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Active partners with VIANEWS

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Active (Digital. Marketing. Communications) Middle East is set to partner with Brazil based integrated communications agency, VIANEWS through Hotwire PR. Located in Sao Paulo, VIANEWS will bring together their network of agencies in Latin America with Hotwire’s existing international footprint of offices as well as exclusive co-branded partners and affiliates that will provide clients with communications expertise in major economic regions.

“This latest addition to our growing global presence means that we can now offer our existing and prospective clients access and integrated marketing support in a market that has drawn ever closer to this region and the UAE specifically, as well as providing a host of Brazilian and Latin American companies and organisations high standards of marketing services and support across the Middle East region,” says Sawsan Ghanem, Managing Director and Founding Partner, Active (Digital. Marketing. Communications).

Hill+Knowlton appoints new CEO

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Hill+Knowlton Strategies has appointed Bashar AlKadhi to the role of Chief Executive Officer, MENA, starting September 2016. Previously COO at ASDAA’A Burson-Masteller, Bashar has over 17 years of experience in PR having worked in senior roles for companies including; i2 Group, Coca-Cola and intermarkets PR. In his new role, he will oversee Hill+Knowlton’s business across the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, as well as join the company’s management team and serve as the Senior Vice President, EMEA.

“I am very pleased to have Bashar AlKadhi onboard,” says Lars Erik Grønntun, Chairman and CEO, Hill+Knowlton, EMEA. “He comes very highly recommended from clients, colleagues and senior executives alike. Bashar brings with him a number of qualities to our company, including a dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit and a keen intellect. But, first and foremost, he is a client man and I look forward to having him engage with our existing and new clients in the region.”

Bashar adds “I am truly excited to take on this new challenge. Hill+Knowlton Strategies was the first international PR company established in the Middle East and has a long history in the region. Now it is my turn to be the steward of this legacy and take the company into the next phase – I look forward to getting to know the people and the clients as well as build on all the great things that I know Hill+Knowlton stands for.”

Nicolas Roux joins LinkedIn MENA

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LinkedIn MENA has appointed Nicolas Roux as its first ever Head of Agencies for MENA’S LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. With 20 years of experience in digital marketing, business development as well as brand & content strategy, Nicolas most recently worked at MediaCom MENA, Kalm Beauty Network, Leo Burnett and Chalhoub Group. In his new role, he will be responsible for strategic partnerships and executive level engagements with key media holding companies as well as the agencies within them. Nicolas will also lead, advice and execute LinkedIn’s go-to-market strategy for media, creative, social and PR agencies with the objective of driving partner and agency alignment across the organisation within the MENA region.

“The MENA media market is on the brink of the next evolutionary leap forward, with traditional lines being redrawn between brands, publishers and agencies,” says Nicolas. “I am excited to join LinkedIn at such a significant time in its own journey, and look forward to working with our agency partners to create economic opportunities for professionals across the region.”

Vice and Moby partner in the Middle East

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Youth media and content creation studio, VICE Media has partnered with media and communications group, MOBY Group to launch VICE’s digital and mobile programming in the MENA region. The partnership will give the company access to MOBY’s knowledge in the local markets and will bring with it the opening of local production studios across the region, the hiring of journalists and filmmakers as well as the airing of tailored local news and lifestyle programming.

“There’s no question that the Middle East is one of the promising emerging digital markets in the world right now,” says Saad Mohseni, Chairman and Group CEO, MOBY Group. “There’s a massive young audience in the Middle East and North Africa that’s intensely engaged in the debates and stories happening around them—but no one is focused on offering them the immersive, locally produced content that they want. VICE, under visionary leadership of Shane, has successfully captured the mind and heart of the youth across the globe. We have been collaborating with VICE for many years, and now through MOBY’s formal partnership with VICE we look forward to filling a vital void and reaching the digitally savvy young generation with content that matters to them.”

Mindshare wins at ME Event Awards

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Mindshare MENA was awarded Best Conference at the Middle East Event Awards, for this year’s annual media summit, titled ‘Content Decoded’. The WPP agency is a global media agency network helping clients to make collaborative and adaptive decisions across its paid, owned and earned marketing in real-time. The Middle East Event Awards were held at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai and recognised the region’s best events, across 22 categories including; Best Music Event, Best Use of Event Technology, Best Festival and Best Brand Activation.

“Our annual media conference was another smash success this year and we are proud that the Middle East Event Awards recognised the many original ideas that were integrated into ‘Content Decoded’ in order to surprise and engage attendees,” says Mouna Ajam, Regional PR Director, Mindshare MENA. “Our team looks forward to hosting many more conferences that address the most important industry issues we face today, using the agency’s signature out-of-the-box way of thinking.”

Phillip Westphal, Managing Director, Salt & Pepper Events, adds “We are honored to have been selected for Best Conference at the Middle East Event Awards. We always strive to leave an impact, so working with Mindshare’s innovative team was a great collaboration. We are extremely happy to be recognised with this award.”

TRACCS appoints new VP of Strategy and Development

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MENA-based public relations network, has appointed Stephen Marney as Vice President of Strategy and Development. With over 30 years media, communications and business consultancy experience Stephen has will be developing TRACCS’ existing and future portfolio of products and services, revamping its ENRICH suite of training programs and enhancing the internal communications and strategic business advisory practices.

Stephen will directly report to the CEO, Mohamed Al Ayed and brings with him extensive experience in the MENA Region and corporate management and development expertise.

“MENA is one of the world’s fastest growing regions in terms of PR and with the proliferation of agencies in the region and especially in some key markets, 2016 is going to be the year of thinking beyond the realm of possibilities for us at TRACCS,” says Mohamed Al Ayed, CEO, TRACCS. “Growth doesn’t necessarily have to evolve out of innovation; sometimes structured advancement of the existing offering can transform an organizations competitive approach and performance, setting it apart from the rest of the industry players.”

Stephen adds, “I am excited about this new challenge and I am confident that I can draw upon my 16 years of experience in the region, working with a diverse portfolio of clients across various industries including media, to make strategic business enhancements within TRACCS. I am extremely happy to join the region’s largest PR network and work closely with its senior leadership, turning obstacles into challenges, challenges into opportunities and opportunities into successes.”