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Spotlight Productions launches in the UAE

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New production company, Spotlight Productions launches in the UAE. Spotlight Productions aims to offer videography and photography services to meet the requirements of clients and help communicate their message in an engaging manner as well as creating captivating content to bring their stories and announcements into the spotlight. The new company will see its co-founders Abdul Karim Hanif with broadcast journalism experience take on the role of Managing Partner and Producer, Melville Picardo with TV production experience as Head of Post Production and Muhammad Adnan having worked in the television industry as Production Manager. The new team will work towards partnering with communications and PR companies by bringing the news team’s support to produce video news releases for press conferences and events.

“Video content has become a crucial element to take a press release forward an extra mile, particularly with the rise of social media influencers,” says Abdul Karim Hanif, Managing Partner and Producer, Spotlight Productions. “We aim to bring our TV production knowledge to create that appealing content together with the interviews of our clients. Over the years we have developed strong relationships with PR firms in our network and we would now like to enhance those ties further by providing them with the support they require for their written content.”

Grayling Welcomes New Account Director

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Global communications firm, Grayling UAE, has appointed Lauren Ramey to the role of Account Director. With over five years of experience in strategic communications planning, international media relations and issues management, Lauren previously worked as Director of Communications Planning in the Office of the Premier of Ontario in Canada before moving to the GCC and most recently worked as the Communications Advisor to the Ministry of Finance in Saudi Arabia. In her new role, she will work towards delivering strong guidance to the clientele of Grayling across the Middle East.

“With Grayling, I share a real passion for inventive and integrated communications solutions, which have a long-lasting positive impact on organisational goals,” says Lauren. “I look forward to working closely with this dynamic team to realise our passion through delivering strategic counsel and powerful content to the firm’s impressive and growing client list across the region.”

CIPR and MEPRA launch new training programme

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The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has partnered with the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) to launch new training programme, MEPRA Academy. MEPRA Academy aims to provide professional development opportunities across the region and will see CIPR provide exclusive access to MEPRA members on its continuing professional development (CPD) online portal. The new academy’s courses will be led by international experts and CIPR certified senior communications professionals across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan.

“We know through our research that continued learning and internationally recognised professional accreditation is critically important to the regional public relations practitioner,” says Ray Ellington, Chairman, MEPRA. “We have developed the new MEPRA Academy and our partnership with CIPR to answer this need helping individuals develop their careers and our industry to raise its standards.”

BUZ MMC launches new integrated communications platform

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Dubai-based full-service marketing and events agency, BUZ MMC has launched new integrated communications expertise concept, ICE by BUZ. The new division aims to offer full 360-degree market exposure and deliver projects at a fast pace across social, digital and on-line platforms as well as for classic PR. The new division launch will also see the appointment of Houssam El Boutary to the role of Digital Group Account Director having previously worked with Mullenlowemena as Account Manager and most recently with Commonwealth//McCann as Regional Integrated Senior Account Manager. In his new role, he will head the new division and oversee the integration of BUZ MMC’s existing PR, digital and social, and creative divisions under one umbrella. 

“This is the age of boutique agencies offering a seamless, comprehensive service and we are striving to become one that is backed by a high level of professional skill and standard,” says Houssam El Boutary, Digital Group Account Director, BUZ MMC. “The agency has hired global talents with expertise in branded content, creative, digital media buying, content creation and analytics to add to the already fantastic team within BUZ.”

Panel of judges announced for Effies 2017

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The MENA Effie Awards has announced its panel of judges for the 2017 edition. With the ceremony set to hold on November 15 2017, the panel of judges have been selected from across 147 sectors to judge the most effective marketing efforts in the region. The list of judges will include, Fahd Osman, Marketplace Leader at IBM MENA, Hani Alaita, Regional Marketing Manager at Danone Middle East, Abdallah Touqan, Director PR, Communications and Events at Dubizzle and OLX MENA. The full jury list is available on the MENA Effie Awards website.

“Our judges are absolutely crucial to the success of the Effies, because it is only by working with the finest minds in the marketing world that we are able to identify the best work that has been achieved in our sector this year,” says Alexandre Hawari, Co-CEO, Mediaquest. “Entries are open and the deadlines are fast approaching, so we urge all companies to seize this opportunity to display their innovative, effective approaches to everything, ranging from sector-specific marketing to branded content and media ideas.”

TishTash Tots launches in the GCC

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Dubai-based specialist boutique PR agency, TishTash has launched new specialist division, TishTash Tots. TishTash Tots aims to provide a range of PR and integrated marketing services needed to connect brands and businesses with the children and family market across the GCC. The new division will also work across clients such as Water Wipes, ClevaMama and Aventura Parks as a part of its plan to specialise in a portfolio of children and family brands.

“TishTash is an agile agency, “says Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, Founder and Managing Director, TishTash. “We strive to anticipate industry trends and new areas of accelerated growth. Our strategy, at this time, is to take our proven specialist approach to those sectors that present the biggest potential.”

Cicero and Bernay expands into the MENA region

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Public relations consultancy, Cicero and Bernay (C&B) has signed a strategic affiliation with Sudanese-based company, Katia International as a part of its expansion plan into the MENA region. The partnership will see C&B build on its expertise in the Sudanese market through the provision of PR services, on-ground support and development of targeted communications as well as PR strategies that caters to the region. The affiliation will also see Katia International lend C&B important insights while it expands its regional influence and ensure both companies collaboratively exchange best practices to further professional development.

“This is part of our wider strategy to enhance our MENA presence by expanding to all Arabic speaking countries, strongly building a regional and global network of communication experts, offering our services to multinational corporations, and increasing our diverse portfolio of clients,” says Maysa-Jana Atoui, Director of Business Development, C&B.

Motivate Publishing welcomes Tamara Djorem

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Motivate Publishing has appointed Tamara Djorem to the role of Senior Sales Manager for good magazine. Tamara brings with her five years of sales experience haven most recently worked with ITP Media Group as Sales Manager for it’s consumer magazines OK! Middle East and Ahlan!. In her new role, she will be responsible for driving sales for good magazine and executing bespoke events for its clients across the region.

“I am thrilled to be part of Motivate Publishing and really look forward to working with such a dynamic team and developing new ideas and possibilities,” says Tamara.