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Arabian Business barred over false news

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Arabian Business has been barred for a month following the publication of false news. The weekly business magazine and online publication published by ITP Media Group will now be inaccessible in the UAE following a statement released by the Dubai Media Office. It is stated that the title published a factually incorrect story, which was subsequently reported in Qatari media outlets, relating to the liquidation of real estate projects in Dubai. The magazine will now face a temporary ban on its print publication and its digital platform will be blocked for a month

Jason O’Connell joins The Big 5 Hub

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Construction brand, The Big 5 Hub, part of dmg events has appointed Jason O’Connell to the role of Editor. Jason was previously Editor at Construction Business News Middle East, a publication of BNC Publishing and will now take on his new role at The Big 5 Hub, where he will be responsible for the brand’s website as well as The Big 5 Hub Quarterly magazine. He will also handle the brand’s other publications Preview and The Big 5 Show Daily, which features the region’s construction trade show, conferences and other related events.

“The Big 5 Hub has grown over the previous years and with a lot of developments underway in the MENA region, we are glad that Jason joined us to strengthen the Big 5 Hub team and lead the generation of the content,” says Josine Heijmans, Portfolio Director – Construction, dmg events. “Our website, e-newsletters, magazines and features, and activities at the exhibitions will greatly benefit from Jason joining us.”

Compareit4me.com takes on new brand identity

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Middle East comparison site, compareit4me.com has rebranded as yallacompare.com to reflect its new identity and expansion plan in the region. The site’s rebrand aims to align itself with the Middle Eastern market with a brand name that pays homage to the region and become the go-to resource for regional consumers looking to save money on everything from insurance to telecoms package. The rebrand will also be followed by an expansion into Saudi Arabia and the opening of a permanent office in Riyadh as well as the launch of its online insurance comparison services to consumers in Egypt.

“When we first started the company, we had no idea that it would become the business that it is today,” says Jon Richards, CEO, yallacompare.com.  “Our success outside of the UAE is what’s informed our decision to create a brand that better represents our English and Arabic-speaking customers. Today, we compare everything from personal loans to flight tickets, we’re the largest insurance aggregator in the Middle East by a considerable margin and we’re active in nine markets across the region.”

New Chief Marketing Officer at General Motors ME

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General Motors has appointed Molly Peck to the role Chief Marketing Officer for the Middle East. With over 20 years of experience in working with General Motors, Molly has worked across several automotive brands including Chevrolet as Director of Advertising and Sales Promotion, and most recently with Buick as Director of Marketing. In her new role, she will be responsible for all marketing and customer experience strategies as well as programs for the GMC and Chevrolet brands across ten Middle East markets where General Motors operates. She will also handle the brand communications, advertising, digital marketing, retail experience and customer engagement of the automotive brands in the region.

“With the advancements we see on the product, technology and customer service fronts, it’s certainly an exciting time to be at General Motors Middle East,” says Molly. “I look forward to working with our teams and dealers to provide customers with experiences and vehicles that are truly world class.”

Ipsos MENA appoints new CEO

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Independent research company, Ipsos MENA has promoted Joseph El Habre to the role of CEO of Ipsos Interactive Services (IIS) and Operations, MENA. Having joined Ipsos in 1996, Joseph started as Chief Information and Operations Officer – MENA and most recently held the position of Chief Operating Officer – MENA. In his new role, he will oversee the expansion of the Ipsos Observer department, which specialises in survey management, data collection and delivery, and the growth of the IIS online panel across the MENA region. He will also focus on ensuring the running of surveys using a wide range of techniques at high quality levels to be able to derive the most accurate and secure results from advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media and PR fields.

“I look forward to taking on this new role and further growing the online and offline business in MENA,” says Joseph. “We give equal importance to both fields, as our ultimate aim is to understand people whoever they are and wherever they are.”

Access Influence launches new marketing tool

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Dubai-based company, Access Influence has launched a new digital platform that connects brands directly to their consumers. The new tool offers scalable opportunities in word of mouth marketing by not only rewarding the consumers for sharing experiences about brands they relate to, but also allowing brands to give back to consumers who become brand advocate and increase their market exposure. The new platform allows brands once signed-up, to create briefs, track their campaigns, preview proposed content and will filter prospective influencers or brand advocates to fit their campaign objectives.

“Spending money on advertising is becoming less and less effective due to general ad blindness,” says Nour El Chaar, CEO and Founder, Access Influence. “Overall, by creating real conversations within relevant communities, the overall authenticity of the brand is elevated, while influencing purchase decisions among more like-minded and trusted consumers such as friends, family members and peer-groups.”

Yi-Hwa Hanna steps down at Women’s Health

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After eight years with ITP Media Group, Yi-Hwa Hanna is moving on from her position as Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health Middle East. Yi-Hwa joined ITP Media Group in 2010 and worked across a number of publications including VIVA Magazine as Features Editor and Good Housekeeping Middle East as Deputy Editor before taking on her most recent role of Editor-in-Chief at Women’s Health Middle East. Having been a key member of Women’s Health Middle East’s launch team and as a part of her role, she conceptualised the features of the magazine from start to finish, worked with emerging talents in the creative fields, handled photoshoots and represented the brand on several occasions to lead it towards becoming one of the region’s most recognised titles.

Yi-Hwa will be moving on to a full-time position in content management at a leading agency, and continue to work on her lifestyle blog, intotheether.me, where she will write and feature contributors time to time on a number of thought-provoking topics, interesting information, practical advice and inspirational stories.

“Launching and then working on Women’s Health Middle East as the Editor-in-Chief for the past four years has been a dream role for me in many ways, where I was able to combine both my skill set and personal passions and work with some of the most inspirational people I’ve met throughout my career,” says Yi-Hwa. “I’m so proud to have been able to grow the brand into what it is today and it will always remain a highlight of my career. However, it’s time for a new adventure for me and I’m thrilled to be moving on to a new chapter, at an exciting position with an amazing team of people.”

MEPRA 2017 now open for entries

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The 2017 Middle East PR Association (MEPRA) Awards are now open for submissions. The award will bring together small agencies, in-house teams and global players in the Middle East PR business, with an aim to recognise and serve as a benchmark for the most inspiring and creative communications work in the industry. This year’s awards will have 20 campaign categories and will see the launch of two new categories, ‘Crisis Communications’ and ‘Best use of Influencers’ to celebrate the best campaigns from across the region. Entries for the awards will be open until October 12 with the candidates shortlisted to be announced on November 5 and the winners to be revealed at the 2017 MEPRA Awards Gala set to take place on December 6 at the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel, Dubai.

“The MEPRA Awards is the moment each year when our industry stops to recognise its best,” says Ray Eglington, Chairman, MEPRA. “At the MEPRA Awards we celebrate what we have achieved and inspire each other to do even better. I look forward to seeing the groundbreaking entries this year.”