Robyn Percy signs on with Landmark International

/0 Comments/in /by

Robyn Percy has taken on the role of Assistant Marketing Manager for Landmark International (LMI), and will head the new in-house public relations function. Previously PR Director at Fifth Ring, Robyn will run Landmark’s PR campaigns for brands including Reiss, New Look, Koton, Lipsy and Funky Fish in the UAE and across the GCC.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Fifth Ring but when the opportunity came up at LMI it seemed perfect,” says Robyn. “I’m really excited to be here and working in-house means I can get more involved with each campaign and make our collection launches even bigger than last year.”

Team start work on Women’s Health Middle East

/0 Comments/in /by

The Women’s Health Middle East team have now commenced work on the new ITP Consumer-run publication, with Yi-Hwa Hanna taking the reins as Editor-in-Chief. Previously Deputy Editor of Good Housekeeping, Yi-Hwa will be joined by ex-Shape Editor, Ashley Lane, after the title ceased publication in December. Gareth Lloyd-Jones is publisher and will oversee all commercial opportunities for the brand. The first edition of Women’s Health Middle East will hit the newsstands on March 1, 2014.

While the publication will focus on health, nutrition and fitness, the women’s glossy will also cover fashion, beauty, advice, travel, food and lifestyle.

ITP Consumer launch Arab Woman Awards KSA

/0 Comments/in /by

ITP Consumer has announced the launch of the Arab Woman Awards KSA 2014, which is set to take place on January 29, 2014.  Following the success of the Arab Woman Awards UAE, Qatar and Kuwait for five consecutive years, the organisers have introduced the first Arab Woman Awards KSA which will take place at a prestigious ladies-only ceremony at the Al Faisaliah Hotel Riyadh under the guidance of HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud.

Launched in 2009, the Arab Woman Awards aim to provide a platform to raise public awareness of the significant achievements of Arab women. Since its inception, the awards have recognised over 170 accomplished females from sectors including business, education, art, literature, sport, fashion, health, humanitarian, media and entrepreneurship.

‘The launch of the Arab Woman Awards KSA is another exciting chapter in these awards,” says Sue Holt, ITP Consumer Deputy Manager Director. “Having visited the country for the first time recently I have already met highly educated, determined and successful women so am looking forward to working with the judges to showcase the wealth of talented women that Saudi Arabia has to offer.”

The Arab Woman Awards KSA 2014 is being hosted in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Sayidaty, Zahra Breast Cancer Association and Rawaj International.

Es’hailSat to launch operations on Es’hail 1

/0 Comments/in /by

Qatar-based satellite company Es’hailSat has announced commercial operations on its new satellite, Es’hail 1, will commence on December 30, 2013. The start of broadcast operations catering to the general public follows the commencement of Es’hail 1’s commercial service of the Al Jazeera Media Network channels in October.

Es’hailSat confirmed its sponsorship of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2014, which will coincide with live coverage on the Es’hail 1 satellite. The tournament, hosted by the Qatar Tennis Federation, will take place from December 30, 2013 through to January 4, 2014, and will be broadcast in high-definition across the Middle East and North Africa.

The satellite, launched in August from Kourou in French Guiana, will offer extended broadcast capacity of high-definition channels in the region. A second satellite, Es’hail 2, is due to launch in 2016.

Rachel Ingram promoted across Concierge portfolio

/0 Comments/in /by

Rachel Ingram has been promoted to Features Editor across the Concierge magazine portfolio. Previously Features Writer on The Dubai Mall Magazine and Concierge, Rachel will now be working across Concierge Dubai, Concierge Abu Dhabi, Concierge Chinese and Concierge Russian.

“I’m thrilled to join the Concierge team as Features Editor and I look forward to the new challenges and responsibilities that my role brings,” says Rachel. “There’s lots in store for the Concierge group in 2014 and I’m excited to be a part of it. Watch this space!”

Claire Carruthers joins Grazia Middle East

/0 Comments/in /by

Claire Carruthers has joined ITP as the new Fashion and Beauty Editor of Grazia Middle East and Grazia Bahrain. Claire has spent five years working across numerous UAE titles including iQ, Insider, Time Out Abu Dhabi, Emirates Woman and most recently Rolling Stone Middle East, where she developed and managed the style pages, creating the benchmark for Rolling Stone worldwide. Claire will oversee all fashion and beauty content at Grazia.

