Stylist Arabia, part of Arab Publishing Partners (APP), has appointed Alexandria Gouveia to the role of Editor. With over ten years of experience in print and digital media, in her new role she will oversee all editorial content, interviews and features for the monthly publication.
New York based marketing agency, Hearts & Science has launched in the Middle East under the umbrella of Omnicom Media Group MENA. Hearts & Science combines personalised marketing with real-time data-led insights to offer a range of services to their clients. Fadi Maktabi, previously Head of Strategy at OMD UAE, will lead the new office at Dubai Media City.
“It’s terrific to see the tremendous momentum continuing unabated with the expansion in the Middle East,” says Scott Hagedorn, Global CEO, Hearts & Science. “Fadi has an impressive track-record and expertise in insights, strategy and innovation, a strong platform on which he can build to leverage that momentum and experience the success Hearts & Science has witnessed in other markets.”
Elie Khouri, CEO, Omnicom Media Group MENA adds, “Hearts & Science will transform the market by redefining the standard for precision and performance.”
Volkswagen Middle East has appointed Bruno Gisquet to the role of Marketing Director. With over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, Bruno previously worked with Infiniti Motor Company as the Director of Global Experiential Marketing and most recently as the Director Brand Academy. In his new role, he will lead and manage the development and marketing communications, as well as oversee the product marketing and volume planning for Volkswagen Middle East across the region.
“The Volkswagen brand is renowned for some of the most innovative campaigns and its product portfolio provides a strong canvas for creativity,” says Bruno. “My objective is to further the brand’s values and bring its persona to life across the region.”
Andrew Savvas, Brand Director, Volkswagen Middle East adds “Bruno Gisquet has driven exceptional brand campaigns on an international level, with an eye on results with a creative edge. He brings 17 years of international marketing experience with the group to Volkswagen Middle East, our customers can expect to benefit from his appointment with new and exciting product offerings and services.”
UK-based restaurant group, giraffe appoints Q Communications to handle all PR activities for the brand across the region. With four locations in the UAE including Dubai airport and Yas Mall, giraffe offers a global cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere.
“We’re so happy to be working with such a respected family restaurant brand to further their recognition in the UAE and launch a brand new giraffe in Dubai,” says Katie Harvey, Managing Partner, Q Communications. “This is a great opportunity for us to help build on their huge success since they launched the first restaurant in London in 1998.”
The UAE announces the launch of Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), the first design university in the region, set to open in September, 2018 at the Dubai Design District (d3). The university’s curriculum will be developed with the support of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Parson’s School of Design for a Bachelors degree programs in Design that aims to create as well as cater for people planning to study Design courses across the Middle East.
Q Communications has been appointed by Middle East International Exhibition (MIE) to handle all PR activities for the fourth annual China Trade Week Middle East. The event will be held at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi from December 5-7, 2016 and will host manufacturers from China. Q Communications will be responsible for all PR and marketing aspects of the event across the GCC region.
“To be able to provide the 2016 China Trade Week Middle East with our support is a massive opportunity for us and we are excited to be working on this innovative event with them,” says Elsa Roodt, Managing Partner, Q Communications. “This is the fourth China Trade Week in the UAE and we are confident it will continue to grow and soon become one of the must visit trade and business events in the Middle East.”
Dubai-based communications consultancy In2 Consulting has partnered with the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), a hospitality industry conference in the Middle East. The conference will be held from April 25-27, 2017 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. In2 Consulting will be handling all PR and communications activities to raise awareness of the conference across the Middle East.
“Our partnership with In2 Consulting will enable us to share AHIC’s fantastic roster of content with key editors over the next six months as we prepare for our biggest conference to date,” says John Emmerson, Director of Events, MEED Events.
Anne Bleeker, Managing Partner, In2 Consulting, adds “As former hospitality and travel professionals ourselves, we are excited to engage with the hotel owners, investors, operators and consultants that support AHIC. With their input, we look forward to driving the hospitality news agenda in this region in the coming months.”
