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RECMA names Vizeum fastest growing media network

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Independent notation reports company RECMA has named global network Vizeum the world’s fastest growing network in its Overall Activity Billings 2014 report, published this week. Across the 16 global agencies assessed by RECMA, Vizeum increased activity billings year-on-year by 29.1%. Companies with growth rates in the top five Overall Activity Billings of 2014 list also included MediaCom and Dentsu media.

Vizeum was launched in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in January, 2014, as part of Dentsu Aegis Network and has over 62 offices in 42 countries globally. The network aims to leverage the creative power of media in order to connect brands and consumers to help clients’ brands grow.

“We have achieved this impressive growth through our single-minded focus on making innovation in media create value for clients,” says Anouk Bondroit, General Manager, Vizeum MENA. “We leverage our globally consistent network and have witnessed great momentum over the last 18 months. This growth helps us to keep the agility required in the fast-paces media environment – It’s the only way we can credibly remain at the forefront of the industry and produce best in class work for our clients.”

CNN Style launches

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CNN has launched CNN Style, a new online destination for content spanning the worlds of fashion, design, architecture, art, automobiles and luxury. The website is aimed at a cosmopolitan, global audience and throughout July will be guest edited by Architect Daniel Libeskind.

CNN Style will be a highly visual online destination, featuring galleries, interactives and a range of video and written content aimed to bring international audiences closer to shows, events, trends and personalities across a range of style genres. Launch content includes interviews with photographer David Bailey, pop artist Takashi Murakami and designer Manolo Blahnik. The website will be tailored for mobile audiences and social sharing, spanning international and U.S. Digital editions of CNN.com, CNN Arabic and CNN en Espanol, as well as being integrated into CNN Money’s digital platforms, taking its place alongside other major CNN brands and verticals such as CNN Politics and CNN Travel. CNN Style will also be integrated with TV programming. The site will be headed up by Editor, George Webster.

“CNN Style is the essential destination to be immersed in beautifully crafted, intelligent and inspiring pieces about all facets of style,” said Andrea Demaria, Vice President and Managing Editor, CNN Digital. “This is a cosmopolitan home for a broad range of content. Attracting someone of Daniel Libeskind’s calibre as our first Guest Editor is a signal of our intent as we help redefine what ‘style’ can mean to an upscale, international audience.”

ExtraCake and Katch collaborate for Games 15

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ExtraCake, organisers of the Middle East Film and Comic Con and Games 15 have announced a strategic partnership with Katch International to help promote the 2015 edition of the marquee gaming event in a bid to maximise reach to fans and exhibitors alike.

While the event will again focus on early access to the latest games and demos from publishers like Sony PlayStation, XBOX and many leading games publishers, GAMES 15 will also incorporate many innovative and unique elements with the inclusion of eSports with ESL, Video Games Live, mobile gaming, table top gaming, workshops, merchandising, celebrity guests and much more making it an event that transcends boundaries.

“The scope we have for Games going forward is much broader than ever before.,” says Arafaat Ali Khan, Director of Public Relations at ExtraCake. “Like the Middle East Film and Comic Con before it, Games 15 will offer something for everyone and offer one of the most entertaining weekends out for families and hardcore gamers alike. To ensure that we reach every demographic and every communication channel, we felt that increasing our resources was a must and tying up with another strong agency like Katch seemed to be the obvious way forward.”

While the Games 15 event will be managed, organised and communicated by ExtraCake, Katch will add an extra layer of support.

Motivate Publishing to launch Cyclist ME

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Cyclist Middle East is set to launch in September 2015. Cyclist Middle East will be published by Motivate Publishing under license from Dennis Publishing. The international cycling title first launched in the UK in 2012, and this will be the third license deal just in 2015.

The 116-page monthly magazine will be available from September 1, 2015 and will cost AED25. The title will feature content that focuses on the best road bikes and technology, performance advice from top experts and in-depth articles mixed with breathtaking imagery from the sport’s best photographers. With the growing enthusiasm of the sport in the Middle East, which currently hosts four major cycling races: the Dubai Tour, the Abu Dhabi Tour, the Tour of Qatar and the Tour of Oman, Cyclist Middle East already has a growing audience.

“Launching Cyclist Middle East is an exciting opportunity for Motivate,” says Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Group Editor-In-Chief, Motivate Publishing. “Cycling is becoming a hugely popular pastime in the Middle East, with more races being added to the calendar here each year. Launching the title now will allow us to grow the global audience of the brand.”

