Posts

Blathnaid Healy joins CNN

/in , /by
Blathnaid Healy has joined CNN Digital Worldwide as Senior Editor in its London newsroom. Blathnaid joins CNN from Mashable, where she established the company’s first London office and built an editorial team that developed a multimedia editorial agenda and voice across all platforms. At CNN, she will oversee the network’s EMEA-based digital news team and its output. Blathnaid will be responsible for the commissioning and production of news content, focusing particularly on mobile and video. She will also work closely with CNN’s Atlanta, New York, Dubai and Hong Kong operations to build on and enhance the network’s ‘follow-the-sun’ editorial strategy, integrating closely with CNN’s broader newsgathering teams across all platforms.
“Blathnaid has vast experience in building and leading digital teams with a spirit of creativity and entrepreneurial innovation,” says Inga Thorder, Editor and Programming Director, CNN Digital Worldwide. “She was instrumental in building Mashable’s global workflow and experimenting with different storytelling and has exactly the kind of qualities we prize here at CNN. She is a big part of the global investment we’re making in our digital operation.”
Blathnaid adds “This is an exciting time to be joining CNN. You can see its commitment to digital everywhere you look and the energy behind that is evident across the editorial team. I’m looking forward to playing a part in the next chapter here.”

New Senior Consultant at Bell Pottinger

/in , /by

Bell Pottinger in Dubai has appointed Amy Piek to the role of Senior Consultant. Previously a Senior Consultant at FTI Consulting where she advised public, semi-government and private companies on financial and corporate communications as well as investor relations, Amy has over eight years of experience in media and communications. In her new role at Bell Pottinger, she will advise a range of companies in the Gulf region on investor relations and corporate communications, with a particular focus on the financial sector. Amy will work closely with C-suite executives to increase her client’s profiles in the region and abroad, as well as protect reputations through issues management.

“It is very exciting to join one of the leading communications agencies in the Middle East, known for its forward-thinking, innovative approach, strong management leadership team and international network,” says Amy. “I look forward to using my communications experience in Australia and the Gulf to provide existing clients with best-in-class communication advice and to further expand Bell Pottinger’s already high-profile list of clients.”

Campaign ME welcomes new Editor

/in , /by

Campaign Middle East, a Motivate Publishing publication, has welcomed Austyn Allison to the role of Editor. A graduate in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of East Anglia, Austyn has over 13 years of experience in writing and editing. Most recently Supplements Editor for MEED at Emap Middle East, he has also worked for titles including Communicate and XPRESS. In his new role, Austyn will be working alongside the Campaign Middle East team to produce the fortnightly advertising, marketing and media publication, chasing news, as well as producing and editing content and features.

Sony Music welcomes Brand Partnerships Associate

/in , /by
Sony Music Entertainment Middle East has appointed Kevin Harvey to the role of Brand Partnerships Associate. With over four years of experience in advertising in the Middle East region, Kevin was most recently an Account Executive at MullenLowe in Dubai where he worked across a range of brands including Red Bull and Majid Al Futtaim. In his new role, he will be joining the Brand Partnerships team to provide brands with expertise in creative music solutions through music consultancy, concept development and campaign execution. Kevin will be reporting to Anna George, Brand Partnerships and Licensing Manager for Sony Music in Dubai.

Media OnClick welcomes Zafer Abou Raid

/in , /by
Zafer Abou Raid has joined Dubai-based media and marketing company Media OnClick as Sales Director. Previously Sales and Marketing Manager at Kabayan Weekly, part of Al Hilal printing, where he was responsible for leading the development and implementation of all marketing programmes and strategic sales activities, Zafer has over six years of experience in media. He will now work to grow business for Media OnClick by driving sales and identifying new client opportunities.

In The Hot Seat – Tala Samman

/in /by

Tala Samman of myfashdiary.com tells TMN about how her blog has evolved and what she thinks of Dubai’s growing media landscape…

Name: Tala Samman

Age: 25

From: Syrian/American

Current Job Title: Editor of myfashdiary.com / DJ

When did you first arrive in Dubai?
When I was little – I’ve grown up in this city!

