ASDA’A Burson Marsteller partners with The Pearl Initiative

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Dubai-based PR agency, ASDA’A Burson Marsteller (BM) has signed a Memorandum of Engagement (MoE) with The Pearl Initiative. Founded in 2010, The Pearl Initiative is a non-profit organisation that develops programmes and publishes regional research reports and case studies and aims to influence regional business. The agreement will work towards highlighting their commitment to enhance corporate accountability and transparency in the Gulf region.

“Corporate governance, accountability and transparency are the pillars of successful businesses,” says Sunil John, Founder and President, ASDA’A BM. “We are happy to engage in The Pearl Initiative’s activities to raise awareness on the value of ethical business and to promote the highest principles of corporate accountability and transparency in the Gulf region.”

Carla Koffel, Executive Director, The Pearl Initiative continues, “We are grateful to be working side by side with one of the leading PR consultancies in the Middle East to promote the adoption of strong corporate governance practices by businesses operating in the Gulf Region. Their commitment to supporting our vision will contribute to the expansion of our reach and highlight the significance of a corporate culture of accountability and transparency as a key driver of business sustainability.”

TishTash makes new promotion

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Dubai-based marketing and PR agency, TishTash has promoted Marwa Mohamed to the role of Senior Account Executive. With almost two years of experience working within the agency, Marwa worked across clients including The Body Shop, The Organic Pharmacy, Missha and Grown Alchemist. In her new role, she will continue to work across the clients’ portfolio and provide support to generate results.

“Working with TishTash for the past year and a half has been one of the most rewarding experiences, as I had the opportunity to work with reputable brands with the support of a great team,” says Marwa. “I’m excited for the next chapter with the agency and happy to take on more challenges!”

Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, CEO and Founder, TishTash says, “Marwa’s passion for all things beauty always made her the perfect team member for TishTash, which she has gone on to prove time and time again in her time with the agency.   Having worked with Marwa personally on many accounts in the agency, I have always admired her dedication and good work ethic, as well as her passion for the sector and need to research all brands so thoroughly before she starts work on them. She has a fabulous career ahead of her and I’m pleased to see her grow within my team.”

Argaam News welcomes new Editor

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Saudi Arabia-based news portal, Argaam News has appointed Paromita Dey to the role of Editor in the UAE. With over eight years of experience in journalism, Paromita previously worked with Construction Week at ITP Media Group as Reporter and most recently as Editor of Construction Business News at BNC Publishing. In her new role, she will be responsible for all content that gets published on the platform while liaising with freelancers and translators as well as generating exciting story ideas.

“I am really excited to join Argaam as an Editor,” says Paromita. “It’s a completely new challenge for me and I definitely look forward to it. These are exciting times for Saudi Arabia with so much activity happening. And it surely will present me a vibrant opportunity to tap into areas to create something engaging out of it.”

Nexa wins two awards at MENA Search Awards 

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Dubai-based digital marketing agency, Nexa has received two awards in the MENA Search Awards that took place on September 20, 2018 at Madinat Jumeirah Resort, Dubai. The agency secured Best Integrated Campaign for its campaign work with a tour operator and Best Use of Search for its work with the use of display ads, strategically constructed blogs and search campaigns.

“We are delighted to have won ‘Best Integrated Campaign’ for the second year running,” says Amit Vyas, CEO, Nexa. “Our unique approach allows us to solve our clients’ real-life problems by creating actionable strategies that integrate offline and online activities, while enabling them to create stronger customer relationships, that directly translates to sales. Nexa prides itself in standing out from the crowd and being at the forefront of the latest marketing techniques and trends. This award not only recognises that approach, but the skill and dedication of the team to deliver the best results for our clients.”

Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) appoints Global Presidents 

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Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) has appointed Richard Millar to the role of Global President. With over 14 years of experience within the agency, Richard most recently held the role of CEO in the agency’s UK branch. H+K will also see the appointment of Lars Erik Grønntun to the role of Global President. Lars most recently held the role of Chairman and CEO. In their new roles, they will work together to accelerate and maximise the global resources and enhance the agency’s strengths while overseeing all operations.

“The new structure enables us to tap into the best talent regardless of geography or practice,” says Richard. “It means that our teams will have access to the latest thinking, strategy and insight to help them shape meaningful and impactful careers and to deliver outstanding creative work. I am excited to be part of this change in partnership with Lars Erik and Jack.”

