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MEPRA appoints new Chair and Vice-Chair 

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The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) has appointed Jonty Summers to the role of Chair and Lisa Welsh to the role of Vice-Chair of the Executive Board from 2019 to 2021. Jonty Summers works with Hanover Middle East where he holds the role of Managing Director while Lisa Welsh works with Hill+Knowlton Strategies MENA where she holds the role of Managing Director. Jonty has served on the MEPRA Executive Board for a year while spearheading MEPRA’s partnership with PR Week UK and participating in the planning and execution of the MEPRA Awards. Lisa has served on the MEPRA Executive Board for a year where she led the planning and implementation of MEPRA’s inaugural REMAP Festival.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to build on MEPRA’s strong foundations as a champion of excellence in public relations,” says Jonty. “MEPRA’s work is shaped by the dynamics, creativity and energy that characterise the region. Signature events like last month’s REMAP creativity conference, the Majlis and the Awards, as well as partnerships with international bodies like CIPR, reflect this mission as we look to encourage ever greater levels of professionalism in the industry.”

“MEPRA is transforming the communications industry as we know it, driving creativity, excellence and development across the region,” says Lisa. “I am honoured to take on the Vice Chair role, and thank both Ray and Deema for their exceptional work to date, along with the executive and strategy board. We look forward to announcing next year’s strategy in January, and taking MEPRA to the next level.”

Bruce Clay MENA makes new appointment

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Dubai-based digital marketing agency, Bruce Clay MENA, has appointed Emmeline Brown to the role of Client and Strategy Director. With a wealth of experience in client services, Emmeline most recently worked with Jumeirah Group, Omobono and McCann. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading client growth and strategy while playing a vital role in the agency’s growth ambitions.

“I’m delighted to be joining such a vibrant, enterprising team,” says Emmeline. “In an ever-crowded market, the current prosperity and future ambitions of Bruce Clay MENA really stand out. I’m eager and excited to bring my regional experience to the mix to help realise the company’s goals whilst continuing to deliver performance driven success to our partners.”

Initiative MENA appoints new Regional Business Director 

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Global media agency, Initiative MENA has appointed Ghayath Sioufi to the role of Regional Business Director. With over 18 years of experience working across various MENA markets, Ghayath worked with companies such as Starcom, du, Nawras and Mindshare. In his new role, Ghayath will serve key accounts and be responsible for driving the agency’s regional programmes across the MENA region.

“I am excited to have joined Initiative MENA in these interesting times of transformational changes in our industry,” says Ghayath. “I am sure that together with the team we will be able to lead this change in the market and confirm our role as key business and growth partner to our clients.”

M&C Saatchi UAE welcomes new Head of Social Media 

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Global communications agency, M&C Saatchi UAE has appointed Mitch Williams to the role of Head of Social Media. With over five years of experience in social media branding, Mitch previously worked with Create Media Group where he held the role of Social Media Director and most recently worked with Serviceplan Middle East where he also held the role of Social Media Director. In his new role, he will set up and drive the digital and social media offering for the agency across all parallels of digital but initially focusing on content strategy development and creation.

“I have always been inspired by the great work done by M&C Saatchi both locally and globally, and now I have the opportunity to not only work within the agency but help build their digital offering,” says Mitch.

Pinpoint Media Group welcomes Gareth Kurt Warren 

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Pinpoint Media Group has appointed Gareth Kurt Warren to the role of Head of Digital Strategy. With over ten years of experience in regional PR and journalism, Gareth previously worked with GNTECH.ae where he held the role of Launch Editor and most recently worked with Gulf News Guides where he held the role of Editor. In his new role, he will oversee the digital and social growth of magazines under the agency including Altitudes, Yachts Middle East, Debonair, Watch 1010 and La Femme, while also standing in as the Acting Digital Editor EDGARDaily.com.

“EDGAR is one of the oldest, most trusted and dependable men’s magazine in the region,” says Gareth. “It has had incredible editors and writers since its launch and it’s amazing to contribute to the brand’s growth. PPMG have a collection of amazing brands, well-respected print titles, and passionate Editors. Taking these brands to the next level, online, is going to be fun and quite exciting.”

markettiers MENA makes new appointment

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Broadcast PR specialists, markettiers MENA has appointed Lucy Davies to the role of Account Director. With over seven years within the agency in London, Lucy most recently worked with a variety of clients including DMCC, L’Oréal, Volkswagen and Audi. In her new role, Lucy will be responsible for overseeing client management, introducing new innovative routes to engage with audiences while driving the agency’s offerings when it comes to live streaming, video news releases and producing podcasts to mobilise audience behavior.