Where did you work prior?
I worked at Tom Ford’s headquarters in London, as well as at Grazia Magazine and with Halston’s Celebrity dressing department in NYC while I was studying at university. Then, in 2012, I joined a Conde Nast title, Style.com/Arabia, as Fashion Editor, before I decided to turn my blog into my full time job.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?
The media industry in Dubai is tiny – everyone knows everyone!

Has your opinion changed much?
It’s slowly growing, but it’s still a much smaller market compared to other major cities.

Is blogging your full time job or a part time passion?
It’s pretty much a full time job!

Tell us about myfashdiary.com…
Back in 2009, myfashdiary.com was the first blog to come out of the UAE. At that time, I was a student at the London College of Fashion and the blog purely covered fashion. Seven years down the line, I’ve matured and so has my blog – it’s now more of a lifestyle portal, a curated guide to fashion, beauty, travel and food.

What’s the most rewarding part of blogging?
Getting the opportunity to inspire people. I love hearing my readers share how my blog has helped them – whether it encouraged them to take the leap and do something they love, or saved them when they needed recommendations.

Which international Bloggers inspire you?
I don’t know if they necessarily inspire myfashdiary, because I think diversity is key to the blogging world and it’s one of the reasons I love it. But a few of my favorite blogs include because I’m addicted and Man Repeller.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a blog/career in the media industry?
Don’t start it for the wrong reasons. Ask yourself ­– do you have something new and original to share with the world?

What do you think of the quality of media publications in the region?
In all honesty, I buy nearly every UK and US magazine on my iPad or in print. In Dubai, I don’t buy more than two or three a month. The content is getting better, but I like to read a magazine and get inspired; you don’t get too much of that here.

How do you find PRs in the region?
Like any city or market, we have some great PR agencies and some not so great ones!

What’s your pet PR peeve?
Whatsapping me for work. I respond to my emails within 24 hours, you don’t need to send me Whatsapp messages!

Do you accept press material from PRs?
Yes, but when I write about something, it’s going to have to be beyond whatever is in that press release.

How would you rather be contacted?
I would rather be contacted by email, please.

What’s your most overused saying?
 ‘I mean…’

Five things you can’t live without?
Iphone, iPad, coffee, my family and music.

If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?
Working at a school!

If you could change one thing about media in the UAE, what would it be?
 I’d make a rule against copying press releases.

How do you see online journalism/blogging changing in the UAE in the coming years?
The media industry is getting a lot more competitive, so hopefully magazine/blog content will become much stronger than it currently is. 

What would be the next step for you (would you look to launching a publication, collaborating with any brands/media etc.)?
I started DJ-ing over a year ago, so the foreseeable future will be spent focusing on music as well as myfashdiary.com.

Helen Farmer to go freelance

/in , /by
Helen Farmer has left good magazine, part of Motivate Publishing, in order pursue freelance work on a full-time basis. Having worked as Editor for good since its conception in 2013, Helen moved to a part-time editorial role in March this year, where she was responsible for writing, commissioning and editing features for the magazine, as well as handling social media and marketing the title through online and radio platforms. Helen will now be freelancing on corporate and lifestyle copy editing and writing, as well as radio journalism. She will also continue to work on her recently rebranded parenting website, The Mothership – www.themothershipdxb.com.
“I’m really excited about the flexibility my new way of working will offer and the opportunity to pursue passion projects as well as explore different avenues and media platforms,” says Helen. “I’m also looking forward to developing The Mothership and helping other working mothers in Dubai, whether its through events or online.”

Ahmed Galal joins TishTash

/in , /by

TishTash Marketing and Public Relations has appointed Ahmed Galal to the role of Arabic PR and Social Media Executive. With six years of experience in journalism, PR and social media, Ahmed has previously worked for companies such as Al Bayan, Ara Magazine and Apparel Group. In his new role, he will be working on Arabic PR and social media content for TishTash clients, as well as assisting with Arabic media relations and coverage placements.

“Ahmed is a significant addition to our growing Arabic and digital team,” says Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, Founder and Managing Director, TishTash Marketing and Public Relations. “I am confident that he is a great fit for the team and will be a valuable member of TishTash.”