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to assume this leadership position,” says Lars. “Having led our operation in Europe, Middle East and Africa, I believe that my understanding of local markets together with our international mind-set and reach is transferable to a global stage. I very much look forward to taking a model that has worked very well for us in EMEA and putting it to work at a global scale.”

Weber Shandwick makes structural changes 

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Communications agency, Weber Shandwick has made structural changes to its senior management team. Ghaleb Zeidan has been promoted to the role of UAE Managing Director. With over 16 years of experience in the communications industry, Ghaleb most recently held the role of Managing Director of the agency’s Abu Dhabi office. In his new role, Ghaleb will handle operations for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices while overseeing the agency’s growth in the UAE and MENA region.

Rachel Dunn has been promoted to the role of Deputy Managing Director in the Dubai office. With over 10 years of experience within the agency, Rachel most recently held the role of VP, Client Experience and will lead the Dubai team while helping their clients transform the marcomms landscape.

Weber Shandwick will also see the promotion of Noura Al-Sarraj to the role of Deputy Managing Director for the Abu Dhabi office. With over 14 years of experience in the agency, Noura most recently worked with the agency where she held the role of VP and Head of Social Impact and Consumer. In her new role, she will lead the Abu Dhabi team while assisting to increase the agency’s growth in the MENA region.

“After a very successful tenure leading our Abu Dhabi office, it gives me great pleasure to announce Ghaleb’s promotion to UAE MD,” says Ziad Hasbani, MENA CEO, Weber Shandwick. “Over the last eight years, Ghaleb has achieved great results, and under his leadership our Abu Dhabi office has grown to become one of the leading agencies in the market. Ghaleb has shown himself to be a very capable leader, and as our industry continues to evolve, I have no doubt he will drive our UAE operation and keep us ahead of the market in terms of offering, efficiency and client focus. I’m very happy to see Noura and Rachel taking leadership roles as they have both proved themselves, each in their own way, and I’m confident they will add great value.”

RBBi secures three awards at MENA Search Awards 

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Digital marketing agency, Red Blue Blur Ideas (RBBi) has received three awards at the MENA Search Awards that took place on September 20, 2018 at Madinat Jumeirah Resort, Dubai. The agency was shortlisted in 10 categories within 14 entries and has become the most shortlisted agency with their projects throughout the year. The agency secured Best Use of Search in the Finance sector, Best Use of Search in the Leisure sector and Best small SEO agency.

“We are honoured to be recognised by the MENA Search Awards for two years in a row,” says Caroline Dickin, CEO, RBBi. “These awards reaffirm that we have the best strategists and practitioners as well as first-rate proprietary tools and technologies to provide a digital experience to our clients, which is not only aesthetically superior but is also sustainable and functional.”

Hadeel Mansour promoted at markettiers 

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Broadcast PR specialists, markettiers has promoted Hadeel Mansour to the role of Senior Account Executive. With a wealth of experience in PR, Hadeel most recently held the role of Account Executive, where she supported the team with creative consultancy and worked with agencies and clients across key projects.

In her new role, she will manage the production and delivery of content and undertake targeted media relations while ensuring the campaigns deliver for both clients, brands and media owners.

“I’m very pleased with the experience I’ve gained working at markettiers MENA over the past year,” says Hadeel. “The team has been extremely supportive and helpful and it’s truly been a wonderful journey.  I’m excited to keep growing in the business and I look forward to the new challenges that this will bring.”

Cheryl King, Managing Director, markettiers continues, “Hadeel has had an incredible first year with us and has been instrumental in the ongoing growth of the business – bringing in new clients, growing relationships and leading on multiple projects. Hadeel’s enthusiasm and passion for what we do has been great to see, and she’s always impressed by going above and beyond.”

GQ Middle East launches inaugural issue

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GQ Middle East’s debut issue hits newsstands on 4th October, marking the 21st global edition of the brand. The October issue launches together with its bilingual online platform gqmiddleeast.com, and will offer a fresh and dynamic take on fashion, style and features that GQ is famed for in a new region, The Arabian Gulf. GQ Middle East will be published by Condé Nast International, under licence agreement with ITP Media Group.

The dual-cover launch edition features Emmy-Award winning Egyptian-American actor Rami Malek, who plays the iconic Freddie Mercury in the upcoming Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody,and is recognised for his role on Mr. Robot. The cover story was shot by former creative director of American GQ Jim Moore and world-renowned photographer Peggy Sirota, and is accompanied by a full inside feature.

