Posts

VICE Arabia launches operations

/in , /by

Global media brand, VICE Arabia has launched operations across the region. Headquartered in the UAE, vice.com./ar provides a mix of locally and internationally produced video programming, as well as editorial and social content targeted at the region’s youth population.

Islam Alrayyes takes on the role of Editor-in-Chief and brings a wealth of experience in the Middle East media industry, having previously worked as Editor-in-chief at Sport360 and Head of Digital Content at admcsport.com, part of Abu Dhabi Media. In his new role, he will lead the team of writers, editors, directors and producers to launch its digital operations across the region.

VICE Arabia’s Managing Director, Jason Leavy will handle broader operations and comes with over 20 years of media, communications, publishing and marketing experience. Jason most recently worked with Edelman DABO as Managing Director and will now work alongside the editorial, content and commercial teams. He will be responsible for VICE Arabia’s creative and strategic development across all mediums as a part of the brand’s expansion plan across the region.

Reporting to Jason Leavy is Firas Breais – Head of Sales, Ciaran Bonass – Creative Director and Anas Al Hakim – Senior Creative.

Also joining the new team from its UK office is Aws Al-Jezairy who holds the role of Managing Editor, having helped launch VICE News in the UK. Emma Hill is Head of Production, Badar Salem and Wael Mamdouh are Online Editors, Ameer Daou is Social Editor and Majd Abi Ali is Audience Development Manager.

“VICE Arabia will bring together pan-Arab youth and stand out as the platform for them to tell their own stories and talk about what matters to them,” says Islam Alrayyes, Editor-in-Chief, VICE Arabia. “In a region woven in a rich cultural fabric and with increasingly prominent new voices and talent – from innovators to artists – VICE will showcase the work of those making an impact.”

 

Major leadership changes at Edelman DABO

/in , /by

Communications and marketing firm, Edelman DABO has undergone major leadership changes in the region following mass layoffs earlier this year. Camilla and Lucy d’Abo, founders of Dabo & Co, which in 2015 was acquired by Edelman and rebranded as Edelman DABO, will step down from their current roles and leave the agency. After seven years of working with the brand, Managing Director, Jason Leavy will also depart Edelman DABO to pursue new opportunities in the PR and publishing industry.

The new management transition will see Jason Galucci, previously CEO at Lexis UK take on the role of Managing Director, Brand at Edelman UAE. In his new role, he will oversee the combined Edelman DABO team and its operations across the country.

Alex Apthorpe will also be joining the agency’s new management team to take on the role of Director of Brand Experience and Creative for Edelman DABO. Previously Senior Vice President and Joint Managing Director for Jack Morton Worldwide – Middle East, in his new role, Alex will oversee the experiential team reporting to Galucci.

Edelman welcomes Tod Donhauser

/in , /by

Global communications marketing firm Edelman has welcomed Tod Donhauser to the role of CEO, Edelman UAE. Formerly the Managing Director at Edelman South Africa, Tod has over 15 years of experience in PR and public affairs. In his new role, he will report to Robert Holdheim, CEO, Edelman South Asia and work to integrate the agency’s new capabilities and talent with its existing offerings.

The appointment of Tod comes as Edelman sees a reorganisation into Brand and Reputation units, following its recent acquisition of Dubai-based DABO & CO – now Edelman DABO. The reshuffle will also see Jacob Drake named Managing Director, Reputation, Jason Leavy named Managing Director, Brand and Camilla and Lucy D’Abo joining the Edelman UAE Executive Committee.

“We are significantly expanding our offering by investing in new areas and our structure will maximise the delivery of our talent on behalf of our clients,” says Tod. “I am excited to be joining our sixth largest market by revenue at such a pivotal time.”

DABO & CO Founders win at Gulf Capital SME Awards

/0 Comments/in /by

Lucy and Camilla d’Abo, Founders of integrated communications agency DABO & CO have been named joint Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2014 Gulf Capital SME Awards, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the UAE small and medium business community. In addition to the entrepreneurial sisters’ success, DABO & CO were Highly Commended in the DHL People & Culture of the Year award – an acknowledgement of the company’s ongoing focus on talent and nod to the positive work environment it has created.

“As we celebrate DABO & CO’s 10th anniversary this year, we are extremely proud of what we have built and of the amazing people that have contributed to the success of the company,” says Camilla d’Abo, Managing Partner, DABO & CO. “We hope that our win will inspire other small and medium business entrepreneurs to follow their passions and to explore the array of opportunities that are available within the UAE.”

Lucy d’Abo, Managing Partner of DABO & CO adds, “It is an honour for us to have won the Entrepreneur of the Year award, alongside all of the other inspirational individuals that take pride in building successful businesses.”

Now in its third year, the Gulf Capital SME Awards recognises the success of companies committed to growth and innovation in business across the UAE. A total of 11 award category winners were lauded this year, with accolades including Gulf Capital Business of the Year, Emirati Business of the Year and RSA Startup Business of the Year.

DABO & CO continues winning streak at MEPRAs

/0 Comments/in /by

Integrated communications agency DABO & CO added three further MEPRA awards to its already impressive tally at last night’s fifth Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) Awards. The latest awards sweep takes the company’s total MEPRA awards tally to 15 since the annual event was launched in 2009. Past awards include ‘Agency of the Year’ in 2010 and ‘Mid-Sized Agency of the Year’ in 2012.

DABO & CO triumphed with three awards out of the four categories entered picking up Best Integrated Campaign – DABO & CO & Marriott International: ‘The Launch of the JW Marriott Marquis’, Best Use of Media Relations Consumer or Trade: ‘Canon at Gulf Print 2013’ and Best Practice Consumer Goods: ‘kate spade new york’.

“The annual MEPRA Awards is a major highlight for us as an agency and we are thrilled to have walked away with three awards in recognition of our integrated and results-driven approach to communications,” says Managing Partner, Camilla d’Abo. “Yesterday’s MEPRA awards were the perfect celebration of an industry that has come of age. In light of yesterday’s Dubai Expo 2020 win, the Middle East’s PR industry is on the threshold of an amazing period in its evolution and I am confident that this will bring further opportunities to showcase world-class campaigns emerging from the region.”

Jason Leavy, Managing Director, added: “The 2013 MEPRA wins are the perfect way to round off another exceptional year for the agency. Not only have we recently moved to new state-of-the-art offices to accommodate our continued growth, but we have a stronger than ever talent pool combining exceptional local talent alongside international industry heavy weights, and we are looking forward to an even better 2014.”