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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.”

Ahmad Itani named top 50 Game Changers of PR 2017

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Ahmad Itani, Chief Operating Officer at Cicero & Bernay Public Relations (C&B) has been recognised by PR News as one of the Top 50 Game Changers of PR for 2017. The Top 50 Game Changers of PR is a global ranking that celebrates individuals who have been accelerating the expansion and growth of brand communication across the world. The list honoured Ahmad for his leadership role in C&B and for pushing the boundaries of communication to new heights, as well as extending beyond traditional media to reach out to new contributors that would enhance the MENA network capabilities.

“It is both a great honour and a great responsibility to appear on this list – not only to be representing the MENA region and to rank among global PR powerhouses, but also exciting to be charged with continuing to making a real difference in our industry – locally and globally,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero and Bernay Public Relations.

C&B launches influencer marketing arm

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Cicero & Bernay Public Relations (C&B) launches an influencer communication programme, See & Be. Headed by Jamal H. Iqbal, Director – Brand Outreach at C&B, the new division aims to incorporate influencer engagement into communication campaigns by identifying an ideal match between influencers and client objectives.

“With the speed at which social media has penetrated the region’s consumers, and their affinity towards local influencers, we felt now was the time for new-age PR agencies such as ours to launch a full fledged influencer communication division,’ says Jamal. “See & Be is aimed at streamlining the disjoint between influencer programme leaders and implementers. While influencers and their social media offer optimised channels for delivery, content still rules, and campaigns must be charted keeping in mind granular accountability at every stage.”

C&B partner with Y&D Communications

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Cicero & Bernay Public Relations (C&B) has partnered with Saudi-based public relations and social media agency Y&D Communications, as part of a GCC expansion plan. The collaboration will see C&B enhance its suite of capabilities in order to develop in the communications industry across the MENA region. Both agencies will combine their capabilities and expertise in strategic planning, public relations and technical proficiency, as well as benefit from mutual insights and tactical abilities.

“This partnership agreement is part of our long-term strategy of building a communications network spanning across the region,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero & Bernay Public Relations. “Public relations is becoming an increasingly important and valuable asset for organisations across all four corners of our region. We are pleased to be part of the current wave of growth and we are confident that our affliation with Y&D will provide even more expertise and geographical reach for our clients.”

Younus Inayat, COO, Y&D Coommunications, adds “We are confident that our alliance with C&B will prove to be a highly valuable and complementary collaboration for both companies. Our agency has a long-established reputation and significant presence within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s modern communications landscape and this new cooperation with C&B will ensure we are extremely well placed to take advantage of the sterling growth that the public relations industry is seeing across the region.”

Publinet Group makes new senior appointments

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Communications network Publinet Group, which includes Cicero & Bernay Public Relations, RAW social media agency and creative think-tank Spark* Middle East, has expanded its senior leadership team with three new appointments. Cicero & Bernay has welcomed Grace Asmar to the role of Director of Practices and Offerings where she will act as the agency’s custodian of all brands and personnel. She will be responsible for the development and management of clients, working closely with Cicero & Bernay directors in an effort to drive the vision and strategy for the agency. Jamal H. Iqbal has also been appointed to the role of Director of Brand Outreach, where he will add a brand-focused and creative perspective to client’s strategies. As well as these senior appointments at Cicero & Bernay, RAW will welcome Rennie Mitchell to the role of its first-ever Creative Director, where he will work across digital and social media strategy and management for the agency.

“The expansion of the Publinet senior team is significant in that it underscores the confidence we have in the region’s opportunities and the need for senior expertise,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Publinet Group. “Publinet companies are focused on delivering best-practice solutions for our clients and the addition of these three individuals to our senior teams will offer in-depth expertise to clients and enable us to deliver integrated and strategic solutions from all of the Publinet companies.”