“I’m thrilled to be back at ITP as Fashion & Beauty Editor for both Grazia and Grazia Bahrain – it’s such a great title and I can’t wait to get working on some exciting projects in the New Year.”

F1 media rights for MENA handed to MP & Silva

/0 Comments/in /by

Leading Media rights agency MP & Silva have acquired the exclusive media rights to all Formula 1 Grand Prix races, qualifying and practice sessions in the MENA region for a period of six years beginning with the 2014 Championship, until 2019.

“We are extremely honoured with this long-term relationship with Formula 1 as sales representatives for the FIA Formula one World Championship,” says Andrea Radrizzani, Founding Partner, MP & Silva. “This partnership is a recognition of our leadership in the sports media rights market and we look forward to supporting Formula One Management in furthering popularity in general, and guarantee improved audiences of F1 races in MENA.”

The deal includes more than 100 hours of programming every year for the territories of MENA, Romania and Poland, taking over from Abu Dhabi Media, who held the rights for the season that ended in 2013.

Al Khaleej top Arab Daily in UAE says Ipsos

/0 Comments/in /by

Sharjah-based Al Khaleej newspaper has emerged as the top daily for Arab readers in the UAE for 2013, an Ipsos survey has revealed. According to the survey, 73.7 per cent of Emiratis and 68.9 per cent of Arab expatriates read Al Khaleej.

The Ipsos reports measure the size of the local newspaper readership, including readers who follow more than one local newspaper. They are counted in ratios specific for all newspapers followed by them. In the Emirates, the breakup of readership for Al Khaleej was as follows: Dubai 32.8 per cent, Abu Dhabi 29 per cent, Sharjah 20.8 per cent, Ras Al Khaimah 6.1 per cent, Ajman 5.8 per cent, Fujairah 3.7 per cent and Umm Al Quwain 1.8 per cent.

Promotion for Yousef Tuqan at Leo Burnett

/0 Comments/in /by

Leo Burnett has announced the promotion of Flip Media’s CEO, Yousef Tuqan, to the position of Chief Innovation Officer of Leo Burnett Group of Companies MENA, effective January 1, 2014. Kareem Monem will take over Leo Burnett-owned Flip Media, the region’s largest digital agency, as its new Managing Director.

In his new role, Tuqan will create an environment of experimentation within the Group, encouraging its creative teams to combine the Leo Burnett HumanKind philosophy with innovations and breakthrough technologies. Working with Leo Burnett’s Managing Directors around the region, and with the Leo Burnett MENA digital leadership team, he will map future plans for growth and development to better meet the needs of clients.

“Innovation is the key to combining creativity and technology and with his extensive background Yousef is well positioned to take his involvement with the Group to the next level,” says Raja Trad, CEO, Leo Burnett Group of Companies MENA. “Under his guidance, our teams will be encouraged to go beyond the norm in seeking new creative solutions to our clients’ needs, further establishing Leo Burnett as not only a leading source of innovative work, but as an avant-garde agency setting new standards across the advertising board. We welcome Yousef into his new role, and wish him the best of luck.”

Tuqan joins Leo Burnett following an eight year tenure at Flip Media, during which time he has served as CEO since 2007, and has worked with Leo Burnett across the Group’s network since Flip Media’s acquisition by Leo Burnett in 2012. With close to two decades of regional experience, Tuqan is at the forefront of the digital industry and is a respected digital marketing expert who frequently participates in industry and innovation seminars and events. He is a Board Member of the International Advertising Association’s UAE Chapter, as well as a Goodwill Ambassador for the children’s charity, Gulf for Good.

“I am delighted by this opportunity,” said Tuqan. “Since Flip’s acquisition in 2012 by Leo Burnett, I’ve worked extensively across the Leo Burnett network with some amazing people and iconic brands. I look forward to building the agency of the future with them.”

Kareem Monem, who has been announced as the new Managing Director of Flip Media, has more than 10 years of international experience in leading digital agencies and software companies. Before joining Flip in 2012 as its Practice Director, he worked in the UK with a number of leading digital agencies and software companies, on top consumer brand accounts such as GSK and Vodafone. During his time with Flip, he has developed new market areas of operation for the agency with clients in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar and the US.

“Kareem is the ideal person to write the next chapter in Flip’s story,” says Yousef. “He’s earned the respect of everyone around him, and has a clear vision on how he and the Flip Media management team will build on our success into the future. I look forward to us working together in the years ahead within our agency network.”