PRWeek UK Awards 2014 announce shortlist

/0 Comments/in /by

The shortlisted entries for the PRWeek UK Awards 2014 have been revealed. The panel of judges will announce winners from the following categories  – Campaigns, Production & Promotion, Corporate & Public, People & Agencies and awards to be announced on the night, which include Lifetime Achievement and Campaign of the Year – sponsored by 4mediarelations. Included in the Peoples & Agencies category is the International Consultancy of the Year award, for which FleishmanHillard, Golin, Ketchum, Lewis PR and Weber Shandwick are shortlisted.

The winners will be announced on 14 October, in a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

 

Eddie Taylor joins Esquire Weekend

/0 Comments/in /by

Eddie Taylor has joined ITP Publishing as Editor of Esquire Weekend in Dubai. He joins the team from NPI where he was Special Projects Editor, managing the company’s portfolio of B2B titles predominantly in the hospitality and travel sector, as well as helping to shape the company’s digital and social media strategy. In his new role, Eddie will oversee editorial for the weekly magazine.

Tarek Solimane joins Alstom

/0 Comments/in /by

Alstom, the French multinational corporation which holds interests in electricity generation and rail transport markets, has appointed Tarek Solimane as NME Regional Communication Director. Previously Head of Communications for the press office and regional development at UBIFRANCE Agency in Dubai, Tarek’s focus was on the design and implementation of integrated communication strategies for French companies seeking development in the MENA region, and successfully launched the first UBIFRANCE Coporate Communications and press office in the GCC in 2008. In his new role, Tarek’s key responsibilities include developing Alstom’s image in the region and supporting the various businesses with their communications, including press relations.

“I am both happy and honoured to have joined the communication department of Alstom Group for the Near and Middle East,” says Tarek. “I look forward to being a part of the team during this time of growth for the region.”

Chanelle Tourish joins Time Out Dubai

/0 Comments/in /by

Chanelle Tourish has been appointed as the Nightlife, Arts & Culture Editor for Time Out Dubai. Chanelle joins the team at ITP from Virtuozity magazine, where she held the position of Associate Editor for the last year and a half. In addition to this, Chanelle brings a range of experience to her new role having worked across print media in the UAE, UK and Ireland.

Dubai One to shut down production

/0 Comments/in /by

While the official announcement is due to be made after the Eid holiday, it is now known that Dubai One is preparing to shut down TV production and lay off 80 percent of its staff. Launched in 2004, the English language TV station is run by government owned Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI).

The remaining staff will be transferred to Arabic language channels, and although Dubai One will remain on air, its content will be syndicated from elsewhere. Shows that will be taken off the air include in-house business news show, Emirates 24/7; daytime chat show, Studio One and entertainment programme, Out and About.

Gemma Jones to step down at Gulf News Magazines

/0 Comments/in /by

Gemma Jones is to step down as Fashion Stylist for Gulf News Magazines at the beginning of next month. The resident Fashion Stylist for two and a half years, Gemma’s role includes shooting across three titles – Alpha, Aquarius and Friday magazine, shooting everything from women’s, men’s and children’s fashion to still life and writing fashion columns. With plans to remain in Dubai on a freelance basis, Gemma has projects already in place with luxury clients to extend her editorial and commercial portfolio, and can be found at www.gemmamjones.com.

“It has been a difficult decision to make as I have had a great time working at Gulf New Magazines, but ultimately I need to move on to more career-driven projects,” says Gemma. “Having been part of the redesign on both monthly titles – Alpha and Aquarius – I will of course miss the teams and shooting for them greatly.”

Dentsu Aegis Network to offer ICUC

/0 Comments/in /by

Dentsu Aegis Network has further consolidated its presence in the communications space by offering social media moderation and management specialist ICUC in the UAE. Founded in 2002, ICUC provides content moderation, community management and reporting insights to support brands’ media strategies in the digital space.

“The social media world is evolving and changing daily, and a brand can no longer have a social media presence without needing protection,” says Audrey Soler, Business Development Manager, ICUC. “With the launch of ICUC in the UAE, we can help brands moderate and monitor their social conversation in both Arabic and English. Social networks, blogs and video-sharing sites like YouTube are great vectors in the region but this is just one aspect of social strategy. Whilst brands need to engage with their consumers 24/7 through strong social customer care, managing online reputation by keeping negative social content at bay is equally important. With 12 years of experience in online risk mitigation, ICUC delivers peace of mind and insurance for our clients and their social presence.”

Michael Nederlof, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network MENA adds, “There is an ideal match between ICUC’s real-time social media services and our clients’ growing needs across the social media landscape. Brands will now understand consumer opinions and monitor product campaigns and competitors in real-time, to make better business decisions and maximise return-on-investment.”

Olivia Cantillon joins Hello! Middle East

/0 Comments/in /by

Olivia Cantillon has joined the Hello! Middle East team as Writer & Stylist. Starting this week, Olivia takes on her new position from the UK, where she was previously Deputy Fashion Editor for Star magazine. In her new role, Olivia will be working across the title on fashion and beauty, interviews and celebrity stories.