The Media Network has appointed Shelly Mistry to the role of Editorial Assistant. Having previously assisted on a number of lifestyle publications including Citizen K Arabia and Citizen K Homme Arabia, part of Gulf News Publishing and a number of APP Media Group titles including The Rake Middle East, Revolution Middle East, Condé Nast Traveller Middle East, Stylist Arabia and the Hello! group, she will now assist with all editorial including news and features for the B2B media platform. Shelly will also manage client relations with The Media Network’s Premium Members as well as help manage the website and social media content.
“Having previously worked in publishing, I have always looked to The Media Network for daily updates and happenings within the industry,” says Shelly. “I am delighted to join the region’s first media-exclusive communication platform and look forward to developing my career with the wonderful team.”
Matthew Moore, Group Marketing Manager at GN Media, tells TMN about the media industry and how it tends to make an impact in the Middle East…
Name: Matthew Moore
Age: 37
From: UK
Current Job Title: Group Marketing Manager, Gulf News
When did you first arrive in Dubai?
At the end of January 2016, straight from the UK.
Where did you work prior?
Before coming to Dubai, I was Head of Marketing at Johnston Press, one of the UK’s leading media organisations and before that I was at DMGT, working mainly on The Daily Mail.
What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
I have been really impressed, it is diverse and evolving at a really fast pace so it’s an exciting time to be involved.
Has your opinion changed much?
A little, there are certainly differences compared to the UK. Some trends are less prominent whilst others are more advanced than I had imagined. I’ve been really surprised at how relevant mobile adoption and usage is here. As a marketer that’s a great platform for engaging, rich content.
Tell us about your current role…
I drive the marketing strategy for Gulf News Media (Al Nisr Publishing LLC), we publish the Gulf News and a wide range of magazines. It’s marketing’s job to grow our audiences across all of our brands, to increase customer engagement and from a revenue perspective, monetise our audiences as well.
What challenges do you face?
There has never been more choice for audiences in terms of where they get their news, and any other content that’s interesting and relevant to them. So the main challenge is ensuring our brands, their content and our marketing – cuts through – and is attractive, engaging as well as relevant to our audiences, so they continue to choose our brands. On the flip side for b2b, it’s about using insights and data we have to connect brands with our audiences through clever, creative solutions.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing a campaign come to life and consumers engaging with it. We now have a wealth of data and analytics, so we can see in real-time how a campaign or content piece is working. It’s also great for the team that works so hard to see their efforts pay off.
How would you rather be contacted at work?
I suppose email is the most convenient, and we all use it but I’d prefer to have a conversation!
Describe yourself in five words…
Competitive, committed, driven, friendly and happy
What’s your most overused saying?
Trust me, it will be fine?!
Five things you can’t live without?
My family, friends, sports (I will watch anything! Rodeo from Texas was on TV last night and I was hooked) good coffee and I hate to say it but I guess my phone.
If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?
I’ve always quite liked the idea of being a chef, a professional golfer or a tennis player also appeals.
What is your favourite form of media (i.e; TV, radio, print)?
Wow – difficult. I really enjoy them all for different reasons. Great radio is really absorbing and engaging; and I’m a fan of rolling TV news, whilst digital, mobile and social media continue to grow rapidly – so I’ll say print. There is still something really nice about holding a physical newspaper or magazine, I think there is a nostalgic element to print which people relate to.
Dubai-based communications agency, Q Communications has been appointed to handle all PR activities for Veri Peri. Launching in the UAE, Veri Peri is an authentic Portuguese restaurant chain. Q Communications will be responsible for managing all PR, marketing and social media operations to increase awareness of the brand across the UAE.
“We’re thrilled to be on board with this great brand and to be launching the very first Veri Peri outlet in the UAE,” says Katie Harvey, Managing Partner, Q Communications. “This is a fantastic opportunity for us and an exciting addition to the region.