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Speakers announced for inaugural Let’s Talk event

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Fekra Communications reveals speakers for the upcoming event, ‘Let’s Talk: Crisis Communications.’ Under the patronage of Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the event is set to take place from March 8-9, 2017 at The Address Hotel Dubai Mall.

The panel of speakers will include:

  • Samer Costantini, Advisor at UAE Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority
  • Mazen Nahawi, Chief Executive Officer at CARMA
  • Saada Hammad, Regional PR Director at Ogilvy PR
  • Hassan Fattah, Partner at Brunswick Group
  • Moustafa Hamwi, Author and Speaker
  • Fakher Daghestani, Communications Regional Director at Boeing
  • Ahmed Naguib, Founder and CEO at El Masna3
  • Hicham El Amrani, Managing Director at ACG Communication & Training Consulting
  • Alexander McNabb, Digital Media & Communications Consultant
  • Maya Hojeij, Senior Bulletin Editor & Presenter at Dubai Media Incorporated
  • Rasha Kashkoush, Head of Communications MENA at Facebook
  • Saad Al Rubaiaan, Government Communication Advisor
  • Leila Hatoum, Senior Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Newsweek ME
  • Angus MacCormick, Vice President of Emerging Markets at vArmour
  • Mamoon Sbeih, Managing Director – Arab Region at APCO Worldwide
  • Fadl El Tarzi, Chief Executive Officer at Socialeyez
  • Brandy Scott, Presenter at Dubai Eye
  • Jonathan Shillington, Managing Director at Grayling Middle East
  • Khaled Abdulla, Head of Corporate Communication at Barclays MENA
  • Mohamed Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer at Mawarid Finance
  • Khaled Hassan, Digital Marketing Director at IBM
  • Fadi Salem, Research Fellow at Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government.

Al Scene launches across the Middle East

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Creative and media agency, MO4 Network has launched Arabic online magazine, alscene.com across the Middle East. Based in Egypt, Al Scene is an Arabic culture and lifestyle platform that aims to provide high quality, engaging and dynamic content across the region. The new online magazine comprises of a team of Arabic writers from across the region and will feature in-depth stories, news, op-ed pieces, interviews and exclusives.

“Al Scene is brave and aware,” says Ahmed Fares, Managing Editor, Al Scene. “With an increase in the amount of Arabic content online, there has been a high demand regionally for a website that speaks our common language without limits or reservations. Thus, Al Scene is comprised of a team of trailblazers who voice everything our audience wish they could say through a plethora of engaging and diverse content.”

New Op-Ed Columnist joins Arab News

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Saudi Arabian daily newspaper, Arab News has welcomed Yasar Yakis to the role of Op-Ed Columnist. Previously Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Yasar is recognised as a founding member of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party and most recently worked at Oxford University as Senior Associate Member. In his new role, he will write a weekly column on Turkish, Arab, regional and international affairs that will be featured on Arab News’s print and online editions.

“Yakis joins the newspaper’s growing pool of influential columnists,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “Mr Yakis brings a broad global knowledge, many years of experience as Turkey’s chief diplomat, as well as a deep understanding of Arab affairs. We are thrilled that he has joined our pool of expert opinion writers.”

DJWE partners with BPA

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Brand experience agency, Auditoire Qatar has signed with BPA Worldwide to audit the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) to be held from February 20 – 25, 2017 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event will be open to the public and will feature over 400 international brands and local jewellery designers from across the industry. BPA will be responsible for auditing the show in 2017 and 2018 by analysing and reporting on its attendance, exhibition data, demographics, newsletters, social media and website traffic using the BPA Event Brand Report.

“We are delighted that the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition has applied for membership with BPA Worldwide and are excited that this will be the first exhibition to utilise the BPA Event Brand Report in the region,” says Glenn Hansen, President and CEO, BPA Worldwide. “We applaud Auditoire Qatar for providing exhibitors and prospects with the solid assurance of an independent attendance audit conducted according to BPA’s world-respected, uncompromising standards. With a BPA event audit, sponsors and exhibitors can be confident that audience claims are accurate and that they have the verified data that they need to assess an event’s effectiveness in serving its market.”

iProspect MENA appoints Regional General Manager

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The Dentsu Aegis Network digital performance agency, iProspect has appointed Iyad Tibi to the role of Regional General Manager. With over 14 years of digital experience, he was previously Search Director at iProspect and most recently head of Reprise Media MENA. In his new role, Iyad will be responsible for the agency’s evolution by diversifying and developing its service offering as well as driving regional expansion.

