OMD named Media Network/Agency of the Year

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OMD, part of the Omnicom Media Group, has been named the Media Agency/Network of the Year by Communicate and Campaign Middle East as revealed in both magazines’ latest editions. Consolidating business wins from the previous year as well as retaining or securing 14 new ones in 2013 has demonstrated the value of OMD’s first-mover advantage in digital, performance, social and mobile marketing, as well as analytics.

“OMD has thrived on its culture of innovation and challenging the status quo. This approach has served us well and it keeps on giving,” comments Elie Khouri, CEO of Omnicom Media Group MENA. “It is the relentless spirit among the team that propels OMD upward and forward. Being the media agency of the year is something we aim to achieve every day on every one of our accounts.

DPQ hires new Sr. PR & Marketing Accounts Executive

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DPQ Communications has appointed Chloe Geake as Senior PR and Marketing Accounts Executive. Chloe brings with her a wealth of experience from the UK and Dubai, having worked across a number of consumer, technology, F&B, health, fashion and retail brands. She will oversee a number of hospitality and consumer clients including Costa Coffee UAE, Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Al Tamimi Stables and Nanogen Hair Care.

“I’m very excited about joining DPQ and being part of the dynamic and growing team,” says Chloe. “I have great accounts at the agency and am looking forward to a busy 2014.”

McCann Worldgroup announces new President

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Luca Lindner has been named President of McCann Worldgroup, wherein he will be engaged in delivering integrated marketing solutions across the organisation’s International agencies to serve the network’s clients.

Lindner first joined McCann in August 2004 as CEO of McCann Mexico and Deputy Regional Director of Latin America/Caribbean, shortly before rising to the post of Regional Director the following year. He was named President of the Americas, Middle East and Africa for McCann Worldgroup in late 2012, thereafter establishing himself as one of the most respected global leaders while overseeing multinational clients in the Middle East, Africa Latin America, North America and Europe.

“Luca is a true globalist and has established himself as one of the industry’s most experienced multi-platform and global marketing leaders,” says Harris Diamond, Chairman and CEO of McCann Worldgroup “He has been a key architect behind the success of McCann.”

 

Tim Wilkinson appointed Chairman of Bell Pottinger

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Tim Wilkinson has been appointed as Chairman of Bell Pottinger’s Middle East operations. A communications and reputation expert with extensive experience in government, corporate and brand communications, Tim has held senior communications roles both in-house as well as within leading PR companies. Prior to joining Bell Pottinger, Tim spent over 15 years at The Coca-Cola Company building and protecting its corporate and brand reputation in developed and developing countries including those in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

“The Middle East and the Gulf is a critical part of our growing group business and during his first year with Bell Pottinger, Tim has proved that he has the experience, relationships and local knowledge to continue to make a major contribution to growing our Middle Eastern business,” says James Henderson, CEO of Bell Pottinger. “Tim has brought in major client wins, provided strategic counsel at the highest levels and has bought regional and international experience to the team. Tim’s appointment will significantly further the success of our operations in the Middle East.”

For more information visit http://www.bell-pottinger.com or call +971 (0)4 433 1527

Newgate Communications launches in AD

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Newgate Communications has opened its seventh overseas branch in 2013, with the launch of Newgate Abu Dhabi. The introduction of a branch in this region follows office openings in Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.

The office is located within the Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority and will be headed by Habib Bacha, who will liaise closely with Byron Ousey, Partner in the Newgate, London office. Habib has extensive consultancy experience in the region and has collaborated with Byron previously at Gavin Anderson.

“The UAE and the wider Middle East region is the land of opportunities,” says Habib. “Financial communication is a must, especially after the expansion of the regional banks and finance houses around the world. Newgate is an expert in financial communications with an experienced team who understand the local culture and the industry.”

Newgate Abu Dhabi has already won its first client with the launch of Eurisbank, an Islamic financial services group.

 

Increase in Ad revenue forecast for MENA in 2014

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MAGNA GLOBAL, a strategic global media unit of IPG Mediabrands has released estimates for advertising revenues in 2014. The MENA region had experienced a slight drop in 2013, largely blamed on the instability in Egypt, but is due to bounce back with growth projected at over 6.3 per cent for the entire region encompassing the Middle East and Africa.

The overall global growth in advertising revenues in 2014 is expected to hit more than 6.5 per cent to reach $521.6bn, which records the strongest year-on-year growth since 2010, which had closely followed the recession. The projections show an increase from last year in global advertising revenue of 3.3 per cent, to reflect the acceleration of the global media economy in 2014. The football World Cup in Brazil, the Sochi Winter Olympics, and the US mid-term elections have been earmarked as the major non-recurring events that will contribute up to 7.5 per cent in the new year in comparison with a modest 1.8 per cent growth in 2013.

Another major contributor to rising global advertising revenue is the digital media spectrum, which has displayed the quickest growth in 2013 rising 16 per cent to $118bn. Within the sphere of digital media, mobile platforms (over 85 per cent) doubled in size to reach $16bn while social networking (over 58 per cent) generated almost $9bn in spending. Digital media also grew in programmatic trading avenues to reach $12bn globally. This mainly included real-time bidding as well as automated platforms for video and display inventory buying.

For more information, visit www.magnaglobal.com or follow @MAGNAGLOBAL

 

 

Steven Bond to step down at AMEinfo.com

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Steven Bond will leave AMEinfo.com and Mediaquest this week to take up a new role of News Editor at Destinations of the World News. Having worked at AMEinfo.com for two years and Mediaquest since June, when it acquired the news and information portal, Steven steps down on Thursday and will commence his new role in the New Year. Steven will be responsible for the daily news content online and taking charge of the monthly magazine’s news content.

“I’m leaving business reporting with some (very slight) reluctance, but it’s a magical world and I’m increasingly drawn to people and places over dollars and cents,” says Steven. “I’m thrilled to be joining Destinations of the World News – there’s lots in store for 2014 both for online and print.”

 

Nancy Nusrally joins Hilton corporate comms team

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Nancy Nusrally has joined Hilton Worldwide’s MEA Corporate Communications team as Senior Manager, Regional Brand Public Relations Middle East & Africa.

“My new role is to support the growing portfolio of Hilton Worldwide brands in the region, such as Hilton, Conrad, Waldorf Astoria and Double Tree by Hilton,” says Nancy. ” My focus will be on building awareness of our brand initiatives and properties and also aligning our global PR activities, mostly from consumer angle news.”

Nancy will be working alongside Heather Shaw, Senior Director, Corporate Communications Middle East & Africa.