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BNC Publishing launches new title

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Media production and digital house, BNC Publishing has launched Design Middle East, a new title for professionals involved in the commercial interior sector. The monthly print magazine will feature insightful interviews with the industry’s leaders on the major developments within the region and include pieces on furnishings, fit-outs, lighting, architecture, ceramics and textiles.

“BNC Publishing is delighted to announce the addition of Design Middle East to our fast-growing B2B portfolio,” says Wissam Younane, CEO, BNC Publishing. “We look forward to providing the commercial interior design talents of the region with a fresh and inspiring perspective on the innovations, trends and intelligence shaping this vibrant sector.”

ewmoda website goes live

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UAE-based women’s forum ExpatWoman.com has launched fashion and lifestyle website, ewmoda.com. Working closely with an editorial team, bloggers and influencers, the new website features local and international news and features as well as the latest trends from the fashion, beauty, home, lifestyle and travel industry.

“ewmoda is a natural extension of the ExpatWoman brand,” says Gail Livingstone, COO, ME Digital Group. “With over 600,000 unique visitors a month and an increasingly younger and mobile demographic, we are excited to provide a new website that will become the go-to source for current happenings in the fashion and lifestyle arenas both locally and internationally.”

Regional Press and PR Manager joins Benefit Cosmetics

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Benefit Cosmetics has welcomed Roxane Ferrer to the role of Regional Press and Public Relations Manager. With seven years of experience in public relations, Roxane previously worked for CHANEL as Middle East PR Manager and most recently for Strategies International as PR Manager. In her new role she will be responsible for all regional press as well as PR operations for the brand across the region.

“I’m excited to be joining such a fun and unique brand,” says Roxane Ferrer. “Benefit Cosmetics is all about creativity and I am happy to join the team during such a key time for the brand.”

Ink partners with in-flight magazine

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London-based travel media publishing company, Ink, has signed an agreement to relaunch and produce the monthly in-flight magazine, Oryx magazine for Qatar Airways. The agreement will see Ink produce a revamped edition of Oryx magazine and will be available starting from January 1, 2017, on board the Qatar Airways’ aircraft across all cabins. The revamped magazine will have a different theme every month and feature content about the Middle East as well as exclusive photographs and original story telling in both Arabic and English with an emphasis on luxury, lifestyle and travel.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Ink due to its wealth of international experience in creating the most inspiring and award-winning content today,” says Salam Al Shawa, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Qatar Airways. “The newly designed magazine will be available in all cabins and it will further elevate the on-board experience for our loyal passengers.”

beIN named Broadcast Trendsetter of the Year

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Global network broadcasting, beIN has been named Broadcast Trendsetter of The Year 2016 at the BroadcastPro Middle East Summit and Awards held in Dubai. The awards recognised beIN for its continuous efforts in the media and broadcast industry to attract global partners to its platform and bring premium entertainment content.

“This award is a true reflection of beIN’s achievements and contributions to the media industry in the MENA region,” says Yousef Al-Obaidly, Deputy CEO, beIN Media Group. “In the past few months, beIN has truly emerged as a global media powerhouse that is focused on growth and customers. We thank the judges for bestowing this prestigious award on beIN.”

Bruce Clay Middle East opens new office

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Dubai-based digital marketing agency, Bruce Clay Middle East has launched its first office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as a part of its expansion plan across the Middle East. Following the launch of its new office, Bruce Clay Middle East has appointed Bassam Khaiwi as the General Manager of its Saudi office to help manage and expand operations for the agency in the country and build a strong team as well as offer regional and local clients personalised services to suit their requirements.

“We welcome the addition of Bassam Khaiwi to the Bruce Clay Middle East family,” says James Gaubert, CEO, Bruce Clay Middle East. “Bassam brings a wealth of experience and local knowledge to our team and we are looking forward to replicating our success in the UAE and go beyond that, in Saudi Arabia in the coming months.”

CNN launches new forum

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CNN hosts its first Middle East Business Forum this week at the Four Seasons, Abu Dhabi. The theme for the forum was Beyond Oil in the Changing World with over 350 members in attendance and started out with keynote speeches by former President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso and Mubadala’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, H.E Khaldoon Al Mubarak. The forum served as a platform for discussions among key influencers in the Middle East in the field of business and will be aired on CNN International on December 9, 2016.
“This inaugural CNN Middle East Business Forum was a platform of informed and intelligent discussion amongst key influencers about the opportunities and challenges in the Middle East during a time of seismic change,” says Rani R. Raad, President, CNN International Commercial. “We are proud to have worked with our partners Mubadala and twofour54 to bring together news-makers, agenda-setters and business leaders for meaningful debates about what the future holds.”

