TAG Heuer has appointed Katch International to handle all of the Swiss Avant-Garde watchmaker’s PR activities in the region.
“Katch International is proud to be appointed as the TAG Heuer PR agency,” says Ben Kershaw, Client Services Director, Katch International. “TAG Heuer, part of the LVMH Group, has a unique and innovative heritage that Katch will be capitalising on to create campaigns with lasting impact.”
Iris Public Relations has been appointed to handle the PR activities for ICT Health. The agency will be responsible for creating awareness of a new cloud platform they will be launching for the healthcare sector. ICT Health is an integrated clinical technology company operating across India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA) region, they offer end-to-end solutions for the healthcare domain.
“Our experience in healthcare technology helped us to win the pitch for ICT Health’s upcoming product launch. We look forward to working with them.” says Lisa George, Director, Iris Public Relations.
Jenna Saunders, previously Senior Public Relations and Communications Executive at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray has joined Toh PR as PR Account Manager. In her new role, Jenna will be responsible for handling hospitality and F&B accounts.
MENA-based public relations network, has appointed Stephen Marney as Vice President of Strategy and Development. With over 30 years media, communications and business consultancy experience Stephen has will be developing TRACCS’ existing and future portfolio of products and services, revamping its ENRICH suite of training programs and enhancing the internal communications and strategic business advisory practices.
Stephen will directly report to the CEO, Mohamed Al Ayed and brings with him extensive experience in the MENA Region and corporate management and development expertise.
“MENA is one of the world’s fastest growing regions in terms of PR and with the proliferation of agencies in the region and especially in some key markets, 2016 is going to be the year of thinking beyond the realm of possibilities for us at TRACCS,” says Mohamed Al Ayed, CEO, TRACCS. “Growth doesn’t necessarily have to evolve out of innovation; sometimes structured advancement of the existing offering can transform an organizations competitive approach and performance, setting it apart from the rest of the industry players.”
Stephen adds, “I am excited about this new challenge and I am confident that I can draw upon my 16 years of experience in the region, working with a diverse portfolio of clients across various industries including media, to make strategic business enhancements within TRACCS. I am extremely happy to join the region’s largest PR network and work closely with its senior leadership, turning obstacles into challenges, challenges into opportunities and opportunities into successes.”
Samir Ayoub has resigned as CEO, Mindshare MENA and has been appointed Delegate of the Board at Mindshare MENA. Current Chief Client Officer, Ravi Rao has been promoted to replace Samir as CEO. Samir will transition from his current role as CEO, on February 1, 2016 and continue to act as a valued advisor and consultant on all agency matters until July 2016.
Samir has led Mindshare MENA since 1999, and previously headed up Ogilvy Media. In the last 26 years with WPP, Samir has built up world-class media offerings in the region with his in-depth knowledge of the multiple markets and its consumers’ lifestyles, habits and choices, has supported local and international brands in developing their market share across regional geographies.
Ravi Rao joined Mindshare MENA in May 2015 as Chief Client Officer and in October took responsibility for leading the UAE team. In his previous role, Ravi led Mindshare South Asia as CEO for 3 years and has over nine years’ experience with WPP companies.
“My time with Mindshare has been rewarding and exhilarating,” says Samir. “Much has changed in the consumer and media landscape since I took on the CEO role 17 years ago. I am delighted that the company will continue to flourish, guided by the experienced and capable hands of my friend and colleague Ravi Rao. In the coming months and years ahead, I look forward to celebrating its continued achievements.”
Ravi Rao adds,“It is most satisfying that I was one of ‘the Day 1 employees’ when Mindshare was set up in the region way back in 1999. A real privilege now to lead Mindshare MENA and I really look forward to further building on the success of our strong team and a world-class product so our client partners benefit the most by driving the Adaptive Marketing vision.”
House of Comms has welcomed Kate Mullen to the role of Client Services Director. With a PR career that spans over 20 years in the GCC, Kate has both agency and client-side experience with companies including ASDA’A Public Relations, Fortune Promoseven and Zabeel Investments, having worked for clients including Land Rover, BMW and Coca Cola. As Client Services Director, she will work alongside Managing Partners Kaja Weller and Abby Wilks to help expand and maintain the agency’s portfolio of brands.
“Delivering excellence is at the heart of everything we do,” says Kaja Weller, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “We continually challenge ourselves to set the bar for the industry, and consistently deliver real value for our clients. Perhaps one of our most significant appointments to date, Kate will take up the role of Client Services Director and work side-by-side Abby and I to ensure we continue to uphold our reputation in the market place and make 2016 our most successful year to date.”
Kate adds “House of Comms embodies everything that I love about communications, and my joining comes hot on the heels of the team’s numerous wins at the 2015 MEPRA awards, not to mention their significant client wins throughout last year. The energy of the team, the portfolio of clients and the opportunity to contribute to their on-going expansion plans, plus driving excellence across the board makes for exciting times. PR is in my blood and during my career I’ve been moulded by some great mentors; I hope to be able to share what I’ve learned with the team.”
Omnia’s PR division will be working with charitable organisation Mawaheb from Beautiful People, in an effort to raise the profile of the charity as an open art studio for adults with special needs. Located in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Mawaheb from Beautiful People bridges the gap between society and those with a disability. Through art, corporate workshops and team building events with external groups, the studio integrates its students into the community whilst assisting in the development of life skills, encouraging them to be more independent.
Omnia will assist with the promotion of Mawaheb from Beautiful People’s work; the art exhibitions and events in which they participate, as well as the open studio that allows passersby to drop in. The agency will also work on e-marketing and the launch of the charity’s new coffee and art shops that will be staffed by its students.
The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity has named the 56 international jurors set to judge entries from across the Middle East and North Africa region at the 10th Dubai Lynx. The panel includes; Daniel Andrade, Group Creative Director, EMEA, The Zoo, Google, EMEA; Russel Place, Managing Director, UM, UK and Nick Emery, Global CEO, Mindshare, Global and will convene to appraise over 2,000 entries and determine winners of the coveted Lynx trophies, which will be presented at an awards ceremony on March 9, 2016.
More information and the full list of jurors can be found at www.dubailynx.com