Influencers.ae launches in the region

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New digital firm, Influencers.ae has launched in Dubai. Founded in the UAE, Influencers.ae is a digital company that offers an interactive platform for online influencer marketing and allows brands as well as agencies to discover, compare and book relevant influencers for effective digital campaigns across the GCC. The new digital company will also provide other marketing services such as content creation, product sampling and video production as an effective marketing tool for brands and agencies across the region.

“Digital spending is up, but marketers continue to spend on programmatic advertising even though they realise that the banner ad is dead,” says Clark Williams, COO, Influencers.ae. “Brands can now reach consumers with created or reposted content from relevant Influencers that their followers trust. A campaign can achieve mass impressions and a higher conversion rate for much less cost than other forms of digital advertising.”

Tanya Selley launches online business platform

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Tanya Selley, previously Editor of Business Insights magazine, part of Flip Flop Media, has launched online business news and current affairs platform, shh-business.com. With editorial experience in business and finance, Tanya launched the new platform to have a primary focus on the Middle East business scene and promote content through targeted advertising and social media networks. The new platform will also include global content and feature different categories such as business strategy, technology, lifestyle and news as well as weekly exclusive video interviews and in-depth features.

“The majority now takes news and information throughout the day from social media feeds and shh-business.com has been designed from the start with this in mind,” says Tanya Selley, Editor-in-Chief, shh-business.com. “We have on board an exciting team of writers, content creators and a clear marketing plan behind us focused on making this a big success.

The Fierce Walker goes live

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Dubai-based Style Curator and Digital Brand Consultant, Ryle Tuvierra has launched new fashion and lifestyle website, fiercewalker.com. Currently Social Media Marketing and Brand Supervisor at personal training and fitness centre, My30Minutes, Ryle’s new platform aims to introduce a new alignment for The Fierce Walker brand. The platform will focus on fashion with photoshoots showcasing an array of different stylists and photographers. Other features will include fashion week reviews and behind-the-scenes coverage, plus a lifestyle section that includes menswear, grooming and travel.

“My aim is to share my creativity – pushing the boundaries to blend my Asian roots with the Middle East aesthetic,” says Ryle. “With a focus on fashion and lifestyle, the new platform gives a new twist on what fiercewalker.com is all about.”

Radio 1 and Radio 2 make a comeback

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Abu Dhabi Media has officially launched Radio 1 and Radio 2 stations, part of the Abu Dhabi Radio Network. Previously managed by Gulf News Broadcasting, the two radio stations ceased operations late last year and have now re-launched with an all new team of presenters. Radio 1 airs on 100.5 FM in Abu Dhabi and on 104.1 FM in Dubai, while Radio 2 airs on 106 FM in Abu Dhabi and 99.3 FM in Dubai. The stations offer six main programs:

Radio 1:

  • Daily, 6am – 10am: ‘Breakfast Show’, hosted by Nimi and Mark
  • Sunday to Thursday, 10am – 3pm: ‘Fresh and First’, hosted by Chiara
  • Daily, 3pm – 7pm: ‘Drive’, hosted by Dane and Gem

Radio 2:

  • Daily, 6am – 10am: ‘Morning Show’, hosted by Richard Allen and Laura Naylor
  • Daily, 10am – 3pm: ‘The Breeze’, hosted by Sonya Mac
  • Daily, 3pm – 7pm: ‘Drive Time’, hosted by Jason King

“The official launch of Radio 1 and Radio 2 under Abu Dhabi Media underscored our strategic efforts to create tangible change in media content at Abu Dhabi Media, and diversify the media brands under it’s umbrella,” says H.E. Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, Chairman and Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Media. “The addition of Radio 1 and Radio 2 reaffirms our continuous commitment to enhancing Abu Dhabi Media as a comprehensive and diverse media platform. It also highlights our on-going efforts to further advance the media sector in the UAE and the region by supporting all traditional and modern media.”

Zahirah Variawa launches new blog

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Founder and Managing Director of Think Liquorice, Zahirah (Variawa) Marty has launched her new motherhood blog, meetmrsmarty.com. The new platform aims to offer support and inspiration to the global community of women by featuring pieces of the everyday women’s’ journey into motherhood and advice from experienced mothers as well as professionals across various fields including healthcare, fashion and psychology. The new platform will also include videos, research, a comment and contact section for readers to engage in or ask questions as well as the option to subscribe for regular updates and a news bite section launching in the summer, exclusive to subscribers.