UAE newspaper announces closure

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UAE-based newspaper, 7DAYS has announced the closure of its newspaper and online news publication. The news brand will cease operations after 13 years of publishing in the UAE with its final print issue to be published on Thursday, December 22, 2016.

“Whilst it was our stated intention to re-focus and restructure the business for 2017 and beyond, it has since proved not possible to create an acceptable cost base that could deliver a viable and sustainable business,” says Mark Rix, CEO, 7DAYS. “It is therefore with great sadness that we announce the unique 7DAYS news brand will close and thus, cease to inform and entertain the UAE in its refreshing and inimitable way. I have only praise and admiration for the dedicated and talented team that have created such a popular media portfolio over the past 13 years and I wish each of them every future success and happiness.”

PRCA MENA Awards 2017 now open for entries

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Nominations for the PRCA MENA Awards 2017, hosted by Public Relations and Communications Association Middle East and North Africa (PRCA MENA), are now open for entries. The deadline for the entries is December 13, 2016, with the finalists to be announced on January 4, 2017. The awards aim to recognise teams and individuals for campaigns that have taken place between November 1, 2015 to November 2, 2016, that can demonstrate strategy, creativity and originality across 12 categories including Best Integrated Campaign, Rising Star of the Year and Best PR Campaign: Media Relations. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held on February 8, 2017 at the H Hotel. Nominations for the awards are currently open and can be made through prca.mena.global/how-to-enter/.

“I am delighted that the first PRCA MENA awards are open for entries, celebrating excellence in PR and communications across the region,” says Leanne Foy, General Manager, PRCA MENA. “We have a range of new categories to bring to the region and entries will be judged by our international judging panel.”

In The Hot Seat – Loubo Siois

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Team TMN sits down with Loubo Siois, TV Host and Executive Producer of The Dubai Talk Show, who talks about his new TV show and his view of the media industry in the region…

Name: Loubo Siois

Age: 26

From: Greece

Current Job Title: TV Host and Executive Producer of The Dubai Talk Show on Fox Channel

 When did you first arrive in Dubai?

In 2011, I was inspired after watching a movie about Dubai.

Where did you work prior?

My career has evolved around brands such as The Walt Disney Company, Nestle and Nike from the Marketing side, but nowadays I’m aiming for a TV salary of Jimmy Fallon’s level.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?

My first encounter with the media industry was during the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in 2011. I was fascinated by the variety and diversity of the people involved in the media and film industry here and around the region.

Tell us about your new late night talk show…

The Dubai Talk Show is an English-speaking late night talk show, showcasing celebrity interviews, topical monologue jokes and comedy sketches. In summary, giving a reason for celebrities like Nicki Minaj to look at my face for one hour and not feel awkward about it.

What challenges do you face?

Multitasking. Just think that The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon has 200 permanent employees, I won’t say how many we have.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The influence, instead of having a coffee at Costa with hundreds of different people to pass on a message. I just have two to three interviews with well-known celebrities and pass on the message much faster.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a career in media in the UAE?

Be prepared to knock on every door in Media City, Internet City, Business Bay etc. to promote yourself.

What do you think of the quality of TV shows in the region?

Very many people have ideas and try to pursue them but only a few succeed in the long run like Arab’s Got Talent and Arab Idol, I wonder why.

How do you find PRs in the region?

I find them to be decent people.

What’s your pet PR peeve?

Example of a recent communication with PR agency, regarding product placement in our TV Show
Loubo: Can we do paid produce placement?

Client: Sorry, no money but we can offer a barter deal (suits)

Loubo: OK, give me suits

Client: Sorry, no budget

Loubo: Budget? as in money or suits?

Client: Both

What advice can you offer PRs seeking coverage on your show?

I am a very business-minded TV Host. Just get in touch through our website, Facebook, Instagram and we can create a win-win situation.

What’s your most overused saying?

At the end of the end, it doesn’t matter.

Five things you can’t live without?

Internet, beef steaks, hair gel, cotton socks and greek yogurt

If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?

Either working for a corporate brand or a small agency.

What is your favourite form of media (i.e; TV, radio, print)?

Radio when driving, newspaper in the toilet and TV at night.

What’s your favourite TV show?

House of Cards, Narcos, Suits

What’s your most used social media platform?

Instagram