New Snapchat show launched by CNN

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CNN has launched new Snapchat show, The Update globally. The new daily show will provide a rundown of the biggest news from CNN’s anchors, correspondents and reporters from around the world to be published throughout each day and time zone as well as feature rolling updates as breaking news segments. The show will be featured on Snapchat’s shows section and would be accessible by Snapchat users and subscribers of The Update.

“In today’s news environment, people are hungry for news and they want a quick update of where things are at within one tap of their phone,” says Samantha Barry, Executive Producer for Social and Emerging Media, CNN. “So, we’re serving that up, speaking their language and delivering it in beautiful, vertical, mobile friendly video.”

BrandMoxie and CreatorUp! to launch digital training course

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Abu Dhabi-based advertising agency, BrandMoxie has partnered with digital media training company, CreatorUp! to offer digital training course for media professionals in the UAE. The new partnership will see CreatorUp! offer a six-week course called ‘Become a Digital Creator’ in Abu Dhabi starting mid-September 2017. The course will include weekly assignments and assessments and is specifically aimed at journalists, content aggregators, and influencers. Registration for the course is priced at AED4,000 for single enrollment, AED3,000 if there are three or more individuals from a company and 15% discount for referrals from another institution.

ALISA PR launches in the UAE

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PR and communications consultancy, ALISA PR has launched in the UAE. The new consultancy aims to provide professionalism, strategic thinking, creativity and hands on experience in PR and social media in all areas of business across the region. The consultancy was founded by Alisa D’souza who brings with her 18 years of PR experience in the region, having previously worked with eKadaa Public Relations as PR Manager and most recently with Blue Apple Advertising as PR Director. ALISA PR will offer businesses in the region services such as strategic planning, content creation, media events, product launches, spokesperson profiling and interviews, crisis communication, influencer outreach, media outreach and media monitoring.

“PR has been my passion over the last 18 years – and I think once in your life one should gather the courage to take a calculated risk, go independent and do something you are passionate about and not fear failure as that can only help you grow as a person,” says Alisa D’souza, Founder and Public Relations Consultant, ALISA PR. “Today, Happiness is really all we want to achieve professionally and personally. Hence, I am proud to announce the launch of ALISA PR and look forward to working closely and joining hands with media, partners and clients in the region.”

Online sustainable lifestyle magazine goes live

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The first digital eco and sustainable magazine in the Middle East, theethicalist.com launches. Founded by Anthea Ayache, she brings with her a diverse background in journalism, having previously worked at Friday magazine part of Gulf News as Senior Features Writer and most recently with its radios stations Radio 1 and Radio 2 as Radio Presenter.

Theethicalist.com offers content from around the world ranging from the latest news, zeitgeist reports, exclusive interviews with eco heroes and a focus on social businesses that have positively impacted the environment with an aim to engage, inspire and enhance the lives of readers across the UAE. The online magazine will also include lifestyle features on fashion, beauty, food and travel with an eco and philanthropic twist that is accessible by readers and an option to subscribe to receive newsletters, discounts and tailored information.

The new launch will also see the appointment of Karen Pasquali Jones to the role of Managing Editor, having worked in the UK with Love It! magazine, part of News UK and Sky magazine before moving to the UAE and most recently working with Friday magazine as Editor. In her new role, she will contribute and manage the editorial content of the online magazine.

“We’re thrilled to bring something completely new and unique to Dubai,” says Anthea Ayache, Founding Editor, theethicalist.com. “Theethicalist.com isn’t just a website, it’s a brand and a way of life. We’re here to help, inspire and encourage everyone to be the best they can be and to look after themselves, the community and the planet. We deal with subjects from the hyper-local to global in an engaging way.”

Access Influence launches new marketing tool

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Dubai-based company, Access Influence has launched a new digital platform that connects brands directly to their consumers. The new tool offers scalable opportunities in word of mouth marketing by not only rewarding the consumers for sharing experiences about brands they relate to, but also allowing brands to give back to consumers who become brand advocate and increase their market exposure. The new platform allows brands once signed-up, to create briefs, track their campaigns, preview proposed content and will filter prospective influencers or brand advocates to fit their campaign objectives.

“Spending money on advertising is becoming less and less effective due to general ad blindness,” says Nour El Chaar, CEO and Founder, Access Influence. “Overall, by creating real conversations within relevant communities, the overall authenticity of the brand is elevated, while influencing purchase decisions among more like-minded and trusted consumers such as friends, family members and peer-groups.”

The Original Content Co. launches in the UAE

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Content marketing company, The Original Content Co. launches in the UAE. The new company aims to create bespoke, engaging and influential content for businesses, the media and individuals. Founded by Gemma White, who previously worked with ITP Media Group’s publications, OK! Middle East as Editor-in-Chief and Cosmopolitan ME as Group Editor, Original Content Co. will focus on all areas of content marketing including, website and blog writing, captioning, troubleshooting and social media management. In addition, the company will cover video creation, script editing, flyer content, subbing and consulting today’s media as well as providing syndicated and commissioned content for the media in the UAE and across the Middle East.

