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Entries for Festival of Media now open

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Festival of Media MENA is now accepting entries for its 2017 awards ceremony. The third edition of the festival launches a series of new award categories including Best Use of Traditional Media, Best Use of an Influencer, Best Use of Real-time Marketing, Best Branded Content Creation, Best use of Gamification, Best Insight Award, Best Local Execution of a Brand, The Creative Use of Data Award and Best Not-For-Profit Campaign. Following the entry deadline on February 2, 2017, the shortlisted nominees will be announced on March 15, 2017.

In collaboration with C Squared and Mediaquest, the festival will take place on April 26, 2017. Festival of Media MENA invites media agency networks and innovative media owners as well as marketers of the region to attend a one-day industry-centric conference and an awards ceremony to celebrate their work and achievements. The conference provides a platform for the attendees to discuss media trends and technologies as well as network with industry professionals to promote their initiatives to prospective clients and agencies.

UAE newspaper announces closure

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UAE-based newspaper, 7DAYS has announced the closure of its newspaper and online news publication. The news brand will cease operations after 13 years of publishing in the UAE with its final print issue to be published on Thursday, December 22, 2016.

“Whilst it was our stated intention to re-focus and restructure the business for 2017 and beyond, it has since proved not possible to create an acceptable cost base that could deliver a viable and sustainable business,” says Mark Rix, CEO, 7DAYS. “It is therefore with great sadness that we announce the unique 7DAYS news brand will close and thus, cease to inform and entertain the UAE in its refreshing and inimitable way. I have only praise and admiration for the dedicated and talented team that have created such a popular media portfolio over the past 13 years and I wish each of them every future success and happiness.”

PRCA MENA Awards 2017 now open for entries

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Nominations for the PRCA MENA Awards 2017, hosted by Public Relations and Communications Association Middle East and North Africa (PRCA MENA), are now open for entries. The deadline for the entries is December 13, 2016, with the finalists to be announced on January 4, 2017. The awards aim to recognise teams and individuals for campaigns that have taken place between November 1, 2015 to November 2, 2016, that can demonstrate strategy, creativity and originality across 12 categories including Best Integrated Campaign, Rising Star of the Year and Best PR Campaign: Media Relations. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held on February 8, 2017 at the H Hotel. Nominations for the awards are currently open and can be made through prca.mena.global/how-to-enter/.

“I am delighted that the first PRCA MENA awards are open for entries, celebrating excellence in PR and communications across the region,” says Leanne Foy, General Manager, PRCA MENA. “We have a range of new categories to bring to the region and entries will be judged by our international judging panel.”

Dubai Lynx announces press conference

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The 2017 Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity press conference will be held on December 5, 2016 at the CNN Building, Dubai Media City. The conference will focus on new initiatives for 2017, including the launch of an ‘Innovation Award’ and additions to the festival programme.

The press conference will be presented by Thea Skelton, Festival Director, Dubai Lynx, with panellists Terry Savage, Chairman, Lions Festivals; Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx; Khadija Al Bastaki, Director of Business Development, Dubai Media City; Hani Ghorayeb, President, IAA-UAE Chapter; Walid Yared, Chief Marketing Officer, Choueiri Group and Faisal Bin Haider, Chief Executive Officer – Printing and Distribution sector, Dubai Media Incorporated.

A2Zarabia.com launches in the UAE

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Dubai-based entrepreneur team launches A2Zarabia.com, a consumer-based online platform in the UAE. A2Zarabia.com is a one stop online shopping hub that aims to combine the functionality of different categories to effectively make life easier for its users. The new platform will be headed by Syed Sarfraz and Parvez Ahmed as the co-founders and it will feature categories that include properties and motors, as well as sections for jobs, exclusive deals, events and other classifieds.

“There are multiple existing websites for each category separately giving its users significant value,” says Syed Sarfraz, Chief Executive Officer, A2Zarabia.com. “However, there isn’t a single website, that satisfies all these daily requirements at a single portal for the user which will make their life easier. We wanted to provide this service to the users across the UAE and beyond. The website has already received a good reception with vendors and strategic partnerships with major brands.”

Hello! Arabia secures royal exclusive

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Hello! Arabia has secured an exclusive interview with Her Highness Sheikha Futtaim Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of the Ruler of Dubai set to be published next week. The interview features HRH Sheikha Futtaim speaking about her passion for horses, painting and arts as well as the progress made in the UAE for women’s empowerment, whilst paying tribute to the vision of both her father, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Founder of the UAE, HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

“Her Highness is a role model to so many people not just in the UAE but across the world,” says Gina Tadros, Editor-in-Chief, Hello! Arabia. “Her interview is a wonderful insight into her dreams and passions and we are very proud to be publishing it.”

House of Comms welcomes New Junior Account Executive

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Integrated communications agency, House of Comms has welcomed Daisy Priestly to the role of Junior Account Executive. A recent graduate from Brighton University, Daisy holds a degree in Event Management. In her new role, she will work across House of Comms’ client accounts as well as building her media contacts.

“Never have I been around a group of people who are so passionate about what they do,” says Daisy. “It’s so inspiring and I feel incredibly lucky to be working with some amazing clients. I know that this is where I want to be and to see how people are able to grow within House of Comms makes me confident that I will be able to smash my career ambitions as a part of this team.”

Absolute Communications makes new appointment

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Digital, PR and events agency, Absolute Communications Group has welcomed Sonal Salvi to the role of Senior Account Manager. With over five years of experience in public relations, corporate communications and marketing, Sonal will now oversee all PR operations for the agency’s clients across the region.

“The company’s culture is exceptionally progressive and strategic,” says Sonal. “We are more thought driven than press releases and it gives us a broader scope to build a brand. I am pleased to work with such creative, dedicated and inspiring minds.”

New creative agency launches

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New creative communications, production and design agency, Havoc Creative has launched in the UAE. Founded by Catalina Tapia and Acacia Stichter, who are also the Creative Directors, the agency aims to offer its clients services ranging from visual brand development and design to corporate communications as well as art direction. With over 15 years of experience in the creative and publishing industry, Catalina and Acacia have partnered together to build a business that offers its clients creative content with a personal approach.

“We’ve worked for everyone from Harper’s Bazaar and HSBC to Shangri-La Abu Dhabi and even A-list celebrities, we’re using our expertise as designers as well as dealing with clients to bring a hands-on and personal service to companies and individuals alike,” says Acacia Stichter, Founder and Creative Director, Havoc Creative. “We want our clients to feel special and know that they’re getting our undivided attention, something that can lack when dealing with large corporate organisations.”