Elegante magazine appoints new editor

Maryan Abdinur has been appointed as the new Editor for Elegante magazine at Fly Media Advertising. Having previously contributed as a freelance Features Writer for Elegante, Maryan has also worked at MOJEH magazine as Junior Publishing Assistant and at Aziza Communications as in-house writer/PR Executive.

In her new role Maryan will take over from Diksha Vohra, who after two successful years with the title has stepped down. Mayan will oversee a team of contributors and edit all content across lifestyle subjects including leisure, sporting events, business, art, fashion and food.

“I am extremely excited to be taking on this new and exciting role,” says Maryan. “It is a title I really appreciate and am thankful to be given the opportunity.”

Samer Alloush joins OK! Middle East

Samer Alloush has been appointed as Senior Sales Manager at OK! Middle East. Samer has previously worked as Senior Sales Manager at ITP Publishing Group for the last three and a half years, working across titles including Refining & Petrochemicals ME, Oil & Gas ME, Utilities ME as well as Oil & Gas Al Arabiya.

In his new role at OK! Middle East he will sell advertising space, set events plans, work to reach sponsorship targets and build long-term relationships with clients.

“I am excited to start on a new title and one that is completely different from my previous position,” says Samer. “I always believe that you should not be afraid of change and I look forward to this new opportunity.”

Image Nation partners with Discovery

UAE-based content creators Image Nation has partnered with Discovery Communications to launch a new Arabic channel, Quest Arabiya, for the Middle East and North Africa.

Quest Arabiya will broadcast 24 hours a day, target Arab men aged between 16-44 years of age and will focus on male-oriented factual and reality programmes that are a combination of regionally-produced original material and Arabised content from Discovery’s library of non-fiction shows.

“In partnering with Discovery to launch a new TV channel in the Middle East and North Africa, we are doing what Abu Dhabi does best – marrying world-class expertise with regional knowledge,” says Mohammed Al Mubarak, Chairman, Image Nation Abu Dhabi. “Quest Arabiya will provide a needed boost to the private media sector in the UAE as we will be commissioning more content than ever before and producing at the highest international standards.”

Prism launches E-commerce website for VOSS water

Prism Action Communication has developed and launched an online order and delivery platform for VOSS, part of Bin Hendi Enterprises. The website is not only an e-commerce destination, but is also fully mobile responsive. Bin Hendi Enterprises is the UAE’s official distributor of VOSS, the premium bottled water brand originating in Southern Norway.

“Prism was thrilled to have been able to work with Bin Hendi Enterprises, enabling consumers to have VOSS water delivered right to their doorstep,” said Managing Director, Lovetto Nazareth. “As 90% of consumers are constantly on their mobile phones, it was essential that the new website was fully mobile responsive.”.

Mark Pickup joins Shortlist as Commercial Director

Mark Pickup has been appointed Commercial Director of Shortlist Dubai and Shortlist Abu Dhabi across both print and digital, effective June 1, 2015. Previously Head of Sales for What’s On and Hype at Motivate Publishing, Mark brings years of experience including a three year stint as Group Head of the Ahlan! Division at ITP.

“I am very excited to be joining the Shortlist team,” says Mark. “I am very familiar with the Shortlist title and as I have worked in the hospitality sector of media for the past seven years, I strongly feel Dubai is ready for a fresh entertainment product that also has a strong fashion element. Shortlist will have a huge 65,000 weekly distribution and I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to launch it.”

Dentsu Aegis acquires John Brown Media

Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired John Brown Media. The agency’s experience in creating and publishing content is hoped to enhance the network’s existing content capabilities, to create a differentiated and innovative integrated content offering for clients worldwide.

Established in 1987, John Brown Media is headquartered in London and has offices in South Africa, Hong Kong, Boston and Dubai. The company provides clients with services including print and digital publishing, content management, website strategy and film production. Following the acquisition, it will retain its brand identity and operate as an external entity from Dentsu Aegis Network MENA. John Brown Media will now also work with iProspect, the network’s digital performance agency, as well as Carat’s content partnerships team in order to integrate publishing capabilities into Dentsu Aegis’ offering in the region.

“By adding a specialist content agency to the network, we are proving just how much the lines have become blurred between agency disciplines,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network, MENA. “Quality content is increasingly rewarded within the media eco-systen, particularly within search, and we are very excited to work with John Brown to create differentiated and specialised content solutions for our clients.”