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TNS welcomes new Middle East CEO

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TNS, a leading global custom market research consultancy, has appointed Stephen Hillebrand as CEO Middle East. With this promotion, Stephen takes over from Steve Hamilton-Clark who had been in the position for the past 17 years, guiding the business through a period of exponential growth. Having joined TNS in 2000 and spending the past seven years in the Middle East, Stephen most recently held the position of Vice President for the Africa, Mediterranean and Middle East region, playing a pivotal role in enabling the acquisition and leading the subsequent integration of RMS, the then independent Sub-Saharan market research agency, into TNS.

In his new role, Stephen will be responsible for leading TNS’ Middle East business units into the next phase of growth with a strategic concentration on technology-enabled research, focused on the complexity of digital-influenced integrated marketing, particularly in the culturally diverse regional markets.

“I am excited to further push the boundaries in the work we conduct with our clients, ensuring that we are continually evolving to meet their changing needs in a region with such great potential for growth,” says Stephen.

Kim MacIlwaine, Regional CEO TNS AMME adds, “We are proud to partner to so many local businesses as well as global players. I know Stephen’s vast experience in business planning and executing will bring new energy and ideas to build on our strength, especially in the UAE, Saudi and the Gulf states.”

YouTube’s Seven Day Brief competition announced

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The MENA region’s creative community has been challenged by YouTube and Dubai Lynx to create an advertisement which aims to help a social cause through a competition known as The Seven Day Brief. Seeking to engage the MENA region and showcase the creative and interactive potential of YouTube as an advertising platform, the Brief will be released on January 14, 2015. Competitors will have seven days to answer the brief provided by a global NGO, producing a video ad that directly addresses the requirements.

The videos will be evaluated and judged by a panel which includes members of the regional advertising industry, with the finalists to be announced on January 25, 2015, and winners awarded at the Dubai Lynx on March 11, 2015. The winning team or individual will be granted a trip to Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2015 and Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity. Entries are open to those living in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the UAE and Yemen.

Grazia Middle East welcomes new Deputy Editor

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Grazia Middle East has welcomed Elle Blakeman as its new Deputy Editor. Joining the team from London, Elle brings an impressive range of editorial experience to her new role, having worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire, InStyle and Harper’s Bazaar. Prior to joining Grazia Middle East, Elle was with Runwild Media Group where she was Editor for monthly luxury lifestyle title The Mayfair Magazine and The Mayfair Magazine Arabic, overseeing and planning across the magazine in addition to being heavily involved in developing its shape, from tone to layout.

In her new position, Elle will be supporting Editor-in-Chief Alison Tay to produce the weekly luxury fashion title.

Arab Social Media Award ceremony date announced

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The ceremony for the first Arab Social Media Award – an initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – is to take place February 23, 2015. The Award recognises the most important social media initiatives across the Arab region, honouring companies and individuals in various sectors who have used social media to help establish a positive interactive environment for innovation and creativity.

“The strong interest and appreciation gained by the Award emphasises the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum about the future, and his appreciation for the influential role that social media plays in our region and the world in guiding, shaping and accomplishing events,” says His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Arab Social Media Award. “It has helped in further strengthening Dubai’s position and consolidating its leading role.”

Entries have been received from 22 countries globally, with significant response from the UAE as well as Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Award includes 20 categories – Government Sector, Private Sector, Blogs, Media, Sport, Tolerance, CSR, Education, Youth, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Economy, Politics, Health, Arts, Safety, Security, Shopping, Environment, Tourism and Entertainment, as well as the Personality of the Year Award.

Alexander Pieri joins Facilities Management ME

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Alexander Sophoclis Pieri has been appointed as the Deputy Editor for Facilities Management Middle East. Bringing a wide range of editorial experience to the ITP Publishing team, Alexander most recently held the position of Contributor and Freelance Writer for Forbes Middle East and prior to this was the Technology Editor for the aforementioned magazine. In his new role, he will manage the editorial content for the monthly B2B publication.

TRA publishes YouTube White Paper

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The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has launched a white paper regarding YouTube usage as part of its ‘UAE Social Media White Papers’ collection. Highlighting the terms and conditions for use of popular social networks in the UAE, YouTube has been the focus of the latest release, which has more than one billion unique visitors every month and over 100 hours of video uploaded every minute.

With regards to the UAE’s use of YouTube, the White Paper – which reminds users they are prohibited from ‘predatory behaviour’, ‘stalking, threats and the harassment of others’ – also highlights the following conditions –

  • The laws of the UAE prohibit the publication of content which is contrary to public morals, the principles of Islam and the social and moral welfare of the UAE, or any content that contains irreverence towards Islam and any other heavenly religions.
  • Users must only upload videos which they have made or which they are authorised to use.
  • YouTube is owned by Google. In using the YouTube service, users agree to Google’s terms relating to the collection and sharing of personal information.

Full versions of the white papers are accessible via the TRA’s official website – www.tra.gov.ae/White_Paper.php

Cosmopolitan Middle East welcomes new Editor

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Cosmopolitan Middle East’s Brooke Sever has been promoted to the position of Editor of the lifestyle publication, where she previously held the Deputy Editor role. Bringing extensive editorial experience to her new position, Brooke has been a part of the ITP Publishing team for the past four years, first as Editor for Sound & Stage magazine and then as Features Editor for Ahlan!, before moving on to Cosmopolitan Middle East.