“As a journalist who has worked at some of the biggest media companies in the UAE, like everyone in the region, I have seen the media, marketing and content landscape change dramatically with the rise of bloggers, influencers, PR and media agencies, as well as social media and the constant search for the ‘next big thing’ in communication,” says Gemma. “The Original Content Co. fits into your business plan by helping brands speak to their audience in their audience’s voice – and the only proven way to do that is with effective and beautifully crafted content.”

The Pro Chef Middle East to relaunch in the Middle East

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The Pro Chef Middle East, part of CPI Media Group is set to relaunch in September 2017 across the Middle East. The relaunch will see the magazine’s print and online issue published quarterly and will focus on chef interviews, recipes, industry trends and news. The magazine will be distributed as a complimentary publication to professional culinary teams as well as leading F&B suppliers and producers across the region.

The relaunch will also see the appointment of Sophie McCarrick to the role of Editor. Having worked across the group’s titles for five years, Sophie was previously Deputy Editor of The Pro Chef Middle East and is currently Editor of BBC Good Food Middle East, which she will continue to hold. In her new role, she will be responsible for all print content planning within the magazine as well as writing, editing and conceptualising new ideas for features and supplements. She will also assist with the planning of brand events such as chef competitions and the annual The Pro Chef Middle East Awards, to be held in November 2017.

“Having worked on The Pro Chef Middle East brand two years ago as Deputy Editor, I’m extremely excited to see the magazine relaunch following my new role as Editor,” says Sophie. “Backed by a wealth of talented and passionate chefs, the region’s F&B scene continues to go from strength to strength and I look forward to seeing the publication support ongoing growth.”

M&C Saatchi PR launches global Influencer Squad

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M&C Saatchi PR has launched new influencer team, Influencer Squad. Influencer Squad is a global team that aims to develop strategies and programmes for clients and run its multi-channel, influencer campaigns globally. With its headquarters in London, and offices across seven markets, Dubai will serve as its regional office and will see Amy Brill, Head of PR at M&C Saatchi PR, lead the operations of the team’s regional office, while Meredith Brengle, Director at M&C Saatchi PR will head the team globally.

“All too often, in every market where we operate, we see influencers being used as a tactical and not a strategic tool,” says Chris Hides, Managing Director and Co-Founder, M&S Saatchi PR. “The Influencer Squad has been assembled to deliver best practice influencer campaigns. The team will develop campaigns that use influencers in the right way at the right time to deliver measurable commercial impact.”

FourFourTwo Arabia launches in the region

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International football magazine FourFourTwo launches in the UAE as fourfourtwoarabia.com. Published by Motivate Publishing, fourfourtwoarabia.com will be available in English and Arabic to offer football lovers across the Middle East insightful analysis and access to the biggest games, as well as advice on playing better and witty coverage of football matches.

“The launch of fourfourtwoarabia.com is another huge step for Motivate’s ever growing digital presence in the region,” says Mark Evans, Group Editor, Motivate Publishing. “It’s a site that football fans will love – covering all aspects of Middle East football, from club to international level, as well as the best of the English, Spanish and European leagues. And, importantly, it will be available in both English and Arabic. We’re big football fans here, so we can’t wait to get started.”

The National relaunches in the UAE

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Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, The National has relaunched in the UAE following its acquisition by International Media Investments (IMI). The revamped newspaper takes on a new logo and a complete enhancement of its print and digital platforms as well as a focus on its digital content to include daily video content podcasts, live and interactive video interviews, and news across its social media platforms. The National will be available six days a week and will include a new 20-page weekend free supplement showcasing the newspaper’s coverage of arts and culture in the UAE as well as a London Bureau led by Damien McElroy as a Correspondent to ensure the coverage of round-the-clock relevant news. The newspaper will also feature a host of influential commentators across the fields of diplomacy, politics and finance as well as expanded sports and business news.

The new launch includes the appointment of Dan Gledhill to the role of Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Dan brings with him over 20 years of experience in journalism having worked at The Independent and The Daily Mail. In his new role, he will work alongside the Editor-in-Chief, Mina Al Oraibi to oversee the print and digital platforms of the newspaper.

Also joining the new team is Dan Owen, taking on the role of Head of Digital Strategy. Dan previously worked with Trinity Mirror and most recently with Seven Media. In his new role, he will head the digital department and lead the digital transformation of the The National.

“The National will have three objectives, create influential and intellectually challenging content, bring the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s perspective to the world, and lead in the region and internationally as a modern and digitally led newsroom,” says Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief, The National. “In short, The National will be your window to and from the Middle East.”