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Hello! Middle East team and starting a wonderful new chapter,” says Olivia. “Working for such an incredible title is a total honour and I am so looking forward to the exciting challenge ahead.”

The effectiveness of event marketing

/0 Comments/in /by

Keith Austin, Chief Executive at Event Marketing Solutions, outlines the benefits of investing in event marketing and why it is becoming a necessity for increased awareness and growth…

The option to step on board a private showroom gives the brands better control of the event experience, with no distractions or interruptions, and is a huge benefit to the Middle East market

The popularity of roadshows and live events has been steadily increasing, and the benefits for brands are easy to see. In the Event Marketing Institute’s third annual EventTrack study – which tracked the opinions of brand marketers, agencies and consumers of more than 600 companies – the results showed that 93 percent of consumers said live events reach them more effectively than television advertising; 89 percent feel that a live event gives them a better understanding of a brand’s product or service than a television, radio, print or online banner ad, and 96 percent believe they are more inclined to purchase after a live event.

Think of a roadshow truck as a stand on wheels, giving the power back to the brands. The real benefit of being mobile is that you can take advantage of all the opportunities at trade shows and events, and offer your audience complete convenience by continuing your service beyond the trade show. The option to step on board a private showroom gives the brands better control of the event experience, with no distractions or interruptions, and is a huge benefit to the Middle East market.

International B2B businesses have been quick to embrace the concept and initiate tours that enable them to target their customers on their doorstep. More recently, B2C brands in the region have also embraced the trend, looking to replicate the success experienced by B2B brands with their consumer campaigns. They are opting for bespoke touring spaces that enable them to create mobile showrooms, VIP entertainment hubs, and hospitality and sponsorship spaces.

It’s also proving to be an efficient tool for businesses that need to communicate, train and motivate large workforces as it’s a highly efficient way to engage consistently with your people when time is precious and spread over wide geographical areas. This is also true for government departments in the region needing to get their message out to consumers near where they work, live and relax. These internal communications solutions can be applied to any industry sector and across a wide variety of brands.

We have delivered several successful campaigns across the GCC over the last five years, and know that there is huge potential in the region. With the announcement of Expo 2020, the brilliant infrastructure available and the geography of the region, the demand from global customers in Dubai is only set to increase further, and investing in event marketing will bring positive results to any industry sector.

 

Keith Austin is Chief Executive at Event Marketing Solutions. Follow him on Twitter @eventms

Ramadan relaxation

/0 Comments/in /by

 With Ramadan firmly underway, what could be better than the opportunity to experience a spa treatment specifically designed for the Holy month?

What: Signature Luxury Hammam treatment

Where: Dalouk Spa, Sharjah Ladies Club, Sharjah

When: Sunday – Thursday, 9am – 9pm; Friday, 3pm – 9pm

The promise: “An intensely detoxifying body treatment, designed to draw deep impurities out of your face and body. It will leave your skin illuminated and hydrated and boost collagen production in the luxury of a private treatment room.”

Did it deliver? Met with a subtle wave of incense, a warm welcome from the staff and a fresh lemon-mint juice, it was clear that Team TMN were going to experience luxury as we arrived at the Dalouk Spa, set in the cornice of Sharjah Ladies Club. In keeping with its coastal surroundings, the interior attained a sense of tranquility you’d expect of somewhere far off and exotic, and we automatically felt removed from the hustle of the city.

After a quick consultation, we were led through to change, passing the therapeutic thermal pool which the spa offers as a pre-treatment relaxer – a seriously tempting feature to take advantage of should you want to submerge yourself into total relaxation – just ensure you come in ahead of your appointment time.

Robed up and ready to go, the private candle-lit treatment rooms were complete with soft lighting and mood music to achieve a Zen-like ambience. Our Red Flower Hammam treatment began with a coffee blossom and olive stone scrub, followed by a full-body clay mask. A thin layer of rhassoul clay felt light on the skin, a pleasant surprise as it was nothing like the product-heavy treatments we’d occasionally experienced. While comfortably cocooned for 15 minutes, we received a cleansing facial massage from our therapist Gilda, who used an illuminating rose essential oil to help boost collagen.

With a quick shower and feeling thoroughly detoxed, we returned to finish the treatment with a warming deep-tissue massage. A refreshing orange quince steam mist sprayed over the table soothed the senses, and cardamom amber oil was used as Gilda’s skills as a masseuse were demonstrated. Once the treatment was completed, we were instructed to leave the oil on for two hours to ensure the maximum benefits and we left feeling rejuvenated from head-to-toe.

The verdict: An intensely therapeutic experience, the 90-minute treatment is a perfect fix from the stresses of city life, and a great way to keep yourself relaxed during the day if you’re fasting. While it might be more of a trek for those living in other Emirates, the quality of both the spa and the treatment will prove it’s worth the AED 550 price tag – we certainly won’t be waiting until next Ramadan to return!