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DJWE partners with BPA

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Brand experience agency, Auditoire Qatar has signed with BPA Worldwide to audit the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) to be held from February 20 – 25, 2017 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event will be open to the public and will feature over 400 international brands and local jewellery designers from across the industry. BPA will be responsible for auditing the show in 2017 and 2018 by analysing and reporting on its attendance, exhibition data, demographics, newsletters, social media and website traffic using the BPA Event Brand Report.

“We are delighted that the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition has applied for membership with BPA Worldwide and are excited that this will be the first exhibition to utilise the BPA Event Brand Report in the region,” says Glenn Hansen, President and CEO, BPA Worldwide. “We applaud Auditoire Qatar for providing exhibitors and prospects with the solid assurance of an independent attendance audit conducted according to BPA’s world-respected, uncompromising standards. With a BPA event audit, sponsors and exhibitors can be confident that audience claims are accurate and that they have the verified data that they need to assess an event’s effectiveness in serving its market.”

C&B expands MENA network

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Cicero & Bernay (C&B), part of The Publicity Network (Publinet) has signed an affiliation with Kuwait-based marketing and public relations agency, Local Flavor. Aiming to further expand its network within the MENA region, the partnership will offer the agency’s clients public and media relations services, business development capabilities and communication development tools as well as PR strategies.

“The signing of this affiliation agreement amplifies our strong capabilities throughout the MENA region in delivering comprehensive public relations and communications services,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero & Bernay. “Local Flavor and C&B each have a strong service ethos that delivers tailored client servicing and communication planning for our clientele. Our complementary insights will enrich already effective communication delivery across both of our markets and to the wider region.”

Khaled Salah Al-Sayer, Managing Partner, Local Flavor adds, “We are very pleased with this new affiliation, as it combines the strong market knowledge of both companies and the breadth of complementary services and expertise. For our clients, this affiliation will deliver increased opportunity for exposure and strengthened brand infrastructure that can be optimised across the region.”

Is your press release lacking interactive content?

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Josh Baker, Business Development Specialist at markettiers discusses the increased need of video content and how to generate maximum engagement through a press release…

“It is not enough to just use carefully curated video content, without using a press release. The two pieces of content should complement each other and give the end user both options of a visual experience as well as a simulating read simultaneously.”

Since we launched our Dubai offices, roughly four years ago, PR in the Middle East and more specifically the UAE has considerably changed and undergone intense evolution.

A few years ago, the marketplace was heavily dominated by agencies winning PR retainers and projects with clients almost on a one-pronged approach. PR plans were dominated by a series of press releases as part of the output and many agencies were (and still are) tasked with delivering a minimum number of press release content as part of their scope of work. Typically, there were not as many people accompanying this with video content.

Placing video content and live streams along with a strongly worded press release ensures that an agency’s PR strategy is as broad and engaging as possible, while capturing a wider and more targeted audience.

In today’s world, audiences like to read content that is accompanied by stimulating videos, as is very evident with the recent growth of visual social media channels. They enjoy and get more involved with a brand through textual information that is paired with interactive video content, giving them the most hedonic, energetic and emotional experience.

This does not mean that written content is dead or is even fizzling out. In fact, we always say to our clients that it is not enough to just use carefully curated video content, without using a press release. The two pieces of content should complement each other and give the end user both options of a visual experience as well as a simulating read simultaneously.

Each video produced to go along with a press release should be strategically thought out and curated, so the finished product is not interpreted as an advertorial piece. The video needs to fit with the news agenda and should be carefully developed to include statistics and figures that will play along as the press release reads.

So why do clients like seeing news worthy video content? Their target audiences can visualise the product or services and also because media outlets are happy to feature video content – If you look at most stories now on websites, you’ll find plenty of video content. Websites like it because it increases dwell time on their site, which in turn means they can charge advertises more to have their banner ads displayed for increased engagement and a longer lasting impact. Most clients today like to see their product or service in both written and video content format.

Video content creation should always have a flexible approach. Having worked with government entities and corporate clients as well as consumer brands in the past, we have learnt that each client has different needs and content creation should always be in sync with the brand’s goals.

When working with broadcasters, video content gets the editor listening to you. They are more drawn towards your news and it builds their interest to work around your proposal to best suit their agenda. If well written and well shot, more times than not, the article will get featured and produced in the right manner.

Saudi Arabian news channel closes

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Saudi Arabian-based news channel, Al-Arab has announced the closure of its news channel after two years of operation. Launched in 2015 by Al-Waleed Bin Talal, Al-Arab will cease operations with immediate effect after being shut down from its headquarters in Bahrain.

OSN signs long-term TV content deal

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Entertainment network company, OSN has signed a long-term deal for exclusive rights to Disney Channels in the MENA region. The agreement will see OSN maintain exclusive rights and give its subscribers across the MENA region access to Disney channels including Disney XD, Disney Junior and Disney Channel HD. The long-term deal will also see subscribers gain access to soon to be launched Disney first-pay movies and the Disney Forever on Demand services.

“We continue to build on our strong collaboration with Disney through an even wider range of content that appeals to family and kids,” says Emad Morcos, Chief Content Officer, OSN. “The quality of Disney entertainment is unbeatable and the addition of more On Demand anytime and anywhere shows will offer added choices for our customers. Our long-term partnership with Disney is industry-defining as it raises the bar in home entertainment and brings even more value for our subscribers.”

New Communications Director at TKD Lingerie

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GCC retail brand, TKD Lingerie has appointed Andrea Gissdal to the role of Communications Director. Previously Associate Director at Four Communications, Andrea will now manage all marketing and communications activity for the brand across the region.

“As TKD Lingerie has evolved as a brand, so has our need for strategic, on-brand communications,” says Kate Kikano, Owner, TKD Lingerie. “It is a pleasure to welcome Andrea to the TKD Lingerie team, and I am looking forward to working together as we face the next phase of our development.”

 

Grey Middle East welcomes new CCO

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Global communications agency, Grey Group has promoted Ali Shabaz to the role of Chief Creative Officer (CCO) for its Middle East offices. Previously CCO for Grey Group in Southeast Asia, Ali has over 20 years of experience as a Creative Director. In his new role, he will be based in Dubai and will report to Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO of Grey Group – Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

“Ali is highly experienced and has tackled creative work across numerous industries and geographies,” says Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO, Grey Group – Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. “Under his leadership in the Middle East, we are looking to further bolster our creative output and Ali will play an instrumental role in this process. I am confident that he will bring the same dedication, vast knowledge and experience to his new role.”

Ali adds, “It was truly an honour to be leading the creative across Southeast Asia and working with some of the most talented people in the industry. I am excited about taking on the new role and creating brand experiences for our clients in the Middle East region.”