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CNN names new VP of Arabic Services

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Caroline Faraj has been named the new Vice President of Arabic Services for CNN, as the international news outlet unveils ambitious plans for growth in the Middle East. Caroline was previously responsible for the content and management of the CNN Arabic website, leading the site’s re-launch in 2014.

In her new role, Caroline will have strategic oversight of CNNArabic.com while also working alongside CNN’s Middle East newsgathering team, and the CNN Abu Dhabi platform on major cross-platform editorial initiatives. She will also work with the CNNI commercial and digital teams on new digital opportunities in the region. Her immediate focus will be on continuing the expansion of the CNN Arabic brand, while also expanding the CNN Dubai operation in order to allow for increased content development to feed all of CNN’s linear and non-linear platforms.

“CNN Arabic has proved an outstanding success story under Caroline’s leadership and has demonstrated the region’s growing digital appetite for our news product,” says Andrew Morse, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CNN Digital.

Rani R Raad, Managing Director, Turner Broadcasting in the Middle East, adds “Our continued investment under Caroline’s leadership in CNN Arabic reflects the strength of our aspirations for this region. Caroline is perfectly placed in this new role to continue to enrich the news content we offer our consumers, while also helping to develop exciting new digital propositions that will engage audiences and excite our partners.”

 

XPEDITION Middle East to launch in June

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XPEDITION Middle East is set to launch on June 25, 2015. The UAE-based magazine will be a luxury travel and lifestyle print publication, covering content aimed at affluent readers with a passion for travel.

Headed up by Editor-in-Chief Josh Jr. Mangila, who most recently worked as Features Editor for En Route Middle East, the magazine will focus on travel stories from contributors who will offer its audience a personal view into the world of luxury travel. XPEDITION Middle East will feature three main sections: Xtreme – showcasing luxury at its purest, aimed at affluent Emirati readers, Xclusive – interviews with CEO’s who love to travel, and Xpressions – travel stories from readers. The publication will also include features on luxury destinations, airlines, restaurants, cruises, tours and packages as well as stylish travel accessories and competitions offering all-expenses-paid getaways.

Distributed predominantly in the Middle East, as well as in parts of Europe, Asia and the USA, XPEDITION Middle East will be published every two months at a retail price of AED50, with an initial print run of 15,000 copies. Ali Tayeb Al Rais, the youngest Emirati publisher in the UAE, will publish the magazine. A proem issue of XPEDITION Middle East was sold as part of a soft launch at the Arabian Travel Market last week.

“I believe that if we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet,” says Josh. “XPEDITION Middle East is a unique publication, with the goal to blossom a multitude of inspirational content along with drop-dead gorgeous visuals to change the way you read about luxury travel and lifestyle. We have eradicated the usual and robotic ‘what to do’, ‘where to eat’ and ‘when to spend’ type of features in favour of core stories that will touch human lives and propagate the fruits of an unforgettable journey.”

Think Liquorice welcomes Felicity Stokes

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Felicity Stokes has joined Think Liquorice as Brand Manager. Having moved to Dubai in 2014 with a degree in Art History and a background in business, Felicity will bring with her a unique combination of strategic and creative thinking to the boutique brand building and communications agency.

In her new role as Brand Manager, Felicity will manage Think Liquorice’s clients needs across their accounts. She will also work with the strategic team to build and create niche concepts and events.

“I’m really excited to join the Think Liquorice team,” says Felicity. “I love how unique and interesting their brands and projects are, and I look forward to getting stuck in creatively, and contributing to the fantastic work Think Liquorice does.”

TCApr introduces new digital platform

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Dubai-based luxury lifestyle and travel boutique PR firm, TCApr launches a new digital press release platform at the Arabian Travel Market show, today. The new platform means that, alongside dedicated printed press releases for clients, TCApr will also send 20-30 second video summaries of the releases to provide recipients with a clear and concise summary of the information received.  This new style of press release aims to deliver a regular installment of news stories and offers from TCApr’s collection of international five-star luxury hotels and resorts, and lifestyle brands.

“Living and working within such a pioneering city as Dubai has allowed TCApr to recognise and appreciate the continually evolving advancements of the digital world,” says Ahmed Soliman, Managing Director, TCApr. “We feel it is our duty to maintain this ethos, and it is incredibly important to move forward with the fast-pace and advanced development around us in order to keep the GCC medias informed and educated on our clients. Introducing a vlog press release campaign falls perfectly in line with our core competencies of creativity, culture and communication.”

Ananke to partner with The Indian Trumpet

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Online magazine Ananke – www.anankemag.com – has partnered with The Indian Trumpet to explore new creative approaches in order to amplify its online engagement, with a focus on digital media and content creation.  The e-zine is a non-profit initiative that celebrates visionary women across the Middle East and beyond.

“Digital media is an empowering tool of engagement,” says Sabin Muzaffar, Executive Editor, Ananke. “By forming creative alliances, we can not only start meaningful debates on issues relating to women, but we can also explore new methods of engagement that can lead to sustainable social impact. Here at Ananke, we are thrilled to join with The Indian Trumpet to find new methods for creativity in the digital landscape.”

Brndstr launches Innbx

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Dubai-based tech start-up Brndstr has launched Innbx, a new mobile application, developed for creative agencies to manage and monitor several Instagram accounts and hash tags as part of social media campaigns. Innbx is a free application developed to enhance the way brands engage with users on Instagram, allowing people to manage multiple accounts, to categorise followers in to groups and to save social content directly to mobile phones. Innbx was unveiled at TechCrunch Disrupt in New York City.

“With the launch of Innbx, companies will now have an opportunity to take their marketing campaigns to the next level,” says Simon Hudson, CEO and Founder, Brndstr. “As posted content continues to grow, we believe users will find the ability to group content extremely useful.”

 

Grayling Dubai welcomes Nicola Gregson

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Global communications consultancy Grayling has appointed Nicola Gregson as Managing Director of its Dubai office. Nicola brings over 20 years of global PR experience, as well as her extensive industry knowledge, especially in relation to corporate communications, consumer, business-to-business as well as issues and crisis communications.

Having moved to the UAE from the UK in 2007, Nicola most recently worked as Managing Director (Middle East) for Ketchum Public Relations. She is also a board member of the Middle East Public Relations Association.

“As with most industry observers, I’ve been a huge admirer of Grayling’s growth across the Middle East region over the past two years,” says Nicola. “I’m very much looking forward to working with the team to build on the great work they have been doing and to continue to deliver world-class, client focused campaigns.”