesting and unique format. The magazine will be published with a circulation of 27, 500 copies in print monthly for a retail price of AED50.

“Future Cities ME fulfils the present day need for a unique platform that fosters public-private partnerships in building successful and sustainable cities of the future,” says Liam Williams, Publisher and CEO, Flip Flop Media. “It discusses the entire range of issues that will affect the way we live and do business in the cities of our collective future.”

Tala Samman wins Best Blogger Award

/0 Comments/in /by

Tala Samman of London/Dubai-based blog Myfashdiary.com won Best Blogger at The Middle East Fashion Awards 2015. Having graduated from London College of Fashion in Fashion Media and Communications, Tala has worked as a Fashion Editor for Style.com Arabia as well as a PR Intern for Halston and Tom Ford. She began Myfashdiary in 2009, as a way of showcasing her love of fashion, beauty, travel and food. In 2012, Tala won Fashion Personality of the Year at the Grazia Middle East Awards.

“I’ve been in the blogging world for over 5 years, and I am always incredibly honoured when I gain recognition from the industry,” says Tala. “I’m proud of my blog, and how consistently it is evolving.”

Friday magazine to be relaunched

/0 Comments/in /by

Friday magazine has been redesigned and relaunched. The glossy magazine launched in 1997, is published by GN Publishing every Friday alongside Gulf News. It printed an average of 115,000 copies weekly in 2014, and according to the Target Group Index UAE, the magazine has been read by 360,000 consumers in the last seven days. The relaunch is a culmination of six months market research by Friday magazine, resulting in a complete redesign lead by Editor Karen Pasquali Jones, with Art Editor Mark Setchfield.

“Friday has always been the market leader in the UAE, and I’m thrilled that it now looks world-class,” says Karen. “We have done six months of research all over the country to find out exactly what our readers want and give them a magazine to look forward to receiving every week. We have always carried thought-provoking stories, features on people making a difference, and campaigned on national and international issues and now it is wrapped up in a completely new, modern design.”

Buzzeff launches mobile video ad format

/0 Comments/in /by

Digital communications solutions company Buzzeff has exclusively launched two mobile video advertisement formats in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) as part of a strategic partnership with video ad distributor Teads. The formats – inRead Mobile and inFlow Mobile – will allow publishers to smoothly integrate video formats with their content easily, and allow for a number of audience targeting options.

“Through our strategic partnership with Teads, we continuously provide advertisers and brands with more efficient and innovative advertising communication solutions,” says Jérôme Mouthon, Founder and Chairman of Buzzeff MEA. “The release of mobile video is an important milestone in the world of advertising.”

 

 

Abu Dhabi to re–launch TV Network

/0 Comments/in /by

Abu Dhabi is relaunching its television network in a move to adopt a newer, more integrated strategy as a way of reflecting the UAE’s national identity. The Abu Dhabi TV Network will launch two new programmes, El Emarat and Abu Dhabi,  as well as re-launch its current programme content, so that they are in line with UAE’s Vision 2011 and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.

The re-launch will see Abu Dhabi attempt to align its media offerings with the latest market trends. This will also reflect the development of the UAE, as well as promote a sense of national identity and culture. Abu Dhabi TV network has also hired 10 additional Emirati presenters, which will bring its total number of Emirati broadcasters and presenters up to 23.

Grayling announces new office in Muscat

/0 Comments/in /by

Communications consultancy Grayling has announced the launch of a new office in Muscat, Oman following the creation of a partnership between its parent company, Huntsworth PLC, and a local Omani company, Al Reem Creative. Through this new office, and in close collaboration with Al Reem Creative’s subsidiary, Brand Infiniti, Grayling will provide communications and digital marketing services to leading local and international organisations operating in the Sultanate.

The Muscat office will coordinate with Grayling’s other Middle East consultancy teams in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai, and will be overseen by Loretta Ahmed, Grayling’s Chief Executive Officer for Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

“Business opportunity has led us to Oman,” says Lord Chadlington, CEO of Huntsworth and Grayling Chairman. “We are committed to a strong and successful partnership with Brand Infiniti, one of Oman’s most technologically advanced and inventive creative businesses. Our clients from other Middle East markets want us to service them in Oman and we have several successful mandates already underway. Our new Oman operation will help us provide a more comprehensive offering to clients across the Middle East and to international clients with growing needs in one of the most interesting countries in the region.”

Sheikh Khalid Al Wahaibi, Chairman of Brand Infiniti adds, “Brand Infiniti is incredibly excited about our partnership with Grayling, one of the world’s leading public relations companies. Our objective is to work together to bring the very best creative skills and the highest standards of client service to Oman.”