For Further information, contact Anthony Milne at anthony@motivate.ae / +971 (0)4 427 3461

Laura Coughlin promoted to Deputy Editor

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Laura Coughlin has been appointed as the new Deputy Editor for both What’s On magazine and the digital version, WhatsOn.ae. Having joined Motivate Publishing 12 months ago, Laura previously worked across both titles as Features Writer.

In her new role, Laura will work alongside the title’s senior editors, designers and writers to create engaging and brilliant content covering subjects that range from music to restaurant reviews and adventure to new activities in UAE. Laura will also focus on making WhatsOn.ae the number one go-to online portal for breaking news, upcoming events, and the latest in food and fitness in the UAE.

“I am extremely proud to be part of the What’s On team,” says Laura. “We will continue to bring practical, interesting and exciting content to ensure our readers love the emirates as much as we do.”

For further information, contact Laura Coughlin at laura@motivate.ae / +971 (0)4 427 3097

XPRESS promotes Mazhar Farooqui

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Mazhar Farooqui has been promoted to the role of Editor of XPRESS Dubai and XPRESS Abu Dhabi, part of Al Nisr Media.Having previously worked as Deputy Editor across the publications, Mazhar will now be responsible for managing the publications, as well as content-creation and ensuring that the magazines contain an enterprising mix of news, human interest/community stories and lifestyle/entertainment features.

“I was part of the team that launched XPRESS, so it’s a great honour to be heading the publications now,” says Mazhar.

For further information, contact Mazhar Farooqui at mfarooqui@xpress4me.com / +971 (0)4 406 7846

Shane Mcginley wins Journalistic Excellence Award

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Shane McGinley, Executive Editor, Arabian Business has been selected as one of 22 global recipients of the Citi Journalistic Excellence Award, 2015. This is the first time journalists from the Middle East have competed for the award, and Shane represented the UAE along with Triska Hamid, a London-based freelancer who contributes to Abu Dhabi-based Newspaper, The National. The Citi Journalistic Excellent Award is sponsored by Citigroup, and judged by a professional jury of experts in finance, economics and business journalism. Each recipient of the award was chosen from hundreds of international journalists, invited to apply and partake in a competition and selection process, with those who were successful being invited to attend the International Journalists Seminar at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York.

“It was an amazing experience to be able to attend the Columbia University campus, even just for 10 days,” says Shane. “With journalists from all over the world, it was great to hear their stories and experiences as well as the different challenges journalists face each day.”

For further information, contact Shane McGinley at shane.mcginley@itp.com / +971 (0)4 444 3631

Anantara welcomes Hana Fuchs

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Hana Fuchs has joined Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa as Director of Marketing Communications. Hana has over 12 years of experience in marketing and communications in the region, having previously worked with hotels such as the Radisson Blu, Dubai Deira Creek and the Grand Millenium Al Whada, Abu Dhabi.

In her new role, Hana will be responsible for managing all communications from Anantara Dubai The Palm, as well as driving the hotel’s regional presence and supporting promotions from its food and beverage outlets.

For further information, contact Arina Nekrasova at nekrasova@anantara.com / +971 (0)4 567 8888

CPI Media Group welcomes Kausar Syed

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CPI Media Group has welcomed Kausar Syed to the role of Group Sales Director – Technology & Finance divisions. Kausar recently worked for ITP Publishing as Group Sales Manager, where she was responsible for delivering targets for six IT publications and ITP.net. She brings over seven years of media sales experience in the region to her new role at CPI Media Group.

As Group Sales Director for CPI’s Technology & Finance division, Kausar will formulate business strategies to achieve sales targets as well as build and maintain customer relationships across CPI publications such as CNME, CFO Magazine and Reseller ME with diversified marketing options covering print/online and events opportunities across the region.

“I am enthused to be joining CPI Media Group,” says Kausar. “I have been working in the technology industry for several years shaping strong business relationships and I can’t wait to build on these with commitment and dedication in my new role.”

For further information, contact Kausar Syed at kausar.syed@cpimediagroup.com / +971 (0)50 758 6672

Time Out welcomes Matt Fortune

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Matt Fortune has joined Time Out – part of ITP Publishing Group – as Head of Digital Content, bringing eight years of experience in journalism with him to his new role. Matt most recently worked at Motivate Publishing as Web Editor for What’s On magazine, where he was responsible for overseeing all of What’s On’s digital content. In his new role, Matt will be responsible for overseeing content for all of Time Out’s digital platforms across the Middle East.

For further information, contact Matt Fortune at matt.fortune@itp.com / +971 (0)4 444 3368