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GQ Middle East set to launch in the region

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ITP Media Group partners with Condé Nast International to launch GQ Middle East in September, 2018. The new launch will include a website in Arabic and English, social media platforms, a monthly magazine, and a series of events including the GQ Man of the Year. The new title will feature insightful reports on key regional issues and columns sourced from locally influential men as well as interviews with some of the acclaimed figures from across the fashion, sport and entertainment industry in the region. The digital platform of the magazine will focus heavily on video and be predominantly produced locally with an aim to target males between 28 to 45 years who are ambitious, fashionable, and well educated.

“The Arabian men’s fashion market is very dynamic,” says Karina Dobrotvorskaya, President, Condé Nast New Markets and Editorial Director, Brand Development. “We see a growing appetite for luxury products and a real appreciation of craftsmanship, with huge respect for both heritage and contemporary brands. We believe that ITP Media Group has the experience, vision and enthusiasm to deliver GQ Middle East with its own unique voice across all platforms.”

Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group added “We are pleased to announce the launch of GQ Middle East – our third brand with our partners, Condé Nast International. GQ is without doubt the most recognisable men’s media brand in the world, and our Middle East version will distinguish itself with quality writers and photographers, exclusive interviews, video production and in-depth analysis and commentary. GQ Middle East will not just report on the latest trends but its editorial team, with proven knowledge of the region, will actually set them.”

ITP launches social media division

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ITP Media Group has launched new social media division, ITP Ignite. ITP Ignite will offer a range of services including social media management, content creation, brand enhancement and customer publishing. The new division will also work alongside digital talent division, ITP Live to promote content and develop brands.

“ITP Ignite is an exciting new addition to the company,” says Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group. “Leveraging our portfolio of brands and the vast editorial resources of the group, we are now able to offer content creation for a range of clients, which extends to developing and implementing fully integrated communication strategies. As the media landscape continues to radically change, our group is not only adapting to the change but leading it, with our commitment to innovative, digital first, solutions.”

ITP Live announces talent signings

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ITP Media Group’s new digital division, ITP Live, has announced the signing of 26 key personalities to its influencer agency, including designers, YouTube stars, business thought leaders, models, beauty ambassadors, fashionistas, an Olympian and a 15-year old sneaker aficionado. It will now represent and oversee all commercial deals for Abdulla Al Abdulla, Afra AlMarri, Aishwarya Ajit, Ali Al Jassmii, Aljuhara Sajer, AlReem Saif, Andy Scott, Elnaz Golrokh, Gehna Advani, Hala Abdallah, Hamid Fadaei, John Marques, Khalid AlAmeri, Mariam Yeya, Max Bouchard, Michel Salgado, Nadine Du Toit, Naomi D’Souza, Nina Ali, Nina Zandnia, Omar Al Busaidy, Rashid Belhasa, Rosemin Manji, Searina Abdel Kader, Zeynab El-Helw and Zoe Bowker.

“Our announcement heralds a new dawn not just for social influencers, but for the GCC media industry as a whole,” says Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group. “We are today, laying the foundations for an entirely new industry that will reshape the media landscape. Not only do we firmly believe in the power and strength of influencers, but through our own print and digital brands, developed over the last 30 years, we are uniquely placed to help them realise their full potential. This is already reflected in the quality of influencers we have signed up.”

Alia Fawad, Director, ITP Live adds, “We have been extremely selective when it comes to our initial signings as we wanted a wide range of content covered and individuals with proven levels of engagement. We have both influencers with high reach and those who are micro-influencers in their specific fields. Both are equally significant when it comes to communicating our clients’ messages to the right audience.”

ITP Live’s social influencer agency operates across the GCC and has already started working with brands including DTCM and P&G. March will see ITP Live hold its first influencer event, and the agency’s website will launch as more talent is signed.

ITP Publishing Group reveals new identity

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Following the launch of ITP Live in November 2016, the Dubai-based publishing house has rebranded as ITP Media Group. With its growth in print, digital and event divisions, the new title and logo aims to identify the firm as a 360° content creation agency with a multi-platform approach to its publications and events.

“With more than 85 media brands, all with print, digital, video and social platforms, publishing is only part of what we do,” says Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group. “It’s therefore essential that we reflect this in our corporate identity. Along with the continual evolution of our brands, we have also recently purchased a Data Management Platform (DMP) and launched ITP Live. Collectively, this will ensure that we are appropriately aligned with, and at the forefront of this digital era. Our new name, ITP Media Group reflects these offerings.”

ITP launches new division

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ITP Publishing Group has launched its new digital division, ITP Live. The new division is set to extend the digital footprint of ITP and APP Media Groups’ brands across the region. The new division aims to provide new content creation opportunities for commercial partners and will focus on the region’s social influencer agencies, video content creation and digital sales representation as well as ecommerce and live events.

“ITP Live is an exciting new addition to the company,” says Ali Akawi, Managing Director, ITP Publishing Group. “It will work horizontally to maximise opportunities across our brands and vertically by creating its own unique products. One of the horizontal aspects is video and as one of the most prolific content creators in the region we believe that creating video content is a natural extension of our business.”

Arab Publishing Partners sign Hello! Middle East

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Arab Publishing Partners (APP) is taking over the licensing agreement of Hello! Middle East. A significant re-launch of the brand is scheduled for the second quarter of 2015, with interactive digital editions and a dynamic social media presence that will mark a major shift in Hello!‘s presence in the GCC.

“We are very excited at the re-launch and APP’s plan to launch two new premium monthly titles – Hello! Arabia and Hello! Bollywood – targeting educated, affluent and discerning women,” says Anthony Luke, Licensed Editions Operations Manager, Hello! “This will extend our global reach to 33 editions worldwide.”

