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iProspect MENA appoints Regional General Manager

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.”

Dentsu Aegis Kuwait partners with Views

Dentsu Aegis Network in Kuwait has partnered with Views Communications. With offices based in Kuwait City, Views Communications will be responsible for the media planning and buying requirements of Carat and other Dentsu Aegis Network clients in the country. Views Communications is a full service agency that spans media planning and buying, creative, PR and activation, and was founded in 2010. The new partnership will see the team, lead by Karim Bitar, CEO of Views Communications, working on existing clients, Carat regional clients including GM, Total, BA and Pringles, as well as new prospects.

“This partnership is another important step in continuing our expansion in the Middle East and with Karim’s extensive experience and understanding of the media landscape in the market, we’re confident that we’ll see significant growth in Kuwait,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO Dentsu Aegis Network MENA.

Karim adds “This really is an exciting time for our team and it is a sign that a global player in the media space sees Kuwait as a market worthy of a significant presence and this kind of investment. We are looking forward to working with clients across the Middle East and beyond.”

Dentsu Aegis launches Amplifi in MENA

Dentsu Aegis Network MENA has launched Amplifi, a newly established division responsible for media investment and strategic partnerships for the group. Amplifi will bring together the group’s investment management, media partnerships, programmatic buying (AMNET) and content capability functions into a consolidated unit, with data as its foundation. It’s primary goal will be to deliver maximum performance for the group’s clients by working collaboratively with media, technology and infrastructure partners.

“It’s an important milestone for us to officially launch Amplifi in MENA,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network MENA. “To form that matrix integrating investment management, media partnerships, technology and content empowered by data under Amplifi allows us to leverage the group’s scale and develop innovative solutions for our clients across all of our agencies.”

For further information, contact Sara Paye at sara.paye@dentsuaegis.com / +971 (0)4 447 4996

Dentsu Aegis Network partner with ICA

Multinational media and digital marketing communications company Dentsu Aegis Network has formed a new partnership with the International Communications Agency (ICA), in Iran. The newly branded Carat-ICA, is the first official partnership formed by the two agencies, though they have worked together since January 2015. With offices based in Tehran, Carat-ICA will take full responsibility for the media planning and buying requirements of Carat and other Dentsu Aegis Network clients in the country.

The newly formed and exclusive Carat-ICA alliance aims to add value to both clients and media stakeholders in Iran, one of the fastest-growing countries in the Middle East.

“Moving forward, we forecast a bright future for the Iranian market,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network. “The newly formed Carat-ICA partnership has on-the-ground capabilities and a ‘Generation Y’ team of digital and media experts. This, paired with our network’s global resources, skills and knowledge, will allow us to support the needs of our clients in Iran and add another key growth market to our offering.”

Ben Karmi, Managing Director, Carat-ICA adds “We were looking at ways we could further evolve and improve our offering to both new and existing clients. Carat’s, as well as the wider Dentsu Aegis Network’s focus on innovation and their entrepreneurial spirit made them the perfect fit.”

Posterscope appoints General Manager

Out-of-home communications agency Posterscope – part of Dentsu Aegis Network – has promoted Abdallah Saab to the position of General Manager. Saab previously held the role of Business Development Director, having spent the previous seven years working for sister agency Carat.

Abdallah will continue his business development responsibilities in this new role, with focus on enhancing Posterscope’s offerings and driving the strategic direction of the business. His immediate responsibilities will include exploring new technologies, relationships and partnerships to meet the needs of the evolving out-of-home marketplace.

“Posterscope’s success is driven by consumer insight, innovation and market intelligence,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network MENA. “With more than a decade of experience within our network and unrivalled expertise in the region’s media, Abdallah is the perfect person to lead Posterscope and I am sure he will deliver a positive business advantage to both our network and his growing portfolio of clients.”

Abdallah adds, “Consumers are more connected with outdoors than ever before; this dynamic creates a tremendous opportunity for out-of-home to play a crucial role in solving our clients’ business challenges. I look forward to working with our clients and our partners to continue to evolve the Posterscope offering and drive innovation across out-of-home and the industry as a whole.”

Koji Watanabe joins newly launched Dentsu MEA

Dentsu Aegis Network has appointed Koji Watanabe as Managing Director of newly launched advertising agency, Dentsu MEA. Reporting to Michael Nederlof, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network MENA, Koji will take charge of account and product management for Dentsu’s clients in all 54 MEA markets and aim to employ the global network’s synergies within the region. Having been with the network for over 20 years, Koji joins Dentsu Aegis Network MENA from Japan after spending extensive time in Dentsu Alpha in Vietnam, as well as in the Phillipines. As Managing Director, Koji will look to expand and build Dentsu MEA’s client base, significantly with Japanese clients looking to expand into the Middle East and Africa, as well as with local brands in the region.

The launch of Dentsu MEA takes Dentsu Aegis Network MENA’s tally of brands up to six, along with Carat, iProspect, Isobar, Posteroscope and Vizeum.

“With the Middle East and Africa outpacing other regions of the world in terms of growth, it presents a fantastic opportunity for Dentsu to capitalise on both Japanese and international brands wanting to move into the region,” says Koji. “This, coupled with our unique business methods, will ensure that we deliver unparalleled results for our clients.”

Michael Nederlof, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network MENA adds, “It was always earmarked to introduce Dentsu into the region and the agency’s offering to our clients as part of our suite of brands in the network. With Dubai’s geographical location, Dentsu Aegis Network MENA will offer Dentsu the opportunity to access Western and European markets alike. The appointment of Koji allows us to move forward in this delivery, as he brings an abundance of experience from within our network to add tremendous value to both new and existing clients.”

Dentsu Aegis Network to offer ICUC

Dentsu Aegis Network has further consolidated its presence in the communications space by offering social media moderation and management specialist ICUC in the UAE. Founded in 2002, ICUC provides content moderation, community management and reporting insights to support brands’ media strategies in the digital space.

“The social media world is evolving and changing daily, and a brand can no longer have a social media presence without needing protection,” says Audrey Soler, Business Development Manager, ICUC. “With the launch of ICUC in the UAE, we can help brands moderate and monitor their social conversation in both Arabic and English. Social networks, blogs and video-sharing sites like YouTube are great vectors in the region but this is just one aspect of social strategy. Whilst brands need to engage with their consumers 24/7 through strong social customer care, managing online reputation by keeping negative social content at bay is equally important. With 12 years of experience in online risk mitigation, ICUC delivers peace of mind and insurance for our clients and their social presence.”

Michael Nederlof, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network MENA adds, “There is an ideal match between ICUC’s real-time social media services and our clients’ growing needs across the social media landscape. Brands will now understand consumer opinions and monitor product campaigns and competitors in real-time, to make better business decisions and maximise return-on-investment.”