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Seven Media launches video production company 

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UAE-based communications agency, Seven Media has launched a new video production company, Seven Studios. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Seven Studios will produce cutting-edge social media content, consumer-focused multimedia campaigns, animations and innovative corporate videos across multiple sectors including government, sport, entertainment and hospitality. The company aims to satisfy the demand for multimedia content in the region and has already signed contracts to produce video content for international brands. The new company will also see the appointment of Jim Bartle to the role of Creative Director, where he will work closely with bands, create complex video projects and brainstorm fresh ideas with the creative team.

“This is an exciting and challenging time to work in this market, where we have really ‘seen it all’ and I find that clients are ready to be pitched ever more creative ideas to stand out from the crowd and tell their stories,” says Jim. “I’m certainly looking forward to meeting this challenge as Creative Director of Seven Studios.”

“The power of video story-telling is particularly strong in the Middle East, with 35% of all online time here spent watching video,” says Gregg Fray, Co-Owner, Seven Studios. “There has been a 90% year-on-year increase in mobile watch time and that trend is set to continue, so clearly organisations who want to cut through the noise need to be putting innovative, relevant and shareable video content out in that space. Seven Media has produced video for its PR clients for some time, but we launched Seven Studios in response to a growing demand for stand-alone video and video-led campaigns to really tailor that service.”

 

Carat appoints new CEO

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Global media agency, Carat, part of Dentsu Aegis Network has appointed Ramzy Abouchacra to the role of CEO, Middle East and North Africa. With almost 20 years of regional experience, Ramzy previously held leadership roles at Starcom MediaVest and most recently at Initiative MENA. In his new role, Ramzy will support clients and be responsible for driving the development of the agency’s operations across all markets.

“I am excited to join Dentsu Aegis Network and lead the next wave of transformation in the region with Carat,” says Ramzy. “My decision to join Carat was driven by their passion, talent and clarity of purpose, which is supported by an integrated operating model that combines data and technology to build innovative media solution. The positivity, entrepreneurial spirit and determination of the agency are clear and immediately attracted me to the role. I am thrilled to be joining the team and hope to build on the agency’s success to date in delivering outstanding work for clients.

Tarek Daouk, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network MENA, continues: “I am delighted that Ramzy is joining Dentsu Aegis Network to lead Carat. He has proven to be a transformative leader who has vast regional experience in building media and digital services. I look forward to working with Ramzy to propel Carat MENA into the next stage of its evolution as we support our clients in using the power of media to transform their businesses’.”

TBWA/RAAD makes new appointment

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UAE-based creative agency, TBWA/RAAD has promoted Manuel Bordé to the role of Executive Creative Director. With a wealth of experience in the advertising industry, Manuel most recently held the role of Creative Director at the agency. Manuel will be sharing the role with Fouad Abdel Malek, who has been In the role since May 2016. In his new role, he will be focusing on creativity while emphasising on genuine local insights to shape the agency’s new approaches.

“This is something I have known before, in South America where I worked,” says Manuel. “This is a very common practice to have double ECDs leading a team, but it’s only possible when you have agencies that are big enough to have space for two ECDs who can help each other and not overlap each other.”

Starcom makes new appointment 

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Starcom, part of Publicis Media, has appointed Racha Makarem to the role of Regional CEO. With over 15 years of experience in the agency, Racha previously worked as Head of the Analytics and Insights Practice and most recently held the role of Managing Director of the Data Science Practice. In her new role, she will elevate the passion and collaborative spirit of Stardom to drive change while also continuing to build the agency’s deliverables against the increasing demand for data.

“Over the past 15 years, my expertise has been in helping our clients solve complex business problems from the lens of the consumer, mining data and delivering actionable insights,” says Racha. “Previously, as the head of the Publicis Media Data & Science Practice, my role was to build this expertise across our network and client teams, fueling marketing transformation in an age where data is prevalent.  In my role as CEO, I will accelerate this momentum, ensuring that we continue to shape the industry.  My priorities, leading Starcom, the Human Experience Company are; to work closely with our clients to create real solutions that accelerate their growth, to leverage actionable data and technology to deliver marketing transformation, and to invest in our people who will drive the capabilities around data, technology and performance to propel the growth of our clients business in today’s digital economy. We have never faced a more dynamic time to be in our business and I’m excited to be at the helm of Starcom, leading into tomorrow.”

Memac Ogilvy welcomes new Managing Director 

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Memac Ogilvy has appointed Philippe Berthelot to the role of Managing Director. With a wealth of experience in delivering award-winning creative campaigns globally, Philippe most recently worked with brands such as Pepsi, Lays, Google and France 24. In his new role, Philippe will lead the agency’s operations and focus on delivering modern marketing solutions to help increase awareness of its brands.

“I’ve always been an experience junkie, always needed a challenge, and always needed to grow in my career – that’s what’s led me across the world from the creative to the account side,” says Philippe Berthelot, Managing Director, Memac Ogilvy UAE. “The truth is, consumers have changed as well. They seem to care less about brands today. That’s why our goal is to create purposeful work that makes brands matter in peoples’ lives. It’s as simple as that.”

Publicis Groupe introduces Marcel

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Publicis Groupe has unveiled Marcel in the Middle East. Named after the Founder of Publicis Group, Marcel is an artificial intelligence powered innovation that aims to transform the organisation from a holding company to a platform, creating the first truly borderless and frictionless enterprise workforce. Marcel connects Publicis Group’s 80,000 employees and will completely reinvent the way they work.

“We have broken the divide between data, creativity and technology – we are breaking the barriers between talent and opportunity with Marcel,” says Arthur Sadoun, Chairman and CEO, Publicis Groupe. “Marcel is the proof of our commitment to our people, our clients and our industry. We will be a force for good, by leading the change.”

Publinet makes new appointment 

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Dubai-based communication consultancy, Publinet has promoted Jamal Iqbal to the role of Executive Creative Director. With 19 years of experience in the communication industry, Jamal previously worked with Spark Middle East as Associate Creative Director and most recently with Publinet as Director of Innovation. In his new role, he will establish creative new-age tactics and concepts across Publinet’s companies.

“I have dedicated my career to Publinet for the best part of a decade, and going forward I will continue to work towards keeping us at the forefront of our industry by focusing on the future, which I believe lies in strategic creativity, bold innovation, pioneering new-age tactics and achieving unprecedented levels of consumer engagement,” says Jamal. “As Executive Creative Director for the group, I will continue to instil our teams with the confidence to envision the impossible and bring it to life for our clients.”