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BR Communications joins PR World Network

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BR Communications, a PR consultancy operating in the Middle East, has signed with Lou Hammond’s PR World Network. Lou Hammond & Associates is a North American communications agency, founded in 1984 has offices in New York, Miami, Charleston SC and Los Angeles. The world network was founded in 2009 and consists of 21 PR companies offering services in over 50 countries, who will pool their competencies in their respective parts of the world to offer members of the network an expanded reach beyond national and regional borders as needed.

“We already have a Middle East regional reach and can now offer our clients global services regardless of geographic location,” says Bahaa Fatairy, Managing Director and Founder, BR Communications.

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.”

An opulent offering

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When Team TMN were invited to experience a luxury Iftar we got ourselves down to Jumeirah Beach Hotel to see what one of Dubai’s most well-known venues had to offer for the holy month of Ramadan…

What: Iftar at the Majlis Al Safinah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Where: Majlis Al Safinah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel

When: Every day during Ramadan, from sunset until 8.45pm

The promise: “Situated within the beautiful Safinah Ballroom, Majlis Al Safinah is a contemporary space that breathes life into the traditions of Ramadan. Impeccably decorated and elegantly furnished, the Majlis Al Safinah blends prestigious Jumeirah hospitality with culinary excellence.”

Did it deliver? Jumeirah’s Majlis Al Safinah space looks nothing short of full-on opulence. From the red and gold décor, to the shimmering accents, lanterns and huge selection of flowers, the room exudes an aura of decadence from the moment you step in. An enormous yet unintimidating space, the room’s layout somehow manages to accommodate smaller tables and create an intimate ambience, alongside the larger seating areas for groups and parties. Waiters are attentive without being overbearing and float around the space, offering fresh juices and mocktails, including a particularly tasty apple blossom drink.

After being seated with a drink and having broken our fast with a few dates that were plated on the table, Team TMN ventured towards the enormous selection of food on offer. Traditional Arabic salads and lamb ouzi were on display alongside less traditional offerings such as roast beef with all of the trimmings, garlic and chilli marinated grilled prawns as well as mixed noodles. All of the food that we sampled was prepared to an excellent culinary standard. The roasted root vegetables, prawns and traditional salads proved particular hits with the more health-conscious members of Team TMN! The variety of food on offer meant that even the pickiest of eaters were happy and the high quality of ingredients used ensured that everything was exceptionally tasty.

Following the starters and main courses, we felt it would be rude to ignore the vast number of delicious-looking desserts that were on display, taking up nearly one third of the buffet area; so we took it upon ourselves to tackle the sweets. The desserts can only be described as heavenly – from Arabic sweets to fruit tarts, every possible form of chocolate you can imagine was available (including an enormous chocolate fountain) to home-made ice creams and freshly hulled coconuts. We were particularly fond of the strawberry custard tarts, although could have happily scoffed seconds of all the sweets on offer, if we had not been already full from the delicious main dishes.

Sitting back with a cup of tea to chat amongst ourselves and our guests, we took a moment to look around and admire the lovely venue once again, noting the friendly atmosphere and effortlessly relaxed vibe that seems typical of Dubai around this time of year.

The verdict: Iftar at Majlis Al Safinah is not a particularly subtle affair. It is, however, a wonderful way to wile away a special evening with friends, colleagues or family over the month of Ramadan. The atmosphere within the Majlis area is that of a community, which is befitting the time of year, the food and service on offer is truly impeccable. At AED210 per head, this isn’t a terribly cheap Iftar, although the quality on offer renders it excellent value in our eyes. The leisurely pace of the iftar, as well as the sheer size of the venue, means that this is a much more luxurious offering and would also be an excellent way of introducing visitors to the concept of an Iftar.

Dubai Lynx welcomes new Festival Director

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Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity has welcomed Thea Skelton to the role of Festival Director. With over 13 years of experience in the events industry, including seven years in various roles across the Middle East, Thea has worked on numerous large-scale events and award shows. She will now be responsible for overseeing Dubai Lynx and ensuring the continued success and innovation of the festival.

Hayley Nolan, who has been with Dubai Lynx for three years, has now been promoted to the role of Event Manager, while Emma Farmer will be taking a short sabbatical before returning to Dubai in September as an Events Consultant where she will continue to assist Thea and the team.

“Thea joins Dubai Lynx with a vast array of experience and a deep knowledge of the region – she will ensure Lynx will continue in the seamless way it has in the past,” says Terry Savage, Chariman, Lions Festivals. “In welcoming Thea it is important to recognise the role that Emma Farmer has played in the last five years leading and shaping this great event.”

Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx and Managing Partner, Motivate Group, adds “Having recently enjoyed our highly successful 10th edition, Dubai Lynx is undoubtedly the best established event of its kind in the MENA region. We are sorry to be losing Emma at such an exciting time but very much look forward to welcoming Thea Skelton and working closely with her to grow the event in coming years.”