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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.” 

Buzzeff launches new display ads

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Dubai-based online advertising company Buzzeff launches its new generation of display ads called InRead Display. Buzzeff’s new upgraded ads aim to help advertisers maximise their brands’ exposure towards their target audience without being associated with unwanted content. The new Ad format will also be viewable by design unlike traditional display formats and will be mobile-friendly to increase viewer ability and engagement among consumers.

“When it comes to online advertising, brands always aim to get the best results to capture consumer loyalty and eventually improve sales performance,” says Jerome Mouthon, Founder and Chairman, Buzzeff MEA. “In order to achieve that, the environment in which they reach their market should be set as high priority. Being the first and only company to make inRead Display available in the MEA region, we look forward to assisting different brands not only in their online ad requirements, but also in educating them about the importance of safe advertising online.”

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.”

RAPP ME welcomes new Managing Director 

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RAPP ME has appointed Mimi Nicklin to the role of Managing Director. With a wealth of experience in strategic and creative communications, Mimi previously worked across brands in South Africa including Coca-Cola, Kimberley Clarke, Samsung and Unilever and most recently worked with WPP Team GSK in Singapore where she held the role of Vice President. In her new role, she will focus on new strategic insights and creativity and strive for mass impact while leveraging data to drive delivery.

“In a time when the whole world is saying the same thing and many agencies offer a very similar offering I think it’s the quality of the talent that creates loyalty to our agency brands,” says Mimi. “My number one focus is on our people, our environment, our culture and our brand, ensuring that the team at RAPP are the most fulfilled and valued in our industry.”

Buzzeff.tv introduces new ad buying method

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Online video publisher, Buzzeff.tv is the first to introduce an automated version of video ad buying to the Middle East and Africa. Programmatic outstream video advertising helps brands enhance their targeting capabilities by reaching out to a wider and more diverse audience while using minimal human input.

“We predict that more than 50% of advertising spends to be programmatic in 2017, as the industry seeks to leverage a more cost-effective outstream video format across premium publishers.” says Jerome Mouthon, Founder and Chairman, Buzzeff MEA.

Herman D’Souza, Business Head, Buzzeff MEA adds, “According to eMarketer, seven in ten advertisers said programmatic outstream provided more scale with 69% saying it helped improve viewability. By adding programmatic buying to our portfolio of products, Buzzeff is supporting the MEA region’s position as a leading hub for advertising professionals.”

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