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CNN named number one international news channel

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CNN International is the number one international news channel in daily, weekly and monthly reach, according to the Ipsos Affluent Survey Middle East. The independent industry research study shows that the CNN International TV channel reaches 20% of the Middle East’s elite population every month and this reach increases to 28% when CNN International‘s digital properties are added to the scale of linear TV.

“CNN has made a sustained commitment to the Middle East for many years now,” says Rani Raad, President, CNN International Commercial.”We launched CNN Arabic and have continued to invest in the service; in the last year we have unveiled new studios and facilities at our major production hubs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and we have moved our flagship show Connect the World to be produced and broadcast from the region. We are proud that our approach across TV and digital continues to resonate with Middle Eastern audiences as well as our commercial partners across the region.”

Katch International Appoints Engagement Director

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Communications agency Katch International has appointed Vix Machin to the role of Engagement Director. With over ten years of experience in PR, events and marketing within the MENA region as well as Europe, Vix has worked with local and international brands including Lionsgate Films UK, StudioCanal, Burj Al Arab and Shangri-La Abu Dhabi. In her new role, she will work across a number of accounts, head up the PR team and work hand in hand with the company’s founder, Georgie Woollams.

“We’re very excited to have Vix on board at Katch as she brings both local and international experience to head up the PR team,” says Georgie Woollams, Founder and Managing Director, Katch International. “Vix has a great reputation amongst her piers and continues to grow as a valued member of the communications landscape in the UAE.”

Vix adds “Katch has an excellent reputation in both Dubai and London. The team is responsible for so many success stories in the UAE and I’m so happy to now be a part of it. Katch works across so many sectors from consultation to events to digital and design as well as communications and I’m very eager to grow my experience across them all.”

CNN opens new Abu Dhabi hub

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CNN has unveiled new state-of-the-art broadcasting facilities at its redesigned Middle Eastern hub in Abu Dhabi. The network has completely reconfigured its studio to feature the latest HD broadcasting equipment and a re-imagined space to open up a range of new possibilities for news, programming and community initiatives. The bureau will also now offer fresh opportunities for CNN’s established internship programme, as well as new initiative The Rooftop Sessions @ CNN, which will bring together creative minds, artists and thought leaders from the UAE to perform, discuss and engage with the CNN family.

“There are two parts to this project: we’ve integrated the latest HD cameras and equipment, touchscreens, lighting and a quite stunning LED wall into the main studio space, which create a completely fresh look and feel on air,” says Becky Anderson, Managing Editor, CNN Abu Dhabi. “On top of that, we’ve reconfigured our rooftop space, giving us new scope for our show teams to get creative. The overall result is a versatile, hi-tech hub that is the perfect base for our Middle Eastern operation.”

Maryam Al Mheiri, Acting CEO, Media Zone Authority Abu Dhabi and twofour54, adds “We’re celebrating a partnership that’s changing the face of media in the Middle East. Since CNN established its fourth broadcast hub here in Abu Dhabi, it has shared stories of our society and culture with the entire world. Abu Dhabi has been welcomed into living rooms globally every weekday for the past six years; that’s around 5,000 hours of editorial coverage, with a value in excess of US $820 million.”

Bell Pottinger to make senior appointments

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Bell Pottinger will make a series of senior level appointments across the group’s international businesses. Sam Turvey, currently Managing Director in Dubai, will relocate to Hong Kong in early May, where he will take up the position of Managing Director in order to give a fresh perspective to the group’s Hong Kong team. Nicola Hooper, currently a Partner in the Dubai office, will become its new Managing Director where she will continue to nurture strong client relationships in the region. Nicola’s new role will also involve her working closely with Archie Berens, Managing Director of Bell Pottinger’s Abu Dhabi office, in order to implement a strategic growth plan across financial, corporate, government and consumer communications.

Tim Wilson, Chairman of Bell Pottinger Middle East, will also assume the additional role of Chairman of CSM Sport and Entertainment, Middle East and Africa, where he will oversee the opening of a new office in Dubai for the sports and entertainment agency while continuing to support the Bell Pottinger team in growing the geopolitical service offering.

“I am delighted to announce these appointments,” says James Henderson, Group CEO, Bell Pottinger. “They are a testament to our ability to attract and nurture brilliant talent which contributes to the continued success and growth of our international business. These changes are a great opportunity for Bell Pottinger’s international offices to offer clients even more of an integrated, global service. The connections between the Middle East and Asia are only getting stronger, so to be able to apply firsthand knowledge of the Middle East to businesses and individuals in the Far East – and vice versa – will be a real advantage.”

Annie Turnell joins Four Seasons

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The Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island has welcomed Annie Turnell to the role of PR Manager, ahead of the property’s opening in May, 2016. Previously a Senior Account Manager at Toh PR, Annie has over two years of experience in PR with a specific focus on luxury lifestyle, hospitality and tourism accounts. In her new role, she will work on all PR and marketing activity for the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island to increase awareness of the hotel both before and after its launch.

Elevision expands into Abu Dhabi

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Elevision Media has officially completed its first Abu Dhabi installation in Marina Square. The installation is phase one of the digital platform’s expansion into Abu Dhabi, following the rapid growth of its Dubai network. Located in Reem Island, the digital-out-of-home (DOOH) media solution inside elevators of towers in the development has increased Elevision’s network by 14, taking the total number of towers operated across Dubai and Abu Dhabi to over 100.

“Today I am pleased to announce that Elevision is live in over 100 of the UAE’s premium commercial and residential towers and is reaching an audience of over 115,000 unique viewers,” says Nial Sallam, CEO, Elevision Media. “The growing popularity of DOOH media with its tactical flexibilty is fast becoming a ‘must have’ channel for media buyers and brand managers alike. As the region’s fastest growing DOOH network, Elevision is positioned at the forefront of this burgeoning industry platform and we are excited to be squarely focussed on our next phase of expansion as we zero in on our 200 tower milestone.”

 

Majid goes mobile

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Majid TV, part of Majid Entertainment, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media, is set to launch a website as well as a new app in order to take its characters to a global audience. The website and app will bring characters to life through TV clips, music, games and issues of the magazine, all available at the touch of a button. Majid TV was initially launched in September 2015 due to the increasing popularity of Majid Magazine and Majid comics across the Arab-speaking world.

“This represents a significant step forward for Majid Entertainment, but more importantly we know it’s something that children can enjoy while their parents can be safe in the knowledge that they can trust the fun edutainment content being viewed,” says HE Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, Chairman and Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Media. “The launch of Majid TV has been a fantastic success and allows us to reach millions of households in the region. However, the launch of the website and app, which will also link into our videos on YouTube, means Majid Entertainment will have a global reach 24 hours a day.”