“We are excited to have Iyad back with iProspect,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network MENA. “His extensive experience, collaborative leadership style and entrepreneurial business spirit will be a great asset in our capability progression and expansion plans for iProspect MENA.”

C&B expands MENA network

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Cicero & Bernay (C&B), part of The Publicity Network (Publinet) has signed an affiliation with Kuwait-based marketing and public relations agency, Local Flavor. Aiming to further expand its network within the MENA region, the partnership will offer the agency’s clients public and media relations services, business development capabilities and communication development tools as well as PR strategies.

“The signing of this affiliation agreement amplifies our strong capabilities throughout the MENA region in delivering comprehensive public relations and communications services,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero & Bernay. “Local Flavor and C&B each have a strong service ethos that delivers tailored client servicing and communication planning for our clientele. Our complementary insights will enrich already effective communication delivery across both of our markets and to the wider region.”

Khaled Salah Al-Sayer, Managing Partner, Local Flavor adds, “We are very pleased with this new affiliation, as it combines the strong market knowledge of both companies and the breadth of complementary services and expertise. For our clients, this affiliation will deliver increased opportunity for exposure and strengthened brand infrastructure that can be optimised across the region.”

Saudi Arabian news channel closes

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Saudi Arabian-based news channel, Al-Arab has announced the closure of its news channel after two years of operation. Launched in 2015 by Al-Waleed Bin Talal, Al-Arab will cease operations with immediate effect after being shut down from its headquarters in Bahrain.

Ford MENA launches media platform

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Ford Middle East and North Africa has launched a new platform to reach members of the media. The website aims to provide journalists with fast and easy access to region-specific industry news, model launches and CSR programme details in both languages, English and Arabic.

“The Middle East tab on the Ford media website is a welcome addition to our arsenal, and it will no doubt help our friends in the media to tell and illustrate our story with much greater ease and improved efficiency,” says Sue Nigoghossain, Communications Manager, Ford Middle East and North Africa. “Be it searching for the perfect Ford Mustang cover image, or looking for a quote direct from the horse’s mouth, the immediacy with which regional information can now be shared can only benefit Ford, the media, and our combined audiences.”

PRCA MENA announces award winners

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PRCA MENA has announced the winners of its inaugural awards ceremony that took place on February 08, 2017. Hosted at the H Hotel Dubai, the awards ceremony honoured and recognised individuals, teams and campaigns from the PR and communications industry across the Middle East and North Africa.

Winners included Q Communications for Best B2C Campaign, Weber Shandwick for Best B2B Campaign, Volkswagen for Best Influencer Relations, Instinctif Partners for Best Crisis Campaign, Dubai Multi Commodities Center for Best Integrated Campaign, MCS Action for Best Media Relations Campaign, Brazen for Regional Campaign of the Year, Golin MENA for Results on a Budget, Matrix Public Relations for Small Consultancy of the Year and Seven Media for Large Consultancy of the Year. Bassem Ayache, Associate Manager at Golin MENA won the Rising Star of the Year award and Ziad Hasbani, Chief Executive Officer at Weber Shandwick was honoured as PR Leader of the Year.

“It is a great pleasure to announce the winners of the inaugural PRCA MENA Awards,” says Leanne Foy, General Manager, PRCA MENA. “The breadth and depth of entered campaigns, teams and individuals, demonstrates the strength with which PRCA MENA is growing.”

OSN signs long-term TV content deal

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Entertainment network company, OSN has signed a long-term deal for exclusive rights to Disney Channels in the MENA region. The agreement will see OSN maintain exclusive rights and give its subscribers across the MENA region access to Disney channels including Disney XD, Disney Junior and Disney Channel HD. The long-term deal will also see subscribers gain access to soon to be launched Disney first-pay movies and the Disney Forever on Demand services.

“We continue to build on our strong collaboration with Disney through an even wider range of content that appeals to family and kids,” says Emad Morcos, Chief Content Officer, OSN. “The quality of Disney entertainment is unbeatable and the addition of more On Demand anytime and anywhere shows will offer added choices for our customers. Our long-term partnership with Disney is industry-defining as it raises the bar in home entertainment and brings even more value for our subscribers.”