“meetmrsmarty.com is a passion project encouraged by the everyday women I’ve met and I’m still yet to meet on a similar road to me,” says Zahirah. “I hope it provides the opportunity for like minded individuals to share, learn and benefit from the real and honest approach of the journey into motherhood.”

Gulf News launches getthat.com

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Gulf News, the flagship news brand of GN Media, has launched a new platform, getthat.com. As a leading title in the region, Gulf News combines its expertise and resources to launch a one stop shop for finding, buying and selling of property, motors, careers and classifieds. The launch is also supported by a multi-channel marketing campaign to create awareness of the brand’s presence and to introduce ‘Sami the Octopus’ to the region.

“We have developed getthat.com to make finding, buying and selling simpler, faster and easier than ever before,” says Matthew Moore, Marketing Manager, GN Media. “We found from talking to our audiences that there was a demand for a product that brings those important searches we make into one place, but crucially whether it is listing something to sell or looking for something to buy, the demand is for fast and accurate results. People are busier than ever and it takes up valuable time having to go to different sites, and then frustrating when your experience and the results are not what you expected. getthat.com is fast, effective and provides a great user experience.”

New launch of Hanover office in the Middle East

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Independent consulting firm, Hanover has launched its operations in the Middle East. Founded in 1998 with offices in London, Brussels and most recently in Dublin, Hanover’s new office in Dubai will offer strategic communications services and integrated programs to clients across the Middle East requiring access to other regional markets. The new office will also see Jonty Summers with over 20 years of experience and previously Regional Director at Edelman appointed to the role of Managing Director, where he will oversee and develop strategies to expand Hanover’s operations across the region. Also joining the Dubai team is Keri Sutherland, Associate Director of Hanson London with experience in reputation and crises management, to work towards establishing the agency’s presence across the Middle East.

“As Dubai grows in standing as a global centre for business, organisations increasingly require specialist advisers who can support them in protecting their reputations and promoting their market proposition as they take advantage of the cross-border market dynamics that characterises the modern world of business,” says Charles Lewington, Founder and Chief Executive, Hanover Group.

Lottie Communications launches in the UAE

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PR professional Scarlett Sykes has launched new communications consultancy, Lottie Communications, in the UAE. With over ten years of experience in publishing, e-commerce, marketing, PR and digital communications, Scarlett previously worked with The Grooming Company as PR and Marketing Executive in-house, as Fashion and Beauty Writer at Emirates Woman and Hello! magazines, and most recently with COPIA Group as Director, where she worked across international and regional brands as well as concepts. The new Dubai-based agency will offer services that include campaign and concept development, media relations, strategic partnerships, digital communication management, copywriting and content creation to clients across the UAE.

“Giving up your job to go out alone is a very daunting thought, but I have had so much support since I made the decision and following the launch announcement, it has made the leap much easier,” says Scarlett. “I am very excited to see what the future holds.”

YogaLife launches revamped website

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Health and wellness publication, YogaLife has re-launched its website with new features that offer visitors a more user-friendly interface and navigation. The revamped website hosts a modern, clean and practical design as well as new features every week that will not be replicated in the print issue, allowing for more content and engagement with the site’s readers and viewers. The re-launch will also focus on having competitions and giveaways across YogaLife’s social media platforms to drive traffic to the website.

Marketing campaign library launches

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Wayin, the digital campaign CMS platform has launched a customisable library of marketing campaigns, the Wayin App Store. Founded by Scott McNealy in 2011, Wayin is a platform that enables brands to create engaging marketing campaigns across all digital properties. By providing a library of campaign ideas as well as a record of features, objectives and result metrics of past campaigns, the new platform aims to streamline the ideation and creation process for brands across different categories and markets.

“Marketers in the Middle East often have to align their strategies with global marketing campaigns or with other markets,” says Louay Al-Samarrai, Middle East Partner, Wayin. “The Wayin App Store streamlines the process for marketing professionals in the region that want to evolve and stay ahead of the curve, by helping them find the right campaign to achieve their goals.”