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New Managing Editor at Entrepreneur ME

Entrepreneur Middle East has appointed Tamara Pupic to the role of Managing Editor. Previously Editor of Arabian Business StartUp, part of ITP Media Group, Tamara reported on the developments across the MENA startup and SME industry. Prior to starting her career in journalism in 2012, she worked in the international trade policy development field with more focus on the World Trade Organisation law. She is also the founding President of Club Alpbach Belgrade, part of the European Forum Alpbach, a Vienna-based organisation fostering interdisciplinary dialog in education, business and politics. In the UAE, Tamara has also helped establish United World College, UAE National Committee, the regional branch of the London-headquartered organisation of 17 international colleges. In her new role, she will join the editorial team and work with the Editor-in-Chief, Aby Sam Thomas on Entrepreneur Middle East’s editorial content across its digital and print channels.

“As Managing Editor, Tamara will be working with me and my team at Entrepreneur Middle East to develop editorial content and further our presence across our print, web and social channels,” says Aby Sam Thomas, Editor-in-Chief, Entrepreneur Middle East. “Tamara comes to us with a wealth of experience in the MENA entrepreneurial ecosystem and I look forward to having her fresh ideas to help continue to differentiate the Entrepreneur Middle East brand and its mission.”

Matt Fortune joins Jumeriah

Dubai-based luxury brand Jumeirah has appointed Matt Fortune to the role of Cluster Social Media Manager. With over ten years of experience, Matt previously worked with Motivate Publishing as Web Editor for What’s On magazine and most recently with ITP Media Group as Head of Digital Content for Time Out magazine. In his new role, he will lead the content and social strategy for hotels and restaurants in the brand’s Dubai.

Caterer Middle East welcomes new Editor

ITP Media Group has promoted Claudia de Brito to the role of Editor of F&B management title, Caterer Middle East. Previously Group Deputy Editor of Etihad Airways’ inflight magazine, Claudia will now oversee and generate editorial content for the monthly publication as well as contribute to the publishing house’s dedicated hospitality industry web portal, www.hoteliermiddleeast.com.

Logistics News ME welcomes new Editor

BNC Publishing has appointed Paromita Dey to the role of Editor for its B2B publication, Logistics News ME. With over five years of experience in the region, Paromita was most recently a Reporter at Construction Week, part of ITP Media Group. In her new role, she will be responsible for the content creation and design of the entire magazine as well as it’s development as a brand.

“I am really excited to join Logistics News ME as its Editor,” says Paromita. “It’s a new challenge for me and I definitely look forward to it. These are exciting times for the logistics sector in the Middle East with so much activity happening. Which will surely give me an opportunity to tap into these areas and create something engaging out of it.”

ITP Live announces talent signings

ITP Media Group’s new digital division, ITP Live, has announced the signing of 26 key personalities to its influencer agency, including designers, YouTube stars, business thought leaders, models, beauty ambassadors, fashionistas, an Olympian and a 15-year old sneaker aficionado. It will now represent and oversee all commercial deals for Abdulla Al Abdulla, Afra AlMarri, Aishwarya Ajit, Ali Al Jassmii, Aljuhara Sajer, AlReem Saif, Andy Scott, Elnaz Golrokh, Gehna Advani, Hala Abdallah, Hamid Fadaei, John Marques, Khalid AlAmeri, Mariam Yeya, Max Bouchard, Michel Salgado, Nadine Du Toit, Naomi D’Souza, Nina Ali, Nina Zandnia, Omar Al Busaidy, Rashid Belhasa, Rosemin Manji, Searina Abdel Kader, Zeynab El-Helw and Zoe Bowker.

“Our announcement heralds a new dawn not just for social influencers, but for the GCC media industry as a whole,” says Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group. “We are today, laying the foundations for an entirely new industry that will reshape the media landscape. Not only do we firmly believe in the power and strength of influencers, but through our own print and digital brands, developed over the last 30 years, we are uniquely placed to help them realise their full potential. This is already reflected in the quality of influencers we have signed up.”

Alia Fawad, Director, ITP Live adds, “We have been extremely selective when it comes to our initial signings as we wanted a wide range of content covered and individuals with proven levels of engagement. We have both influencers with high reach and those who are micro-influencers in their specific fields. Both are equally significant when it comes to communicating our clients’ messages to the right audience.”

ITP Live’s social influencer agency operates across the GCC and has already started working with brands including DTCM and P&G. March will see ITP Live hold its first influencer event, and the agency’s website will launch as more talent is signed.

BNC Publishing makes new promotion

Media production and digital house, BNC Publishing has promoted Crystal Chesters to the role of Group Editor for hospitality titles. Former Editor of Hotelier Middle East at ITP Media Group and most recently, Editor at BNC Publishing for Catering News Middle East, Crystal will now oversee the editorial growth and development for both hospitality publications under BNC – Catering News Middle East and Hotel News Middle East as well as digital content, events and awards.

“Having been in the region for over three years editing hotel and F&B publications, I am delighted to have the opportunity to oversee BNC Publishing’s young and fast-growing hospitality portfolio,” says Crystal. “As we move into the third year of Hotel News Middle East, I am excited to help set the agenda for the publication and build the brand’s portfolio of events, while continuing to consolidate the profile of Catering News Middle East on the region’s competitive publishing market.”

Management changes at ITP

ITP Media Group has undergone further management reshuffling, following the appointment of Ali Akawi to the role of CEO last year.

Former Deputy Managing Director, Alex Reeve takes on the role of Executive Director for Consumer titles and Martin Chambers, previously Publisher at Time Out group has now taken on the position of Publishing Director. In his new role, Martin will be responsible for operations across all consumer titles under ITP. Alia Fawad, formerly Deputy Managing Director of ITP, will now manage the launch of ITP’s social influencer agency under the new division, ITP Live.

ITP Publishing Group reveals new identity

Following the launch of ITP Live in November 2016, the Dubai-based publishing house has rebranded as ITP Media Group. With its growth in print, digital and event divisions, the new title and logo aims to identify the firm as a 360° content creation agency with a multi-platform approach to its publications and events.

“With more than 85 media brands, all with print, digital, video and social platforms, publishing is only part of what we do,” says Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group. “It’s therefore essential that we reflect this in our corporate identity. Along with the continual evolution of our brands, we have also recently purchased a Data Management Platform (DMP) and launched ITP Live. Collectively, this will ensure that we are appropriately aligned with, and at the forefront of this digital era. Our new name, ITP Media Group reflects these offerings.”

New appointment at ITP Publishing Group

Dubai-based publishing house, ITP Publishing Group welcomes Widad Naami to the role of Senior Digital Commercial Manager. Previously Business Development Manager at digitalCUPS and Head of Business Development and Sales at Buro 24/7 ME, Widad has over 10 years of experience in the region’s media and publishing industry. In her new role, Widad will be responsible for the commercial development of all Hearst’s online titles under ITP Publishing Group, which includes the Middle East editions of Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar and Men’s Health as well as Women’s Health.