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C&B partners with Y2AD 

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Public relations consultancy, Cicero & Bernay Public Relations (C&B) has expanded into Syria with a new strategic partnership with Y2AD. Founded in 2001, Y2AD is an advertising agency that operates across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and the UAE. The acquisition will oversee the strengthening of its network of communication experts across the MENA region. Y2AD will be assisting the consultancy with PR and media relations as well as on-ground support and the development of communications in PR strategies.

“Syria is a vibrant and an upcoming key-location for our partners and clients,” says Maysa-Jana Atoui, Business Development Director, C&B. “With heightened interest in investors who are keeping an eye on its market, focusing on the bigger picture of its upcoming potential, C&B is keen on making a presence there. Y2AD has more than 17 years of experience in Syria and our strategic partnership with them is one we are proud to have initiated as part of our overarching mission to expand upon our network. This will broaden our influence and present us with a valuable opportunity to increase the reach of our clients into to a valuable region.”

J. Walter Thomspon PR Levant rebrands

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Global communications agency, J. Walter Thompson (JWT) PR Levant has rebranded as Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) Levant. The joining together of H+K and JWT PR aims to create an exceptional talent base, enhanced client offer and a stronger combined footprint. H+K will deliver purpose-driven, integrated client campaigns and insights to tell stories through an earned media lens.

“We are thrilled to expand our reach in the Levant to better serve our clients’ regional needs,” says Bashar AlKadhi, CEO, H+K MENAT. “As the first international PR company established in the Middle East, this partnership is a significant step in our journey to grow our already strong regional footprint.”

Suzanne Talhouk, H+K Levant General Manager said, “We are proud to partner with H+K who have a prestigious reputation across the globe,” says Suzanne Talhouk, General Manager, H+K Levant. “With the H+K network, we will build our strengths and extend our services to our ever-expanding pool of clients looking for regional support.” 

TF1 Group acquires Gamned!

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Media holding company, TF1 Group has acquired a majority stake in, Gamned!. Founded in 2009, the programmatic advertising agency aims to combine human expertise and technology to offer multichannel programmatic campaigns to brands and agencies. The acquisition aims to enable TF1 Group to offer high-powered solutions to meet all of its advertisers’ needs.

“We pay tribute to Gamned!’s achievements, talents and technological expertise, which will help us deliver more value from our digital assets and qualified data collected from advertisers,” says Gilles Pélisson, CEO, TF1 Group. “This will enable us to provide advertisers with optimised targeting and enrich the dialogue between our partners and web users beyond our platforms.”

Spark Foundry partners with AstroLabs

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Spark Foundry, part of Publicis Media has partnered with AstroLabs. Founded in 2013, AstroLabs is a co-working agency and learning academy for digital technology companies in the UAE. The partnership will deliver a programme called Transformational Upskill to Spark Foundry clients across the region.

“Our partners and our talent are the two most important assets in our business and our partnership with AstroLabs was set up with the objective to nurture both,” says Alain Brahamcha, Spark Foundry MENA, CEO. “In today’s landscape we need to continuously evolve and acknowledge that the only constant is change.  Positive change which has put transformation as the core driving force behind the evolution of our clients’ business and ours.  I’d like to thank AstroLabs for their support and our client partners for acknowledging the importance of this collaboration and allowing us to be the catalysts in their business transformation.”

Future Tech Media acquires Adzouk

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Dubai-based digital advertising agency, Future Tech Media has acquired the digital advertising network, Adzouk. Founded in 2011, the programmatic supply side network works with advertisers including General Motors, Unilever and Jaguar Land Rover across the MENA region. The acquisition aims to increase client needs particularly in Africa and Asia while strengthening Future Tech Media’s strategic positioning in the region.

“In today’s rapidly evolving and connected world, our clients are demanding more and more digitally cutting-edge solutions,” says Boye Balogun, Managing Director, Future Tech Media. “This acquisition enables us to grow faster and offer clients a comprehensive solution encompassing content, media and technology. There is a perfect synergy between our existing product offerings and we’vealready started integrating Adzouk’s products across our five offices. We will also continue to work on new product development as we advance our advertising technology roadmap.”

Jamie Atherton, Co-founder and MD, Adzouk, continues, “This is a very positive step for the business as we are now part of a larger integrated digital technology business. We will be able to offer our clients Future Tech Media’s products including access to their content studio and influencer marketing technology. We are very proud of Adzouk’s achievements over the last seven years and are confident that we are in a hyper-growth phase with the right talents and leadership on-board.”

We Are Social acquires Socialize

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Global creative agency network, We Are Social has acquired a majority stake in UAE-based digital agency Socialize as part of its expansion into the MENA region. The move sees We Are Social’s global workforce top 700 staff members, based across 11 offices in nine countries. Socialize will continue operating as an independent brand while taking advantage of We Are Social’s global infrastructure and agency ecosystem.

“We Are Social’s entrepreneurial spirit and future-focussed offering makes it the perfect strategic fit for Socialize,” says Akanksha Goel, Founder and Managing Director, Socialize. “We’re looking forward to joining forces with a network that is so like us from both a cultural and working practice perspective, a forward-thinking partner who shares our vision of the future and a global ecosystem that allows us to deliver greater value to our clients.”

Robin Grant, Chairman and Co-Founder, We Are Social continues, “We’re incredibly excited to be welcoming Akanksha and the rest of the Socialize team to the We Are Social family. They’re kindred spirits who share our creative culture and passion for social. As one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the world, the Middle East is absolutely crucial for our global clients and having Socialize as part of our network has fulfilled a long-held ambition.”