Abu Dhabi-born, Adam Baidawi will oversee the editorial direction of GQ Middle East as the youngest Editor-in-Chief of the brand. Baidawi commented, “Our vision for this GQ is to bring the world to the Middle East and the Middle East to the world. We’re exploring this region with fresh eyes to both inspire and reflect our reader: the modern, accomplished man.”

The launch issue is full of original editorial content, including a previously unseen photo essay from 1960s Afghanistan, a fashion shoot with Saudi film producer Mohammed Al Turki, essays from across the Arab world, a guest fashion column from Tan France, and an expansive interview with award-winning Lebanese director Nadine Labaki.

Baidawi continued, “The multimedia content created for GQ Middle East reflects the region itself: smart, stylish, challenging, familiar and always, always evolving.”

The launch will be accompanied by a 12-week series of experiential events covering the key pillars of the brand – style, watches, sports, culture and fine dining.  As part of the celebrations, GQ Middle East will host a launch event on 17th October as well as an exclusive dinner at a secret location on a private island off the coast of Dubai.

Karina Dobrotvorskaya, Executive Director Editorial Development at Condé Nast International remarked, “Condé Nast International is thrilled about the launch of a new GQ. As one of our leading brands, GQ helps define the role of a modern man in a fast-changing world. The Middle East is an incredibly dynamic and vibrant region, full of passion, curiosity and an appetite for fashion and luxury, but also full of different lifestyle standards. GQ Middle East will combine international fashion and publishing expertise with the local tastes and aspirations.”

GQ Middle East is the twenty-first edition of the multimedia brand worldwide.  GQ is published in the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Russia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Mexico & Latin America, India, Korea, Brazil, Australia, Portugal, Turkey and Thailand.

GQ Middle East will be available to purchase on newsstands on 4th October in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Lebanon.

Chalk Media Group relaunches L’Officiel in Middle East

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Jalou Media Group is excited to announce the international digital launch of lofficielarabia.com in October 2018, and the relaunch of the print edition, L’Officiel Arabia, in spring 2019.

One of the leading French luxury fashion titles for over 100 years, the L’Officiel brand is owned by Jalou Media Group, a family-owned business based in Paris and led by CEO, Benjamin Eymere. The relaunched Middle Eastern incarnation of the title will be published by Dubai-based agency, Chalk Media, headed by Managing Director, Sidharth Saigal.

A combined English & Arabic title, with 10 issues per year, L’Officiel Arabia will be distributed throughout the Middle East on an initial print run of 37,000 copies, and comprises an editorial mix of locally-produced and international content from more than 30 international L’Officiel editions.

With the debut of the digital platform in both Arabic and English, lofficielarabia.com is a fully-integrated digital newsroom offering consumers both local and international coverage of high fashion, beauty, accessories, art, travel and lifestyle, and joins the L’Officiel digital network, reaching millions of consumers across the globe.

“In the last 30 months, we have transformed a 100-year old media company into a digital lifestyle hub”, says Benjamin Eymere, CEO of Jalou Media Group. “We are reaching an audience of millions of people across the world by connecting curated lifestyle content from our presence in 30 international markets, making L’Officiel truly a global platform.”

Published in partnership with Chalk Media, the L’Officiel Arabia team will be led by Editor-in-Chief,Boba Stanic, who boasts a 15-year career in arts, culture and fashion in the Netherlands and the UAE. A highly regarded architect, with a successful design business in Amsterdam, Boba  has collaborated with a variety of international designers, studios and museums throughout his multi-faceted career, and frequently speaks on a variety of art and culture seminars and workshops across the globe.

Joining him is Lucy Wildman, who will take on the role of L’Officiel Arabia’s Deputy Editor and Fashion Director. With a 20-year journalistic career in both the UK and the UAE, Lucy brings a wealth of experience in fashion, beauty, lifestyle and celebrity journalism to the title, having previously worked on some of the biggest weekly and monthly publications in the region, including Ahlan!, Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveller, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Hello! Middle East, OK! Middle East, The Rake, Revolution and Scene.

“We are extremely excited about our association with Jalou Media Group and with the digital launch of lofficielarabia.com, followed by the print edition early next year”, said Chalk Media’s Managing Director, Sidharth Saigal. “L’Officiel Arabia is set to provide the Middle East’s digital consumer with an unrivalled insight into the latest regional and international luxury fashion and lifestyle news and features, as well as access to the global L’Officiel brand through it’s unique ‘cloud’ feature format available in both Arabic and English.”