“After seven years being based in the London office, and supporting the UAE, I’m excited to make the move full time,” says Lucy. “It’s an ever changing landscape for PR professionals in the Middle East and I look forward to driving further growth and supporting the expansion in the region and beyond.”

Cheryl King, Managing Director, markettiers MENA, “Over the past few years Lucy has been supporting the MENA team from our London headquarters, and has been instrumental in helping to drive our growth as a broadcast specialist in region. Her relocation to Dubai is testament to her passion for the region and how she has quickly embraced the needs of the market, evangelising broadcast and its power to reach core and new audiences. We’re excited to welcome Lucy to our team on the ground as we continue to introduce and work with our clients on impactful routes to mobilise behaviour.”

Hadeel Mansour promoted at markettiers 

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Broadcast PR specialists, markettiers has promoted Hadeel Mansour to the role of Senior Account Executive. With a wealth of experience in PR, Hadeel most recently held the role of Account Executive, where she supported the team with creative consultancy and worked with agencies and clients across key projects.

In her new role, she will manage the production and delivery of content and undertake targeted media relations while ensuring the campaigns deliver for both clients, brands and media owners.

“I’m very pleased with the experience I’ve gained working at markettiers MENA over the past year,” says Hadeel. “The team has been extremely supportive and helpful and it’s truly been a wonderful journey.  I’m excited to keep growing in the business and I look forward to the new challenges that this will bring.”

Cheryl King, Managing Director, markettiers continues, “Hadeel has had an incredible first year with us and has been instrumental in the ongoing growth of the business – bringing in new clients, growing relationships and leading on multiple projects. Hadeel’s enthusiasm and passion for what we do has been great to see, and she’s always impressed by going above and beyond.”

Sharjah’s first English language radio station makes new appointment 

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Abdul Karim Hanif has been appointed to the role of News Presenter at Pulse 95 Radio. With a wealth of experience in the media industry, Abdul previously worked with City 7 TV where he held the role of News and Sports Presenter and most recently worked with Euronews in Abu Dhabi where he was a freelance correspondent. In his new role, Abdul will produce and present news content that focuses on all the latest developments in Sharjah.

“It is an exciting opportunity to work with the team at ‘Pulse 95 Radio’ under the leadership of Mohammed Yanez, Head of the Station who has helped shape the radio scene in the UAE and GCC, launching some of the most successful radio brands,” says Abdul. “I look forward to bringing interesting stories and announcements from the Emirate of Sharjah.”

markettiers4dc Group of Companies welcomes Leanne Foy 

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Broadcast PR specialists, markettiers4dc Group of Companies has appointed Leanne Foy to the role of Group Marketing Manager. Bringing a wealth of knowledge from across the region, Leanne most recently worked with PRCA MENA where she held the role of General Manager. In her new role, Leanne will be tasked with creating synergies between the companies and bringing a renewed focus on marketing to the global network.

“I am very much looking forward to starting at markettiers in a brand new group-wide international role,” says Leanne. “Over the past four years, the company has grown from strength to strength in the region and I am thrilled to be working with the team to take markettiers to new heights globally. ”

Cheryl King, markettiers’ MENA Managing Director continues, “We’re very excited to welcome Leanne on board in her group-wide role that will see her support the business across the network. Leanne has had a phenomenal few years in the region since launching PRCA MENA, and has built up a fantastic network and knowledge of the communications industry that is recognised by everyone who meets her. We’re really looking forward to supporting Leanne’s ambitions in her next chapter, as we continue to grow and evangelise the power of broadcast both in the region and wider.”

Viu makes new appointment 

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PCCW Media’s Viu from Vuclip has appointed Abe Shady Abdul Naga to the role of Middle East General Manager. With over 17 years of experience in broadcasting, he most recently worked with Middle East Broadcast Corporation (MBC) as Director of Digital Business. In his new role, he will lead a region-specific growth strategy and oversee all of its operations in the region.

“Viu has been on a trajectory of success, and its local approach to the region combined with its remarkable local and global teams is a clear recipe for continued success,” says Abe Shady Abdul Naga. “Increasing demand for digital entertainment from youth proves that the market for such services in the MENA region is promising. It’s an exciting time for the industry as a whole, and I am particularly excited about the days ahead.”

Salman Hussain, Chief Revenue Officer, Vuclip, continues, “Abe’s leadership and digital media industry expertise is a strong match for Vuclip. This is a very exciting time for Viu with our rapid expansion to various markets and millions of raving fans. In this region we are just getting started and our first set of Arabic Viu Original shows such as Hob El Tayebin and Wahid:Wahid saw an overwhelmingly positive response from both consumers, as well as the industry ecosystem and partners. With Abe’s leadership, we look forward to bringing a compelling wave of on demand entertainment to the region, and Viu’s rapid expansion across the Middle East.”