Posts

Disney makes new appointment

/in , /by

The Walt Disney Company has appointed Helen Pickerill to the role of Senior Communications Manager. With 10 years of experience in PR and communications, Helen was previously Account Director at Grayling Middle East. In her new role, she will oversee PR and communications activities for all of Disney’s lines of business in the MENA region, which includes studio, retail and channel activities.

“The Walt Disney Company is the world’s most powerful brand, yet uniquely remains one of the most beloved,” says Helen. “I’m proud to be joining the Disney team here in MENA in what’s set to be an exciting year for the company across the region.”

New Managing Director at MullenLowe MENA

/in , /by

Dubai-based integrated marketing communications group, MullenLowe MENA has promoted Matthew Butterworth to the role of Managing Director. Having joined MullenLowe MENA in 2016 as Regional Director of Digital and Integration, Matthew has over 20 years of experience and previously worked in the UK with McCann EMEA as Director of Digital Strategy and Publicis as the Digital Strategy Director. In his new role, he will work on creating a stronger integration and consumer driven creativity through data-driven experiences across every touchpoint to produce results.

PRCA introduces PR competition

/in , /by

PRCA MENA has partnered with Cannes Lions to introduce the Young Lions PR competition to the region. The competition will open for entries from February 1 – 26, 2017, accepting teams of two members aged under 30. With the creative brief issued on March 1, 2017 and the shortlist announced on March 14, 2017, the MENA winners will be announced on March 23, 2017 following a final 24-hour competition that will take place on March 22, 2017.

“PRCA MENA is committed to promoting and demonstrating the value of PR and communications in the region,” says Francis Ingham, Director General, PRCA MENA. “The Young PR Lions competition allows us to do exactly that – show off the calibre of PR and communications practitioners in the Middle East and North Africa.”

Mitch Williams joins Serviceplan Middle East

/in , /by

Dubai-based integrated communications agency, Serviceplan Middle East has appointed Mitch Williams to the role of Social Media Director. With experience in the media industry, Mitch previously worked with Wunderman MENA as Social Media Brand Manager and most recently with Create Media Group as Social Media Director where he managed the social media division and drove the overall direction of the clients. In his new role, he will head the agency’s social media division and lead the strategic direction of the company offering while growing and managing the social media team.

“I am super excited to be joining Serviceplan Middle East team and having the opportunity to work with them on building the social media team,” says Mitch.

STARZ play signs TV content agreement

/in , /by

Dubai-based subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, STARZ Play has signed an agreement with 20th Century Fox Television Distribution. The agreement will see 20th Century Fox provide TV content for STARZ Play subscribers across their platform in the Middle East and North Africa. The deal will also focus on bringing more Fox produced movies and TV series to establish their presence in TV across the region.

“We are delighted to be working with 20th Century Fox Television Distribution to bring its content to STARZ Play,” says Khaled Benchouche, Senior Vice President, Programming and Acquisition, STARZ Play. “This deal meets the rising demand for premium OTT titles and recognizes the unique opportunities available to the MENA region.”

Cicero & Bernay expands into Turkey

/in , /by

Public relations consultancy, Cicero & Bernay has signed a new affiliation with Turkey-based PR and social media agency, Miya PR & SM, to expand its operations to Turkey. The affiliation will see both parties combine their strength and capabilities to shape and deliver creative communication strategies, as well as collaborate on client projects and new business efforts across the region.

“This partnership empowers both of our agencies to provide high-quality communication campaigns in a key market at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and we are delighted to offer our clients enhanced PR capability that an affiliation with C&B brings,” says Burcu Meriç Durak, Founder, Miya PR & SM. “I believe that our understanding and insights perfectly complement each other and that through our combined efforts we will deliver the best-in-class communication campaigns for our clients.”

Google appoints new MENA Managing Director

/in , /by

Google has appointed Lino Cattaruzi to the role of Managing Director for its operations across the Middle East and North Africa. With experience in the technology industry, Lino previously worked with Google as Director for Sales Strategy and most recently as Country Director, Argentina and later Mexico. In his new role, he will lead the efforts to enable local business partners grow and engage with consumers online, as well as help the wider digital community through programs and initiatives across the MENA region.

“After eight years of experience within the international Google offices, I am excited to start a new challenge within the company and look forward to working with some very talented Googlers here in the Dubai office,” says Lino. “I find the MENA region to be truly fascinating and believe there is a lot more to be done in unlocking its digital potentials.”

indaHash launches in the MENA region

/in , /by

Influencer technology platform indaHash has partnered with digital solutions company, Future Tech Media to launch its operations in the Middle East and North African region. The partnership will see the newly launched platform connect brands and agencies in the MENA region directly to the global social influencers, to create content marketing campaigns for the regional and international markets.

“We are excited to formally launch our platform in the MENA region to support brands and agencies in influencer marketing at scale,” says Barbara Sołtysińska, Founder, indaHash. “The MENA region is ripe with opportunity and this market is accelerating much more quickly than others. It is a great time to bring our platform to this region and our first campaign is already proving a great success.”