Ali Akawi, APP’s Managing Director adds, “Taking over Hello! in the Middle East will offer an exciting opportunity to expand APP’s impressive portfolio of luxury publications. Readers are looking for a full brand experience that also takes them across social media networks and onto their own smart phones for unprecedented access to the glamourous lifestyles of royalty and celebrities around the world, not to mention right here in the GCC. The three editions of Hello! will make all of that – and more – possible, which is exciting for readers and advertisers alike.”

Architectural Digest to launch in the Middle East

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Architectural Digest is set to launch in the Middle East in Spring 2015, announced today by Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman and Chief Executive of Condé Nast International. Published under license agreement with Arab Publishing Partners (APP), a division of ITP Publishing Group, this will be the eleventh edition of the magazine available globally.

“Architectural Digest is hugely respected as the international authority on decoration and design,” says Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman and Chief Executive, Condé Nast International. “It is exciting to bring this publication to the Middle East.”

Ali Akawi, Managing Director of APP and ITP Consumer adds, “The GCC has some of the fastest growing cities in the world, with ambitions to create entirely new modern landscapes and ‘cities within cities’ in the next ten years. Architecture and design will be key to fulfilling this vision and the recent expansion in the number of commissioned projects – both residential and commercial – is evidence that there is now a need for individuality and unique brands. Architectural Digest Middle East will showcase global and regional unique design to both inspire and educate its readers.”

Architectural Digest currently has editions in the USA, Germany, France, Mexico, Latin America, Russia, Spain, China and India, with a global readership of over 6.8 million a month.

ShortList to launch in the UAE

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Arab Publishing Partners (APP), part of the ITP Publishing Group, has announced that a UAE version of ShortList – the UK’s largest circulation lifestyle and entertainment title – will launch in March 2015. ShortList UAE is the region’s second ‘freemium’ publication to launch in the UAE, and targeting both residents and tourists, it will be an authority on the best in shopping, fashion, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, dining and sport.

ShortList UAE will be published every Wednesday, reaching men and women aged 20-50 in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Complimentary copies of the magazine will be widely available, with the website and app to follow in 2015 including searchable and bookable entertainment listings.

“We live in a fast-paced country with endless entertainment choices – from the world’s largest malls and top restaurants to world-class music and theatrical events,” says Ali Akawi, Managing Director, APP. “ShortList readers are busy people so the magazine will be their definitive guide to what they should be doing to make the best of their valuable leisure time.”

Tim Ewington, International Development Director of ShortList Media adds, “We’re delighted to be launching ShortList’s first international edition in such fast growing, vibrant cities as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. ShortList has the proven ability to connect powerfully with millions of affluent urban consumers both in print and digital forms. I am sure that the brand will be a potent and popular edition to the region’s media mix.”

ITP Publishing to launch Arabic women’s website

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ITP Consumer Publishing has announced plans to launch a digital-only, high-end, Arabic women’s website – AnaEmra’a. The site will be the first digital-only offering to join the company’s rising portfolio of lifestyle titles, and is set to officially launch in October 2014, with a series of events and bloggers’ teas across the GCC region.

Geared towards a savvy, internationally-educated, fashionable, Arabic speaking female audience between the ages of 20 and 45, AnaEmra’a.com aims to be a stylised source of information for women-on-the-go, providing up-to-the-minute content from the latest runway shows and fashion buys of the moment to luxury travel destinations, with the latest beauty trends and tips, health and fitness news and more.

“We are very excited to announce the launch of the first Arabic portal coming out of ITP Consumer Digital,” says Ali Akawi, Managing Director, ITP Consumer. “AnaEmraa.com is designed to be the imminent guide for Arab women living a stylish life in the Middle East. It encompasses the vibrancy and diversity of this region’s population and packages it into a contemporary platform.”

The site will be led by Nadine El Chaer, ITP Consumer Arabic Group Editor, and Ola Kseroof, AnaEmra’a.com Editor-in-Chief. With the expertise of Ola and Nadine, the aim of AnaEmraa.com is to reach a discerning Middle Eastern market. With an aggressive promotional online and offline campaign throughout the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, AnaEmraa.com will reach a digitally active audience that current print circulation does not touch.

Stylist to launch Middle East edition

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Arab Publishing Partners (APP), part of the ITP Group, has announced today a new licensing agreement with London-based Shortlist Media Ltd. The first brand under license will be fashion and lifestyle weekly Stylist, and is set to launch in the UAE in September 2014, introducing the ‘freemium’ magazine sector to the market.

Similar to its UK and French versions, the Arabia edition of Stylist will target cosmopolitan, urban professional women aged 20-40 years. Once launched, the magazine will be the highest circulated women’s weekly title in the market, with a print circulation of 50,000 across the UAE. The magazine will also be made available at five star hotels, airline business class lounges, spas, salons and universities, and will be sent direct to ITP’s extensive female database. An online edition of the magazine will be available from Apple iTunes, and the title will be BPA audited.

“Stylist has taken the UK by storm over the last four years,” says Tim Ewington, Co-Founder and International Director, Shortlist Media. “With our first overseas edition in France now firmly established we are thrilled to be launching into the dynamic Middle East market. We are delighted to be working with APP in the Gulf. They are experienced and professional operators – perfect partners to recreate the same impact that our brand has had in the UK and France in a new region.”

Ali Akawi, Managing Director of APP Group adds, “We are excited to see the APP Group further expand its portfolio and bring the first ‘freemium’ magazine to the Middle East. We look forward to building a large interactive community of readers and are confident we can replicate the success that the brand has had in the UK and France.”